I have been feeling a little Scrooge-like thinking of Thanksgiving this year (mixed holiday metaphors, I know) as it will be the third year in a row that I won’t be cooking my favorite holiday meal. The first year, when my son was just three months old, I caved and agreed to go out for dinner. Last year, my brother got married Thanksgiving weekend, and we spent Thanksgiving flying cross-country. (My sister-in-law’s family cooked a Thanksgiving feast for the rehearsal dinner the next day, though, so it’s not like we didn’t get turkey at all.) And this year, we’re taking the toddler to meet his only cousin on my husband’s side of the family. For someone who really loves to cook, it’s hard to let go of (control over) the food even though it means more time with family.
As I brace myself for November’s arrival, I am reminding myself to be grateful that we can celebrate the harvest feast in our own way throughout the month. My three favorite green “things,” in the context of Thanksgiving, are the wonderful farmers and producers who provide the real food that graces our table. We bought gorgeous pump
kins this weekend from our CSA farm, including some that are soon to be baked and will be transformed into pumpkin cookies, bread and cheesecake bars over the next few weeks. I am grateful that our Del Ray Farmers Market continues through the month, providing us easy access to apples, cider, mushrooms, greens and Tom our Cheese Guy’s fresh yogurt, cheese and Amish treats. And I’m thankful that we can squeeze a local, all-natural, free-range turkey from Smith Meadows into our freezer to cook once we return from our travels — when we’ll truly be thankful to be enjoying a home-cooked dinner.
This is my first submission to the Green Moms Carnival, hosted by Best of Mother Earth. This month’s theme is gratitude; be sure to visit her blog next Monday for the round-up.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan // Oct 29, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Welcome Colleen to this months Green Moms Carnival! My daughter exclaimed last week, how thanksgiving isn’t just about food mom, it’s about our favorite foods!! Of all the holidays I think it’s the one that most highlights seasonal choices! I personally have only actually cooked a handful of Thanksgivings and appreciate being the guest of this grateful occasion! I still have many a time in which I can cook!
2 Sommer Green & Clean Mom // Nov 3, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I have a turkey from last year but I need to get a range free one for next year. I love thanksgiving and my favorite are the sweets!! Pies!
3 Jennifer Taggart // Nov 3, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’m sorry you won’t get to cook . . . I do our family Thanksgiving (although I’d much rather do Christmas Eve) and have to cook for 45! Although everybody brings a dish so it isn’t that much work.
Welcome to Green Moms Carnival!
Jennifer
http://www.thesmartmama.com
4 JessTrev // Nov 3, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Ooh! I am jealous of your turkey (not that I could fit it into my freezer, which is jampacked with Polyface meat).
Back to your point, I bet it will be hard for you not to be whipping up one (or many) of your masterpieces. Hmmm…can you lock down Thanksgiving 2009? I think you’re due. Perhaps you can also stage an alter-Thxgiving later this year, too. 😉 And cousin love is always worth it.
5 Diane MacEachern // Nov 3, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Whether we go out or stay in (the usual), what we all most look forward to is a stress-free confab and feast around the same table. Delicious food definitely helps, but good humor and the joy of being in each other’s company are the real desserts on our menu. Happy Thanksgiving, all.
6 Mary // Nov 4, 2008 at 2:27 am
I can almost smell the fall air when I looked at your pictures. Ahhhh
7 foodietots
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// Nov 11, 2008 at 5:19 pm
@ Karen, @ Sommer, @ Jennifer, @ Jess, @ Diane, @ Mary – thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving food traditions, too. And for the warm welcome to the Green Moms Carnival.
@ Jess, I am definitely a proponent of belated home-cooked Thanksgiving meals. Last year we had our turkey for Christmas. This year I’m making my favorite sides & pies throughout the month. Who needs a date on the calendar to say it’s time to celebrate? 🙂