Tag: Thanksgiving

There’s always room for one more

Brother balances the tinfoil-wrapped plates on his lap while I crank up Mama's big Mercury, even though I'm not quite old enough to drive. The smell of turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes fills the car. Brother looks a little scared as I mash the pedal to the floor slinging a little driveway gravel as we … Continue reading There’s always room for one more

Defiantly straight

16 hours. That's how long I was in my mother's home for a Thanksgiving visit before I found myself with not one but two different kinds of product in my hair. My limp, straight, ornery hair has been a source of consternation to my mother my whole life, and one day, by God, she will … Continue reading Defiantly straight

Count Furcula – or – Happy Wishgiving

Furcula. That is the funny-sounding, official name of what we commonly refer to as a wishbone. It means "little fork" in Latin. Furcula. During this season of giving thanks, it is traditional for two people to rend this little bone from the turkey carcass and, in a sometimes spirited contest of hand strength and cunning, … Continue reading Count Furcula – or – Happy Wishgiving

Creamed things on toast

With Thanksgiving looming before us, it's time we had a little cooking lesson. I am going to share with you the the first thing Mama taught me to cook. With this recipe she gave me the key to making most anything reasonably palatable, using up leftovers, and making the perfect gravy. Just this one basic … Continue reading Creamed things on toast

Things I am thankful for – OR – My life is better than your life so nanny nanny boo boo

November had become the month to tell the world all the things one is thankful for. A singular day of thanksgiving is no longer enough. Now we have Thirty Days of Thanks, which takes over Facebook, Twitter, the blogosphere, and most all other social media outlets. And the masses, as if living out the good … Continue reading Things I am thankful for – OR – My life is better than your life so nanny nanny boo boo

Sweet Potato Cobbler and a Lesson in Love

If it’s true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then my husband’s heart belongs to another woman. Since we’ve been married, he has sung the praises of her pinto beans, her cornbread, her fried pies. She had the culinary Midas touch. At her hand the most common ingredients turned into … Continue reading Sweet Potato Cobbler and a Lesson in Love

Have you got game?

"Taste this and guess what it is!" Aunt Lois* says to me one Thanksgiving morning while jabbing at me with a carving fork, a piece of grayish meat dangling from the tines. "Go on; taste it!" Now I don't know about you, but I want to be able to readily identify my food. Even at … Continue reading Have you got game?

Baby Jesus would not approve

Something is missing. I've looked for it in my neighborhood, at the mall, on television. Nothing. It was a homely little thing that used to pop in once a year between the end of October and the beginning of December. When it came to visit, it usually brought with it some family — both blood … Continue reading Baby Jesus would not approve