With Thanksgiving

Dagny Clare in Indian Summer

It was right chilly this morning in the Midlands of South Carolina, but the forecast for Thanksgiving Day is a high of seventy-five, with a good deal of sunshine.

Today's cool temps are an anomaly; it has been remarkably warm up until now.

No-Sleeves November, as it were.

Dagny, at my behest, complete with Audrey-Hepburnesque shades, modeled the current climatic mood for you on a recent Sunday.

I predict that, this Thursday, depending on what time we eat (since it gets dark so early), a few folks may be sitting out by the pool to feast upon everything I am planning on cooking.

TG and I did the Thanksgiving-weekend shopping last night and, working together, accomplished that feat in approximately one hour. Methinks we chose the right time of day to show up at the supermarket.

It took longer than that to plan the menu and compose the shopping list.

And it took nearly as long as the shopping itself, for my knight in shining armor to haul everything inside and for me to put it all away.

(Well; a number of items are sitting out on the counter, because within a few minutes of posting this, I plan to start cooking.)

Everyone -- and I do mean everyone; we will be fourteen in number -- is arriving tomorrow in time for the evening meal.

We are committed to celebrating and enjoying our holidays together this year as we do every year. 

For Christmas, our Stephanie's family goes to Pennsylvania while Andrew's family goes in the other direction, to Florida.

So this is our big holiday gathering and trust me: we will make the most of it.

As for tomorrow evening, we're having my famous (well; much talked-about in our family at least) spicy cranberry meatballs, with soft buns in case someone wants to make a sandwich, and chips, and pineapple-red pepper-mandarin orange-almond cole slaw.

There will be ice cream sandwich cake for dessert.

I'm making the ice cream sandwich cake by lining the bottom of a baking dish with ice cream sandwiches and slathering them with Cool Whip before sprinkling milk chocolate M&Ms on top and drizzling copious amounts of Hershey's chocolate syrup over all, then making a second layer just the same, and shoving the whole thing into the freezer until time to serve.

I saw a video.

How, you may ask, will anyone be able to eat anything on Thursday, after eating all of that for supper on Wednesday?

That remains to be seen but as per usual, the pirate shall faithfully report.

Meanwhile I wish you and yours a happy and peaceful and meaningful holiday, surrounded by those you love and if not surrounded, then at least secure in their hearts.

With thanksgiving.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Thanksgiving

Comments

[Jeanette]

I've made that ice cream sandwich cake before and it's always a hit! We are having 11 people for Thanksgiving and I'm happy with that amount. Last year we had 25 people so this is a small crowd! our granddaughter is very cut and yes I agree, Audrey Hepburnish!

[Jennifer]

@Jeanette ... wow, eleven is a small number when you're used to twenty-five! I don't know if I could deal with twenty-five, haaahaaha ... but I bet I could if I had to. Little Miss Audrey Hepburn is determined to dress as an American Indian on Thanksgiving Day, since she was supposed to go to school that way today, but woke up in the night with a wee stomach bug and had to stay home. Oh to have the problems of a first grader! Haaahaaha have a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy every bite! xo

[Cheri]

Sounds like you have been very busy and will get even busier! I have decorated the last 3 days; now tomorrow will begin cooking 4 dishes for Thursday...I did some prep work today. We will be going to my SIL's since it's the year for us to celebrate with hubby's family. There will be 25 of us (should have been 29 but that's another story!) Hope the "too many in a party" police don't come get us!!! My husband hasn't seen his family in months and he's chomping at the bit! We have made the decision to live our lives while doing our best to be safe (masks, washing hands, social distancing when possible). HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours. Love that Audrey Hepburn look!!!!

[Mari]

Cute pic of Miss Dagny. Every time I see her, I am amazed at how she is growing.
I make that ice cream sandwich dessert too, but put crushed heath bars on instead of M&M's.
I would usually be having 25 here, but with my Dad, my nephew and his girlfried all sick with covid, we are splitting into small family units this year and bringing a meal over to Dad. Sad but true...

[Jennifer]

@Cheri ... I am so glad you're having a large gathering and that your husband is excited to see his family. That's good for the soul, and these days we need to be thinking about that more than about dodging germs that are all around us and that there is really no getting away from. We as a family are committed to living maskless (and we do, with very few exceptions) but we have ALWAYS been careful about hand washing and cleanliness in general ... good grief y'all! Most of this is common sense and if no one said anything about making draconian concessions for seasonal flu in my ENTIRE life, then I'm pretty comfortable with living life as usual. No new normals for us. Enjoy your cooking and eating and visiting, and have a wonderful holiday! xoxo

@Mari ... Yes it is sad; I can't wait to hear that your dad is feeling well and hearty again. I know he's much on your mind and I am praying for both him and you. In spite of the difficult circumstances, I hope you will have a great holiday with lots of good things to eat and maybe a nice long nap or two. Stay warm! Haaahaaha xoxo

[Ginny Hartzler]

Oh yum! Sounds like you will have a wonderful and yummy day, with great weather as well!! Hoping for photos and a report afterward, I hope you have a blast!

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... Oh I know that we will and I am so thankful! May you have a blessed holiday too. xoxo

[Mari-Nanci]

Oh mercy, but she is growing up!!!!!!!!!!! -smile-

Into a lovely young lady, I am sure.

But -sniff-sniff-sigh- to Mommy and Grand Mommy and all, for the earlier, baby-ish years. -smile-

Have a lovely time!!!!!!!

Please do report, how all managed the Turkey Day, after the menu, the night before!!!!!!!!!!! -grin-

Happy, Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Mari-Nanci

[Jennifer]

@Mari-Nanci ... You understand! Yes our eyes moisten when we remember all of the grands' baby days. We share pictures of those days with their mothers, accompanied by a weeping emoji and a big red heart. But we will have out little baby Ember with us for the holiday and what joy she will bring! And yes Dagny is growing into a lovely young lady, with (isolated and rare) moments of quasi-obnoxious behavior, hahahaha! I will be thinking of you and your beloved and your gluten free stuffing, tomorrow, hoping that you enjoy every moment and every bite, right up to when you scrape your bowl of the last of the ice cream. xoxo

[Barb]

Thinking of you cooking as I write this, Jenny. Bob and I just celebrated his 76th birthday alone with lots of calls and texts from family and friends. We had quite the feast and will again tomorrow but on a smaller scale than usual with just the two of us. We still have some of the chocolate birthday cake left. Dagny is so fashionable! Sam just got glasses and looks like a little bookworm. Enjoy your family, Jenny - and I won't say "don't eat too much"!

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... First, a belated but no less sincere HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bob! I know he was just as happy "only" with you as with a crowd, but still I'm sure it was nice when the texts and calls began rolling in. Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner ... I know you will. I promise not to eat too much ... until I do. Haaaahahaha pirate! xoxo

[Mari-Nanci]

Thank You for being
my Dear Blogging Friend!!!
💛 💛 💛 💛 💛 💛 💛 💛

If my Sig. Line does not show, please picture a row of little yellow hearts. -smile-

[Jennifer]

@Mari-Nanci ... the gratitude is all mine, for your blogging friendship! Yellow hearts came through loud and clear. xoxo