We ate Thanksgiving dinner at the Overholsers again this year, but in a new setting. A few months ago, they relocated to a cottage on the farm where Joan grew up. It seemed the quintessential Thanksgiving setting, and twenty-two of us gathered there to share thanks, food, and companionship together.
Upon our arrival, I made the gravy - why is it always assumed that Southerners know how to make gravy? Luckily I do, and this was some of the best I've ever made. Rich, flavorful, and plenty of it.
Tables were laden with food of every description: turkey, dressing, my wild rice stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams, roasted vegetables, green and jello salads, relishes, and breads.
We retired to Joan's parents' home for dessert, where yet another table was covered with fruit and pumpkin pies, pumpkin roulade, and more. We enjoyed our sweets, played games, and learned about one another amid much laughter.
We celebrated our own personal family Thanksgiving at home on Saturday - because I wanted leftovers and because I love the way the house smells when turkey is roasting. A turkey breast was all we needed for the three of us. Sarah, after all, was still at school. The table felt a bit empty without her.
Upon our arrival, I made the gravy - why is it always assumed that Southerners know how to make gravy? Luckily I do, and this was some of the best I've ever made. Rich, flavorful, and plenty of it.
Tables were laden with food of every description: turkey, dressing, my wild rice stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams, roasted vegetables, green and jello salads, relishes, and breads.
We retired to Joan's parents' home for dessert, where yet another table was covered with fruit and pumpkin pies, pumpkin roulade, and more. We enjoyed our sweets, played games, and learned about one another amid much laughter.
We celebrated our own personal family Thanksgiving at home on Saturday - because I wanted leftovers and because I love the way the house smells when turkey is roasting. A turkey breast was all we needed for the three of us. Sarah, after all, was still at school. The table felt a bit empty without her.
Our menu consisted of turkey breast, gravy, wild rice stuffing (both left over from Joan's meal), Mama Stanberg's frozen horseradish-cranberry relish, savory sweet potatoes, green beans with almonds and mushrooms, and yummy kale and squash scones.
The scones, a new addition this year, and included because we had plenty of CSA kale and butternut squash, was a definite keeper. The savory sweet potato leftovers morphed into a tasty sweet potato soup a few days later - another one to be repeated, for sure.
Although we missed Sarah, we are grateful for the experiences she's having at college, and thankful to have the chance to spend time with friends and family and break bread together. She'll be home in a few weeks and we look forward to spending our next holiday with the whole family together!
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