10 On Thanksgiving

 I saw this over at Rebecca Jo's this morning and thought it looked kind of fun so I stole borrowed it and here it is on my blog.

1. Will you watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade? I hope so. It was a tradition in my family, but it's never really caught on with my kids or my husband. I will say that I wish they'd show more of the actual parade rather than just the musical acts in front of the store. Football? Probably not. I used to love football, but I haven't watched a single minute of it since all the shenanigans started up. Everyone says college football is better, but I just haven't gotten into it that much. Movies? That's a possibility. So is the dog show in New York. We end up watching that a lot of years.

2. Who does the cooking? If my mom and stepdad host it, Mom insists on cooking everything herself. If it's at our daughter's house, we'll split up the cooking with me doing most of it and everyone else bringing a side or snacks. Fix anything ahead of time? I never used to, but as I've gotten older I've found that doing the whole thing in one day isn't as easy as it used to be. Now I usually make as many of the side dishes ahead as I can so all we have to do is reheat them. Much less stressful!

3. What time do you eat the big meal? Usually around 1:00, that's a tradition that came from my dad. I've always preferred it that way, but lately...I'm wondering if it wouldn't be less stressful (I am all about less stress on the holidays) to eat later in the day.

4. Do you set a formal table or keep things more casual? When I hosted, I always set a formal table. I have tons of china so why not? My mom used to set a formal table, but if she hosts these days, it's up on the mountain at my stepdad's house and he doesn't have china so it's very casual. At our daughter's...well, she gets awfully flustered by everything and she'll put out the Pioneer Woman dishes and all, but forget the silverware and napkins. No biggie. Place cards? No, I've never used them. Children's table? Only if we don't all fit at the main table. 

5. Is the food placed on the table or served buffet style? Always on the table. It's impossible to get everyone to sit down to eat a meal together so when it does happen, I want to enjoy all of us actually sitting down together.

6. Ham or turkey? For Thanksgiving it's ALWAYS turkey. What's for dessert? Usually pumpkin pie, another kind of pie, maybe some cookies, and ice cream.

7. Does your family have a Thanksgiving tradition? We were laden with traditions when I was growing up, but most seem to have gone by the wayside due to the family being more spread out and the younger generation's disinterest in traditions. Our son and his family don't even come home for Thanksgiving. They've made staying at their home for it their tradition.

8. Yay or nay to leftovers? YAY! We all like leftovers. In fact, my hubby likes them so much that if we eat somewhere else I still have to roast a turkey here so he can have leftovers. Favorite leftover recipe? I don't really have one. We usually just reheat them in their original form, though I will throw together hot turkey sandwiches or make turkey noodle soup with the last of the bird. I'm also determined to make a recipe I've had pinned for a while now where you roll up turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, in a ball, deep fry it and dip it in gravy. Actually I have several variations pinned.

9. What will everyone wear? Whatever they want to wear. Dress up or comfy? I'd guess it's been over 20 years since we've gotten dressed up for Thanksgiving dinner. Well, except for the year we went out to a restaurant. My mom was probably the last holdout on dressing up, but even she goes for jeans now. 

10. For what are you most thankful for this year? Wow. That's a tough one. 2020 has been quite the year, hasn't it. Sort of the platinum edition of the Disaster of the Month Club. (Seriously...did you see the murder hornets are back in the news?) We have had a few unhappy things come out of the year, the worst being our son breaking off all contact with the family, but there are still many things for which I'm thankful...none of us has had Covid, none of the men were off work for more than a month, we got a swimming pool, I've had plenty of time to spend with Colton and Leah...but I think the thing I'm most thankful for is that all these months at home have given me ample time to spend reading the Word, praying, and learning to abide in God's love, abide is my word for the year. Because of all that time, my faith has grown tremendously and I wouldn't trade that for anything.