We just had a Thanksgiving with the kids.
In spite of the fact that it was so laid back, we did, in fact, cook the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, and a salad (the spinach/almond/cranberry kind). I set the table with the fine china, too.
Growing up, Bill and I had very different Thanksgiving experiences. His family was large and very informal. They ate off of paper to save on dishes. Those who were done eating left the table. It was more of a party atmosphere.
My family was (and still is) very European formal when it came to meals. Everyone sat together for the entire meal. You were not dismissed from the table until the meal was over. If you wanted to leave the table early, you asked permission. That was just for every day meals. Special occasion meals were even more formal. China and real silverware was used. The serving utensils were made of pewter and were from Norway. The table was set with every attention to proper etiquette. We were expected to follow proper etiquette. We dressed for dinner. Even if no one else was coming over.
I railed over that last one as a kid. I didn't see the need to put on a dress when it was just us. I whined and belly ached over it, but always ended up obeying, because Mom and Dad wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. However, once we were all sitting together around the table, our clothes seemed to match the table settings and I enjoyed the fancier feeling of the meal.
Now Bill and I sort of glom together our two experiences of Thanksgiving. We are more casual around the table, and we don't force everyone to dress up. But I do set the china, as a nod to my past. I will admit, though, that I miss the formal feeling that dressing up for dinner creates. The feeling that this meal is special and different.
Of course, the fact that we are all, in fact, sitting around the table together for a meal is special and different, since it happens so rarely these days.
This is my parents' old china set. It is called 'Greenleaf' and is from Japan. There are a few missing pieces and a broken creamer. I have it registered at an online china registry, so if they ever find any pieces, they'll contact me. It has been over 5 years now, and they still can't find any pieces.
When Mom and Dad got a new china set, I convinced Mom to give me this old set. I absolutely love it for all the memories it brings back! I have served Christmas and Thanksgiving feasts on it ever since it became mine, and I hope it brings fond memories to my children, as well. I even bought a china hutch just so I could store it safely.
I tried a new sweet potato recipe this year. It has marshmallows and pecans on top.
Bill and Will thought Helena and I had gone nuts because we kept taking pictures of the table settings and our food. I guess it is just the artist in each of us, or the journalist... or maybe a little of both!
A couple of years ago, Kirsten and Paul had everybody over for Thanksgiving and she served the most amazing soufflé! She was kind enough to give me the recipe and it has replace the traditional pies for us as a Thanksgiving dessert. It is a spiced pumpkin soufflé with whipped cream and caramel topping.
I'm pretty sure Helena's photos turned out better than mine!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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