Talking Turkey

I have incredible memories of Thanksgiving. Picture this...several families including kids sitting at a large table (composed of many tables) all at once to eat. We all ate on China plates, including children. We had at least 2 turkeys (20+lbs each), 20 lbs. mashed potatoes, 12 pumpkin pies and all the other traditional trimmings. Loud laughter and conversation was our dinner music. We ate no later than 1:00pm. Grandma was the queen at the head of the table. She was adored and honored. Hugs and kisses were our unspoken thankfulness for each other. The highlight of Thanksgiving day was all the cousin would go to the movies to see the latest Disney picture. The table all too soon got smaller. The hosting home was changed but the fun and traditions continued. I remember a pumpkin pie fight among the adults...the children didn't know whether to enjoy or worry about the mess. We enjoyed! We enjoyed the light heart of our family and the laid back spirit of our hostess, my aunt Linda. Thanksgiving after married life became a small affair, that sometimes included my sister and her family (all our other family is out of state). I still fix all the traditional menu items. We still laugh. We still go to the movies. What's your tradition, your fun memory?

Some interesting facts from Butterball.com.
Did you know?
The world’s heaviest turkey weighed in at 86 pounds.
An ear of corn always has an even number of rows.
Fresh apples float because they are made up of 25% air.
The peach is a member of the rose family.

Thanksgiving Humor:
What did the mama turkey say to her naughty son?
If your papa could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!

Asked to write a composition entitled, "What I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving,"
little Timothy wrote, "I am thankful that I'm not a turkey."

Thanksgiving Heart:
The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. ~H.U. Westermayer

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

Check out the following website for a wonderful Bible study activity entitled "A Week of Thanksgiving". www.reviveourhearts.com
Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes: God's word teaches that Thankfulness should be a way of life. But in the reality of our lives, it is so easy for discontentment, murmuring, complaining, criticizing, or even bitterness to displace the attitude of gratitude."

Thanksgiving Ideas:
Place a Scrabble board on a coffee table along with a bowl of letter game pieces - I suggest purchasing extras. Before the festivities begin place one theme related word in the middle, such as “TURKEY” or “STOCKING”. The board will remain set-up for guests to add their own words throughout the day. (amazingmoms.com)

To prepare for the holiday, it's always fun to get the kids involved in menus and food preparation. Setting the table or creating centerpieces are fun ways for kids to get involved and help out. Instead of table linens at the children's table, tape a sheet of brown butcher paper or a roll of white paper to the table and set the table over it. Set out cups of crayons, chalk, markers, or stickers and encourage guests to decorate their own place settings. This can be a hit at the grownups' table, too! (www.Kaboose.com).