A Lonely Thanksgiving Feast

It’s here.  It’s upon us.  It suddenly crept up and took me unawares.  Today I went to town for a haircut and suddenly noticed the streets of Lexington, Virginia are festooned with decorations for Christmas!  And it’s the day before Thanksgiving!

No, I’m not really complaining.  There’s something about twinkling lights and poinsettias that add cheer to a dismal winter season.  After all, it’s a time for singing, rejoicing and of course indulging in forbidden delicacies.  I too, have begun holiday shopping and wrapping, so I’m in the spirit – well sort of.

Non-Cooking Without Crowds

Which brings me to Thanksgiving, which has not yet occurred, but feels like it’s over already.  Alas, this year my spouse and I will be sans visitors.  Nope – no kids, no families, no neighbors, no strays – nobody but us.  Please do not mourn for this devastated, lonely old couple.

We do not feel alone.  For the last month our son and our grandgirls have visited  twice at our home, and then came  old friends for several days too.  I know – it’s not the same as family and friends  sharing THE holidays, but you can have chestnuts by an open fire without crowds can’t you?

Cooking Non-Cooking is one of the benefits of a lonely holiday season.  I’m not saying, “Woe is me,” mind you, but I expect words of sympathy will be flying across the blogusfear anyway, especially when you read what’s on our Thanksgiving menu.

Turkey Ala Butterball– Yes!  I will definitely have to cook that fresh.

Jellied Cranberry Sauce Ala Can Can (from a can)

Stuffing Ala Stovetop – 5 minutes to prepare (from a box)

Savory Gravy – Delightfully Prepared  (Available in glass jars)

Unbelievable Mashed Potatoes – Pre-prepared Microwavable Variety

(Only a Gourmet Cook Would Know the Difference)

Dor’s Famous Carrots and Turnips 

(Just boil til tender and mash ‘em up with butter – Yum!

Green Beans May-be

And finally – Pumpkin Pie Perfection – Courtesy of Marie Callender

I know.  I know.  Almost everything is either from a can, a jar, or a box! 

But doesn’t it all sound delicious?  And I have a feeling it will be just that – a scrumptious meal with all the right trimmings and none of the work or the gnashing of teeth or the 5AM early-to-rise non-stop preparations.  I simply cannot wait for tomorrow to come!  And I haven’t done a thing yet.  And please don’t remind me about the dangers of ingesting prepared foods.  This is a HOLIDAY!  I might even drink diet colas and eat more than that meager little slice of pumpkin pie designated for the “little woman” in the house.  Like I said, I can’t wait for tomorrow!

And what will we do for entertainment?  I think there will be a great movie at our local cinema, or I can see the whole darned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!  And later on, when the big feast bloating has subsided, there’s always more pie in the kitchen!

Will we miss family and friends this Holiday season?  Definitely.  My son and daughter-in-law,now living in California,  are having 25 people for dinner tomorrow, while my three grandgirls in Virginia will be sharing the holiday with their Mom.   Of course, I am having twinges of loneliness for all of them.  On the other hand, I am having twinges of thanksgiving that we are all healthy and happy in our various parts of the world.

So, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all – to my family, my real-time friends, and my blogger friends somewhere out there in cyberspace.  May your holidays be filled with cheer, no matter how you achieve it, within the bounds of good taste of course.

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• Cooking Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Chefs (krextv.com)

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