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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Happy Thanksgiving to you. We’ll be right over!
Actually, we probably will be going nowhere–sickness in the house. Oh, well.
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You lucky duck! I have a houseful and would gladly trade for a quiet peaceful Thanksgiving without all the work. We have had a lot of guests over the past 4 months and I think I am guested-out. We will have houseguests for 5 days then Yippee! It’s just us for Christmas! I am so looking forward to it! Yes, I miss family but once in a while it’s just nice to have a peaceful holiday. Excuse me, I have to go finish the stuffing…..
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Your Thanksgiving menu sounds PERFECT. Almost effortless. Ahhhh. Kick back and watch that parade. It’s my dream to see it in its entirety on TV. I’ll live vicariously from your experience. And Lexington? When AA Hubby and I went on our Branson road trip, it was our first stop – had never been and thought it was such a pretty town. Can only imagine how pretty it must be with Christmas decorations (even before Thanksgiving – sigh). Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving, and, while quiet, enjoy the peacefulness and time for reflection – a blessing in itself.
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OK…now Emmy and I have to come home again and we expect a much larger turkey with all the other stuff. Gonna tell the girls to drive down too. Can’t let you off that easy…
Happy Thanksgiving Mom – You both need to be here in So Cal…it’s 70 and sunny!
L,
C
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Your day actually sounds wonderful it is how me and my better half usually place turkey stuffed to the gills in the oven and go hiking while the magic happens inside the oven we make room for a plate such as you described 🙂
We will get washed up tonight and head out early for a trip up into the mountains of VT just a little over 2 hr ride then laugh all day with friends and their teenage children watch out little border collie play with the dog who sired her and I will take many photos from their beautiful spot up in God’s Country. Once we are filled to the gills we will kiss and hug goodbye then head south to home, full of memories good ones I am sure
I will cook a small turkey such as yours come Sat. I’ll need a turkey sandwich by then lol
I think I will pass on PIE I will bring up 3 Berry,Coconut Custard and Pumpkin but I must weigh less by weigh in on TUESDAY
Enjoy your beautiful day with your husband
Eunice
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Don’t forget left overs the day after!! Sounds divine! Enjoy yourselves, light some candles, drink some champagne and toast all the people washing dishes for 21 guests!! Happy TG Dorann! You rock!
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Uh Oh! I hope the sickness goes away in time for turkey and trimmings. Take care.
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You know just the right things to say Kate! Many thanks for restoring my dignity. 🙂
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Not me. The youngest, and yesterday hubby was dizzy and didn’t go into work. He seems fine today. Son is still coughing, though, and his grandma will not be too anxious to share his wealth.
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Thanks for the pep talk Amiable Amiable! You are a charmer and I’m following you. I thought I already was…. following you that is. Now I have even more to be thankful for – a new friend. Glad you made a stopover in Lexington that time. It really is a sweet little town. Tomorrow night they usually have a candlelight tour of the town, with the public singing carols until they get to the park Xmas tree. The stores light up their windows en route. It’s truly lovely. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and thanks for stopping by.
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Uhhhh….well, maybe not such a great idea my son. Our turkey is small-ish and of course the weather is very cold here now, and there’s just nothing at all to do in town. On the other hand, it’s Thanksgiving! We could hit the one or two stores here on Black Friday. Tell the girls if they are en route. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Love you – all of you – and really – wish you were here. Love, Mom
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What a grand day you have planned Eunice! I would love watching the dogs play at that beautiful spot in the country and being with friends is the best part. You too. . . Enjoy! 🙂
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Thanks for the pep talk Cindy! You are a gem (that’s old fashioned for “you rock” too). Luv Dor
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Pass around the hand sanitizer kid and sleep alone! Advice from a confirmed germophobic.
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It’s hard when you work at a school with all those kids sliming the banisters. But I’m a firm believer in washing and not touching the face. The breathing part is harder.
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You can do it m friend. I’m sure you can do it. 🙂
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Thanks
🙂
I hope to get some pretty photos
Eunice
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You cook like I do, Dor! 😉 Happy Thanksgiving!
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Happy Thanksgiving Dor and enjoy the holiday!! At Thanksgiving we should be thankful, and I am ver thankful for wonderful blogging friends like you :).
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The main thing is that you enjoy yourselves, not how you do it! 🙂
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Thank you so much for following me. My goal, after today, is to get crackin’ again with the posts. That candlelight tour sounds lovely. In these parts, Old Town Alexandria has some charm, but it’s pretty touristy. Well, I’m actually all settled in and ready to see the Macy’s parade kick off in a few. Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving!
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“Great minds think alike!” 🙂
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Ditto Cindy! I am ever thankful for “blogging friends like you” out there – the people I wish would come to dinner…. such as it is. 🙂 Thanks for the lovely Thanksgiving wishes. Luv, Dor
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True words Val, and thanks for the reminder. 🙂
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Are you kidding? Old Town Alexandria is absolutely charming! I had a friend who lived on Queen Street and I remember it well. Even the tourists added to the charm. Now I have a niece who lives in Occaquan. Have you ever been out there? Wonderful too. Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes Amiable! And hope yours was delightful too. 🙂
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You’re right – I lost my mind for a minute about Old Town. In fact, I spent Halloween photographing all of the great decorations along the charming residential streets. Oh, senility. Yes, we’ve been to Occaquan and loved it – reminded us a lot of New England. Hope you’re enjoying leftovers and desserts! 🙂
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Turkey sandwich for lunch – pumpkin pie after dinner – the joys of the aftermath. 🙂
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Hope you had a lovely and peaceful Thanksgiving Dor! Happy Holidays!
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Thanks Lori. And yes, I would say Thanksgiving was definitely “lovely and peaceful.”
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We celebrated Thanksgiving alone, too, just the two of us. Our little birds (I mean kids) are on opposite sides of the country. Where in California is your son and family? Ours is in San Diego. I’m not sure that I ever felt lonely this holiday season, but it was a long weekend. Glad to get back to work today!
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Kathy, thanks for stopping by! Our son is in The San Diego area too – in Carlsbad! Isn’t that a coincidence? My brother and his family are also out there – same place.
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Indeed–quite the coincidence! We traveled out to his wedding in La Jolla last month. It was so wonderful.
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I say “thanks for not having to cook a huge Thanksgiving feast!” Sounds great! I didn’t have to cook this year for the first time in I can’t even remember how many years. Our Thanksgiving was very different this year. I’m trying to get a post written about it. Hope your day was grand.
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Looking forward to that post on your Thanksgiving Mama! 🙂
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Couldn’t stop laughing Dorann – we spent it alone too and wasn’t too far from your list above!!
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🙂 Glad you liked that one Mary! I am hoping to regain my sense of humor soon. 🙂
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