Thanksgiving and all it's memories

I've likely made or helped with 40+ Thanksgiving meals. It's a day that is full of traditions and memories of Mom for me. She and I were the cooks on Thanksgiving and I miss that. 

I was trying to remember back in my life the first time I remember helping mom, or rather wanting to help Mom, cook Thanksgiving dinner. I can't really pinpoint it. It feels like I've always been standing at her side prepping and cooking. Then eventually we'd be cooking over the phone when they moved to AZ.

Back in the day, I do remember us getting up at the butt-crack of dawn to get the turkey ready to cook what felt like all day. That was before they made those turkey bags that Mom quickly fell in love with and used every year. Cuts down the cooking time and makes a good bird. 

Mom and I used to sit and talk about the plan for the day the night before. Once I was older it may not have been in person, but it was always a conversation we didn't miss. I'd ask her things like, "have you made your clam dip yet?" and she'd ask me "what time are you serving dinner?"  Our conversation every year was almost exactly the same, but it was something we had to do. In fact, we joked about if we didn't have this conversation, the turkey gods would take offense and burn our turkey. 

Then the day of I made sure I'd call Mom while I was making my dressing. We used to taste it vigorously when we cooked together. We'd laugh and say we were making sure the seasoning was right. So when we weren't together I'd call and ask her the same thing. It makes me smile even today. 

When Mom passed, my first Thanksgiving without her was difficult. I wanted to call and laugh and taste and laugh some more. 

The Niece was my helper for a couple of years. We made our own traditions and we laughed at our own new jokes. We had a turkey bag blow out one year that we still talk about today. It came up in conversation when I got the turkey out of the oven. She and I'd make a special drink and we'd try to wiggle a oiled up 20 plus pounder into a bag with all it's limbs sticking out here and there. Oh man we laughed. 

But now, she's moved to the other side of the country. So the last two Thanksgivings have been just me. And that's ok. I still have my memories. And thankfully, I talk to myself and always agree with myself. 

This year I opted for a smaller bird. I was only feeding 6 (turned out we only had 5) and I figured a 17 pound turkey was fine. And it was. It was WAY easier to get into that darn bag. 

My Thanksgiving meal is simple: Clam dip for an appetizer, turkey, dressing, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, black olives, sweet pickles and cranberry sauce. 

The broccoli casserole has been tradition for - gosh I don't even know how many years. It has always been on the table. Until it wasn't. 

It makes a ton and is impossible to cut in half. So this year I opted for my Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole. It still has broccoli and cheese in it and it is easier to make in smaller amounts. I still had a ton of leftovers.

Dinner was right on time. We were minus one as Janet's mom was sick. We ate. We drank. And we were merry. 

I think next year I can even get as small as a 15 pounder (if you can find one) and maybe even cut the casseroles in half. Though, to be fair, I did cut the dressing in half and we still had a ton, so maybe I'll need to do it in half again. But I do love leftover stuffing. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the trimmings and all family and friends you can manage.