| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 04 2019 : 09:57:00 AM
Sara had a good idea over at the other Virtual Potluck Dinner thread to start a new topic so everyone would know to join in if interested. She also had a good idea that if we want to keep this going, someone step up and kick off the December one. So, keep that thought in the back of your mind when the calendar hits December 1. A Christmas party would be tons of fun!
I would be honored to host our Farmgirl Virtual Dinner for Thanksgiving!! How about we have dinner at 4pm in the afternoon to give everyone time to get back from church and rest up a bit before the feast? I will roast a big turkey and make the gravy. How about you bring whatever favorite side or dessert that you enjoy making and which is part of your Thanksgiving tradition?
Thank-you Sara for kicking off this idea in October! We had a very fine meal and lovely gathering. Yes, wash up that apron and have it ready for 3 weeks from today!!
Meantime, I will be getting down the old turkey roaster that my Dad always used to cook our family turkey. He always gave my Mom the day off from cooking and made dinner. She made our cranberry salad and pumpkin pies the day before.
Let's get our recipes out and lists made for ingredients to get!! A Farmgirl Thanksgiving Gathering is launching now!! Who is coming? ........................
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Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| HollerGirl56 |
Posted - Nov 25 2019 : 2:38:07 PM
I too love all these stories---wonderful. But, alas---I have only a sad holler girl story---even though I was a mountain girl at the time. My grandparents were old poops and said holidays were just like any other day---even Christmas. So no special memories there at all. My mom hated turkey and wouldn't go near one until 1972 and she remarried and my stepfather made her cook one. My sister had left home by then and would come visit and we would cook turkey and a good dinner in those 70's years. But other than that I have no memories of Thanksgiving and few of Christmas. The great thing is that we would eat with our grandparents many, many times through the year---especially in summer as my grandfather was a great gardener. And I so hope Mary Jane will be there---but I will be so in awe of her I probably won't say a word. I am quite shy and the non-talker and not much fun---except when I'm with my husband or animals. But I was just reading about Elvis and how he was shy and didn't make friends easily---and he was the King. I am the Queen of everything in my holler---LOL>Can't wait to get to Winnie's. If someone will host for December I will do June---the only time of year when things are halfway presentable here--we used to do family reunions here then until I got so old and lazy it just got too hard---but this way I will only have to imagine doing a get together and I can sit down and do it---great!
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 25 2019 : 10:24:00 AM
I’m beginning to think about how I will attack the 22lb turkey in my fridge. Maybe this is a good time to share your family secrets?
My mother always roasted her turkey in a deep pan. Before it went in, she took a large brown paper grocery bag, cut it open so that it laid out in a big rectangle, then rubbed a cube of butter over one entire side. This heavy paper was then tucked over and around the turkey, to remain through the entire cooking time. The turkey always turned out juicy yet nicely browned. |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Nov 25 2019 : 06:06:08 AM
Thanks for those stories. I just love reading them! I think it would be wonderful now Sara if we still gathered like that. Everyone is so spread out now and writing a letter seems old fashioned unless they are sending them in their Christmas cards to update all their friends.
I have my grandmother's journal and it may seem boring to some as it holds everyday happenings in her life, but to me it may as well be gold because it is worth just as much. My dad would never read it because he said it made him long for those days and made him sad they were no more.
We will have 3 for Thanksgiving this year. Heading to my son's as he can't make it here.
It will be lovely if MaryJane could join us for this wonderful gathering.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 25 2019 : 05:43:39 AM
Sara and Judith, now you are making me want to cry!! These stories are beautiful and touching and reflect some common ways of living from both of you and many other families. Thanksgiving and family gatherings have always been a touchstone for many . They were times when everyone shared a meal and reconnected . Today, some of these same traditions exist, but there are also many new traditions that have evolved like eating out , shopping early sales after dinner, and putting up the Christmas tree. I am not commenting on new traditions as either good or bad, but they reflect options that our Grandmothers and many Americans did not have and were not even feasible. Most Americans had a much more limited income until after WWII when America’s middle class rose in numbers through the GI bill giving thousands of GIs free education to increase their skills and enter better paying jobs, and huge governmental programs and efforts to protect workers and expand industry . FDR had implemented the Social Security system and fueled government programs like expanding rural electricity, building of vital water and power with the TVA and others. These efforts expanded new and important protection systems and the standard of living began to rapidly rise. These were powerful and important changes as more and more people saw their lives made more modern. Women also entered the workforce in greater numbers after WWII as well. The landscape of suburb living became the standard and farm work continued on a big decline as people moved to the towns where there was better work and more amenitities.
My Grandmother and maybe many others were of the era of the 1920s-1930s who lived on farms . They were victims of the Great Depression and life was always very modest, at best. These were the women who knew how to make do with a few basics. They had the benefit of a farm where they could grow their own food and keep a few chickens and maybe a cow or two for meat and dairy. These were the women who learned how to make delicious basics by adjusting ingredients to match what they had to work with. They were hard working with children, and keeping the family operation humming along with food on the table, clothes on everyone’s back, and a home for gathering and shelter. I admire their ingenuity and skills. The other interesting thing is that these were also the women who celebrated when their children or grandchildren moved ahead in the world and were able to leave the hard scrapping life that was their childhood. Grandmothers , however, were the family keepers of all the members and the family story. They were the anchors of home and the archivists of family stories. Many of us, now as grown women, want to honor these women and all that they did to keep our family stories alive and preserve those traditions that kept the family together .
A big Thank-you to all of our Grandparents who kept the family story alive and who we can, as modern 2019 women, can continue on our Thanksgiving gatherings.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| StitchinWitch |
Posted - Nov 24 2019 : 11:59:30 PM
Sara -- Our Thanksgivings were the same -- We used to have almost as many pies as people. I always took home a piece of mince pie for my breakfast the next day.
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 24 2019 : 10:33:04 PM
About pies.....
My family on a typical thanksgiving holiday will have forty to fifty people gathered in one house, tables filling every square foot, and china and silver set for every person.
And we will average half a pie per person! <Chuckle!> |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 24 2019 : 10:28:42 PM
And about the wood burning stove: yes! I DO wish I could walk in those shoes for a day, no for a year! to know what it was really like.
I have letters that my great grandmother wrote to my grandmother while she was in college, describing very mundane, everyday activities, but to me they are nuggets of gold! In the sweltering heat of summer they had to bake their daily bread and can their garden produce, with no air conditioners or a cool place to escape to. What amazingly strong women they were! |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 24 2019 : 10:22:47 PM
For some reason, Winnie, I have been recently flooded with memories of grandma at thanksgiving and you are making me cry.
My large, extended German family got together twice a year, for thanksgiving and soon after Christmas. But some were on the opposite coast and couldn’t attend, so they’d write a long letter to update us about what all their family were doing (and they had 11 kids! Lots of updates!) my Grandma Ruth would bring out the letters after our great feast and read to us about people I had never met. Can you imagine today, reading a handwritten letter to the whole family, everyone paying attention to gather the latest news about Aunt Vonnie or cousin Gillian? As a youngster I got very bored very quickly, but now I so appreciate those efforts to keep us all connected, from coast to coast.
After that we broke out the hymnals and sang four part harmony for an hour. So beautiful! We still do that today, us older generation, in hopes of keeping some of those old world traditions alive. |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 24 2019 : 12:13:22 PM
Denise, I enjoyed your memories of your Grandmother. Isn't this old kitchen wonderful?? It was an article in last year's magazine, Capper's Farmer, and I had to save it.
Thanks for sharing! Anyone else have a grandmother story about Thanksgiving? Please share.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 24 2019 : 12:08:29 PM
Well Farmgirls, dinner will be served real soon and I am so happy all of you are able to come and join in the fun!! This has been a wonderful opportunity to gather and share about all those things that know us together here at MJF!! Wouldn't it be perfect if our MaryJane was close enough to stop by?? Let's all send her a message here and I will email her and give her this link so she can enjoy the conversation as well.
Well, here are are pumpkin scones that I just pulled out of the 1930s over in my kitchen ( actually, this little stove does not really work, but lives in my kitchen and I dream about using it!! LOL!!)
And this pretty much sums up why I love Thanksgiving dinner. There is apple and pumpkin pie. What a perfect feast!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Nov 23 2019 : 06:09:07 AM
Glad to see you have your handy apron Winnie! Don't want to mess up our clothes.
I'd be right there in that old kitchen if I could. The little I remember about my grandma, this woman reminds me of her a lot. She had a wood cook stove for a long time. And I remember she played the piano too and loved for my aunt and I to sing with her while she played.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 23 2019 : 05:34:59 AM
Sara, I love this old photo from the 1930s. This reminds me of my Grandmother, except she cooked on a wood burning stove. Isn’t it remarkable how women created delicious meals for lots of family with such humble and modest equipment by today’s standards? I love that they knew how to time and use their stoves and ovens to perfection. Do you even wish you could be taken back in time to just Be in a kitchen like this and help for just one Thanksgiving on an old farm? I do!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 23 2019 : 12:56:57 AM
Oh! Winnie, did you sew that dress yourself?
You look Mah-velous!,
I can’t wait to sit and visit with you in your modern kitchen! |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 22 2019 : 07:12:21 AM
OK Farmgirls, our feast is this coming Sunday!! I am going to the store today to get the turkey and maybe a few other things to have on hand. I am excited everyone is coming and no doubt we will be happily chatting for hours and hours!! Here I am preparing the Turkey!!! LOL!!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 21 2019 : 07:31:16 AM
Denise, I have trained my three grandchildren (ages 6, 4, and 2) to love all things pickled, and dilly beans are their favorite. So I always have someone to make them for, and someone to eat them with! It’s what keeps me going! |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Nov 21 2019 : 05:33:24 AM
Sara,
I love dilly beans! They make a nice side dish. Here I am the only one who likes them.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| HollerGirl56 |
Posted - Nov 21 2019 : 03:57:35 AM
I do know how lucky I am to have my husband as my best friend---but ladies he bored me so bad when we were dating---he actually painted little soldiers and played war games with them---still does, but he was good for me---cured my love of disco dancing and put me back to my true self---a woods woman and keeper of animals,
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
| HollerGirl56 |
Posted - Nov 21 2019 : 03:51:52 AM
Ladies---I wouldn't go to a male strip show if you paid me! And wine would make us all sick for sure I would bore you people to death for sure. But I do make a mean corn pudding!
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 19 2019 : 10:38:24 PM
And Barbara, you are so blessed to have arrived at the age of retirement and have a husband who wants to spend his time with you. Blessings!! |
| saram |
Posted - Nov 19 2019 : 10:35:47 PM
Girls! I just opened my mailbox and found my invitation to Winnie’s thanksgiving celebration! Please count me in!
I hope the pies are the appetizers—that’s the best time to eat pie!
Turkey and gravy—YUM!
I always appreciate homegrown dishes! Potatoes and local pecans?YES!
Favorite family recipes and homemade rolls? Thank you for sharing! It all sounds like a beautiful tradition!
I will bring dilly beans, fresh kiwi fruit, and candied walnuts. And soak up the generous spirit of all you lovely people!
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 14 2019 : 10:10:53 AM
Hahahahahaha!! Barbara, maybe everyone is still full from the October feast? Even if we have a small group, we will enjoy the camaraderie and have fun swapping stories and other Farmgirl bits go wisdom!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| HollerGirl56 |
Posted - Nov 14 2019 : 02:27:33 AM
Ladies---no one seems to be coming to this potluck. I will hire male strippers and bring several cases of wine. Will that be lively enough??? LOL!
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Nov 07 2019 : 1:22:41 PM
It's been a while since I've made turtle pie. It is made in a graham cracker crust and has caramel on the bottom it is so good. I need to go look up the recipe so I'll be ready. I may take it to our church's dinner on the 17th. It is very rich. Can't wait to try all these great sounding dishes.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Nov 07 2019 : 06:48:42 AM
Barbara, that corn pudding sound delicious and what a perfect Thanksgiving side!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| HollerGirl56 |
Posted - Nov 07 2019 : 05:50:38 AM
Winnie---I am going to bring corn pudding. Here is my recipe----8 oz. cream cheese softened 2 eggs, beaten 1/3 sugar 1 package corn bread muffin mix 1 16 oz. can cream style corn 2 cups fresh or frozen or canned corn 1 cup milk 2 tbls of butter melted 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional) Blend cream cheese, eggs, and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Put in a 9x13 inch pan and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. We love this dish and I make it each year. I am leaving hubby at home---he is an old poop and a worse loner than I am. Us hens would have a miserable time and he would let me stay about 30 minutes and make me leave---as he did when we went to my cousins wedding. I will get up early and read or watch TV. We both know we need alone time---he has hobbies and is always building or doing something interesting. I told him I was retiring from dishwashing and that he could do them. That didn't sit well with him---LOL.
Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis |
