The Heart of a Meal
Originally posted at UndeniablyKim.com on Nov. 22, 2015
I love the holidays…it’s a blessing that started with my grandparents when I was a little girl and has been lovingly fostered by my mom throughout my life.
When I was a girl, it just really didn’t matter what was going on in our lives, we were going to celebrate and we were going to be together. We didn’t have cell phones and iPads to distract us. Cable TV and VCRs didn’t exist so we couldn’t escape the day with Hallmark movie marathons….and stores didn’t open at 4pm- in fact, they didn’t open until 6am the next day!
Thanksgiving was a day for family and friends.
In my earliest memories, I’d wake up and wander to the kitchen…. mom would be there making a pie or a relish tray to take to my grandparents. She always had some sweet treat and cocoa for Shelley and I to eat while we waited for the Macy’s parade to begin.
Later in the day we’d travel across town to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. The moment we arrived it “felt like Thanksgiving”. There was always a big hug for "Kimmie" just inside the door....the house was warm and noisy and it smelled like heaven. I’m not sure if it was the turkey or the 50 other dishes that seemed to magically appear from the oven that made that smell….but it always made me happy.
The best years were those when my cousins came to dinner (my aunt’s family lived out of town, so they weren’t always there).
I loved those meals…. there were 6 of us, all girls- within years of each other and we got to sit together, away from the adults. Grandma would set a table in the kitchen for us where it was warm and that delicious smell lingered throughout our meal…. The best thing about the “girls table” was that we could talk about and eat anything we wanted- no adult eyes on us!!
She served a very traditional meal, including turkey, potatoes and gravy, dressing, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows), sauerkraut, corn casserole, cranberry sauce, lemon Jell-o with carrots and pineapple and a jeweled colored relish tray filled to the brim with pickles and olives, beets and candied apple rings…. and after everything was cleaned up, there was pie…. pumpkin, apple, and custard with meringue.
Years passed and Mom was put in charge of the meal for a while...my grandparents would travel to visit us. It was a big production, but as my siblings and I grew up, got married and had kids- it was harder and harder to get everyone together.
We've had meals, sometimes with family and sometimes apart. Our food selections have ranged from non-traditional prime rib to turkey. We've made traditional sides, healthy sides and over the top "look at what I can do" sides and we always have a table full of desserts. Towards the end of her "Turkey duty", mom made meals buffet style....you know, food that could be kept warm for those who would be coming late or couldn't commit.
Now, I've taken over the meal. Each year, I find myself pouring over cookbooks and magazines, trying to find the perfect recipes to create the perfect day....should I brine or baste or grill? Do I "make it healthy" or indulgent or a little of both?
It's a yearly challenge to see if I can create that special holiday feeling that I remember so well.
And just this morning, as I pulled out my favorite recipes from years passed, it dawned on me- it's not the bird, or the gravy or even the pie...the heart of the meal has always been the way I feel-
Hugs from my grandparents, giggles with my cousins, my parents laughter and love from my own guys.... it's the relaxed conversation and the laughter- not the food.
And although I could never bring myself to serve pizza this Thursday, I think it would be ok.... as long as I am surrounded by the people I love.
