Grandma’s Stories

Nov 22nd “Thanksgiving Celebration for YOU and YOURS’ Today”

           “Still Giving ‘Thanks’ for Thanksgiving”

                   “3 Cheers – for the COOKS!”

   “HIP- HIP!  HOORAY!”  “3 CHEERS  – for the COOKS!”

Sure do hope,  that you did  remember to say  “THANKS”  to and for what ever  terrific  help  that you had  –  all those “extra hands”  that were so very able to make a “masterpiece”  of those wonderful desserts and  making this  the very  best of  all meals this year –  maybe even just the biggest  ever and juiciest of  all of  the  “TURKEYS”  – and surrounded  by the best top drawer  side dishes that were so  very well made and designed – that everyone just  had to enjoy seconds and thirds, since one was so much better than the other –  as you  and all  of the guests were there to really enjoy  and give the best of all  “THANKS” to the ALMIGHTY for this most bountiful dinner and  for the topper of the day  –  that everyone had more time to have lots of  “FUN” just putting this all into their memory book – as one of the very best of  our good times to get together!

This picture was taken several years ago and this senior chef,  with her very helpful assistant, “Miss Alyssa” – the two of us pulled off another big feast – for everyone to enjoy???

In the above  picture you can see    –   that – it does not   pay to wear  something   “all white” –  and then –  stand near the refrigerator?   This  is not  the best of pictures, since it is a  “copy”   and,   I will have to locate the original – just to see who’s  – who and what’s – what?    This is a quick item – since we are still doing things with the last of that delicious  turkey!

Sometimes  “Turkeys”  are so large that you end up with    more than you expected  and  it  can last longer – than you wanted, so the best thing to do  now – is prepare containers for  some slices of that  leftover “Turkey” and freeze for another day –   just remember  you can  make good sandwiches  when you  are in a hurry – everything is all ready – and  still – ever so good  – that  you will  be thinking of always having some extra “TURKEY” all prepared and ready – for those quick snacks  – since  you took the time to think ahead – so while busy getting things for the “CHRISTMAS”  date – always  coming around –  so fast and furious,  in these  few days between getting ready  for -and, all  the did and done!

 Since most of us, only prepare the big “TURKEY” once a year – -I keep telling myself,  – “Next year year it will be a very small bird” – for some reason or the other – that is one thing I am very good at  – and that is my forgetting – since this is only a once a year thing to do – guess my memory feels it must forget what I said,  so that, I can just do it  – “Just one more time” – – may as well  start thinking  of something else to forget – and keep on doing that,  which makes for a wonderful “THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY”  – and that all the FUN and FAMILY together – makes for a better memory  in my book!

Hope that you are also – enjoying the last of your  Turkey and saving the good memories of this year to pass on down to the next younger generation – and that each year,   after having given THANKS to our ALMIGHTY for all of the wonderful  gifts,   that we did receive – our FAMILY and FRIENDS –  we also  want to remember to share  with neighbors and those that need a helping hand – to make  this LIFE , just a little  more enjoyable for all!     D.V.

Nov 21st “Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day Next Week”

More Information regarding our THANKSGIVING Day”

               “Thanksgiving with Grandma!”

“Over the river and through the woods,  to Grandmother’s House we go…”   That is what I will be hearing, as everyone comes to Grandma’s  (my house)  for the  Thanksgiving Feast!

When I was a little girl,  and we were on our way to “Ohio” to see  our  “Grandma”   my Dad’s MOTHER, Leah –  we always sang  –  that is what children  will do,  when they are happy, and having  FUN – while traveling a long distance in an automobile.  As, small kids,  and as the eldest  – my memories were that, we were always  happy!

Today, as old as I  now am, we are a family, that does still like the  singing and playing various musical instruments. I believe all children should learn to play some musical instrument, if at all possible, and have an  adult,   that will enjoy  being with the children to teach the children to sing  –  taking  all the time  and as  much time  that is  available and as  early as possible  to start  the singing  with “gusto” – so that this becomes something that the children will want to enjoy doing!  It’s so good,   and  the best part is that, you will always remember,  those  good times,  as the most and  very best of all your  childhood memories.

My Mother,  was positioned on a swivel type  piano stool  (still have the photo) (early 1900) and she would sing,  for the entertainment  of those at the  FAMILY gathering – and it sure was good that  “little MARIE”  had a good voice and was able to remember so many songs – and songs that they all liked.   Remember,  she was the 13th child in the  “Brady”  family,  and some of her older brothers –  were already married!  “Mom”  looks like she is scared  –  but she sang,  she had a very  beautiful, good and sweet voice.  That was  before radio and “TV”  days  – the days “when” families  celebrated  the Holidays  – together,  each member of  the family contributed  something  to the occasion  –  where  merriment excelled!

The Brady Family had a large “piano” and our “Aunt Irene”  to be – did learn to play the piano – and there were the standard songs,  that all of the “BRADY’s” would  sing together – as they gathered around this piano.  From those days until  today – a certain amount of musical ability runs in the FAMILY – and,  I am certainly glad,  that I had my sons take piano lessons – as they were learning to read those notes and play the different instruments – that  – ‘music’  also opens up those extra special brain cells – that help increase in the learning of more  courses of study,  than the average child – that receives no music lessons. So,  I am for all children,  to learn  “MUSIC”  and to go as far as they like –  as  it will  be a terrific help,  to that person – all their life long!

Just in case,  you missed the “POST” with my favorite song for this time of the year,  here it is again!

“Added this  little extra piece of good information – that,  maybe you did not know – but,  NOW – you will feel more informed about,  the  Thanksgiving DAY!”      D.V.

Nov 20th “The best Classic Stuffing recipe “

“This is the time of the year for “Dressing” or if you call it “Stuffing” – this is one dish – everyone will have seconds, and maybe even more!”

Classic Stuffing Recipe

Nov 19th “Get that TURKEY right Now – Be Prepared”

           “Happy Thanksgiving!”

“Is this Turkey  ‘large’ enough?” Al Aldrich brings  “HOME” the biggest  Turkey for the family celebration! We wish all our friends a very Happy Thanksgiving!

There is nothing like shopping as early as possible – as the best of  “Turkeys” are out there, just waiting to be selected – and right,  NOW! The longer you wait to get to the store, those poor ole “Turkeys” have been bounced all over the inside of that freezer case, in all stores – and they are taking a mighty hard beating!

In the case, with the “BEEF” – there are  “CUTS” that are tough, and they do need  the “Butcher’s Hammer” to pound them into a more tender serving, but at this time of the year, it  is the good ole tender “TURKEY”  that just,  does  not need to be clobbered over the head – a hundred times or more, to make tender.  He just did everything right, from scratch, and then was so LUCKY, to be selected for a once,  in a “LIFETIME” event, that being his “Destiny”  to be the “centerpiece” on the “DINING Room Table!”

How is that for a great life?  Start out like all of the  “Birds” living on the same old FARM – and everyday – you’re fed just as if you are a “KING” and you just strut around that yard for you and all of your good ole friends, one getting bigger and fatter than the next – and puffing out your “CHEST” as you strut  the old homestead as if you really are a “KING” for everyone to admire and see, if your progress has been good, or excellent?

“You are a good looking ole “TURKEY” – if  you were able to excel in meeting those requirements for being a delicious dinner –  YOU, will be sent to the high price stores and will fetch a pretty penny, for all of those nice big muscles and pounds you so proudly were boasting about – as you  “NOW look so good!”

Lucky for the people, there is an extra special “TURKEY”  just waiting for each and all –  what  you need to do – is to hurry  to the store nearest and dearest to you – look and then pickup each and every “Turkey” and see how he feels –  is he the right size and weight, be sure  to look the entire  package over for their instructions  regarding the  proper preparation – pick up all of the other necessary ingredients – and hurry HOME – and follow through as instructed – so that this “Thanksgiving Holiday” is the best ever – for you and your family and friends!    D.V.

Nov 18th “The COOKS are Warming Up the Kitchen”

“If ever there was a time for all “COOKS” to come to the aid of their household – NOW – this week is the time to do, that which, only “YOU” know how to do it – to make all of us, just sit up and beg for more  wonderful treats,  “You” are the very  best person,  in the whole wide world!”

This is the front of a card that I had received  in 1980 for the Holidays from my Uncle Bill and Aunt Iola McClarren with a nice two page letter.

I have always saved the mail that I received, especially when it had a nice long letter to fill me in, with all of the news of that part of the family, and all  that they were doing, how they were getting on – and their plans for the Holidays. They were getting up in the years with medical needs to be taken care of – and not always able to do all the things, like they used to do.

When we were little, my brothers, Denny and Tommy  and Mom and myself,  my Dad would drive  us, up to Ohio for us to visit and stay with the family and spend  some time, seeing how they did, all of their farming and taking  care of animals,  and we did enjoy lots of very good meals. In  fact one year, they even made a “Pumpkin Pie” from scratch in a very special pie dish, that my Mother used for many years, and then, when she passed on, I was lucky to get that very same “Pie Dish” and have always made “Pumpkin Pies” in it, and they were always top of the line pies,  very seldom having a slice of  leftover “Pumpkin PIE!~”

Something special about this time of the year, with everyone getting all of their cookbooks and every baking pie pan and cookie sheet out and preparing the KITCHEN for making memories, that will last  for a Lifetime, for all of those invited guests!

Just a thought, to go along with all of the good memories — and that is – this time of the year is so WONDERFUL because, every good COOK and Baker is saying  extra special prayers, that everything that they have planned for the HOLIDAY Menu will be so very delicious – that all their friends and family will enjoy this occasion,  with many Prayers for those that provided this wonderful meal at this family get together, and that they will always be invited – because they did enjoy to the fullest – all these gifts and those gifts that our Almighty Yahweh provides for each of us all and that is for all year long!   D.V.