Thanksgiving....

 

Giving Thanks..... 

It Is that Time of year, Dear Readers, when Americans gather with Loved Ones to celebrate the Holiday of "Thanksgiving". It is a Feast whose menu has only small variations across the entire continent, for the most part centered around a Roast Turkey, many varieties of vegetable dishes and Pies for dessert. Of course, there are variations, but the History of the Holiday is rooted in a celebration held by the earliest European Colonists (also called settlers) who were mostly here because of religious persecution in their home lands in Europe. This feast supposedly took place in Massachusetts Colony in the early 1620's after they had survived a year in the New Land. The local Indigenous People ("Native Americans") as opposed to the immigrant Europeans, had come to help these new people and had been instrumental in their survival. The settlers were Thankful. And the local large bird, the Wild Turkey figured big in the feasting, along with corn (maize), beans, squash, potatoes and cranberries, all of these being native to the Americas and plentiful in the area. It was a Time when the support of the community and the assistance of neighbors made a real difference to survival. And meanwhile, in the current times, in The Lovely Old Dollhouse Victor and Joanna have been baking the pies ahead of time to make room for the rest of the baking on Thanksgiving Day. Victor is playing "Chef" this year and is heading to the Farmers market for fresh vegetables.

 

 Meanwhile over at Sally May and Chip's house, The "Shabby Sister House" 

Sally May is baking cookies to bring to the celebration.

 

"Daddy is cooking this year" she tells Chip as he comes 

to see if there are any cookies to snack on yet.

 "And he says there's no need to bring anything

 but ourselves and an appetite!"

 "So, I guess there will be plenty of cookies for later..." says Chip... 

sort of hoping for one now.

"Yes", agrees Sally May, "but we are not going to ruin our appetites!" 

she said sternly, knowing Annabelle was listening to every word!

 

And Victor has returned from the Farmer's Market

 with a basket full of squash and onions and potatoes. 

 

"I'll help you peel those potatoes" says Joanna cheerfully.

 "I was hoping you would" replied Victor with a wink. 

"Oh, and I ran into Old Eddie", he added 

"and we got to chatting. You remember him, don't you?"

 "Of course I do!"declared Joanna. "How is he?"

 "Well," said Victor. "he's been having a hard time lately...

 he has no family around here... so I told him to join us for dinner.

 We have plenty to go around, after all!"

 

And in the Living Room, Charles is warning Helen 

that it will be a bigger group than usual celebrating the meal.

 "It seems that Victor has invited an old acquaintance 

to join us for dinner he says" cheerfully.

 "Do you remember Old Eddie, my Dear?" he asks.

 "We haven't seen him in a long time..." said Helen. 

"I do hope he is alright!"

 "Well, Victor thinks he is a bit lonely without family," said Charles,

 carefully not mentioning the real issues. 

"And don't forget we have Cousin Kitty 

staying with us too," added Helen anxiously.

 

It seems Cousin Kitty had recently lost her 

housing subsidy benefits and was camping on 

the nearest couch she could find in the crisis.

 At the moment that was the bench in the upstairs hallway 

with her seven cats! 

 

Pollyanna and Arthur were in their favorite hiding spot...

 the attic "studio" where Pollyanna sometimes worked on

 the Miniature projects she had started so enthusiastically a while ago, 

but mostly spent time Daydreaming. 

Arthur could easily keep her company while

 accomplishing much on his laptop computer. 

"It's starting to smell divine..." said Arthur of the

 cooking aromas that wafted up to them eventually.

 "Yes, Daddy's cooking and he knows 

what he is doing!" agreed Pollyanna. 

"But I think I just heard someone arriving already.." she added, 

"but it sounds too quiet to be Sally May's folks!" 

"We can go down and find out..." said Arthur restlessly. 

 

Old Eddie had arrived and stepped inside quietly, 

not quite sure what to do next.

 

But Charles had heard his arrival and went 

to greet him and help him feel welcome.

 

Charles brought Eddie into the Living Room

 and introduced him to Helen.

 And Pollyanna and Arthur joined them moments later. 

The topic of conversation was mostly the weather conditions

 and the hopes that it would not snow too soon!

 

Not long after Sally May and Chip and Annabelle

 and Chip's parents Ernie and Blanche

 all arrived with cheerful greetings. 

"Here we are at last..." called Sally May 

as she headed to the kitchen.

 

"And you know I can never come empty handed...!" she declared.

 "I have brought a fruit basket to add to the pies!"

 

Victor and Joanna were just deciding that everything was ready

 and they should call everybody in.

 "I hope there's enough..." said Joanna.... 

"Of course there's enough!" declared Victor. 

"That's a 23 lb. Turkey!"

 

 

"You are so thoughtful, darling..." said Joanna 

as Sally May put the basket in the middle of the table. 

"That is just exactly what this meal was missing!" 

declared Victor giving his daughter a big smile.

 

Within minutes, the room was filling with the rest of the family,

 lured by the delicious aromas and the commotion of the latest arrivals.

 

"But where is Cousin Kitty....?" asked Helen, looking around

 and not seeing her in the crowd.

 "She is feeling shy, Grandma..." said Pollyanna. 

"We passed her on the way down... 

she said she will eat 'when the dust settles'" she added.

 "I think she is afraid the cats will climb on the table,"

 said Pollyanna smiling. 

"I'll take a plate up to her," she added quietly. 

 

 

Charles cleared his throat to get the attention of everyone.

 "I always feel so Blessed to have my Family all so near to me,

 and so I can only imagine the situation being the reverse.

 But for many, what family they have are far away or no longer with us,

 and at times of celebration that can only deepen their feelings of loss and loneliness.

 But truly, we are all Humans together in this World,

 and if we look back far enough we all descend from the same Family Tree.

 My hope and prayer is that we all learn to share and give love

 to all the people of our "Family Tree"

 no matter how far or near they are to this branch of the tree.

 I humbly give thanks that you are all here

 to share this Feast.

Let us eat!"

"Hear Hear!" called Victor as he cut the first slices of Turkey.

 "Pass the plates..." said Ernie....

"Let me ladle that gravy" said Sally May...

 

Well, Dear Readers, I hope, wherever you are

 and however far or near to Family you are, 

that you can take a few minutes to Give Thanks 

for the Greater Human Family to which we all belong. 

And perhaps pass along some cheer or assistance

 to those nearest whether you know them or not!

 We are all part of the same family in the end.

 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I Am Thankful...

 

For So Many Little Things...

And So Once again it is Thanksgiving here in America, Dear Readers, and it is later than usual this year. The Holiday is tied to the fourth Thursday of November.... whatever date that happens to be! This produces some panic in my "timetable" for the next few weeks, for when it is Late in November that just means Fewer days to accomplish ALL those Christmas tasks... and we all know I have a few of those I assign myself every year that never seem to be done in time. But that is all for next week.... for now we are focusing on the blessings of Family, Food, and the freedoms of being able to gather and celebrate as we wish. The Pandemic is over (what pandemic?) and the world goes speeding onward, but for now we take a few moments to count our blessings. And In the Lovely Old Dollhouse kitchen, Victor is thinking that one of those is Pies..... the aroma of fresh baked Thanksgiving Pies! Joanna has just pulled them from the oven! 

 

 "Darling...." he said appreciatively... 

"No-one makes a pie as well as you do!"

"I can second that... !" said Pollyanna as she entered the room.

 "Those smell, Divine, Mom!" she added with a smile.

"Are you ready to take those to Sally May's?" she asked.

"I think Grandma Helen is worried about the weather..." she added.

 

And meanwhile in the Living Room,

 that was exactly what was being discussed...

"I hear it might snow today..." said Helen anxiously.

"It is already starting to rain... what if we get stuck?"

 

Arthur had overheard the discussion and had an idea that might help.

"Perhaps we could wait a bit and not go over

 until the dinner is almost ready..." he said. 

"Pollyanna and I could go with you, while Victor and Joanna 

can take the pies now and help them get ready."

"That way they can let us know if the driving is bad..."

(Arthur was confident it would not be bad at all!)

"Maybe you should go ahead with the pies

 and be there to help Sally May" said Pollyanna.

"Arthur and I can bring Grandma And Grandpa later....

 just in time for dinner."

"And you can let us know how the roads are

 so we can reassure Grandma Helen..." she added.

"That sounds like a great idea" said Joanna cheerfully.

(She knew how much her Mother fretted the small stuff!)

And over at Chip's and Sally May's house 

Sally May has been worried too!

(What if they all decide not to come?)

"I just heard from Pollyanna..." she tells Chip.

"Mom and Dad are coming over now 

and bringing the pies" she said with relief.

"Pollyanna and Arthur will bring Grandma Helen

 and Grandpa Charles later."

"That way they can be sure the roads are okay" she added thankfully.

"Sounds great!" agreed Chip.

"I think the snow isn't supposed to start

 till tonight he added. It shouldn't be a problem."

Victor joined the "Guys" in the Living Room. 

He knew to stay out of the way of the kitchen crew!

 

 

Chip's father Ernie, was watching the old TV...  

it sounded like he was watching cartoons!

(Although he was sometimes just "lost in thought..."!)

 

 Victor had his eyes on the refreshments... he was getting hungry!

Joanna started to get the table ready

 and called Pollyanna to let her know

 it was time to come over!

It took them almost no time to get there... 

the roads were only wet... no snow yet!

Helen and Charles joined the folks in the Living Room.

"I'll turn down the volume for you..." Chip said to Grandma Helen.

( He knew his Dad liked it to be sort of loud.)

"No need to worry about it, Dear...!" said Helen.

 "I'm sorry to be so late... we were worried about

 the driving conditions."

"It's supposed to snow!" she added not quite happily.

And then it was time for everyone to gather around the Table.

The whole family barely fit in the room. 

They would need to carry their plates

 and sit in the Living Room to eat.

 But no matter, at least everyone was here!

Ernie said the Grace.

And then he looked over at Sally May and said

 "I am Thankful for such a wonderful and

 accomplished Daughter-in-law! 

 

 

Thank you for preparing this feast for us all!

 

"I'll second that..!" said Victor 

smiling at his blushing daughter.

"Oh, Heavens... " said Sally May 

"You're making me blush!"

 

And Meanwhile, Dear Readers, 

the kitchen was forgotten for the moment.

But Honey and Oreo stood guard.

"Don't even think of it..." growled Honey.

(Oreo had a lot to learn still!)

"But they're on plates.... he whined... 

why can't we lick the plates now...?"

Well, Dear Readers, I will leave you here

 to wonder about the outcome of the pies.... 

but rest assured... they were thoroughly enjoyed!

 

And I hope all of you are enjoying your Thanksgiving...

 or if you do not celebrate this Holiday, 

I hope you find ways and times

 to Count your Blessings!

I am thankful for so many little

 and not so little things,

 not least of which are

 My Dear Readers here in blogland!

Happy Thanksgiving!
 

Time To Talk Turkey....

 

Gobble Gobble Gobble....

It Was Sally May and Chip's turn to host Thanksgiving Dinner, Dear Readers, and Sally May had been preparing the dinner for days. It had been a while since the Family had all gathered at their House, and Sally May was eager to share the Traditional meal in her own home. Chip's Folks practically lived with them ever since the Covid pandemic, but it would feel so much more wonderful to have her folks there too. She loved Chip's parents, but there was no substitute for her own Family.

Chip's folks, Blanche and Ernie were happy to watch TV in the living room.

Chip was happy to sit with them. 

He was sure Sally May would not need

 his help in the Kitchen...

 

But as the hours passed and nobody arrived, she began to worry.

Was anybody coming?
 

Meanwhile, over at The Lovely Old Dollhouse, 

Helen was worried about the Weather.

It had snowed overnight and the roads would be slippery.

"Are you sure their driveway will be plowed?" she asked Charles.

"Well, it didn't snow very much" replied Charles.

 "Only a few inches fell, they might not even need to plow" he added.

That did not reassure Helen!

"But their driveway is a little steep...!" she declared.

"What if we get stuck?" she added, clearly worried!

"Oh, I am sure we will manage just fine," said Charles, soothingly.

 "We will go over with Arthur and Pollyanna" he added. 

"They are young and know what to do."

 

Pollyanna and Arthur spent a lot of time

 up in the attic in Pollyanna's craft room. 

They knew they were not needed in the kitchen. 

"Sally May just called," said Pollyanna. 

"She is wondering where everybody is" she added.

"I guess she thought everybody knew

 she was making the dinner for 2 o'clock!"

"Well, I guess we better get going!" declared Arthur. 

"It is already one thirty!"

"I hope the pies are finished!" said Pollyanna.

 

Charles and Helen were thinking the same thing. 

"I think it is time we went to Sally May's house" declared Helen.

"Are the Pies ready?" she asked.

"I just pulled the Pumpkin Pie out of the oven" called Joanna.

"We'll wrap them up and follow you right over..." she added.

"I can carry the Pumpkin Pie on this platter" said Victor.

"That way we won't have to wrap it..."

"We better get going..."said Arthur.

Sally May went to tell everybody that the guests would arrive shortly...

"Maybe we should turn the volume down on the TV..." she hinted.

"You know your folks turn it up pretty loud" she added. 

"I'm not sure the others will want to hear it..."

"Don't worry, Hon," said Chip. 

"I'll take care of it when they get here."

"What are you watching...?" asked Helen loudly

 when they arrived a few minutes later.

"It's just old reruns of "I Love Lucy..." said Chip,

 turning the volume down a bit.

"Goodness...!" declared Helen. 

"I never watched those shows" she added.

(The Lovely Old Dollhouse did not have a TV...!)

"We can find something else if you like..."said Ernie kindly.

"Don't bother on my account" said Helen. 

"I believe it is almost time to eat anyway" she added.

Pollyanna and Arthur followed them in. 

"I think I'll go help Sally May in the kitchen" said Pollyanna.

"I'm sorry we are so late!" she said. 

"Tell me what you need me to do!"

"If you could carry the vegetables out to the table...." said Sally May.

"Are the Pies coming...?" she added anxiously.

"Mom and Dad are bringing them" said Pollyanna.

"They'll be here in a minute!"

"Here we are!" cried Joanna, entering with a pie.

"I'm so sorry we mistook the time!" she added.

"I don't know what happened!"

"And here's the Pumpkin Pie!" declared Victor.

 "It is still hot from the oven!" he added.

"I'm sure it will cool enough while we eat dinner" said Sally May smiling.

"I'm just so glad you are here!" she added.

She carried the Turkey out to the table.

"Do we have everything...?" asked Pollyanna.

"I want to eat!" declared Annabelle loudly.

"Hush darling, you can gobble all you want

 after we all say Grace" said Sally May.

"Let's call everyone in," she said to Pollyanna.

The whole Family crowded in around the table.

"The food smells Divine..." declared Helen.

"Who will say Grace...?" she asked.

 

 

"I think our Host, Chip, has the honors..." 

said Charles, nodding to his Grandson-in-law.

Chip cleared his throat... 

(he was not used to being the center of attention)

"For the Bounty set before us, 

and the Family with which to share it, 

we humbly give our thanks" he said.

 

"Amen!" added Charles.

"Here here!" said Victor.

"Gobble Gobble.... !" said Annabelle.

At that, Everybody burst out laughing!

"I will carve the Turkey declared Ernie"

Sally May had nothing to say....

 she felt a lump in her throat 

at the Love surrounding her.

She spared not a thought for the dogs in the kitchen...

....Guarding the Pies!

"Don't even think it..." said Honey to Oreo...

"You heard them.... they are too hot!"

"I guess we have to wait for crumbs.... ?" asked Oreo.

"You have so much to learn...." sighed Honey.

Well, Dear Readers, Once again... 

Thanksgiving Dinner is almost Late!

But I hope you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving.... 

and if you don't celebrate the Holiday, 

I hope you will find Plenty to be Thankful for anyway.

And perhaps you can even "Gobble gobble" a little bit too!

(And for those unfamiliar with Turkeys, 

a large bird native to  North America, 

the "voice" of the bird sounds like

 "gobble gobble... gobble gobble.."! 

I kid you not!)