Flight out at 6 am to grandkids across the country got cancelled late last night due to wind and snow. Husband went frantically shopping for a thawed turkey, came home with a spiral ham. For the first time in our marriage we are celebrating thanksgiving just the two us. I am so thankful for my family, solo dinner totally our choice. I must say it will be bittersweet since my dad died in March, holidays have a different feel already. But - so grateful for the family and friends who already offered to share their hearth and homes and Thanksgivings with us! Gonna reframe and let that be my perspective on this holiday!
Ahhhh...us too. On our own. My first Thanksgiving without my mom. She died in June. Kids are doing their own things, but we are happy. Compared to our very first Thanksgiving dinner I made 39 years ago, everything will be cooked and done and come out of the oven at the same time. 39 years ago we had a starter of cranberry sauce, followed 2 hours later by potatoes and 30 minutes after that came the turkey and stuffing. Found the peas the next morning in the microwave. Happy Thanksgiving and condolences on the loss of your dad.♥
Holidays are tough, I was so gratified on your reply that tears came to my eyes. This Substack community is unexpectedly - human and relatable. Losing a mother m (or father) is one of those things that is totally expected at some point, but also totally un-prepareable, no matter how expected. Prayers truly going up for your family too. ❣️
Marlene....hope you had a good day yesterday. Thank you for your reply. My mom's pumpkin pie recipe was filled into pie dough recipe from my lovely MIL, who is in heaven now too. And I used her pie plate. She had obviously taken that dish to potlucks or family dinners because there is a paper address label on the bottom with her name and address and it is still readable and stuck on there with no sign of fading or burning despite the many washings and hot ovens. I think God loves us in big ways and many small ways and comforts us, even when we don't think about it.
I love thinking about that, only God could comfort us in such a perfect way. We had a beautiful dinner and even found some black raspberry wine! Sounds like yours was good too, thank you Lord for your many blessings.
totally get it, Marlene and SadieJay! deepest condolences!
my father passed away on Oct 6, so first holiday of any kind without him.
(he died 3 days after my UK fella got into town for his first in-person visit. everyone said he was meant to be here with me. he got to meet family that he otherwise would not have met. it was surreal.)
we were supposed to have a Celebration Of Life party today but it got postponed until tomorrow, since we have a legit blizzard here in Chicagoland. typical shit for what I call our 'Casa Del Coo Coo' ;) Cheers to all!! ;)
I am so glad he got to meet everyone - that alone had to have been a gift. Heartfelt condolences to you as well, limping through that first year is almost over for us, but sounds like it has just begun for you. Hugs.
Be it known, not only is this husband cooking the turkey, making pies, made the cranberries, cooking the rutabaga for 20 (partial extended family, other half in CA for youngest brother’s change of command ceremony), and admittedly rest spread amongst other, I AM doing it all AGAIN on Sunday for my nuclear family Thanksgiving since son is home on leave, and they’ll need to refuel after World’s Largest Disco true night before.
Awww, thanks. But after 38 yrs, don’t think she’s letting me go. Besides, she wouldn’t relinquish the military pension and I’m the one working the investments, most (currently) of which are hers.
What exactly does your wife do, or, just how rich/beautiful is your wife, or, she must be really good at . . . 'somethin' somethin'? Lol. Rhetorical questions of course, I just never understood the reality that some women somehow manage to score.
I scored. Hubs retired in October. He peeled and cut all the apples for the pie and used the pastry cutter and hands to mix the dough for my pies. And he cleans. 39 years and I thank God every day for him. Mostly.
Honestly, it’s the easy part today. My dad’s dementia has been accelerating of late, and with my mom on the west coast, it’s been interesting going to check up on him, and I have some worries for today because he doesn’t remember everyone, and agitates easily
Since I decided to open up (so unlike me), the post script is that my dad did very well with 20 other family members in the house. My sister and I worked the kitchen, got the food going and cleaned up. She brought plates and plasticware from previous events, and everyone was told if bringing food to be able to cart it back home, so dishes to clean in washer were a minimum, and just a couple pies and some leftovers for my mom when returns Saturday. He actually ate, which was nice. Just kept him engaged with football, and all were warned to avoid known triggers. All in all a good night, now if I could just get him to take his meds regularly (really don't want to start direct observable treatment )
I cook it (actually as my mom did) cut up like potatoes, treat same except I put a little sugar instead of salt. When fork soft, drain and mash with butter. Then grind a little pepper on it.
For years I was told it was turnip, until I went shopping myself for it and noticed the turnip didn't look like that waxed rock I'd cut up every year
Growing up, we called rutabaga "turnip" but they are very different. Didn't find that out until a couple years ago! Turnip is more like radish and tastes best raw. Rutabaga is excellent served as you describe it.
Very grateful for you, Jenna, and the clever humor you bring to the world! I had to trim my budget recently and one part of that is always making sure you have no unnecessary subscriptions and cancel everything you don't need, and I was like UM YES I NEEEEED JENNA’S SUBSTACK 😁 Thank you for your amazing writing, and the camaraderie I've found on your page! Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)
Got off easy as I only had to make a flourless chocolate torte to take to the in-laws today. Easy peasy recipe and everyone loves it and can eat it since it’s gluten free (but lots of yummy sugar).
Friends coming on Friday and are bringing food, so not much to make.
So no stress - which is truly needed these crazy days.
Honestly, I would love to have that recipe too! I used to do the Godiva flourless chocolate torte kit before they discontinued them and I haven't found a substitute I like yet...
Quiet low stress day. Cooking turkey breast with a few sides for husband and fur baby. Watching Lions and Packers on Tubi. Enjoying Hawaii’s beautiful weather. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Grateful for God’s Blessings
Thankful for so many things! My Hubs who endures my obstinate self, our son who makes me laugh and cry, our pups who provide loads of furry love and a ton of laughter, the new rescue pup who is a funny goofy baby boy, our garden which provides me with the cheapest therapy possible, and oodles of organic vegetables.
I am thankful for this community of likeminded good people. We don’t always agree, but it’s mostly respectful and always thoughtful and thought provoking! 🙏💯❤️💥🔥🪴
There's just 3 of us this year. Me, my husband, and our teenage son. Our daughter and her husband went to his family's house this year so we have their little devil dog as well as our dog. Even though it's just the 3 of us, I'm still making a turkey with all the fixins. We'll probably watch a movie at some point. Take the dogs for a walk. It will be quiet but it is what it is. We moved away from extended family 2 years ago so this is all we have. We make the best of it. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
We started Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Tuesday, for the movie timeline. Watched the Wednesday part yesterday and will finish it up today and cry at the end. And feel blessed. As usual.
My only child lives 17 hours by air travel away with his lovely wife and my two grandchildren. I’m not thankful for that fact, but I am thankful for them and his wife is faithful in letting me zoom talk once a week. No ft available for us to communicate. And my siblings live on the other side of the states I’m thankful for them and love them all. So friends are my Thanksgiving family and my hubby and I are included in a lovely family celebration the last few years. And bonus, the host is a chef! I know them from church. So it’s a very blessed time to be included in their day! And I am so thankful I found you on substack. You take the absurd and couch it in more absurdity- a unique art form. I adore you and your writing. Abundant Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving.
Church at 8:00 to give thanks. Then, back home to be the servant to my wife's demands.
After dinner with 2 of my 3 sons attending, I will be doing the dishes solo under the watchful eye of the Sargent! With comments like, "You missed a grease spot; Make sure you put everything into the refrigerator now; The white meat isn't cut thin enough; Why didn't you use a bigger container to put the leftover potatoes in," and on and on and on!
Thankful for this community and especially for you, Jenna, and your amazing sense of humor. Hubs and I are having lobster for dinner - neither one of us likes turkey (chicken is barely okay) - so for years we've indulged. Families are out and about - but we're happy and grateful to have a quiet day, with very little cooking.
Flight out at 6 am to grandkids across the country got cancelled late last night due to wind and snow. Husband went frantically shopping for a thawed turkey, came home with a spiral ham. For the first time in our marriage we are celebrating thanksgiving just the two us. I am so thankful for my family, solo dinner totally our choice. I must say it will be bittersweet since my dad died in March, holidays have a different feel already. But - so grateful for the family and friends who already offered to share their hearth and homes and Thanksgivings with us! Gonna reframe and let that be my perspective on this holiday!
Marlene - I am deeply sorry for the loss of your dad.
The “firsts” are always hard.
Your attitude is heartwarming.
God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving 😘❤️🙏🏻
Ahhhh...us too. On our own. My first Thanksgiving without my mom. She died in June. Kids are doing their own things, but we are happy. Compared to our very first Thanksgiving dinner I made 39 years ago, everything will be cooked and done and come out of the oven at the same time. 39 years ago we had a starter of cranberry sauce, followed 2 hours later by potatoes and 30 minutes after that came the turkey and stuffing. Found the peas the next morning in the microwave. Happy Thanksgiving and condolences on the loss of your dad.♥
Holidays are tough, I was so gratified on your reply that tears came to my eyes. This Substack community is unexpectedly - human and relatable. Losing a mother m (or father) is one of those things that is totally expected at some point, but also totally un-prepareable, no matter how expected. Prayers truly going up for your family too. ❣️
Marlene....hope you had a good day yesterday. Thank you for your reply. My mom's pumpkin pie recipe was filled into pie dough recipe from my lovely MIL, who is in heaven now too. And I used her pie plate. She had obviously taken that dish to potlucks or family dinners because there is a paper address label on the bottom with her name and address and it is still readable and stuck on there with no sign of fading or burning despite the many washings and hot ovens. I think God loves us in big ways and many small ways and comforts us, even when we don't think about it.
😊😊😊
I love thinking about that, only God could comfort us in such a perfect way. We had a beautiful dinner and even found some black raspberry wine! Sounds like yours was good too, thank you Lord for your many blessings.
Marlene, I had wanted to post this for all who are missing loved ones during this holiday -- a meme that brought me humor and comfort.
"When you die, everyone cries for you to come back, but then when you do, there's the running and the screaming . . . "
Hoping everyone feels the happy presence of departed loved ones this holiday season :)
love it!
Oh my twin! I have tears in my eyes reading your post. Know that your sister loves you. And is also thankful.
Oh my Maureen. I too, am blessed with a twin (fraternal).
I’m deeply sorry about your dad.
I’ve always loved this saying:
“Grief shared is halved, joy shared is doubled”.
God bless and Happy Thanksgiving.
Laura, what a great sentiment! And you know, joy shared with a twin is somehow quadrupled! Thank you for your sweet post.
Indeed 🥰😘❤️🙏🏻
totally get it, Marlene and SadieJay! deepest condolences!
my father passed away on Oct 6, so first holiday of any kind without him.
(he died 3 days after my UK fella got into town for his first in-person visit. everyone said he was meant to be here with me. he got to meet family that he otherwise would not have met. it was surreal.)
we were supposed to have a Celebration Of Life party today but it got postponed until tomorrow, since we have a legit blizzard here in Chicagoland. typical shit for what I call our 'Casa Del Coo Coo' ;) Cheers to all!! ;)
I am so glad he got to meet everyone - that alone had to have been a gift. Heartfelt condolences to you as well, limping through that first year is almost over for us, but sounds like it has just begun for you. Hugs.
Be it known, not only is this husband cooking the turkey, making pies, made the cranberries, cooking the rutabaga for 20 (partial extended family, other half in CA for youngest brother’s change of command ceremony), and admittedly rest spread amongst other, I AM doing it all AGAIN on Sunday for my nuclear family Thanksgiving since son is home on leave, and they’ll need to refuel after World’s Largest Disco true night before.
How’s that for a run on sentence????
You just won the 2025 BEST DAD award. ❤️. Happy Thanksgiving. And call me if you ever find yourself single
Awww, thanks. But after 38 yrs, don’t think she’s letting me go. Besides, she wouldn’t relinquish the military pension and I’m the one working the investments, most (currently) of which are hers.
What exactly does your wife do, or, just how rich/beautiful is your wife, or, she must be really good at . . . 'somethin' somethin'? Lol. Rhetorical questions of course, I just never understood the reality that some women somehow manage to score.
I scored. Hubs retired in October. He peeled and cut all the apples for the pie and used the pastry cutter and hands to mix the dough for my pies. And he cleans. 39 years and I thank God every day for him. Mostly.
Hahaha, mostly. You picked well. At least my second husband enjoyed doing the dishes.
Both the sentence (particularly the sentence) and your hectic schedule are seriously impressive.
Honestly, it’s the easy part today. My dad’s dementia has been accelerating of late, and with my mom on the west coast, it’s been interesting going to check up on him, and I have some worries for today because he doesn’t remember everyone, and agitates easily
The people you love are very lucky.
Since I decided to open up (so unlike me), the post script is that my dad did very well with 20 other family members in the house. My sister and I worked the kitchen, got the food going and cleaned up. She brought plates and plasticware from previous events, and everyone was told if bringing food to be able to cart it back home, so dishes to clean in washer were a minimum, and just a couple pies and some leftovers for my mom when returns Saturday. He actually ate, which was nice. Just kept him engaged with football, and all were warned to avoid known triggers. All in all a good night, now if I could just get him to take his meds regularly (really don't want to start direct observable treatment )
🙏🏼
Wow rutabaga. I like that idea! Tnx
I cook it (actually as my mom did) cut up like potatoes, treat same except I put a little sugar instead of salt. When fork soft, drain and mash with butter. Then grind a little pepper on it.
For years I was told it was turnip, until I went shopping myself for it and noticed the turnip didn't look like that waxed rock I'd cut up every year
Growing up, we called rutabaga "turnip" but they are very different. Didn't find that out until a couple years ago! Turnip is more like radish and tastes best raw. Rutabaga is excellent served as you describe it.
Your memes are like turkey…they leave me wanting more.
This is what I came to say -- I didn't want it to end and I'm still laughing. Thankful for you Jenna! Happy Thanksgiving!
Very grateful for you, Jenna, and the clever humor you bring to the world! I had to trim my budget recently and one part of that is always making sure you have no unnecessary subscriptions and cancel everything you don't need, and I was like UM YES I NEEEEED JENNA’S SUBSTACK 😁 Thank you for your amazing writing, and the camaraderie I've found on your page! Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)
Got off easy as I only had to make a flourless chocolate torte to take to the in-laws today. Easy peasy recipe and everyone loves it and can eat it since it’s gluten free (but lots of yummy sugar).
Friends coming on Friday and are bringing food, so not much to make.
So no stress - which is truly needed these crazy days.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 😘❤️🙏🏻
I don’t bake much but I would love that recipe!💕
You got it, girl.
Honestly, I would love to have that recipe too! I used to do the Godiva flourless chocolate torte kit before they discontinued them and I haven't found a substitute I like yet...
Here you go:
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/flourless-chocolate-cake-recipe
So easy and everyone raves over it.
Love how King Arthur Flour puts out a flourless cake recipe. (I know they make other stuff, but still.... :-) Happy Thanksgiving LK. ♥
(I am an avid baker and King Arthur is all I use :) )
I am thinking of getting some leaf lard for my next batch of pie dough. :-)
fascinating. never heard of that
Odd, isn’t it!
Thanks SadieJay. 😘❤️
Thank youuuu! 😊
Quiet low stress day. Cooking turkey breast with a few sides for husband and fur baby. Watching Lions and Packers on Tubi. Enjoying Hawaii’s beautiful weather. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Grateful for God’s Blessings
Thanks for the laughs Jenna . Happy Thanksgiving. What a time of reflection these last 5 years . Blessings and strength to all . 🙌🏼
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Thankful for so many things! My Hubs who endures my obstinate self, our son who makes me laugh and cry, our pups who provide loads of furry love and a ton of laughter, the new rescue pup who is a funny goofy baby boy, our garden which provides me with the cheapest therapy possible, and oodles of organic vegetables.
I am thankful for this community of likeminded good people. We don’t always agree, but it’s mostly respectful and always thoughtful and thought provoking! 🙏💯❤️💥🔥🪴
What I shall be doing for Thanksgiving: writing another substack article. I love our community here!
There's just 3 of us this year. Me, my husband, and our teenage son. Our daughter and her husband went to his family's house this year so we have their little devil dog as well as our dog. Even though it's just the 3 of us, I'm still making a turkey with all the fixins. We'll probably watch a movie at some point. Take the dogs for a walk. It will be quiet but it is what it is. We moved away from extended family 2 years ago so this is all we have. We make the best of it. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
We started Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Tuesday, for the movie timeline. Watched the Wednesday part yesterday and will finish it up today and cry at the end. And feel blessed. As usual.
Yeah, we watched the whole thing last night, had a great time!
We watched the whole thing last night. Great Thanksgiving movie!
My only child lives 17 hours by air travel away with his lovely wife and my two grandchildren. I’m not thankful for that fact, but I am thankful for them and his wife is faithful in letting me zoom talk once a week. No ft available for us to communicate. And my siblings live on the other side of the states I’m thankful for them and love them all. So friends are my Thanksgiving family and my hubby and I are included in a lovely family celebration the last few years. And bonus, the host is a chef! I know them from church. So it’s a very blessed time to be included in their day! And I am so thankful I found you on substack. You take the absurd and couch it in more absurdity- a unique art form. I adore you and your writing. Abundant Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving.
So well put - "You take the absurd and couch it in more absurdity."
😘😘😘
Church at 8:00 to give thanks. Then, back home to be the servant to my wife's demands.
After dinner with 2 of my 3 sons attending, I will be doing the dishes solo under the watchful eye of the Sargent! With comments like, "You missed a grease spot; Make sure you put everything into the refrigerator now; The white meat isn't cut thin enough; Why didn't you use a bigger container to put the leftover potatoes in," and on and on and on!
Other than that, same old same old!
😂🩷
Thankful for this community and especially for you, Jenna, and your amazing sense of humor. Hubs and I are having lobster for dinner - neither one of us likes turkey (chicken is barely okay) - so for years we've indulged. Families are out and about - but we're happy and grateful to have a quiet day, with very little cooking.
That’s my kind of Thanksgiving! 🦞Equally grateful for you.💕
Good humor! It was nice to laugh off a few calories!
A predawn walk w dogs Messages to friends I love No particular plans to eat the beginning of looking forward to Jan 2