Our 2018 Thanksgiving

11/29/18

Rewind to 2018!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our daughter and her family.  Her in laws came for a visit which was wonderful.

Great food, interesting conversation and how blessed I feel to be able to share another Thanksgiving with you.

That's our middle grandson Nate, home from college(Rennsealear Polytechnic Institute who gave me a thumbs up about the Strawberry pretzel salad I made.  I also made an apple pie and her mother in law brought a pumpkin and peach pie.  Everything was delicious.

  So proud of our daughter taking on the challenge of Thanksgiving dinner.  She is not an enthusiastic cook like her mom but steps up when necessary.  The turkey, stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes and gravy were perfect.  She kept it simple which worked out fine.  Sometimes basic traditional foods are the best choice for busy holidays.  Being in your comfort zone helps you enjoy time with your friends and family.  

From the left, Dan our son in law, our grandson Daniel home from Penn State, our daughter, our grandson Nate and our youngest grandson Andrew a sophomore in high school.

Hoping your Thanksgiving was wonderful.  Blessings and love to all.

2017 Thanksgiving at Susan's

Sharing a few photos From last years Thanksgiving
 dinner.  l1/23/17


nother Thanksgiving has come and I am so thankful to have spent time with our daughter and her family.  Our son stopped by and had dinner too which was awesome. As with other years I have many things to be grateful and thankful for and feel very blessed..

Our Hostess

It has been a tough few years with losses in both my hubby and my families. We both lost siblings younger than us within a year of each other and this year I lost my mom so the holidays aren't quite as joyful as they've used to be but I am grateful I am here to enjoy my family. My hubby feels the same.

Dinner was our usual traditional feast. I really favor traditional meals for the holidays. Good home cooking with recipes from our families that have been passed on from generation to generation.

Our dinner always starts with a prayer. Today it was my turn to offer a prayer thanking God for our great dinner and being with our family. 

Here are a few photos of our meal and a few of the family. 

 Incidentally we enjoyed our meal on Christmas dinner wear. 

Might as well enjoy it while we can. Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close to each other and really go so quickly we must make use of all holiday decor we can.  Enjoy!

Cappelletti Soup

Festive

My daughter and I

Plentiful

My dish ....I couldn't fit anymore. lol

Mark and Daniel

Al and Mark

Susan's special chocolate cheesecake.

Sour cream apple pie tart and coffee with lots of cream.

Another Thanksgiving Tradition: Castagna (Chestnuts)

Every year this is a tradition.  Roasted chestnuts!!!



Castagna (kass- tan-ya) also know as chestnut.  Fresh chestnuts may be poached in wine, roasted or fried in butter as a garnish..   We love them ! Grandpa made sure his wine jug was close by.  It was usually under his chair!  Miss him and his stubborn ways!  My father took after him being stubborn as well  but I have to say they were gentle and loving and the memories I have will stay in my heart forever! 

Bake at 400 degrees approx 15 to 20 minutes

Now this is a perfect chestnut..Baked and easily removed from the shell.

In early November we usually see chestnuts in the grocery store or market in large baskets or bins.  Every year since I can remember we would have fresh chestnuts.  Grandpa or Nonno would have his wine jug next to his chair and Grandma or Nonna would be roasting them on the Coal Stove.  I remember Grandma putting a slight cut or X in the center of the chestnut  so it wouldn't pop open and splatter all over the oven..  If we didn't put a slight cut we'd have chestnuts pieces all over the kitchen..

My Mom baked them in the oven and so do I making sure to remember to make that small slit for sure.  I can't say that often enough.   After they are baked (around 20 minutes at 400 degrees) she took them out of the oven(those little slits have spread and you can see some of the chestnut) and placed them in a clean dishtowel that was slightly moistened ,wrapped them up tightly for a few minutes to insure those chestnuts could be easily removed from their shell.  Most times it worked on all of them.. Some times there were duds and we had to pick them out of their shell.. Phooey!  Frustrating because I was so eager to get one that was whole.  I never minded really any of that because I just loved those chestnuts and still do now..

I bought some for our Thanksgiving feast(I seek out the plumpest largest chestnuts I can find) and of course I had to bake some for the hubby and I as an early treat.. Yummy!

If you have never tried them try a few..  Hopefully you'll enjoy them and want to make chestnuts a part of your holiday tradition..

I don't know if  chestnuts are as popular as they were when I was growing up or when my children were little but in most  Italian households Castagna or Chestnuts are a part of your Thanksgiving feast.  A Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours!


.11/22/11
11/5/13

Our Traditional Thanksgiving 2014

I'm home and have my pj's on.  I am so full.  I didn't eat that much but a little of everything which obviously was too much being that I feel a slight bit uncomfortable.

We ate an early dinner at our daughter's which was fine with me because the older I get the more I am ready to get home at an early hour and relax.  Not that I don't relax there because I do.  Her home is very very comfortable and cozy too! She is an excellent cook and her specialty is turkey and chicken.  She has a gift for cooking one.  Tender, moist and cooked just right it; it is always cooked to perfection. 

We had plenty to eat as well as dessert too..


Here's a few photos showing our day.  Enjoy!

Small Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Anise Cookies

 We had turkey obviously, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, marshmallow topped sweet potatoes, baked corn, sweet kernel corn, rolls and cranberries.  Dessert was fresh apple pie, pumpkin custard, pumpkin and plain cupcake cheesecakes and Italian Anise cookies.  Way too much but nothing will go to waste I am sure.  There are 4 grown men in the house.  Need I say anymore. :)

I only had a little bit and this really isn't a good representation of the meal but it was delicious.

The boys aren't babies anymore so good conversation and laughter is a big part of the fun of getting together with them telling stories.  The youngest though has to be pryed away from the TV.  He is so in to sports so getting him into the dining room was a little bit of a task but he came before anyone got upset.  Off goes the TV when we eat and I am for that for sure.

 Daniel the oldest said grace and everyone dived in anxious to eat.  We are so blessed!

Little Sophee was surely looking for some turkey too!

 

Sharing our Great Thanksgiving! 2013

Hello everyone!

Yesterday we had our annual Thanksgiving dinner at our son, Mark and daughter-in-law, Angela's home.  Our immediate family, Susan, Dan and the boys and our daughter-in-law's family had the chance to catch up on the latest news, eat some wonderful food and enjoy the new baby!  Yes little Dominic is 7 months old and such a beautiful and happy baby. His addition to the family has been a joy.  He is the son of Don and Karen, our daughter- in- law's brother and sister- in- law.  Pat, Angela's moms newest grandchild.  He is truly a blessing and a welcome addition.

Turkey #1

Our grandchildren are growing up so quickly and I am happy to say love being with each other.  That makes my heart burst with joy.  To see your children and grandchildren love each other and want to be with each other is the greatest gift a parent could ask for. 

Lots of laughter only made this day better if that is possible.

Below are a few of the snapshots I took and then I handed the camera to the grandchildren.  Hope they make you smile.  These are a few of the memories I would like to share with you.  Remember to make some good memories.  Good memories last a lifetime.  Pass them on!

Turkey #2

Pat with Dominic

I brought 10 lbs. mashed potatoes.  It was an easy day for me :)

Zoe

Maddie and Grace

The guys enjoying the game

Tom #1

Bulgar Salad

Cappletts (Pat made these)

Susan and the grandchildren

Maddie gets to teasing Sully all the time.

Karen made Homemade Pumpkin Cheesecake(Paula Dean's recipe)

Apple Cranberry Pie

Lucky(yellow lab) hoping for handouts!

11/29/13