Happy Thanksgiving
I hope you are all enjoying getting prepared for your upcoming holiday if you are in the United States. If you are unfamiliar with Thanksgiving in the US, I would love to give you an idea of how we celebrate the holiday. Most families celebrate the same, but some of the food may be different to match the family’s culture.
Food—usually a robust Turkey. In my home, a couple of Turkey breasts are preferred. The meal includes everything from mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, and homemade rolls. Oh yes, I almost forgot the pie is the most valued food item. I have no idea where the tradition of eating pie until you are stuffed came from or why. Most of the time, the ingredient is pumpkin, except at my house, where Apples and pecan rule.
Reason for Thanksgiving—When I was in school, we were taught it was the celebration when the pilgrims landed on our shores. Many accounts exist regarding the landing, but I prefer to view it as a fusion of European and Native American cultures. These two cultures are the most common, though others exist.
Now that the bases are established, I have a few questions and comments.
1 Do you think women spend all day cooking meals as we all do nowadays?
2. Turkeys were not the only meat offered at the meal, I believe. Not that I was there, but somewhere I read, they also had deer, fish, and maybe pork.
- I doubt they had all the dishes offered at their meal, like we do for our families. They didn’t have marshmallows to go on the sweet potato (if they even had sweet potatoes).
4 What do you think they wore to dinner? I think the Native Americans came dressed in their finery. After all, this was their country first.
If you have any suggestions or information you would like to add, please leave a comment. I hope this made you laugh and enjoy the holiday. To my readers living outside the US, I want to impart that Thanksgiving is a day when you are thankful for family, friends, and health. I know it is for me and my household. I enjoy it when my family gets together, and I love to listen to the conversation and the laughter that is traded back and forth.
In closing, thank you for reading, and please leave a comment. I will try to publish Betty’s News on the Block starting on the 1st of the new year. Look for the new one, as I will give you my thoughts. If you have an idea for a newsletter, please contact me.
Here is my Lazy Betty’s coconut cream pie.
You can buy a pre-made pie crust, so you don’t have to make one.
1 large box of vanilla pudding mix – either cooked or instant – I prefer the cooked as I feel it stands up better. Follow instructions for making the pudding.
3/4 cup of shredded coconut
Mix all ingredients and pour into the pie shell.
Top with an egg white meringue – this can be as tall as you like. I prefer it around the medium. Bake in a 350-degree oven just until the meringue turns a light brown. You’ll need a hungry stomach and a large fork.
As one famous cook said, “Bon appétit.”
Until next year, from my house to yours, may you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Betty
