Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Let's Talk Turkey

 Thanksgiving is next week, so I thought it was time to talk about our plans for Thanksgiving.  We will be only having family this year, and the ones who will be coming we see regularly.  Some people have a 'covid' circle and we've done this with our family from the beginning.

We will only be 12 at the table this year, as our married daughters will all be with their inlaws this Thanksgiving.  We have invited my niece, as well.

I want to say that I think holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving should be celebrated even if we are alone on those holidays.  Remember the famous words of Scrooge, 

 “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. ''

I think this goes for Thanksgiving as well.  It is the spirit of the holiday that we are celebrating.  Being Thankful and remembering God's goodness to us.

So I encourage you to set your table with your best dishes, buy some sparkling grape juice or wine, and celebrate!

Here are some tables I've set over the last few years









The most important thing I love to share is my tried and true tip for a stress free Thanksgiving - slow roast your bird overnight!  Here is a link to my post about how to do it. 

People all over the country cook their turkey this way, and I hear from them every year about how great their turkeys turn out!  The key is to cook your bird three times as long as you would on normal heat.  Follow the link for all the details!

I learned this tip from Emilie Barnes in her book on traditions - 

                                                                                 source

When I was looking for the photos of my tables I came across this hymn my friend Jane had shared with me and I thought it was such a great reminder - 


In Heavenly Love Abiding

  1. In heav’nly love abiding,
    No change my heart shall fear;
    And safe is such confiding,
    For nothing changes here.
    The storm may roar without me,
    My heart may low be laid,
    But God is round about me,
    And can I be dismayed?
  2. Wherever He may guide me,
    No want shall turn me back;
    My Shepherd is beside me,
    And nothing can I lack.
    His wisdom ever waketh,
    His sight is never dim;
    He knows the way He taketh,
    And I will walk with Him.
  3. Green pastures are before me,
    Which yet I have not seen;
    Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
    Where darkest clouds have been.
    My hope I cannot measure,
    My path to life is free;
    My Savior has my treasure,
    And He will walk with me.

Anna L. Waring



Have an excellent day friends.

10 comments:

Brenda Leyland @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Your table settings are lovely and so inviting for a convivial gathering of loved ones. I agree that special times should still be celebrated whether it is with two or twenty two around the table. Have fun planning and preparing for your Thanksgiving holiday. Happy day.... Brenda xo

Beside a babbling brook... said...

You set beautiful tables!!!!!!! They all look lovely!!!! -smile-

My husband has been making the Stuffing and cooking the turkey, for years. It is stress free, since he makes the Stuffing, the night before. It is fully cooked, and sits in the refrigerator over night, melding all the delicious ingredients.

On the day, when the bird is all ready and the oven is all preheated, the stuffing goes into the bird and the bird in the oven.

And we enjoy the cooking aromas all day. -smile-

He also always makes his Newman's Creamed Potatoes, which he knows just how to do, again, doing prep, the night before.

Of course, our next door family always gathers here, the night before, to help him make the Stuffing. Which will NOT happen, this year.

And our sons and their families, and we, always gather at some house, for the feast. Which will NOT happen, this year.

And they will have to make their own Newman's Creamed Potatoes.

But! It is as it is.

Wishing all, a very peaceful and Happy Thanksgiving...
๐Ÿ— ๐Ÿ˜‹ ๐Ÿ—

Vee said...

It makes my family nervous every year to slow roast the turkey. But no one has died yet and they can't deny how delicious it is. Certainly makes the day easier, though I do not enjoy smelling the turkey overnight. I am going to put a fan on and blow the aroma in the opposite direction. ๐Ÿ˜

๐Ÿฆƒ๐Ÿ‚๐ŸฆƒYour tables are so festive and beautiful. Twelve will be a lot. I will have only six. All mine and I love them. ๐Ÿงก

Sandi said...

Happy (Almost) Thanksgiving!

Sherry said...

you always set such lovely tables, deanna. twelve at table! happy hearts indeed. at this point it will be just the hubs and i. not big lovers of turkey i'll most likely make rolled pork tenderloin along with the usual suspects. bless you dearly.

Estelle's said...

This is tried and true....I grew up with Mother roasting the turkey overnight and the house was so festive and smelled heavenly on those few days. Thank you for reminding me of this wonderful memory...also, what lovely tables!!!

Theresa said...

Beautiful tables and thoughts about Thanksgiving and Christmas❤️ We are having a small gathering with my daughter and her family. I canceled our huge family gathering for the safety of all. Better safe than sorry. Enjoy your day dear friend. Hugs

Cheryl said...

I love seeing your Thanksgiving tables! I love setting the table for a holiday meal! We will have our usual group this year (but without Kati and family) . . . just under our state's number for indoor gatherings. So thankful that we can gather!

Deanna said...

Lovely table settings. Beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving.
d

Linda said...

I remember reading books by Emilie Barnes!
You set such pretty tables! We will celebrate the day with family in Fort Worth. A small group and in Nita's backyard. Only 8 of us this year. My son Benjamin and Nita's daughter, Leah, and her husband and MIL....
The we plan on going to Amber's that evening and watching a Christmas movie with them.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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