November in Bloom

How are you celebrating? Are you celebrating? 

I think the hardest part of canceling Thanksgiving is thinking of your relatives spending the holiday alone. You can take them a plate or drop off a pie, but we all know it’s not just about the food. Phone calls and porch chats are equally important.

Toby works every other Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year’s. I’m used to skipping holidays. I look forward to not grocery shopping. I cook what I feel like and call my family while I take a long walk. Yes, I miss the smell of herbs and onions sizzling in butter and all the pies cooling on the counter. I miss having oysters shucked for me while I cook. I even miss shooing boys and dogs out of the kitchen. But trust me, if you take the year off, all these things are even sweeter when the next one rolls around.

I might make just one pie: Coley’s Meyer Lemon Cranberry Pie, but this time I’m experimenting with calamondins from the backyard, and maybe roselle for color. The two side dishes I’ll miss the most: cornbread dressing and sweet potato casserole.

Here are a few short stories about Thanksgiving I’ve collected over the years, by and about Southern women. 

Julia Reed: Beyond the Butterball

Karen Russell: Thanksgiving is a Beast

Kim Severson: How I Mastered the Art (and Politics) of Cornbread Dressing

Jasmine Guillory: Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dressing

 

I hope you’re all making the best of it. I’m thankful to have you here. 

7 Comments November in Bloom

  1. Jane November 24, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving Danielle! That is a beautiful pie. I’m making an apple pie and turkey thighs. Following Dr. Fauci’s advice. Take care, and see you soon.

    1. suwanneerose November 25, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      That sounds like a perfect Thanksgiving for two. I said I wasn’t making much, but now I have pumpkin pecan bread in the oven and we’re marinating venison shanks for osso bucco tomorrow, along with Brussels sprouts and potatoes and a beet and arugula salad. I guess it’s hard to forgo tradition entirely. I hope Toby’s home to share it with me tomorrow. Stay safe and healthy and we’ll see you here soon.

  2. Evangelia November 24, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, take care and stay safe.

    1. suwanneerose November 25, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      Hello my friend! I miss you. I hope you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving. I am so looking forward to our workouts once we’re in the clear!

  3. Mary Ann Shambach November 25, 2020 at 9:08 am

    Happy Thanksgiving! Hope it is safe and relaxing this year.

    1. suwanneerose November 25, 2020 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you, Aunt Mary Ann! I hope you and Uncle Fred are doing the same. Can’t wait to get together once we’re through this!

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