Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wanting Memories

I'm spending the morning listening to the radio and preparing stuffing.  The turkey is still frozen (again) though not to the crisis level of last year.  Maybe next year we'll finally be able to properly defrost a turkey in time for Thanksgiving!  So the turkey is in a tub of water.  I have onions and celery chopped for the stuffing and am sauteing chorizo for the stuffing as I type.  Everything I am cooking this year I have made before, so I wanted at least one new recipe.  I got this recipe from NPR.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Lee is out running last minute errands - trash run, water run, and last minute Fred Meyer run.  Just got the phone call.  Every store is out of sage, so the stuffing will be sageless.  Oh well.  I'm sure it will still be tasty.  Or not.  Such is life.  

Me, I'm enjoying the quiet of the morning, listening to a concert on NPR with a men's vocal group.  They just sang Wanting Memories, originally written and sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock.  If you don't know the song, go to itunes and download it pronto!  It's beautiful and matches the mood of the morning.  

I am missing home this holiday.  The past few days I've been very teary, missing my family, my Meme's cooking, just the joy of everyone coming together, too much food, fun conversation, my mom, uncle Mark and Auntie laughing in the kitchen - they have great laughs.  I miss snuggling on the couch with my cousin.  It's the first time since we've been out here that I've truly missed it.  I even tried to get our guests into the tradition by asking them all to cook.  It didn't work, and really wasn't fair.  They are all bringing things, which is generous.  I think I wanted to try to replicate that feel of everyone coming together, working together to make it special.  

I also feel very blessed this morning.  I have wonderful memories fueling me through the morning.  And I have the most amazing husband.  He's been so loving these last few days and helpful without blinking an eye.  Our home is cozy and clean - such a blessing!  The light outside is dim and grey, but inside it's warm.  I feel grounded in cooking and dancing and listening to music.  We have guests coming over at 1:00, who will be happy to come together, missing their families as well.  We'll be spending our time playing Settlers of Catan.  No football or parade for us, as we have no TV!

Sending wishes for a wonderful day to everyone.  Here's hoping it's a day that makes many memories for you and yours. 

3 comments:

  1. Kate~

    We miss you! I know how special Thanksgiving has aways been for you and your family. Traditions are so important and when they change it is hard to let them go. Know that you were in our thoughts today and we look forward to seeing you in one month!

    Happy Thanksgiving and remembering all the things we are thankful for helps in moving us to the next level!

    Hugs and love from all the Keller-White-Lynch and almost Salome's!

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  2. Many of us living here in AK know all too well the sadness that can come upon us at the holidays. Our families are so far away and family traditions are missed immensely. This time of year is very difficult for me too, but mostly because I no longer have my parents and they really were the glue that kept the family together in holiday tradition.

    Living here we have to make new traditions and new memories. Sometimes that means planning dinner for others who are missing their families too, and sometimes that means just having a quiet day at home with your mate. This year, we chose to have a quiet dinner at home as I was in a very sad state and didn't want to socialize. But now that Thanksgiving is behind me, I'm feeling much better. I hope I can get through Christmas without too much trouble.

    It sounds like your holiday was wonderful, shared with friends in a warm and cozy home.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. Aw Sweet Kate,,, this one brought tears to my eyes. Lovely and lyrical. Counting the days til you're home, love, Auntie xo

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