Thanksgiving planning and lost in memories

“If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, it would be a much merrier world.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien

Years and years of having the honor of bringing green bean casserole to Thanksgiving dinner has inspired me to get creative. Don’t get me wrong….I really do like a good green bean casserole but holy hell, what a boring dish it can be to prepare. No matter.... tradition and so on. I am fortunate to have been gathered into the fold of my husband’s family to participate with his rowdy congregation of serious eaters.

This year I am looking at adding honey caramelized onions and pancetta. This may take another twist before I am done with it.....we’ll see.

Past Thanksgivings I would bring two casseroles. The variation goes like this:

One green bean casserole (GBC) with mushrooms, crispy Durkee fried onions and béchamel sauce – the second GBC containing the aforementioned and bacon. (This was the year my niece was vegetarian…hence the meatless version. The bacon laced GBC was devoured first. And quickly I may add.)

Sometimes I change the cheese out and use Swiss cheese, sometimes sharp cheddar. Sometimes zero meat products.


You get the idea. This has been going on for years. Messing with the ingredients. So…………..this year, definitely using caramelized onions and maybe goat cheese. Marsala……that would be good.


I miss my son being part of these gatherings. He’s been at Ft Polk in Louisiana being tortured participating in extensive training. More than likely it’s in prep to be sent overseas. I hate that..so very much. He’s newly married and it would be such a wonderful thing for us to all be together on the holiday, participating in conversations, beer pong, hugs, …………..all of it. Last year we drove up to see him and his bride. This year he will just be getting back from training.



It’s been 46 years since I had a Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania with my father and 47 years with all of my family. Mom, Dad, the uncles, sometimes my sister would come with her kids. Sometimes it would snow early and we’d play around outside until it just got mushy. The house would be so warm, hot even, from the constant use of the oven and all the stove burners as my mother moved in a blur. Her hands were always occupied with pot holders, or a wooden spoon, or a pie or {insert any food item} and she was in her glory. Loved the kitchen.


(My sister Linda, Mom, me and brother Jim..........enjoying road side picnic. Always prepare for emergencies)

Boy…….did I ever meander around holiday memories. Ok (shaking my head)…the GBC. Back to it. I hope to get more creative this year and we will see what I can post and share next week. In the meantime, looking forward to some time off work and good eating.

I hope you all are well, whoever is reading this, and I thank you for visiting.

“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relatives.”
― Oscar Wilde