Happy Thanksgiving

This was sent to me by a friend in Austin.

I thought I would share it with you all.

Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned - the dark meat and white, But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes, Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round, 'Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky, With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees....
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty, your turkey be plump.
Your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.
We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I love dining with family, friends and an opportunity to share what I have with someone new. I also give thanks for the people who have interacted with me and left something of themselves with me.

This year was a smaller gathering than usual; only ten people. I did go to Great Lakes Naval Station to collect the two sailors I invited, only to find they had run out. My niece gave me the "I-told-you-so" glare (I came on the late side), so next year I'm sure she will drag me out at 7 AM not to miss them. Though we had no recruits to entertain this year, we fondly remember the couple dozen recruits we met over the years. Long ago, they "ran out" of recruits again, so they broke up a rehearsal of the Navy Band and sent unattached ones out for an unexpected dinner with us.

When we sat down to dinner today it was not just the ten people present, we had the ethereal presence of many more:

My friend Helen, who'd gladly come though she has her family and friends to care for, sent her freshly made egg rolls to represent her. In exchange, my greetings were sent to her via a sweet potato pie and a pecan pie.

My Busby Berkeley Jello molds were straight out of Jane and Michael Stern, whose books influenced me to seek out the food entrepreneur who put their heart and soul into their food.

My Oma came to mind when I made the wilted cucumber salad with more fresh dill than she would likely use.

Spinach Gratin reminded me of a wine-food pairing dinner at Leek's several years ago.

Sweet potatoes invited an interesting trio: MikeG, Aunt Mary Beth and Aunt Jeanne. Mike's idea of cooking sweet potatoes with oranges provided a respectful barrier to the other two women's contribution (ex- and present wives of the my Uncle Tom respectively) since Mary Beth favored the marshmallows on the bottom and Jeanne the praline on top. Yes, sometimes a dish has some interesting bedfellows.

The mashed potatoes evoked my cousins' youthful steal of all the mashed potatoes. Their idea of a reasonable serving was all the potatoes intended for dinner.

My home canned green beans with lots of butter always reminds us of Mrs. Johnson, the nursery school cook. My nieces raved about her green beans. It was my first time canning green beans, and I was sure Mrs. Johnson used canned, so I offered them to the girls to sample. Elizabeth scowled, "These are just canned green beans!" and wouldn't finish them. I paid a visit to Mrs. Johnson to learn her secret. She pointed to an industrial sized can of green beans, then said "And lots of butter." I again used my home canned green beans mated with the secret ingredient and presented them to Elizabeth. "These are Mrs. Johnson's green beans!" I passed the test.

Erik M's contribution was his suggestion to brine the turkey a la Chez Panisse, which was an excellent idea. He also influenced me to try the Martha Stewart gravy recipe, though it may not be THE recipe, it was pretty good.

There were many years I made two Thanksgiving dinners: one for my elderly neighbor's and one for ourselves. I staggered the cooking time for their turkey to finish 1-2 hours before ours to allow the 2nd oven's availability to finish our side dishes. Lots of people criticized I was crazy to do it. They were interesting people whose fortunes in life were not as bright as one would hope. The wife had family who traced back to the Mayflower. The husband was an interesting intellectual; he subscribed to Biblical Archeology, who craved to debate with the ancients like Socrates. He was born just a little too late and wasn't quite a good fit for contemporary times.

Mashed rutabaga conjured up my Irish Grandfather who often complained my vegetables were never cooked enough, though I did do rutabaga right by his estimate. For several years before he died, he sent us on wild chases trying to recapture a favorite meal of his youth: goose. Whatever way I made it was never goosey enough. The way he described his Mother's cooking just turned my stomach: boiled goose with dumplings floating in the grease. This was one culinary dream, which was never realized.

Cranberry sauce was present like it is for any meal where the main course has wings. I don't know why it is in our family, though that's just the way it is. If such a dinner is served without the cranberry sauce, then someone is sent to hunt it down. Tradition.

Mr. Edgar Rose of Culinary Historians gifted us with his excellent pecan pie recipe.

SteveZ arrived via the frozen Key Lime Pie. It was frozen but it defrosted back to pudding by the time we ate it, though it is back in the freezer for round 2.

Sweet Potato Pie derived from my research on pie history this year thanks to Bruce Kraig.

The punch is usually my cousin Anne's contribution. Alas, she is where she ought to be, with her daughter in Denver. However, the girls maneuvered me to the store today for the ingredients because it just isn't a holiday without punch. Can't wait for Anne to return to remind her of her influence despite not being present.

As my guests were leaving, I handed my cousin Tim a pint of pulled pork to try, which for a moment Gary's aura was present. Learning to finally use my WSM with some finesse is something I am thankful for.

There are so many people whose feet have been under my table for Thanksgiving. I hope they think of us as fondly as we think of them every year.

Just for a moment, our tiger stripped cat returned. He wasn't our cat he belonged to my nieces. He simply enjoyed visiting and the livers fried in butter I cooked just for him. He came one Thanksgiving and never left again. When my sister's family tried to retrieve him, he would hide until they were gone. After a while, my sister brought me his food and a large bag of litter. He didn't live as long as he should have, though he enjoyed his life to the fullest.

Thanksgiving is one terrific holiday. I love all these people who influence and contribute to my warm feelings, which glow brighter every year, because I am never disappointed.

I hope you enjoyed yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving,

Cathy,

As I was waiting in the rain for the tow truck to arrive to assist with the changing of my flat tire in the middle of the Skyway during my ride back to Chicago, I heard a piece on the radio saying that a bunch of sailors who had been scheduled for the Adopt A Sailor program had been unexpectively shipped out on Wednesday. A whole bunch of families had no sailors to participate in their family's Thanksgiving dinner. You were not alone. They blamed it on a communications failure.

SteveZ wrote:I heard a piece on the radio saying that a bunch of sailors who had been scheduled for the Adopt A Sailor program had been unexpectively shipped out on Wednesday. A whole bunch of families had no sailors to participate in their family's Thanksgiving dinner. You were not alone. They blamed it on a communications failure.

When we arrived, we had to follow a conga line of cars through a section of the base. At one point, they had an officer in full dress uniform thanking us for coming and advising they had no more sailors available. Until I read your information, I assumed they overbooked.

Thank you for your information. At least I can now provide facts to my niece, if looks could kill, it really wasn't my fault. In any case, I will be there earlier next year.

Thanks again!

Regards,

A very nice post indeed.

I would certainly hope they overbook families rather than homesick sailors, would hate to think of the extras expecting a homecooked meal and then left without.

One of my tenants invited several Americorp volunteers to her place for Thanksgiving dinner. In many of the volunteer kitchens, lots of folks show up for the one day to plate food...the year round volunteers have to be present before and after, but not during.

pd

Hi,

I know its only August, the State Fair is not over and the kids have not yet returned to school. Yet there are those of us who are already planning for Thanksgiving.

I received a letter today from the Department of the Navy at Great Lakes regarding their 2005 Holiday Season's Adopt-A-Sailor Program. I know there are those rolling their eyes, but considering I arrived last year to no sailor to take home, I think this is wise to plan ahead. What I received today was the guidelines for both the sailors as well as their hosts and my agreement to follow them.

If you are interested in hosting a sailor or recruit at Thanksgiving this year, then please contact

Adopt-a-Sailor Program Coordinator
Public Affairs
Naval Service Training Command/Navy Region Midwest
2201A Paul Jones Street
Great Lakes, IL 60088

E-mail: NSTC_PAO@navy.mil
Phone: 847/688-2201
Fax: 847/688-4945

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi,

I sent my request yesterday to Adopt-A-Sailor (minimum 2) for Thanksgiving. If you live within 50 miles of North Chicago, then you are in range for this program.

I was advised to send an e-mail request to:

MCC Bruce Moody
Public Affairs Office
Naval Service Training Command/Navy Region Midwest
2601A Paul Jones Street
Great Lakes, Ill. 60088
847-688-2430
Bruce.Moody@Navy.mil

In my e-mail, I included my home address, home number, cellphone, fax number and alternate e-mail address. I offered two seats at our table for these sailors.

There are some rules the sailors have to observe:
- No alcohol served to the sailors.
- No changing of clothes to civilian attire
- No driving
- They are expected to be hosted at the address you provided.
- They need to return around 7 PM to the base.

The sailors we have hosted are almost always from basic training. They are hungry for news. They have no idea who was in the World Series nor who won. They are totally thrilled to get a home cooked meal. We let them phone their family, whom they haven't been in contact with since training began (or possibly for very limited time).

They are by far the happiest guests at your Thanksgiving table because the alternative was the mess hall.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Regards,

C2,

My Brother was hosted by a family for Thanksgiving last year while he was in USMC boot camp. The couple who hosted him were very nice people, and he enjoyed being able to relax, watch football, and make his first phone call home since he had arrived in San Diego. They took pictures and sent them in a box for my mother which really helped my mom get over the pain she felt in his absence.

For Christmas last year my family hosted 2 sailors. It was especially exciting for my family as my brother had surprised us by coming home as well. Being in Naperville, we were at the very outskirts of the areas where they allow the sailors to visit, which as we now know makes it very difficult logistically.

To keep this food related, I asked each of them what food they missed the most from home, and told them if I had the supplies I would prepare those items in addition to dinner. Separately, both of the sailors requested Mac'n cheese. Lemme tell you that they finished an entire 12x18 dish full of the stuff.

It takes a generous heart to open your door to our troops, but it is an experience neither you or they will every forget.

Flip

Cathy2,

Do they also do this for Christmas Day?

Joe

jlawrence01 wrote:Cathy2,

Do they also do this for Christmas Day?

Joe

Yes

HI,

Based on Flip's experience, it appears they do. Since we usually go to a relative's home for Christmas, we never pursued it. Why not contact Bruce Moody and report back?

Regards,

I'm torn between roasting my own turkey breast, making mom's stuffing and all the fixings all by myself or heading to Detroit. Sadly, making the dinner is now too stressful for my mom and we always end up dining with inlaws. Their food is never as good as my mom's is, I hate to say. I remember one year I was so depressed, I dined on ramen noodles on turk day. Now that was an all-time low.

I'm not sure why it is so hard to get my kiester to Detroit.......maybe the cats will luck out and enjoy some giblets!

HI,

I just received confirmation for collecting two sailors for Thanksgiving. They have revised the pick-up and drop-off times:

Pick-up: No earlier than 8:30 AM to no later than 10 AM

Drop off: No later than 10 PM

Drop off used to be no later than 8 PM, though my guests have always wanted to arrive a bit earlier to avoid any late arrival issues with their commanders.

***

Funghi:

May I suggest you visit Mom, then proceed to cook her recipes and serve her? She will be thrilled her legacy will live on in your skills, plus it is an opportunity to pick up additional tips. Why not invite the in-laws over, too!

I remember reading where an elderly Mother had downsized and gave away her silver, fine china, crystal glasses and linens to her various children. For a special event, the children reunited all of their Mother's table settings for a special family dinner together.

There was a Love, American Style episode where the elderly parents were alone on their anniversary. They telephoned their children to announce their plans to divorce. The entire family descended on them to talk sense into them. Once the parents agreed to remain married, they invited their children for dinner. Immediately the elderly Mother whips out a fully cooked turkey from the oven. The divorce was simply a gambit to get the family together.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, whatever you choose to do.

Regards,

Hi,

The Adopt-A-Sailor program for Thanksgiving has been reconsidered. If you have a family member who is a recruit, then you can invite your beloved recruit for Thanksgiving. Only organizations can invite a group of recruits without any family connection.

Voluntary invitations from the public has been discontinued. I will call next year anyway because there is always a chance they change their minds.

Regards,

Cathy-- with all the organizations you serve, you should qualify as an organization in your own right!

Josephine wrote:Cathy-- with all the organizations you serve, you should qualify as an organization in your own right!

Believe me, I had a passing thought on doing just that! I thought they'd get mighty suspicious when me-myself-and-i desired to invite exactly two sailors!

Regards,

October 23, 2008

This holiday season will be a joyful one for members of the armed forces. The Navy's "Adopt-a-Sailor" program is back.

The program allows families to open up their homes to sailors for Thanksgiving Dinner. The Navy halted the program last year when it became impossible to screen all the potential host families.

This year about 400 sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Base can be adopted.

If you would like to host a sailor at Thanksgiving, call the Naval Service Command Public Affairs Office at (847) 688-4469. You can also send an email to michael.miller10@navy.mil and have the application emailed to you.

Checked my e-mail to find an auto-reply:

Thank you for your interest in the Adopt-a-Sailor program.

Due to the overwhelming generosity of the public, all of our Sailors have found a home to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, so we will no longer be taking applications.

Once again, thank you.

Great Lakes Adopt-a-Sailor program taking Thanksgiving applications

Families once again may apply to host a Great Lakes Naval Station sailor for Thanksgiving Day dinner. Participants must live within a 50-mile radius of the base near North Chicago. Following is the process that will be used this year.

•On Monday, Oct. 12, interested families may download an application form on Great Lakes' Web site at cnic.navy.mil/greatlakes. The signed form must be faxed to the public affairs office by Friday, Nov. 6, for consideration.

•Great Lakes will hold a lottery to determine winning families Nov. 13. Those selected will hear from the Navy via telephone or e-mail within a week.

•Requests for sailors by gender, religion or race are not honored.

The maximum number of sailors you may invite are four. The minimum is two.

Regards,

Hi,

I won the lottery! We now have two Navy recruits coming for Thanksgiving dinner.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I won the lottery! We now have two Navy recruits coming for Thanksgiving dinner.

Regards,

Hello Sailor!!!!

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I won the lottery! We now have two Navy recruits coming for Thanksgiving dinner.

Regards,

thats great Cathy,

If I lived within the 50 mile radius I would do this for sure.

The application for the 2010 Adopt-A-Sailor program will be available on the Great Lakes Naval Station website http://www.cnic.navy.mil/GreatLakes/index.htm on Monday, October 11, 2010. The public affairs officer I spoke to this morning was not yet sure if the application process would involve faxing a signed application as in previous years or if the process would be "simpler". The new telephone number to the Naval Service Command Public Affairs Office is (847)688-2430.

~Stephanie

fifille wrote:The application for the 2010 Adopt-A-Sailor program will be available on the Great Lakes Naval Station website http://www.cnic.navy.mil/GreatLakes/index.htm on Monday, October 11, 2010. The public affairs officer I spoke to this morning was not yet sure if the application process would involve faxing a signed application as in previous years or if the process would be "simpler". The new telephone number to the Naval Service Command Public Affairs Office is (847)688-2430.

~Stephanie

Hi,

This was on my to-do list! Thank you very much for inquiring and updating us.

Regards,

2010 Great Lakes Adopt-a-Sailor Information

This year, Naval Station Great Lakes Sailors will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with local families thanks to the Adopt-A-Sailor program.

Thanksgiving Adopt-a-Sailor is a program in which Sailors are invited into families' homes to share Thanksgiving dinner. It's an opportunity for Sailors to enjoy a home-cooked meal and the company of a family. It has been a tradition here at Great Lakes since World War I.

Interested families are encouraged to visit the Naval Station Great Lakes Web site at www.cnic.navy.mil/greatlakes to download the application form starting Monday, Oct. 11. The signed form should then be faxed to the Naval Station public affairs office at (847) 688-4945. Forms must be sent to the public affairs office by Friday, Oct. 29 before 3 p.m. to be considered. Families must live no farther than 50 miles from Naval Station to be eligible.

On Monday, Nov. 8, Naval Station Great Lakes will conduct a lottery so that everyone can have a fair chance to host Great Lakes Sailors. Host families will be notified by email or telephone before Friday, Nov. 12.

Requests for Sailors of a particular racial, religious background or sex cannot be honored. However, it may be helpful to note if your family will be serving a particular ethnic food or a particular diet, (i.e. vegetarian) and we will try to match those with an individual Sailor's preference. Requests for Sailors will be limited to four per family. Families should arrive at Naval Station Great Lakes Naval Museum no earlier than 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Sailors must be picked up no later than 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The Naval Museum is located outside Gate 1 at 610 Farragut Ave, Great Lakes, IL 60088.

Sailors are required to be back in their quarters at the base no later than 8 p.m. Because they will have to walk from drop-off gates, please have Sailors at the gate no later than 7:30 p.m. In case of an emergency or late return call the Command Duty Officer at (847) 688-3300.

Underage drinking is strictly prohibited. It is the host's responsibility to confirm that the Sailor is of drinking age.

Hi,

Great Lakes Naval Station advised today I have two sailors for Thanksgiving!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Great Lakes Naval Station advised today I have two sailors for Thanksgiving!

Regards,

Sounds delicious!