topic Re: Thanksgiving meals in Recipes

Thanksgiving meals

KG60 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 05:21:14 GMT

I was sort of surprised to talk to many folks who did not have turkey this year. Citing high grocery prices and some that have "No family left" there were also a lot of folks that did not fix dinner at all. Several fixed chicken or Cornish hens, some skipped meat altogether. How sad in our world, that we can't go pick up an elderly neighbor and have them over for dinner on one day of the year, or get an extra turkey if we can afford it, to give to a needy neighbor. We have to get better at looking around us, even in our own communities and really seeing our neighbors. Seems nowadays, folks don't even know their neighbors names. I am so grateful to live in a very small town. We take food to families when they have a loved one pass, we know each other and we help one another. I believe it is what each of us is meant to do.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Susan Louise — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 10:40:18 GMT

We ate only meat...a roast...no sides, no desserts. Why not a turkey? We had turkey on Thanksgiving for many decades. Why no sides or desserts? We live a keto/carnivore lifestyle for our health.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Kachina624 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 05:43:20 GMT

I had a peanut butter and cherry preserve sandwich. It was not from lack of funds and my freezer is stuffed. No, I'm alone and was not in the mood to cook, which I've come to hate, so I didnt. I was happy as a clam.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

qbetzforreal — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 05:50:23 GMT

@KG60 wrote:
I was sort of surprised to talk to many folks who did not have turkey this year. Citing high grocery prices and some that have "No family left" there were also a lot of folks that did not fix dinner at all. Several fixed chicken or Cornish hens, some skipped meat altogether. How sad in our world, that we can't go pick up an elderly neighbor and have them over for dinner on one day of the year, or get an extra turkey if we can afford it, to give to a needy neighbor. We have to get better at looking around us, even in our own communities and really seeing our neighbors. Seems nowadays, folks don't even know their neighbors names. I am so grateful to live in a very small town. We take food to families when they have a loved one pass, we know each other and we help one another. I believe it is what each of us is meant to do.

What did you do to assist an elderly person or a person or family in need.

Our office did our annual food drive. We collected enough food (turkeys included) for 30 families. @KG60

Re: Thanksgiving meals

elated — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 06:02:56 GMT

Kroger had turkeys on sale for $.49 a lb. I don't know where you are going to find less expensive meat..Potatoes are not expensive. Kroger had their own brand of stuffing mix for 4 boxes for $5.00. They had rolls for $.99. If you add vegetables, the total would not amount to more than maybe $30.00 to $40.00.You always have leftovers, so I see it as a win. I find it sad that many are alone on the holidays but they are alone all year. Kindness shouldn't just be for holidays but it should be everyday.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

KG60 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 06:45:17 GMT

We helped a neighbor and friend fighting a second round of cancer in three years, to pay a bill and gave them funds. Then we bought an alternator and a battery for their vehicle and installed them for her, checked the oil and filled it with gasoline. She is on round two of cancer, no vehicle running so she takes the community transit bus to work...every day. And cares for her Sister who is getting ready to have open heart surgery. That is what we did this week and not for recognition, just answering your question. And you don't need money to be charitable. We also keep those in need in our prayers. We do these things not because we are rich but because it is what we are meant to do, according to the good book. Leave it to someone on the forum to reply with an attitude about being charitable! Go figure!

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Desertdi — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 07:01:33 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I had a peanut butter and cherry preserve sandwich. It was not from lack of funds and my freezer is stuffed. No, I'm alone and was not in the mood to cook, which I've come to hate, so I didnt. I was happy as a clam.

@Kachina624 For the same reasons as yours...I had a can of tuna topped with guac! di

Re: Thanksgiving meals

BlueFinch — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 07:16:13 GMT

@Desertdi @Kachina624 I was alone by choice. Just didn't feel festive this year. Wanted quiet time, instead.

I had a couple of chicken tenders and a salad. Minimal prep. Then a neighbor arrived with a big slice of pumpkin pie.

Perfect day for me. Napped, watched movies and stayed in lounge wear all day.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 10:17:52 GMT

I don't appreciate the shaming or attempt at making us feel guilty. Some people want to be alone. They may not be comfortable in social situations or they don't like the traditional meal. No one can do anything about that. Months ago we invited several extra guests, extended family to our kids-in-law, and no one took us up on it. They either stayed home or decided to do something else, so you can't force either side in this situation.

A basic turkey dinner at Thanksgiving time is usually one of the more affordable meals to assemble. A couple of Cornish hens could end up costing the same, or more, as a good size turkey, so I have a hard time buying that. It's when all the additional fancy sides, extra desserts, etc. start getting added on that the costs increase greatly. Unless my area is a lot different from others, I think most communities either have food banks or there are civic or service groups, missions, and/or churches that will open for a day and offer a meal to whomever wants one, but people need to get themselves there.. Our local Boy Scouts also did a food collection drive a few weeks ago too, for groceries that could help others. They left grocery bags at area homes that the homeowner would fill and leave on their front porch for collection day. They collected a lot. I'm not sure who, but I think someone arranged for frozen turkeys too.

I can't say it happens often but our door is always open to a neighbor or extended family who wants to join us. DD knows this and has experienced it here when she was a child, so she was comfortable in asking her BIL and SIL, whose plans fell through unexpectedly, to be with us. She let me know so we could adjust the table settings, but she didn't need my permission to include them. I was glad she had the confidence to invite them, knowing it was ok. This all happened 2-3 hours before dinner, and it worked out quite nicely. They are sweet kids and were perfect guests. I even got them to take leftovers home. I'd love to have them again sometime.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

LindaSal — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 13:09:20 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch Amen sister!

ITA and feel these lecturing threads are getting tiresome.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

millieshops — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 14:22:34 GMT

I gladly stayed home - even cooked for myself but no turkey was involved. I don't like turkey, so I certainly don't buy it for myself nor want anyone to provide one. I'd just have to give it away.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

jubilant — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 14:52:28 GMT

This year we got the help. Our daughter is facing 3 operations this coming year and she and her DH moved 3 floors of stuff to their new ranch home. Even though she has been in a lot of pain and is facing 2 knee replacements and a an achilles operation that will be 10 weeks before she can even walk again.. she took over Thanksgiving. I felt bad because of a stroke

I couldn't do it this year.

She ordered out chicken and cooked a delicious potato casserole. Two ladies from her church made us a cheesecake and a cranberry salad....each of our grandson's wive's made something and I made a green bean casserole.

I so appreciated everyone pitching in and we had a wonderful day. I had fun with our two great-grandsons while the rest of the gang played Hearts.

For years I had the holidays at my home. I was sad I couldn't do it but it turned out so great that I can't be sad any longer!! So many people helping out. It really blessed my heart. Not having a turkey this year just didn't matter.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

4kitties — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 14:57:17 GMT

@KG60 wrote:
I was sort of surprised to talk to many folks who did not have turkey this year. Citing high grocery prices and some that have "No family left" there were also a lot of folks that did not fix dinner at all. Several fixed chicken or Cornish hens, some skipped meat altogether. How sad in our world, that we can't go pick up an elderly neighbor and have them over for dinner on one day of the year, or get an extra turkey if we can afford it, to give to a needy neighbor. We have to get better at looking around us, even in our own communities and really seeing our neighbors. Seems nowadays, folks don't even know their neighbors names. I am so grateful to live in a very small town. We take food to families when they have a loved one pass, we know each other and we help one another. I believe it is what each of us is meant to do.

I am sure there are many of us here who donated in some way to help others in need. I have no needy neighbors or elderly neighbors. I would not know how to determine who had the means to cook or store a turkey I may give them. I find it best to donate to the proper charities in my area that know how to best distribute food to those in need.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Love my grandkids — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 15:49:33 GMT

@KG60 Do you realize how judgmental your post sounds, whether that was the intention or not. Shaming people for their choices of food, acting like you know what others do or don't do for the needy, WOW just WOW. "Judge not lest ye be judged." How is the air up there on your high horse?
"

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Kachina624 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 15:57:01 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
I had a peanut butter and cherry preserve sandwich. It was not from lack of funds and my freezer is stuffed. No, I'm alone and was not in the mood to cook, which I've come to hate, so I didnt. I was happy as a clam.
@Kachina624 For the same reasons as yours...I had a can of tuna topped with guac! di

@Desertdi. FANCY!

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Eileen in Virginia — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 15:57:40 GMT

We like turkey, but I hate cooking it, so we go to a local sports pub, then come home for homemade desserts. The sports pub does an outstanding job for a very reasonable price. If we were eating at home, I'd make something like filet mignon, crab imperial or another special meal that we don't have very often.

In the week or so before Thanksgiving, BJ's was giving away frozen Butterball turkeys if your order exceeded $150. I can't remember the last time I spent less than that at BJ's, so I took my free turkey and donated it to my friend's church for their food drive. Easy peasy. I'd guess other stores also offered a free turkey with purchase.

Northern Virginia isn't "small town" but it's comprised of neighborhoods where folks look out for each other and churches & other organizations try to provide for the less fortunate. We do what we can and trust that others will help as well. Guilt-tripping an unknown audience only makes you look sanctimonious.

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Sooner — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 16:04:04 GMT

@KG60 wrote:
I was sort of surprised to talk to many folks who did not have turkey this year. Citing high grocery prices and some that have "No family left" there were also a lot of folks that did not fix dinner at all. Several fixed chicken or Cornish hens, some skipped meat altogether. How sad in our world, that we can't go pick up an elderly neighbor and have them over for dinner on one day of the year, or get an extra turkey if we can afford it, to give to a needy neighbor. We have to get better at looking around us, even in our own communities and really seeing our neighbors. Seems nowadays, folks don't even know their neighbors names. I am so grateful to live in a very small town. We take food to families when they have a loved one pass, we know each other and we help one another. I believe it is what each of us is meant to do.

@KG60 Why are you judging others or assuming you know what any of us did for Thanksgiving or how we behaved. Because you THINK not enough people ate turkey?

You are way off base with this scolding. You might want to some looking around today too. In the mirror!

Re: Thanksgiving meals

WORKING GAL — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 22:56:39 GMT

@Kachina624- What brand of cherry preserves do you buy and where? It's hard to find and I love it. I used to buy a brand called Amir at a small market in our town but they no longer carry it. I love cherry preserves buf haven't had it in years. TIA

Re: Thanksgiving meals

Kachina624 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 23:25:01 GMT

@WORKING GAL. I get this at Walmart. It's not the best I ever ate but it's better than Smuckers or the other "grocery store" brands.

Isn't that price riduculous?

Re: Thanksgiving meals

KG60 — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:02:13 GMT

If you knew me, you would know that I have no high horse. My post was written as a reminder, because it sure looks like people have forgotten people. Yes, charities, food banks, food drives are all wonderful! And yes, I know other people give! I was simply saying that we shouldn't forget those in our communities, based on my own observations in the past two weeks before Thanksgiving. I apologize if you feel that I meant to "shame" anyone. That would never be my intent. God bless you ma'am.