Funny how seasons can bring us the best memories.Living now in California year round mild temperatures for most seasons, except summer which is, of course hot!

Back east where I was born and spent my youth and early part of marriage, we had the full seasonal climate.

This meant possible snow for Thanksgiving, and  if not, freezing temps were usually the norm. I loved dressing in new designer sweaters for holidays. On Thanksgiving and we'd wear the fall colors ,in different shades of  brown, gold orange. I miss it along with the treats shared with family and friends around the fireplace.

I miss the huge dinners our family had.  Turkey with all the trimmings, but for my Italian father we always had to have a pasta dish, which we all loved,
of course. My mom would bake and cook special treats for days before Thanksgiving which made it seem like a long holiday for us. With me, two brothers and two sisters. we were a family of seven, but here was always at least 20 or more people in our home for dinner. It was a joyful time leading into our favorite holiday of Christmas. We never had the holiday blues or depressions a lot of families seem to have, we always had very happy times

I'm speaking of the old fashioned Christmas with old old customs, of church, adoration at the creche (our manger scene with  Jesus ) carols sung and everyone together trimming the tree. wrapping of gifts to put under the tree. The story of the night before Christmas told to us before going off to bed. Of course the designer sweaters in red, green,silver, and gold. The most incredible mother baked goodies in the world;-). Well you know, almost heaven;-)

Just a word about my moms baking, her cakes, cookies pies, were all masterpieces. I'm not being predjudiced everyone thought so. She had a love for baking. Her meals were also exceptional. For Christmas we all would sit around the table icing Christmas cookies that had been cut out of Christmas figures. We had several colors of icing, and different toppings that looked like beads and sprinkles. It was a time of pure joy for the whole family.We all tried to outdo each other with our cookie designs.

This is when the winter season starts for me, and though I don't care to live where the snow hardly melts all winter, I sure do miss the snowball season,
and those very happy holidays of thanksgiving and Christmas. They were the best and my memories of them are always happy loving and so very thankful to have had them.  They were gifts from a splendid mother and father who made them that way for us.

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A sample of our Thanksgiving Day menu

Italian salad or cheese stuffed celery/olives
Pasta (usually linguini with Marinara sauce)

Turkey Dinner

Roast turkey/w sausage and walnut stuffing
Turkey gravy...Cranberry sauce(homemade)
Baked and candied sweet potatoes
Mashed potatoes (some with Turnips)
Corn pudding...Green beans...Asparagus
Mom's fresh baked rolls and bread

Fruit salad (fresh fuits) and assorted cheeses

Cider or wine.. with dessert coffee tea hot chocolate

My father would serve other drinks of whatever one

wanted

Pumpkin ,Apple, and Coconut Custard pies with ice cream whipped cream or both

Italian cheesecake
Assorted home baked cookies

Mom baked the pies day before Thanksgiving but always made an extra for us to have that day.

etw-2005...Bon Appetit