Thanksgiving was a big holiday when I was growing up, and it still is today! Some things never change. When I was a little girl, we always went to our grandparents’ homes for Thanksgiving. The ride through the country was magical, and the autumn leaves were picturesque. When we arrived, we knew we had two wonderful family gatherings waiting—one with my mom’s family and one with my dad’s family. Both involved eating extraordinary foods prepared by the women in the family.
My mom’s parents had this enormous front porch where we girl cousins gathered to swap stories of our current loves, school events, and plans for Christmas. We finished everything on our plates and returned to the porch to enjoy the afternoon—and a little dessert, of course. My grandmother made the best pies.
My dad’s parents served Thanksgiving supper at their farmhouse. We gathered around the table to enjoy the incredible food. I loved Grandmother Norton’s dressing, but my all-time favorite was her icebox fruitcake made with graham crackers and fruit. I still have her handwritten recipe today that calls for a “batch of pecans” and a “jar of cherries” as well as other ingredients.
By the end of the day, we were beyond stuffed and had wonderful times at both meals. These memories last forever, and I will cherish them always.