from Emma Lane
Thanksgiving is family, food, and thankfulness. It’s when
you have this homing urge to join your people over a huge roasted turkey. When
you were ten you punched your cousin in the nose for some remark he made. When
you were eighteen, you were bored and wishing to be somewhere else, but mom
made you stay. When you were twenty-eight, you were setting up the children’s
table. And so it goes right down to Grandpa who at 90 announced he didn’t need
to watch his cholesterol any more and reached for the butter dish. (I loved it
when he did that.)
Our turkey is carved in the kitchen, makes it easier for serving. But when
the grandchildren were young, they always expected that
rooster to
make an appearance at Thanksgiving. It’s a tradition as such. They are grown-ups
now, but they still search the china cabinet for the collection of salt ‘n
pepper shakers, each person has his/her favorite set. Our dining room table is
custom made wide at the bottom to seat two people comfortably. As a result, I
have no matching pad. Straw oversized placemats do an admirable job of
protecting the wood surface from the heated dishes. I use a table cloth, but
still enjoy the colorful cloth placemats to echo the vibrant Fall colors. With
the addition of fruit cups, water glasses, and matching candles, the table
arrangement is complete, waiting only for the train of hot dishes and the
blessing before the feast is begun.
Turkey for everyone! White for the kids and dark meat for my
hubby and me. They have always been convenient preferences. We reserve baked
ham for Christmas dinner.
Lima beans
(butter beans) for my son, green bean casserole for my daughter. Each person
has a favorite. I love yellow squash while my hubby adores sweet potato
soufflé. My daughter makes all the pies, usually pumpkin and apple. The grands
like the fruit cups that are sometimes surrounded by red Jell-O and sometimes
by whipped cream. Dressing??
We make a
raison (Crasins substitute) and walnut type topped by a couple of baked chicken
parts. The recipe changes almost every time. There is a fresh veggie plate with
tomatoes, celery, carrots, and sliced zucchini for nibbling. Other dishes may
be added each year.
Once I had an idea to
bake a mid-sized (huge) Hubbard squash and stuff it with a mixture of squash,
onion with a touch of maple syrup topped with scrambled southern style sausage.
It was so tasty, but a bear to get to the table. I dropped it from the menu.
What memories does your family love each Thanksgiving get together?
Happy Thankful Day to you and yours from my home to yours.
Emma
How about a glimpse into my new Cozy Mystery, MURDER AT THE LOOKOUT while you digest your feast?
When is it not fun to be a blond?
What happens
when a blond beauty hits town like a tornado stirring up memories and causing
turmoil? Detective Kevin Fowler and his wife, the former Beverly Hampton, owner
of the local newspaper, are settling into blissful married life. Although
Beverly is sanguine over the demand on Kevin’s time by the good people of
Hubbard, she is more than dubious when his duties include the escort of a
drop-dead gorgeous female from his past.
There is some concern over the persistent
vandalism of residential mailboxes, but an infamous arsonist has decided
peaceful but dull Hubbard would make a great place from which to operate. He
brazenly locates down the block from the detective and his wife.
What bait and tackle shop in the village has a
dual purpose? Kevin ponders why two goons have invaded town shooting at and
attempting to kidnap and murder three women. A state patrolman, aptly nick
named Rooster, teases Fowler at the riotous scene of a traffic accident where
the press, not the police, wins the day.
Another mystery and adventure with a satisfying
ending unfolds in peaceful Hubbard, New York, small-town Americana, where
Detective Kevin Fowler keeps an ever-vigilant watch.
Amazon Buy Link
Emma Lane
is a gifted author who writes cozy mysteries as Janis Lane, Regency as Emma, and spice as Sunny Lane. She lives in Western New York where winter is snowy, spring arrives with rave reviews, summer days are long and velvet, and fall leaves are riotous in color. At long last she enjoys the perfect bow window for her desk where she is treated to a year-round panoramic view of nature. Her computer opens up a fourth fascinating window to the world. Her patient husband is always available to help with a plot twist and encourage Emma to never quit. Her day job is working with flowers at Herbtique and Plant Nursery, the nursery she and her son own.
Look for information about writing and plants on Emma's new website. Leave a comment or a gardening question and put a smile on Emma's face.
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