Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Goodbye Pumpkin, Hello Turkey


Well you all know what comes next. Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I have to say those are my 2 favorite holidays of the year. I enjoy Thanksgiving because all the family gets together and we have a delicious meal and its just fun being with all the family. I remember the first year I made a turkey, I was like 30. My Mother had broke her leg the day before Thanksgiving while she was out getting groceries. Since I am the only girl in the family everybody looked at me. I suggested we all eat turkey tv dinners. That went over like a goldfish in a punchbowl. My Mom said she would tell me everything to do. So I did it and I have to say it was a very decent meal. We didnt have all the extras that my Mom would have made but we had all we needed. Since then I have made many turkeys.

At Christmas time I love all the rush rush of the season. Everybody seems to be in a great mood. The decorations are all beautiful. The house smells of freshly baked cookies. But what I really love about it is the mood everyone is in. It feels like everyone is happy and just bursting with energy. If it snows its like the best thing! Everyone is festive and greeting each other at Church. The Church is decorated so beautiful it just takes your breath away. I love all the preparation for the holidays.

I cook dinner here on Christmas eve with my kids and grandkids. We open all our gifts after dinner. The next day I have some company and then we all go to my sons for dinner with my daughterinlaws family too. It is a great time to be together. By the time Christmas evening comes everyone is exhausted!

They talk about Christmas being so commercialized and I agree, it is. But it doesnt have to be. I buy gifts because I enjoy giving them. Not because I have to buy them. And people say..what about so and so who is out of work...well, I think we have all been there before. For me , I made do with what I had. I still had the Christmas spirit, just because, as a family, we were together. After you lose a few of those people that mean so much to you, you realize, hang on to what you have. I have lost both sets of Grandparents, my Father and a very special Aunt. When you are young you think they will always be there. Then suddenly they are gone. Remembering the zest they added to the holidays is a great memory, what fun each and everyone of them added to our family.

So as we start into the season put a big smile on your face and mean it. Enjoy your family and spend time with them. Its not the time to be cranky, its a time to smile and be happy you are alive. And thank God for all our many blessings.

22 comments:

Tina Dray said...

i love christmas too!
Bazza and i did our shopping yesterday, now i'm getting excited as i cannot wait to see my little ones faces on christmas day!

Bazza said...

That wifey is beating me too it every where I go. We have xmas day too ourselves and then do it all over again on Boxing Day with the rest of the family (parents, in laws etc).

Dr.John said...

If I read what your saying correctly it is family that makes the holidays extra special then I agree with you fully.

Joe & Karen said...

I can relate to your turkey story, the first thanksgiving we had here, I was doing the turkey... I got as far as getting it out of the wrap and had to call my mother-in-law because I can't touch raw meat, I could't do the stuffing, so she rushed over to help (well to save me actually)
It is a good time of year
K

Michelle said...

very well said! This is my favorite time of the year too! Can you believe I have yet to cook a full turkey?! I've cooked a turkey breast, but not a turkey where I have to clean it out and stuff it LOL No thanks :)

the not so "new" mom on the blog said...

I love Christmas, I love watching my kids opening their pressies and seeing the look on thier faces! We all get together on Christmas day and then we normally leave for our December holiday the day after!

Kat Campbell said...

Beautifully said Catch! I love everything from Halloween through Valentines Day, but since my birthday is a week before Christmas, that's always my favorite. I was 20 when I cooked my first turkey, we had to call my mother because I knew their were parts missing. She said "Oh Kitty, look up the damn birds butt!"

Unknown said...

That is beautiful Catch! This is my favorite time of year too! I love decorating for Christmas and all the Christmas music. Just being Thankful for all my family friends. It is truly a wonderful time of year!

Gingers Mom said...

This is my favorite time of the year. November and December are just happy times full of lots of family get togethers and fun things to do. Our family, all of us, are tight on money this year so we are just making the most of it and enjoying one another. That is what it is all about anyway.

Anonymous said...

I was 18 the first time I cooked a turkey. I hate dthe cleaning it part. I felt like I was handling a dead cat!

I love the energy in the air this time of year. I can nit explain it but it is great.

Anonymous said...

Great post, darlin'! And that image is hilarious. I love it. It's really a good halloween type thing though..it's so scary!

C'mon over and vote for the word game people again...and check out the pics of my kiddos when you have time...they were SO cute!

Hope you are well.xoxoxoxo

Cristina said...

This is a great reminder. It is upsetting sometimes to see all the commercialization of the holidays, but you are right that we shouldn't let that ruin it for us. Great post.

butterflies said...

Oh Catch..I couldnt agree with you more.Xmas is all about giving and loving and being thankful for all that we have.
Thanks for such a lovely post..I needed it.

Sean Carter said...

It gives me great pleasure to share the magic of Christmas, as this is the most awaited holiday season of the year. Rather than being happy over a new born year, I usually end up spending all my energy imagining about yet another Christmas that I shall be celebrating in a better way than the one i did the previous year. Peep into my Christmas Blog to check out some really cool stuffs and unique ideas

Lori's Minute said...

I made Thanksgiving dinner last year and it was not so good.....great the next day though!

Last night I found stuff I want for Christmas and bought them abd gave them to my husband to put under the tree for me. Usually I tell him, but there it was on sale so I bought it. Of course, I will still have to wrap it.....but he does so much for me I am not complaining!!!!

Pixie said...

I love Christmas Wp hates it and refuses to "buy into all that shit"- His words. :(

Still I got to put a few decorations up last year.

He was working on thanksgiving so we didnt do that either, not that I would have known what to serve. I know Turkey and pumpkin pie thats about it :0

Deb said...

A lot of people stress out during the holidays. It's the highest rate of suicides during this time. But, I will say that you CAN enjoy the holidays- if you set your mind to it as "fun". I always enjoyed the holidays, but I absolutely hate going to the malls full of crowds knocking you over. That -- I'm not looking forward to!

Kayla said...

I'm ready!
Bring on the turkey and dressing
;-)
I will be with both my brothers and their families this year.
A real crowd..

Bluepaintred said...

listen i dunno how it is done in the states, but here in canada, pumpkin is the pie of choice for thanksgiving... so we say hello pumpkin hello thanksgiving LOL

Louisiana said...

you were probably at my site as i was making my way to the comp to come to see you, :).

you say you miss my comments and i so appreciate that i'm wanted and loved..
i was going to tell you that same thing. i miss you so very much. i miss your post and wonderful pics and your jokes and horrible butt pics even. i got all teary eye over this post. how wonderful your words. that is what i want, a family, all of us, happy and together breaking bread and a nice turkey leg too, lol. how beautiful your get togethers sound. how nice and loving to see acrooss the room and see your relatives in all their glory.

you are a wonderful lady and besides loving chasing you around for JC points for you look great (and i'm not the only one who said it, one night Joe was reading me Dr. John's comments and i think it was quasar who said something about how good you look from behind, ;p) i love knowing that you are out there and you care and that i have a friend in you.

much love..and i love all those cuties in the halloween pics, specially the monkey one, it reminds me of Keka and marshmallows and the lady bug of course is just a darling and sooo cute, kinda like her grandma.

it might be a few post between my being back. it depends on how much swelling goes down..it kinda is uncomfortable to sit for a while..but i'm doing better hon...much..be back soon..XOXOXO

B.R.L said...

Love Thanksgiving and Christmas because of the fact that the family gets together. I disagree with Lori she had a great Thansgiving meal but she didn't have much time to sit and enjoy taking care of us. I think we will be in our new home for Thanksgiving.

oldfartswife said...

ho ho ho catch, I love the spirit, family, giving, and kindness show, but think it has become too commercial.
how many shopping days till christmas?? haha