Sunday, November 24, 2013

Thanksgiving for the immigrant Americans

Our American Thanksgiving Day is Thursday. It's probably much like Harvest Festivals in other parts of the world except we celebrate with many foods native to this country. The traditional dishes are turkey, squash, pumpkin (especially in pie), corn and cranberries along with potatoes and bread stuffing.

The holiday is based on the tale about the original European settlers suffering hardship and being provided with a big dinner by the Native American Indians in 1621. Why the Indians would have been so kind to the Puritan immigrants is a mystery. They celebrate Thanksgiving incorporating some native dishes like wild rice.

                       (Photo borrowed from Wikipedia)
As it turns out, we won't be getting together until Saturday this year. For the first time in many years, I'll have all four of my kids here, plus four grandkids and three great-grands. That's a total of sixteen people in my not-all-that-big unit.
 
       ( Thanksgiving 2010 in my small dining room. I'm not sure                 how many dogs we'll have this year.)

Another tradition that has been added over the years is the President officially pardoning a live turkey in a ceremony at the White House. A turkey farm in Badger, Minnesota has been rearing a separate "presidential flock" to provide the official turkey to go to Washington. The final three candidates are all toms that have been groomed to be "calm and unflappable" and able to sit still. The winner will be presented to President Obama and pardoned from being Thanksgiving dinner. The plan is that it will then live out its life in a zoo or sanctuary.
                            (Borrowed from google)

12 comments:

Willow said...

I love that photo of 2010 at your dinner table. Are the dogs looking to the person that gives them their turkey snacks :)

Merlesworld said...

Have fun it sounds great that so many of your family will be together.
Merle..........

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Glad you'll have your whole family together! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Bob Bushell said...

Good for president, it must be alright to eat, ha ha.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Enjoy your family gathering!

I hope the President's turkey is as unflappable as it's been bred to be

troutbirder said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Nice you could all be together. For us a small gathering of friends and family for Thanksgiving. The Christmas will be our first on at home in many years....:)

Linda said...

I love your dinner table photo!

Linda Starr said...

the native americans were a generous lot believing that all belongs to all and should be shared, wish it were that way nowadays

Moving with Mitchell said...

I also absolutely love that 2010 photo. So nice that you'll have so much company. Who cares how crowded it gets! Crowded with love is a great thing!

Knatolee said...

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was in October. :)

Buttercup said...

Not sure how a turkey stays unflappable at the White House. Wishes for a great Thanksgiving!

Joanna Jenkins said...

How fantastic for you to have all your kids with you for the holiday-- Three generations. That's terrific. I hope it was a fabulous gathering for you all.
xo jj