For the first time in several years, I hosted a small gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. I prepped for two days, following Internet recipes for sides and desserts. I left the turkey cooking and carving to Belly, (https://www.eatbellymarket.com/) a local market and rotisserie. It was a splurge I do not regret. I spent hours alone with classical music as I prepped for and created various dishes without one thought about when to put the turkey in, take it out, carve it, keep it warm, etc.
It was a small gathering. My son brought a buddy of his, and my friend, Gail, and her husband, Dennis joined us. We had time to visit before dinner while things heated in the oven. Then Gail and I plated up the meal. We agreed that would be easier than passing around bowls and plates of this and that.
Photo: New York Times
Our menu consisted of: Gail’s Waldorf salad (yum!), roasted turkey with gravy, slices of pork tenderloin with homemade gravy, green beans almondine, cranberry relish, dressing (thank you, Pepperidge Farm–to which I added celery, onion, and some sage seasoning), and roasted sweet potato chunks.
Dessert consisted of homemade pumpkin mousse with fresh whipped cream, and lemon curd pie in a store-bought graham cracker crust, topped with meringue. My son and his buddy made it through most of the two dessert options, but Gail, Dennis, and I were full, so we ate one and packed up the other for later. In fact, I sent everyone home with containers of leftover turkey and pork tenderloin.
I am very grateful to have had a small gathering where strangers shared a bit of their backgrounds and life experiences, and enjoyed my Thanksgiving culinary experiments. The sharing of words and food was meaningful.
Within weeks, millions across the U.S. will gather again for Christmas and Hanukkah festivities and dinners. I am quite certain that this year many, if not most, are aware of how fortunate we are to have food resources available while so many others worldwide suffer in ways unmanageable to most of us.
We have opportunities, though. Local food banks need cash donations to alleviate hunger in our communities. There is also the United Nations World Food Programme, “…the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impacts of climate change.” (https://www.wfp.org/)
This blog was originally titled "Drifting Toward Planet Elderly," and it shared a journey I had with my elderly parents as they both went through their later years battling the complexities of dementia. After both passed on, I changed the title to "Living on Planet Elderly." I am a retiree who is reluctantly adjusting to the reality that she is now elderly. In July of 2021, I relocated to Middleton WI after living in Columbia MO for over 40 years. I decided that I want to experience a new and vibrant location in a cooler climate with lakes...a bucket list item of mine. I have a first cousin who lives in Madison. We have nice childhood memories, and I thought it would be wonderful to spend some time together as elders. It was. AND THEN....in March 2023, I returned to Columbia. I had a wonderful time experiencing the Madison area of Wisconsin, spending time with my cousin, and making some wonderful friends. No regrets.
Living on Planet Elderly
Reflections on Thanksgiving 2023
Friday, November 24, 2023
For the first time in several years, I hosted a small gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. I prepped for two days, following Internet recipes for sides and desserts. I left the turkey cooking and carving to Belly, (https://www.eatbellymarket.com/) a local market and rotisserie. It was a splurge I do not regret. I spent hours alone with classical music as I prepped for and created various dishes without one thought about when to put the turkey in, take it out, carve it, keep it warm, etc.
It was a small gathering. My son brought a buddy of his, and my friend, Gail, and her husband, Dennis joined us. We had time to visit before dinner while things heated in the oven. Then Gail and I plated up the meal. We agreed that would be easier than passing around bowls and plates of this and that.
Photo: New York Times
Our menu consisted of: Gail’s Waldorf salad (yum!), roasted turkey with gravy, slices of pork tenderloin with homemade gravy, green beans almondine, cranberry relish, dressing (thank you, Pepperidge Farm–to which I added celery, onion, and some sage seasoning), and roasted sweet potato chunks.
Dessert consisted of homemade pumpkin mousse with fresh whipped cream, and lemon curd pie in a store-bought graham cracker crust, topped with meringue. My son and his buddy made it through most of the two dessert options, but Gail, Dennis, and I were full, so we ate one and packed up the other for later. In fact, I sent everyone home with containers of leftover turkey and pork tenderloin.
I am very grateful to have had a small gathering where strangers shared a bit of their backgrounds and life experiences, and enjoyed my Thanksgiving culinary experiments. The sharing of words and food was meaningful.
Within weeks, millions across the U.S. will gather again for Christmas and Hanukkah festivities and dinners. I am quite certain that this year many, if not most, are aware of how fortunate we are to have food resources available while so many others worldwide suffer in ways unmanageable to most of us.
We have opportunities, though. Local food banks need cash donations to alleviate hunger in our communities. There is also the United Nations World Food Programme, “…the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impacts of climate change.” (https://www.wfp.org/)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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About Jenny Mummert
This blog was originally titled "Drifting Toward Planet Elderly," and it shared a journey I had with my elderly parents as they both went through their later years battling the complexities of dementia. After both passed on, I changed the title to "Living on Planet Elderly." I am a retiree who is reluctantly adjusting to the reality that she is now elderly. In July of 2021, I relocated to Middleton WI after living in Columbia MO for over 40 years. I decided that I want to experience a new and vibrant location in a cooler climate with lakes...a bucket list item of mine. I have a first cousin who lives in Madison. We have nice childhood memories, and I thought it would be wonderful to spend some time together as elders. It was. AND THEN....in March 2023, I returned to Columbia. I had a wonderful time experiencing the Madison area of Wisconsin, spending time with my cousin, and making some wonderful friends. No regrets.