THANKSGIVING 2010 .... THIRD PERIOD

Pinehurst Hotel

After my divorce from Joe and after my move back to North Carolina in 1980, Thanksgivings became a really mixed bag. The first one I remember was at the old Pinehurst Hotel.  Very traditional fare but prepared with lots of butter!!  Men still hanging around waiting fore a tee time in their nickers.  Such pretense.  But the old white rockers on the porch and mint juleps were wonderful. 

The Carolina hotel, now the Pinehurst Resort, opened in 1901. It immediately served as the center of all activity at Pinehurst, surrounded by lush grounds, perfect for enjoying the warmth of the day.





Then there was the Thanksgivings in Saudi Arabia.  The food was different, the people didn't care about this day, for sure.

 I remember one holiday that was spent flying to the Asir on the western coast of Arabia.  I was sitting in view of a group of men and the stewardess came with a tray of boiled eggs, in their shell. I was not prepared for what came next....they popped them into their mouths, shell and all, and in  a few minutes, out came the shells which were spit upon the floor.  God love Saudi.  Later that day we had a meal in what used to be the Kings get-away.  Nine courses and five hours later, I was too tired to even sleep. 



Gladstones'



Memorable was the Thanksgiving spent with Leah at Gladstones on the Pacific Highway in Malibu about noontime..  Oysters Rockefeller.  I can still smell the salt air. But by six we were hunting somewhere that had old fashioned Turkey.  No such animal in LA. That visit also included the Chippendale's and the Christmas pageant at the Crystal Cathedral.



Ralph would laugh to remember Thanksgiving at the Seaside in Oregon.  This marks the end of the Lewis and Clark trail.  Don and Vicky Hansen, the Fitzpatricks' and the Greenlaws' had a buffet second to none.  Alas, we had dozens of families, kids and spilled cranberry sauce.  We have laughed so much about that day. After we had gotten the spilled cranberry sauce out of our finery.

A year or so later.

Another place to remember...and I hope you have the opportunity to visit, is Harts in Meredith New Hampshire.  Reading about the history is fun...http://hartsturkeyfarm.com/html/history.html  They make everything Turkey and bird day brings out the best.  Of course, I would tease Ralph, it wasn't a southern meal, but it would do.

As Ralph and I settled into our first home, Franny, Eleanor, Leah, Don and my new grandson shared wonderful meals.  I loved cooking for all of them and setting a fancy table.  Eight years of Bird days were spent in our homes in Raleigh.  Every year we shared the warmth, love and way too much food. 

As the 21st century got firmly underway, I shared more times with my sister.  One very terrific Thanksgiving was spent at my Niece's home in Maryland.  Of course, the conversations were wild, the stories unbelievable and the food was soooooo good.  Outside of the traditional, was the most delicious beef I have ever eaten...cooked by Nancy.  This year I have had to take a rain check.   The last two years have been Ohio Turkey days.  Great food last year. By her request,  I tried to teach Leah the art of old fashioned dishes, and of course the stress was out of sight.  This year we will have it perfect from turkey to pecan pie. 

WE WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING.