Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Thanksgiving Menu

Then .. 1906

The menu was diverse. She worked hard, cooking for the clan. They had expectations, promises had been made all year; it was up to her to keep them, regardless of the challenges she was facing.

The menu was beautiful. Simple in so many ways, but elegant none the less, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Starting out with Oyster Soup with Crisp Crackers
Of course there would be Celery and Salted Almonds
The dinner table adorned with Roast Stuffed Turkey
Accompanied with; Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Jelly, Mashed Potatoes, Onions in Cream, Fresh Turnips and Chicken Pie.
Papa had requested Thanksgiving Pudding and Sterling Sauce. His favorites.
For the neighbor she added Mince, Apple and Squash Pie's with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and her special Fancy Cakes.
The day wouldn't be complete without the Fruit, Nuts and Bonbons.
Still she would serve Crackers and Cheese with her almost famous After-Dinner Coffee's.

The men would retire with their Brandy and Cigars. The children would nap on any available surface. The women would gather, as they always did … talking about the day, comparing failed recipes, preparing each other for the hard winter to come – always a comfort to one another, they could count on each other. This they knew.

Yes, the day was always a success; the work well worth it.

She would be fifty in the spring, she had taught many to do what she did, just as Mary had taught her. She had so much more to do, she knew this, lives to impact. But there was an ache in her bones, a chill that never seemed to diminish.

So much to do … yes, she would make it to fifty. It was required of her.

3 comments:

amanda said...

Ah, the good ol' days sound delicious.

Anonymous said...

I love coming across old menus like this and seeing how people used to eat. Oyster soup? Onions in cream? How cool is all that...

I read your retreat post and know what you mean. It is always exhausting exposing ourselves and bonding. I've done a few retreats like this and think they are important for our growth...I just can't do them very often.

Also...you have the longest blog roll I have ever seen. Now I know where to come when I am trolling for new reads :-)

Frannie Farmer said...

Amanda .. I did quite a bit of research of old Thanksgiving menu's and I found them all to be quite splendid. I am going to incorporate some of the ideas I got into our holidays!

Trish .. glad you stopped in. I am totally going to make the Onions in cream ... yes, I think the retreats are sort of like the holidays - you spend a copious amount of time preparing and then even longer recovering … the blogroll; well that is the list from Bloggerchicks and I know that you are supposed to have a link and you CAN do it with the + or – thing, but I couldn’t figure it out … so you get ‘em all! :o)