Recipes For Living: Being Thankful for Thanksgiving

By Kandy DerdenThings to Do Editor

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? There’s nothing complicated about a specific time to stop, observe, appreciate and simply be grateful. We might do it on a regular basis, but this is the designated holiday for expressing it to yourself, others, family members, friends, coworkers and most importantly, to God.

Think about how convenient it is to have a long weekend to rest, regroup and recharge in preparation for the Christmas season. No, I don’t mean a football marathon or shopping frenzy. I mean rest! Because worship is harder when you are busy and tired, make it a priority! You’ll be glad you did.

Lest you get the idea I am suggesting you hide from the world, allow me to clarify. I am simply suggesting we slow down and take time to enjoy the season. When the weather finally cools off, most of us are ready to head indoors for the duration of winter. Before this happens, use this special weekend to reconnect with the people you love the most.

When growing up, going to grandma’s for Thanksgiving was a given. Likewise, Christmas just wasn’t Christmas without going to her house. Traditions begin in unusual ways and some stay the same forever while others evolve with the passage of time. And then there’s the way we do things: by accident.

It all started with a fire at our house in February on the coldest day of the year. It was our first home, so remodeling was slow due to a lack of funds and time. However, a fast forward got put into play. We moved what few belongings survived into a small temporary apartment while the clean-up, reconstruction and repairs were being done. By the time we were able to move back in, the holidays were rapidly approaching. Wanting to show our ‘new’ home to our loved ones, we invited all my in-laws to come for Thanksgiving. We had a great time together eating, laughing, golfing, laughing, playing cards, laughing, visiting, laughing, making memories and laughing. Do you see a pattern here? After four days, on the way out the door to head home, one of the siblings said, “Next year, everyone come to our house.”

On the following year, another sibling said the same and a tradition was born. We don’t get to do it every year anymore for various reasons, but we sure enjoy it when we do all manage to gather in one place. This year, we plan to try it again for Thanksgiving although a few family members aren’t sure they will be able to come. However, I won’t let that put a damper on my holiday. We always enjoy the time with whoever manages to come. Even if they can’t arrive in time for the traditional family feast, they generally manage to carve out a bit of time to stop by and say hello and snap a few pictures or play a few rounds of cards. There is always something yummy to eat nearby such as cookies or chips or popcorn because it’s hard to eat with a fist full of cards. On the flip side, it’s hard to play cards with a turkey leg in your hand.

Unfortunately, as time has passed, our family has expanded and grown so large it is hard to find a place large enough for all of us to gather. Somehow, eating out or renting an event location just doesn’t have the same atmosphere as grandma’s kitchen. Even our communication is different these days. Sometimes we are all sitting in one room together, each with a phone and a tablet, our eyes focused on the screens, sometimes two each. The conversations become short or nonexistent. Not so with a big bowl of popcorn nearby. One by one, the devices get put down as we begin to move closer to the bowl and pretty soon, we are actually facing each other and talking!

What’s so special about popcorn? I’m glad you asked. You see, this is no ordinary popcorn. The recipe below is from a relatively new acquaintance, and yet someone I already consider a dear friend. In a few previous articles, I have mentioned my family’s involvement in Disaster Relief. This is still one area of our lives where communication is abundant. Perhaps it is because we are always gaining new volunteers and we are getting to know each other. More often than not, it is because we already know each other, but haven’t seen each other in a long time and enjoy catching up. Sometimes, it is through necessity due to power outages. Whatever the reason, it is one aspect of our lives where we all share a strong camaraderie in our faith and beliefs, purpose and goals plus a compassion for those needing our help. We become family rather quickly due to living conditions. We work together, eat together, wait in line for a shower together and sleep in rooms close enough to hear the snoring from next door and beyond.

Last summer, while responding to a windstorm, one of the volunteers shared a recipe with me. I grew up with popcorn balls, but this is better for several reasons. For starters, it tastes better. It is also much easier to eat. Factor in the ease of making it and you’ve got a real winner. Thank you, Patrick Ryan!

CARAMEL CORN

2 bags puffed corn (not cheese flavored) or 2 bags microwave popcorn, popped

2 sticks real butter

1 c. brown sugar

½ c. clear syrup

½ tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. soda

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Melt butter, sugar and syrup. Boil two minutes. Turn off heat, add vanilla and soda. Stir until foamy. Pour over popped corn in 3-4” deep roasting pan. Stir to coat evenly. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every fifteen minutes.

Just as a pure fluke, I came across a recipe on line which is remarkably similar to this. It’s possible my friend got the recipe from the same source, once or twice removed, thus the small tweaks here and there. Feel free to add your own touches. Some people add peanuts or other favorite nuts. I’ve had a few friends suggest I drizzle chocolate over the top. There have been a couple of relatives who like crushed peppermints sprinkled on it just as it comes out of the oven so it will stick to the pieces. Others. try to make it into party mix by adding pretzels and a bit of cereal. It’s your choice. But be prepared, once you make some, the relatives and friends will appear out of nowhere to help you eat it, so make an extra batch and hide it for yourself. And the batch for sharing? Be thankful for those weekend getaways when you have someone with which to share food, time, life, tradition, love, laughter, holidays – and popcorn!