Non-traditional Thanksgiving

14 years ago

Anyone else doing something completely non-traditional tomorrow?

Living here in North Dakota, it is unbelievable that our weather is still relatively mild (meaning barely dropping below freezing at night, days in the 40s). We're always reluctant to let go of summer and this year we still have our fire pit out on the patio. We decided (weather permitting) we will sit on our patio with a fire tomorrow evening, enjoying some relaxation time and what might well be our last evening outdoors.

Obviously I can't be slaving away in the kitchen. Not sure I wanted to this year anyway. So we decided to have a thanksgiving meal that gives thanks to our home and our ability to grow and prepare our own food. It will be quite simple. While sitting by the fire we will have bloody mary's made with home-canned tomato/vegetable juice, garnished with home-made pickles and dilly beans. Pita with home-made, frozen baba ganouj (and BTW, all the veggies were grown by us as well). Dinner will be french onion soup (home grown onions of course), home made bread (didn't grow the wheat), and a salad with pears. Dessert will be ice cream with chocolate-raspberry sauce.

I'm looking forward to it.

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Comments (13)

Fori
14 years ago
Awesome! That's what it's supposed to be about, isn't it?

Healthier too!
kathleenca
14 years ago
It sounds wonderful! And relaxing. Happy Thanksgiving.
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christine
14 years ago
That sounds very nice!!

We're doing non-traditional this year, too. I have been running so ragged lately I really just wanted some down time. We've been invited 2 places, neither are close family, and both are over an hour away and that just sounds like more running around. I also have to work Friday which factored into the decision.

Texas De Brazil (Brazilian style steakhouse) sent DH a T-Day offer, we discussed it, and we are going there. We also have some cards to GameWorks (a bar/arcade) that are good for 4 hours of game play, so after we eat we are going over there to play!

Very non-traditional, but it sounds so relaxing and selfish and time with DH and that is just what I need right now! :)
lpinkmountain
14 years ago
That's my kind of Thanksgiving. Cooking whatever I feel like making and eating, and celebrating time away from work to relax with family or friends. I've had that kind of holiday, but this year I'm having the more traditional rushed, crammed full of trying to do too much kind of thing. I'm not orchestrating it at least.
hawk307
14 years ago
Prairie Love:
Doesn't everyone do this ??? LOL !!!

Christine:
That is very relaxing and selfish.I would never do something like that. Can I come too ?

Really I have no problem cooking a Thanksgiving Dinner.
Love all the hustle and bustle and everyone in the Kitchen,
even though I'm doing most of the cooking.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !!!
Lou
sheshebop
14 years ago
Sounds great to me. Nothing wrong with breaking traditions. Sometimes (quite often as a matter of fact) traditions create stress. Your day sounds perfect to me.
dixiedog_2007
14 years ago
Prairie that sounds absolutely wonderful and so homey and cozy. So do the others that have shared.

We are doing non-traditional as in going to a restaurant to eat out instead of my Mom and I doing all the cooking at my home. For various reasons, it just is not happening like that this year so we decided to go out and we will enjoy it though it will be a bit different.

Happy Thanksgiving all!
dgkritch
14 years ago
I agree, it sounds wonderful.
I think it's important to seize those opportunities when they present themselves (good weather, pantry full of good food), and to be thankful for it! Many don't even have the opportunity to choose "traditional, or not".

Enjoy! Everyone!
Deanna
sushipup1
14 years ago
We are getting some fresh Dungeness crabs from Phil's, artichokes from the store that's out in the field, sourdough garlic toast. A friend is coming, and we'll also have some nice chardonnay and some strawberries (also local & fresh) for dessert.

We will cook a small turkey on Saturday, mainly because of the leftovers!
christine
14 years ago
Hawk, sure! :)
prairie_love
Original Author
14 years ago
Fun! It sounds like several others also have non-traditional days planned.

sushi - we will also cook a small turkey this weekend for the same reason - gotta have those leftovers!

lou - sometimes I also love the hustle and bustle and I have many times cooked a huge meal for 15 or more people. This year the quiet and relaxation sounds good.

And while I'm giving thanks, I will say a word for the people on this forum (and others) who have helped me out even though I post seldom.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day regardless of tradition or non-tradition.

Ann
kandm
14 years ago
We're going the traditional route this year for the family but next year, I would like to try a Luxirare Kaiseki style Thanksgiving.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kaiseki Thanksgiving
Cloud Swift
14 years ago
We did turkey day today - tomorrow, we will do a vegetarian Thanksgiving because my vegetarian son and his wife and children will be here.

I'm thinking of making fondue because we haven't had it for a long time. Arugula salad from our CSA box (with bell peppers from our garden). The other grandparents of our grandchildren are coming for dessert - haven't decided what I'll make for that. Maybe pumpkin pie and gingerbread. I haven't decided what else. We have butternut and kabocha squash, we have bok choy - but I'm having trouble visualizing something to do with them that will go with fondue.

Non-traditional Thanksgiving

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Fori

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Non-traditional Thanksgiving

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