Thankful for Giving Friends and Family

What a beautiful Thanksgiving that was! The weather was gorgeous, we could eat outside if we pleased, and the kids could play outside while the parents cooked inside, and others watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was outstanding in all that cold. The streets of New York were crowded with people everywhere, braving the cold, and watching the parade. I really do admire those people who drive to downtown New York City, find parking places, pay for parking, find their way to the parade site at the crack of dawn, and stay there all through the parade cheering and waving flags and letting us see how supportive the New Yorkers are! I wonder if I could do that anymore at this age. But those people were hearty, supportive, and proud to live in New York City. I have a son living up there, only not in the City! Here in Naples, our family watched football. There was also a World Cup Soccer Game being played in another part of the world. Meanwhile, the little great grandkids played in the swimming pool here at home. The adults watched them as intently as they watched the football games. And my daughter’s cooked the food! I was lucky to be assigned to keep the sofas from being stolen from the house, so I sat on them! No one stole them during my watch! We had a 22-pound turkey, plenty of whipped potatoes, plenty of vegetable dishes to delight all, salads, candied sweet potatoes (the same recipe that my mom used to make, and they were delicious!) Then came the Deviled eggs and a variety of pies with whipped cream, if desired. Before everyone left, I asked them to pack up leftovers to take home. That really helps clearing out the kitchen, and no mess to clean up. It was a wonderful and happy day!

* But Thanksgiving reminded me about a book I read recently written by Lila Zuck, called “Remember When It Was fun to Cook!” It contained recipes from “Simpler Times in Collier County” and also historical news, stories, and poems. It’s a lot of fun to read and it contains recipes from when Collier County was just beginning, from the folks who brought their recipes with them when they settled here. From what I understand, no bookstores carry the book, so I contacted Lila and she said you can email her at lilazuck@comcast.net. The cost is $20. Some of the titles of recipes were Early American Casserole, Upside Down Pork Loaf, Spicy Meatloaf, Chicken A La Florida, Elegant Fish with Sour Cream, Lobster Creole, Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp and Artichokes, Eggplant Casserole, Sausage Stuffed Apples, one recipe from Kelly’s Fish House, and some cute names like Government Will Buy More Citrus from 1942, and a recipe from The Everglades Market in 1942! It was lots of fun reading how people thought and cooked in those days!

* Speaking of food: I have a friend named Nancy who loves to cook and bake, and her whole adoring family is so grateful she loves it! This friend just had a knee replacement, and she prepared exactly as the doctor instructed before she had her surgery, and she came through the surgery like a champion. She did the proper exercises afterward, and obeyed everything the doctor said, so she is doing really well, carefully riding her stationary bike, doing her ‘at home’ exercises, and sets an example for what happens when you follow the doctor’s orders exactly! I’m so glad I’ll have my friend back more quickly, now that she’s healed so well. Who knows, maybe we can go to lunch soon?

* I have another friend named Cassie who is a great volunteer with the Elks Lodge on US 41E and loves all the things they do to address the needs of the charities they help. Hmmm, you know what? I have some really great friends who are friends to the community, like Jeanie, Shirlee, George, Bryan, Rondi, and more, but I’ll stop there for now. So at this special time to be thankful, I thank the Lord for my friends who reach out and help others.