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Happy Canadian Thanksgiving
HAPPY THANKS GIVING TO ALL MY GATHERINGS FRIENDS! Thanks for all the coffeetime chats, friendly help, warm wishes, support and just being new friends from all over the world. We are not really Turkey folk, so we have roast beef with yorkshire pudding, and turkey dressing (we all really only like the dressing, so I cook up a mess of that!) We are having a wonderful warm weekend here, probably our last before the snow starts to fly, and are taking the bikes out tomorrow for a run. I am thankful for that. My 3 will be home Monday for dinner. I am thankful for that. We are all healthy. I am thankful for that. I have a new fun job. I am thankful for that. Bless you all, for I am thankful for you. Cathy
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(post #24328, reply #1 of 60)
Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends!
(post #24328, reply #3 of 60)
Thanks, Jean - how kind of you to think of us!
Gloria
(post #24328, reply #5 of 60)
Thanks Jean! Cathy
(post #24328, reply #2 of 60)
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Cathy! We're not turkey people, either, but we hadn't had one for so long that I did get an 8 lb. turkey this year & had an old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner early (only day everyone could get together).
There is nothing wrong with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding & turkey stuffing (it's the best part, anyway) - sounds yummy! We don't follow convention, either. We usually have steak & lobster for Christmas dinner.
You're absolutely right - we have much to be thankful for - especially for the friends we've found on Gatherings. You're very lucky to have warm weather. We had 2 snows this week (which got rid of all the lovely autumn leaves), only 1C today, & more snow expected later next week. Enjoy your weekend!
Gloria
(post #24328, reply #4 of 60)
Took the bikes out today. Wonderful! So I am having a good weekend and it isn't finished yet. Just for the record, Thanksgiving is the one holiday I do not cook for usually. In the past, we have served hotdogs, KD, tuna casserole, and takeout chinese food (they thought we were nuts but really happy to see us!) I keep my fingers crossed for an invite out, but it doesn' t happen. Cathy
(post #24328, reply #6 of 60)
What is the Canadian Thanksgiving based on? Sorry my ignorance is showing.
TW
(post #24328, reply #7 of 60)
Thanksgiving is similar for us and our American friends. It is a harvest holiday, and a time of thanksgiving for a good harvest. The american holiday also is rooted in their Pilgrim traditions, when the boats first came over and settled in the americas. We celebrate a month earlier in October, the Americans in November. It is sometimes also called Turkey day, as it is traditional to serve a turkey dinner. With all the trimmings. It is a great time for families to gather. Cathy
(post #24328, reply #8 of 60)
Thank you
(post #24328, reply #9 of 60)
You are welcome. Your profile did not indicate where in the world you were from, so I probably told you stuff you already knew, but in case you were not from North America, I thought I should add it in case. Happy Thanksgiving Cathy
(post #24328, reply #10 of 60)
I laughed when you listed all the foods you've served for Thanksgiving - all typical stuff we eat at our house, too (but not for Thanksgiving :). Who says we have to eat turkey?? Lots of people don't like turkey (actually, I prefer roasted chicken).
Good for you to have gone on a ride. I'm amazed that your fall colours are just starting - you are late, eh? Better late, anyway & maybe a shorter winter.
Gloria
(post #24328, reply #11 of 60)
Happy Thanksgiving from Wisconsin! My daughter went to college in northern Wisconsin and there were quite a few Canadian students, especially hockey players. Her roommate was from Toronto and our Susan used to love making Thanksgiving dinner for Susie and the hockey players who had the apartment upstairs. It was a bit of home for these students who couldn't go home for the holiday like their American friends did in November.
Annie in Wisconsin, USA
~~Doodlestein Designs Quilt Patterns
~~Finely Finished: Machine quilting worked on a treadle sewing machine.
See patterns, quilting, and National sewing machines at: http://community.webshots.com/user/damascusannie
(post #24328, reply #12 of 60)
The leaves are just beautiful. They seem to be starting to fall fairly quickly as they turn. I am hoping we do not have as much snow as last winter. A long mild fall would be nice.
We are often taking crops off the fields at thanksgiving, so ordinary meals are often order of the day. We also only have the one day off, not two, so it makes it hard to plan to get together when so many family members live so far away. Cathy
(post #24328, reply #13 of 60)
You're right - a long warm fall would be nice. You're lucky it's been so warm for so long. It's only been 5C here during the day lately &, with more snow coming, we're probably in for a long winter. Last year there was 6' of snow here (hope not this year, as this is our first winter here). Not looking forward to it, as you can tell.
With only 1 day off, your family would be hard-pressed to get together, for sure. This is the first Thanksgiving in years that we've gotten together & it was wonderful. Will you have more time at Christmas for a get-together? Gloria
(post #24328, reply #14 of 60)
We hope so. This is the first year with all the girls away and working, so we will see how it goes. DH's Family Christmas is in early Dec., when the whole family gets together for a weekend. We do a Sunday brunch and small gift exchange. Saturday night is the fall birthday party. It is already planned and time off booked.
Have tried for years to get my family to do something similar. It is a riot of fun. Everyone draws a name, from babies to elders, for a gift exchange. $$limit is 35 dollars and you cannot spend it all on one gift. The idea is little pleasures and gag gifts, with the more to unwrap the better. It can get pretty creative.
I usually makes something for those I draw. Last year was the first year I did not, as they were people who did not seem to appreciate it. (I end up shopping/making for DH as well) The little people kept looking around to see what I had made. They were the ones who had noticed! I won't make that mistake again, as they seemed really dissapointed, even tho they were not the ones getting the gift! They like to see what I make. My handknit mitts are the big winners with everyone, and the boxer shorts with the guys, who wear them as indoor shorts year 'round. Cathy
(post #24328, reply #15 of 60)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of our Nothern Neighbors! I enjoyed hearing about your family traditions. They do indeed sound fun. This year is the first my sister and I will be on our own (mom passed this spring). But I'm looking forward to creating new family traditions that incorporate her memory.
Though we won't formally celebrate Thanksgiving here in the "lower 49" until November, I am also thankful for our gatherings family.
"Ceeachelle"
"Ceeaychelle"
Greet each day with Joy. Embrace your blessings.
(post #24328, reply #16 of 60)
I lost my mom not too long ago, and last thanksgiving was hard. Not sure how to handle it with my family and my Dad having remarried so soon after. Blended families are hard enough when kids are little, never mind all grown up. It is amazing how different people assume responsibility for the traditions that they each hold dear, and how new, sometimes better ones develop. The turkey dressing we serve is my mom's recipe, and the applesauce and lettuce salad are my late mother-in-law's contributions to our traditional meals. It is almost like having them there. Cathy
(post #24328, reply #19 of 60)
The big get-togethers sound like fun (& less hassle than having each family individually). Too bad about your hand-made gifts were not being appreciated by some (just don't make them for those particular people, if the others missed them). Too bad the young ones were disappointed - but do make for the ones who look forward to something from your hands). The $35 limit is a good idea, too, especially if you have to get many things for that amount - that's fun. Do you wrap them individually & put them in a gift bag or box?
We did something similar many moons ago at Christmas when we were first married & very broke. We had only $10 each to spend on each other - & it was really fun trying to find as many things as possible (not just junk, but things like puzzles, chocolate bars, gum, soap, even used books in good condition, etc.). We wrapped them carefully & put them all under the tree - looked like lots of presents! With the economy as it is, we may well have to go back to that idea, eh? :) Gloria
(post #24328, reply #20 of 60)
Belated Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Canadian friends! This seems like the perfect opportunity for me to express a wish I have had ever since my kids were in college... here in the good old USA it seems we have way too many holidays! It's nice for those who get to take a day off from work, but the government could save lots of $$$ if we could combine Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. I've always thought the Canadians did it right. As for those college kids... especially for Freshmen, it would be so nice to look forward to going home on or near October 12. As it is, Thanksgiving in late November seems so far away and is only one month away from Christmas so that means two trips home in a short period of time when they really needed a break much sooner. And I would love to see Thanksgiving take precedence over Halloween in our Fall holidays.
(post #24328, reply #22 of 60)
Yeah, you guys seem to have a lot of holidays compared to us. We get longer breaks from school at Christmas and Easter, and our schools seem to go back later as well to make up the difference in number of days off. Seems like you also have more breaks round Feb, March as well. Sure could use more of a break in Feb up here, it is a long month for a short one. Cathy
(post #24328, reply #44 of 60)
Cathy, if you lived in Alberta or BC, you, too, would have a 1-day holiday (which is a nice break between Christmas & Easter). In Alberta, it's Family Day, & in BC it's Heritage Day - both being around the 15th - 19th of the month on the Monday. After that, depending upon when Easter falls, we have a holiday each month except June - so something to look forward to, anyway.
As for baking at higher altitudes, I've lived at both & have had no problem with pies setting ever (the custard kind) - I've never had to change my pumpkin pie recipe. (I must try the squash mix, though, & Ralphetta's spicy one). Bread is another matter, though, & I've had to alter recipes for the altitude. For me, iit rises better on a windy day, but not if it's raining & gloomy. Strange, that, eh? - Gloria
(post #24328, reply #47 of 60)
I think they have started something like that here as well, but maybe I have not taken much notice, as my girls are older and not in school any more. It sure would have been nice tho.
I can explain your bread rising problem. Gloomy days have higher humidity and a higher air pressure. The higher air pressure actually pushes down on the bread's air pockets, making the bread denser, heavier. Windy days allow the air pockets to expand more, making the bread fluffier. The air pressure is actually less. It is like pushing down on little balloons filled with gas. There is less moisture in the flour as well. The humidity affects the flour as well, which is why bread recipes are not precise. You add flour or water to a certain consistancy when making it, to counteract the variation in humidity in the flour. Commercial bakeries actually weigh the flour rather than use volume measurements for that reason.
Hmm, I sure enjoy the variety of subjects we discuss here, tee hee. Never thought I would be talking cooking science on a sewing forum, ha ha ha Cathy
(post #24328, reply #52 of 60)
You're so right, Cathy - we never know what we'll be talking about on this forum. I think that's what makes it so friendly, eh? We get to know each other better, our likes & dislikes, how we live, what we do & how we do it, we share laughs, etc. Wonderful!
Thanks so much for the explanation about the rising bread (or lack thereof), you scientist, you. You wear many hats, Cathy :)
Gloria
(post #24328, reply #56 of 60)
I did not realize that I wore so many! Funny how many things you forget you know. I sometimes feel like a fish out of water here in my own neighbourhood, as no one else seems to have the same interests that I do. Yet on Gatherings, there are lots of people I talk with who do, and I feel at home, and rather like I have more than two brain cells to rub together! Cathy
(post #24328, reply #58 of 60)
You're definitely one of us, Cathy! I'm like you in that I have nobody who is interested in what I do, either - so this board has all the friends I would like to have - I love it! As for 2 brain cells rubbing together, we all have days like that where we're wondering if we have any at all, not just 2 to rub together :)
Gloria
(post #24328, reply #59 of 60)
So, is this where everyone hangs out? When I first saw Gather for a Chat, I thought it was an actual chat room. LOL.
Threadkoe, thank you for the scientific explanation about why altitude affects baking. Not that I'll rememer it tomorrow, but now at least I have an idea as to why.
Thought you might get a small chuckle from my (first) pumpkin pie experience. I don't really care for pumpkin. My step-sister said that she didn't either, so I should take the recipe on the Libby's can and double the milk. It makes it creamier. I was willing to give that a try.
It was a last-minute thing and I realized that I didn't have any pre-made piecrusts and didn't feel like making some from scratch. I raced to the store. All they had were some flimsy aluminum ones with the pre-made crust. I made the mixture, put it in the two pie pans and put it in the refridgerator. I knew I shouldn't have put all of that mixture in those two pans: when I went to retrieve them, yup, you guessed it, the first pie pan bent and all the pumpkin mixture went all over the refridgerator. Of course it was on the highest shelf and I had the open shelves, rather than glass, at the time!! I was more careful with the second pan. What a mess. Well, at least I had something to do while I was waiting for the one pie to bake!
(post #24328, reply #60 of 60)
LOL, now that sounds just like the type of kitchen accident that happens to me! Cathy
(post #24328, reply #24 of 60)
Thanksgiving in October?!?! That'd NEVER work in Wisconsin because our deer hunting season is deliberately scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving to give hunters the maximum amount of hunting time, especially the students. When some neighbors moved here from California, my husband told them that deer hunting is so important in Wisconsin that we even have a day off in November just for the hunters. They were pretty amazed until I told them that the rest of the country referred to that day as "Thanksgiving."
Annie in Wisconsin, USA
~~Doodlestein Designs Quilt Patterns
~~Finely Finished: Machine quilting worked on a treadle sewing machine.
See patterns, quilting, and National sewing machines at: http://community.webshots.com/user/damascusannie
(post #24328, reply #34 of 60)
Well, maybe they could deliberately schedule it earlier? Ah well, I do think it would be nice to have a little longer time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. With our country becoming more and more diversified with other religions though I should just be happy Christmas is still a holiday! Do you eat deer for Thanksgiving?
Isn't pumpkin a squash too? I've been hearing so much about the other squash making excellent pies I think I will have to try that.
Edited 10/15/2008 2:34 pm by sewelegant
(post #24328, reply #39 of 60)
I think part of the reason our deer hunting season is so late is so that the farmers can get the harvest done before the season starts. October and early November are harvest time up here. Actually, it wouldn't matter that much if Thanksgiving was moved--the hunters would take the time off anyway. I agree that it would be nice to have it earlier in the fall, especially now that our kids are grown and it's getting harder and harder to schedule the Christmas events around them.
Annie in Wisconsin, USA
~~Doodlestein Designs Quilt Patterns
~~Finely Finished: Machine quilting worked on a treadle sewing machine.
See patterns, quilting, and National sewing machines at: http://community.webshots.com/user/damascusannie
(post #24328, reply #36 of 60)
Annie,
We have Nov. 11 as a holiday (Remembrance or Armistice Day). Usually we go to the war memorial and have a service. I can remember my DH and I butchering a deer on the kitchen table (whitetail) Nov. 11 and looking out the window and seeing a mule deer in my vegetable garden in the falling snow. We're lousy with deer. The town has a herd of 15 to 20 mule deer that hang out all winter. Bow hunting season starts in Sept and the regular season starts next week to the end of Nov. Lots of time to hunt. :^)