This won’t be a long post. I just want to let you know about a few things I’m thankful for on this day that’s all about family and friends, and yes, food (there are a few family “Kuchen” recipes at the end of this post). I’ve been thinking a lot about thankfulness and gratitude for pretty much all of this year—how even when things are sad and dark, one can still be thankful. I’ve reminded myself how lucky I am and how I need to remember not take what I have been given for granted.
Yes, I lost both my parents in the course of this year, but I am so grateful I had them in my life for as long as I did—they both lived relatively healthful lives past their 90th birthdays. We remember them happily wearing purple foam birthday cake headbands and blowing out candles (but not 90 of them). We sang to them and took photos—my dad got a surprise lunch at a local pub with a few extra attendees. And when it was time for their bodies to shut down, they didn’t linger in a way they would not have wanted. They gave us some extra gifts of memories on their way out. And they weren’t in pain.
I’m thankful that today we can still gather at my parents’ home for a dinner—the beginning of a final holiday season in their surroundings. By next June, we will be able to offer the house to Tom’s mom, as she downsizes as my parents did twelve years earlier, and then my parents’ space will contain new life.
I’m grateful that my family is talking about how we can continue holiday traditions and readjust to include past traditions that have tapered off and maybe add new ways to celebrate and remember.
I remind myself that I have the ability to contribute to a holiday meal that nourishes and pleases my family and friends—and how they will be doing the same for me—to not take those simple and loving acts for granted.
And both Tom and I are so very grateful for you—our readers, my students, our families and friends—who read what we write, who follow and support us in so many ways. We know you’re there, you have shown us your support throughout this unexpected year. Thank you.
May you enjoy your own special day with family and friends, have safe (and as hassle-free as possible) travels, eat yummy food, and find a wealth of good things in your own lives.
Take care, Susan and Tom
And now to share some much requested family recipes with you. My sister Heidi and I, put together a Remembrance Ceremony for our parents a couple Sundays ago on November 5th. Ahead of time, we passed out recipes to willing friends and neighbors to help with baking. Then, we had recipe print-outs placed next to the sweet offerings for the “Kaffee und Kuchen” part of the event—favorite desserts that our parents enjoyed (so much that our mom would hide leftovers from our dad). Maybe one or two of these will become your favorites as well.
The goodies—photo above, clockwise from upper left: Meta’s Surprise Potato Chip Cookies, Maine Blueberry Pound Cake, and Oma’s Happy Cookies; Oma’s Cheesecake is not pictured. The “happy” cookies are legal in all states. My mom called them her Happy Cookies since they always made people smile when they ate them—she had no idea that there was any other definition of a happy cookie.
The Peanut Blossoms below are Tom’s specialty, taken over from his mom. They have been, and will be, made for every family event, including today’s Thanksgiving Day 2023.
Because our parents’ families and friends are so widespread, we recorded the Remembrance Ceremony and took a few photos to include in a memorial page. We felt that this way those who would have liked to be there would be able to join us from afar. A few weeks ago, this page posted with only my mom and dad’s obituary included. I thank you for all the condolences and care you sent my way at that time.
Now the memorial page is much more complete with (most) memories of the day’s ceremony included—a few more yet to be added. I’m including the link farther below, for those who would like to visit the page. I know there’s a percentage of you that follow my blog because you’re family or family friends, and this may be the best way to share this information with you.
Most of you reading this may only know my parents through my posts, especially “meeting” my mom through the years of her stuffed fabric crops of “Oma’s Pumpkins.” You may enjoy the ten minute video below, lifted from the memorial post—bits and pieces of recordings featuring my folks, that we had playing during the ceremony reception. It includes an October 2020 clip when my son Sam and I, inform my mom about how many of her pumpkins sold the very first morning her OmasPumpkinPatch Etsy shop was open. You’ll understand why she was so lovable. And if you’re familiar with the movie, The Princess Bride, you may enjoy watching to the end, as both my parents wish you well.
Thank you for sharing this charming video. A wonderful start to Thanksgiving day. I am so glad I got to meet Oma and spend some time with her. She was a very special lady. And having seen your video, today I am all the more thankful to have my 92 year old mom in my life. Happy Thanksgiving from Lizzie.
Susan, What beautiful thoughts this Thanksgiving Day! No matter what we believe we lack, we are so much better off than many others in this world. Sometimes we just have to “see” what is around us rather than just “look.” I,too, rejoice in the memories of good times, while trying to soak up the continued blessing of the present.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and many thanks for sharing your expertise and inspiring creativity in all of us. I aspire to reaching a level of expertise where I can benefit from a live session!
Blessings….
Thank you for sharing some of your most precious moments with your mother and father. They were a lovely couple and how lucky that you have these pictorial clips and the sound of their voices to see and hear. Oma was right, there are plenty of good things in the world! Love to you and your family.
I am thankful for all that I have been given. I lost my husband and son to Cancer this year but I have faith and know that the Lord is with me on this journey called life Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Oh thank you for sharing this with us. I have been thinking of you and your family and know that these first holidays without loved ones can be so hard. What a beautiful tribute to lives well lived.
You can bet I will be making potato chip cookies for Christmas and will be thinking of you and your dear Mom as they bake.
Take care and thank you for this.
It’s the end of Thanksgiving Day and this video and the blogs have been a perfect conclusion. Thank you all for sharing your memories with us. Your parents were beautiful, talented people. How wonderful to know that those traits were passed on to you.