Re: Thanksgiving Streetwise

11/03/25 - posted by Tim Dineen

We're gearing up for the big day... Since we now have the smallest house of the local Oregon family, we don't have to host - we just supply goodies.

It's nice that the youngsters have taken the reins... Traditions still abound and the can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce will be in the same cut glass dish it has been in since time immemorial. Interestingly, no one really eats it - they all go for the homemade versions. We've raised some good kids!

One thing I noticed in re-reading all the various posts, was that in listing the traditional foods, no one mentioned the infamous Green Bean Casserole!

My family NEVER had it on our table and I'm not sure when I actually ever learned such a vile concoction existed. Maybe as a cook in the Navy?!?

Was it one of those midwestern concoctions that just never made it to the Outside Lands?!?

I have tried to eat it. I have even made it – exactly as the 1955 recipe states and using fresh green beans, fresh mushrooms. Nope.

One year, my Demo Diva partner and I made a version with Trader Joe's frozen green beans, condensed portobello mushroom soup, and their french fried onion rings. The hoi polloi loved it and we sold tons of the ingredients. And I just shook my head in wonder...

Things I know I'm making this year are Pumpkin Rolls, Pumpkin Salad Dressing, a Pumpkin Appetizer and a Pumpkin Dessert - the last two TBD based upon what others are making.

What we won't be doing is repeating our first After-Covid gathering...

I had the bright idea that we should all bake one of my Mom's pies from her cookbook. I think we had nine pies for fifteen people.

And I had a piece of every one!

So... what are y'all planning in 2025?!?