Thanksgiving traditions?

I don't have anything too wacky.  I always watch the Macy's parade.  I usually tear up through it for some reason, I guess sentimental. 

The smell of turkey in the house is always Thanksgiving to me.

What about you?  Any family traditions, new traditions, old traditions?

Sue

I have a small group that comes and I always cook.  Love to do it.  And the Thanksgiving dinner in the oven is a heavenly smell.  My traditions prbly have more to do with that weekend.  I either put my Christmas lights out (I already took advantage of the weather) but don't turn them on until Thanksgiving night.  I work on decorating the house and tree over that Friday/Sat.  That's really about it!  Just fun to be with friends. georgie

We always go to my Ex in-laws house.  So some of Thanksgiving is sitting around waiting to go to their house. 

When we get to their house we spend the day eating, talking and having fun.  They are Puerto Rican and the way they make their turkey is so yummy.  I love their turkey...they have ruined it for all other turkeys.  We stay at their house till late.  That's about it. 

I have to admit I have a lot more traditions connected to Christmas than Thanksgiving. 

Oh, the smell of a turkey cooking in the oven is heavenly!

Well, we always tell the story of how my poor sister, as a little girl, loved the crunchy, yummy turkey skin so much that she walked into the kitchen before the turkey was carved and saw the turkey. She sneakily tore a little skin off the bird to eat it and ended up tearing just about 2/3 of the skin off of the bird and not, knowing what to do, ATE it all. It was delicious, but she knew she'd be in trouble.

Now, as a 43-year old woman, she has to hear us telling newcomers about the "naked" bird that was served at our house on Thanksgiing 1973.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Nicolle

Since I have no parents, we have always gone to my in-laws on Thanksgiving.  She is not the best cook, and most of the family is.........."wierd".........to say the least.  It is not very enjoyable. 

SO.......since I now have a granddaughter, we have begun the tradition of turkey dinner at our house.  Some years we fry the turkey, some years on the grill and this year it will be brined and baked.  Also this year, we are having it on Saturday and my brother and some other friends are joining us from Chicago.  We are really looking forward to that.

The only "for sure, must do" thing is my caramel/turtle brownines.  Last year, I forgot all about them (since I do not eat them) and I did not hear the end of it for MONTHS!  The things are pure evil, but the family loves them.  Funny thing is, each year, my MIL tries to get me NOT to make them (as a matter of fact, she just made that yearly call.....)  and I had to tell her that it is easier for me to bring them than to listen to the complaints.  She was not too happy, but she will get over it.

Great thread idea sue!

She (MIL) doesn't want you to bring them because they are so yummy and she doesn't want to be shown up?????? georgie

Yep, that is about it!  She does not really like the big fuss that is made over them. 
I have handed out the recipe, but no one in that family can come close to making them as I do.....I have never understood that......if you follow the recipe, shouldn't it be the same?

We usually invite "orphans" to our house--people who have no where to go--but this year when we invited someone we got invited to join an already existing "orphan" Thanksgiving so we don't have to do much of anything but buy the wine. Kay is making her cranberry conserve (sugar free and delicious) but no baking at our house. We usually do a very nice breakfast together at the dinner table with nice music and just enjoy a little time together on a holiday.

Connie