Turkey - which I learned how to cook all by myself for my family many years ago...and they love it!
Green Bean Casserole - never had a Thanksgiving without it...or a church potluck dinner for that matter.
Mashed Potatoes - one of the few things I would eat at Thanksgiving when I was a kid....now I make the Pioneer Woman's version and my family loves them too, even the big kid who wouldn't touch them before.
Nana's Dressing - My bestie Christi's grandma's recipe. Makes me think of Christi each time I make it, and usually involves a call or text to my friend.
Broccoli Salad - A favorite that I got from a friend, Lynn, who lived here for a few years and was a wonderful cook. Always makes me think of fun times with their family.
Apple Pie - My favorite recipe that I got from Lori, a girl I worked with at GMAC when I was 20 years old. Still a family favorite (and definitely my favorite). Reminds me of those first few years out on my own.
Pumpkin Pie - Always makes me think of Joe's mom Louise, since she loved to bake pies. This year I tried a new recipe from a new friend at church.
Key Lime Pie - Harrison's favorite. And Grandma Jean's recipe, which makes me think of her and my dad everytime I make it.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce - A recipe I got from a Martha Stewart magazine way back when I used to read magazines. And this year, Clara helped me make it....very fun!
I love that the whole menu pretty much comes from shared experiences with special friends and family. That's the best way to build your recipe box!
Another thing I love about Thanksgiving is just the time at the table together with whoever we share the meal with. We almost always have some international students with us. This year we had three young men from China here for Thanksgiving dinner. It was fun to talk about China and compare places we have been. They are all students in Guangzhou (except for this year while they are at UCO) which is where we spent most of our time in China. Over the years we have had lots of Japanese students, a few Chinese, one from Taiwan, and one from Sri Lanka. I'll never forget Apsara, the girl from Sri Lanka. She was our waitress at Steak and Shake one Sunday. We struck up a conversation and found out where she was from. That week she was on my heart. And on Sunday I begged to go back to Steak and Shake and see if we could see her again. So, we sat in her section and ended up inviting her to Thanksgiving. I'll never forget, she told us she had been in Oklahoma for 4 years and had never been in an American's home. That broke my heart! Not long after we met Apsara the Tsunami hit her country. Because we had a connection with Apsara it really made us more tuned in and prayerful for the people of Sri Lanka when that tragedy struck. Lord, help us to be mindful of the mission field we have right here in our backyard!
