I am grateful to pigs everywhere for tonight. For those who don’t know: our children make the Thanksgiving rounds to two-three different homes every year. Several Thanksgivings ago, I decided to try something different for our November family feast, to give the kids a break from turkey, turkey, and more turkey. Hence, Hamsgiving. I’ve claimed the night before Thanksgiving to offer a classic Midwestern menu, but with a perfectly paradisaical porcine personality. 
Fiends who have followed my little blog about nothing for going on seven years know that I harbor a particular affinity for cooking and baking, so days like this are enjoyable for me. Better still is the fact that Mavis and I get to cook together all day long for a big crowd (“big” around here is 13 people, including Bob & Kay, who are very much “family” to us), which is usually a laff riot. We all don’t get together near often enough for my taste, so it’s great to have everyone in one place for one day. Although, if our family continues to grow, Mama is going to need a bigger house.
So, I’m off to get ready. Gotta swing by and get Mavis, then hit the grocery for a couple of items I forgot.
I wish everyone who reads this the happiest Thanksgiving (and to those who don’t celebrate this most dubious of holidays, I’ll just say I’m happy you’re here). I love reading about other people’s plans, so please feel free to post what you’re doing today and tomorrow.
PS — Fellow foodies: there’s also a new cornbread recipe I’m trying today. It’s “designed” to wow those who don’t even like cornbread. We shall see…
PPS — I really enjoyed reading your comments from Sunday’s Greek post — I look forward to responding tonight, when the dishes are done and the house is quiet.
I always look forward to Hamsgiving. I enjoy any day that we cook/bake together. We’re an awesome force in the kitchen! Can’t wait to try that new cornbread recipe, too!
Happy Thanksgiving to all RtB fiends!
The cornbread was fabulous! Thanks for all your help, Mave — it was a great night!
Michael and I are spending Thanksgiving at the home of some friends who generously open their home to those friends of theirs who have nowhere else to go. I am, of course, bringing my famous anti-Turkey spaghetti pie to share.
Happy Hamsgiving to you and yours – let us know how the cornbread recipe comes out. Share if it’s any good! I have my great-grandmother’s recipe and it’s a winner.
Gobble-gobble!
PK
So glad you get to spend Thanksgiving with friends, PK. I know your kids are scattered all over the country; I’m sure it’s hard at the holidays to get everyone together.
I’d love to see your great-grandma’s cornbread recipe! Share! Here is the recipe we used. I’d add a couple tablespoons more of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla next time, but it was out of this world — like a sweet cake, rather than the more traditional, gritty cornmeal style (which I don’t care for).
Gobble right back at ya — hugs
A happy and blessed Hamsgiving to you and yours. Love what you’re doing with family and special friends. I enjoy ham more than turkey, and I’ve liked cornbread ever since my days as a farm kid in Indiana. Am interested in how your new recipe turns out. Since we are in ‘paradise’ away from family, we will be guests of some new friends here. Bonnie is busy right now making and baking from scratch her signature angel food cake to contribute to the meal. Our big family gathering will be the Sat. after Christmas at our home. We will of course migrate north for that wonderful time. Our clan now totals 23 plus one on the way. Have a terrific and blessed family experience tonight.
Wow! Sounds like your holiday season will be another big blessing. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, and here’s to new friends down in Paradise!
Hamsgiving was a blast, although Helen and the As couldn’t join us because of sickness. You have to have Bonnie try the cornbread recipe Mavis and I used yesterday (check my response to PK’s comment above — link is there). I hope we can grab a coffee when you’re up here, although I know it’ll be crazy for both of us. Have fun!
We out here in the High Country start cooking today. First order of biz are pies, two custard (my Great Grandmothers recipe) and two apple pies…the ranch is going to start smelling yummy real soon.
Tomorrow the grandkids and Liz’s daughter and Son-in-Law will spend the day eating, laughing, playing board games, some football and the traditional hike in the wash (that’s SW for dry river bed).
My hope and prayer for you Ms Fink and all the other fiends that Hamsgiving is a blessed day filled with laughter and love! Peace!
I saw the photos of those pies on FB — wowee! How much do I need to pay you to make all my holiday pies?
Hamsgiving was beyond great, thank you! The laughing part, especially. I hope it’s the same for you guys today down on the ranch. Have a great day, DLR!
I hope Hamsgiving was everything you hoped it would be! *hugs*
I love you Suz! It was wonderful, and so good to have the kids together, if only for a couple hours. How did your Thanksgiving feast go?