Granny
Have you ever experienced a holiday when everything went just as you had envisioned it would a couple of weeks or months prior the occasion? I’m thinking I have not. So as it were, this year my Thanksgiving craft idea, which I thought at least 2 of the children would enjoy, never really got off the ground. I had expected incentive to increase with the fact that it involved some good chocolate candy. But since children get candy all the time these days, I guess that is not such a big deal. You saw the adorable turkey craft on my last post---yeh, that's the one at the top of this page. I expect that younger ones would be very excited about this little creation, but then of course they would need more assistance. Maybe you can use it for your little ones next Thanksgiving. As for me, I think for next year I’ll plan to get some real live turkeys and let my grands chase ‘em, tackle ‘em, chop off their heads and pluck ‘em! I know you can hardly wait for those pictures!
So, the 3 boys--- the ones who live near by--- were here after school on Tuesday, the perfect time to make the turkey table decorations. One of them had a degree of interest but was soon sidetracked by the plastic army guys on the front porch and since it was such a beautiful, even warmish day I decided not to push the little turkey dudes with these young fellas. I’m always an advocate of getting children active outside rather than almost anything indoors, especially TV and electronics. The unseasonably warm weather, here in our valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains , was simply too inviting to deny. So the turkey deco fell by the wayside and, without any suggestions from me, these boys had their own agenda in mind. All they needed from me was permission and a few simple tools and materials. This day’s Granny Camp was child directed and they each had a blast. This granny granted minimal supervision and spent some time with a few much needed pre-Thanksgiving preps.
Thanksgiving Day--- As much as possible allow (maybe even require) child participation in the tasks at hand. Not necessarily with big knives though.
As we neared the completion of our meal Mighty suggested that we play a Dinner Game from the box. I suggested an idea that I had heard the day before --- which would be a modification of one of the games they all especially like. They loved the idea so we began: Following the alphabet we went around the table clockwise, with each person thinking of something he or she is thankful for. We decided to let the youngest go first. All eleven of us enjoyed participating ----from ages 7 to 88. My favorite part was when it ended with 11 year old Grana getting the “Z” since she is currently really into zebras. It was the perfect ending. Here is the box of games:
Next we were ready for dessert. I don’t think I have ever know a person look so forward to pumpkin pie and Mighty on that day:
Next we were ready for dessert. I don’t think I have ever know a person look so forward to pumpkin pie and Mighty on that day:
Next, a partial clean up was done--- you know, get the food into the frig that needs to be attended to as quickly as possible. Then several of us migrated to the living room to try out our son’s new family game, Apples to Apples. While the mama napped on the couch, the 4 children, our son, my husband, who is Do-Daddy and I, Granny, broke in the new game. I really was fun. My favorite card was played by WonderBoy, who felt the need to do a dance exhibition for us to prove that his card should win that round. It did indeed win. We really enjoyed the game but had an interesting encounter with a statement on one of the cards. When the statement was read, we all agreed that it was completely against a biblical truth that we all hold dear so we decided to ditch that card for future use. About that time, Granna said, “We should burn it!” The other children cheered in agreement. So we decided that after the game was over we would burn the offending card. (I would like to read the minds of you blog readers about now.) We finished our game and I’d tell you who won but don’t remember. (There is now a grandchild out there who is mad at me.) Granna declared, “Let’s tear the card into 4 pieces so we can each burn a piece!” They all agreed, but the little one--- let’s call him TheJoy , which his dad often calls him cause he is so filled with joy most of the time. TheJoy stated, “I’m too young to light matches.”, somewhat fearfully. We assured him that he would not need to light a match or get near fire. Meanwhile, I’m wondering just how many other cards in that stack will end up having the same fate as we did not work through all the cards in that one game we played.
So we took Mighty’s candle out to the driveway, lit it and he was first to try to ignite his ill fated quarter of a game card. The coating on the card would not cooperate with the flame so they grabbed a couple of dead leaves to use as kindling. It was slow going but they did the job. Grana decided to build a small bon fire for hers. I’m thinking, this must be somewhat like a “book burning”. I don’t think I have never attended one. Have you?
I’m also thinking ---- They’ll not forget this for a while and I’d like to be a fly on the wall and hear them tell their friends about it all at school. I wonder if they’ll be writing an essay entitled, “My Thanksgiving”. ---Probably not.
When the grands are out of school, Granny Camp may suddenly happen. Friday--- the day after Thanksgiving: “Hi, boys. I’m glad you’re here. Did you walk over?” “Yes. Granny, where are your batman capes? May we play with them?” “Sure. Lets go find ‘em.” Sometimes things just evolve:
“We want to be cowboys. May we use those two hats you have up in the closet?” “What two hats? --- Oh yea, those two hats. Yes, you may.” I’ll get them.
“Granny, do you have any fake mustaches or something we could make some with?” Oh my, I’ll have to think about that. My mind is a blank. All of a sudden --- it comes--- a great idea. So I made myself a mustache and went outside to model it for them. They were impressed. (By the way, we are again blessed with a gorgeous day for outside play.)
Materials for fake mustaches: Black marker & masking tape. I love it when things can be simple!
So we have some great memories of Thanksgiving 2011 week end and oh so much to thank God for. Even though there were family members who we would have liked to have with us, but could not, and even though we didn’t have cute little turkey decorations sitting around on the table, and even though I didn’t have time to make the fresh cranberry salad, we enjoyed our time together and remembered to be thankful. And we had some Granny Camp!
So are you wondering what on earth the offending Apples to Apples game card said? How ‘bout I tell you in my next post. I’ll also start sharing some Christmas Granny Camp ideas. For now I invite you to check out a couple of my favorite ways to eat leftover turkey:
<-<- Granny Camp Recipe
Polynesian Turkey Sandwich
2 slices whole grain bread
mayonnaise, optional
leafy green lettuce
thinly sliced turkey
pineapple, preferably fresh
Spread mayo on one side of each slice of bread. Pile turkey onto on slice, then lettuce and pineapple. Place other bread slice atop.
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
½ soup can of milk
4 slices whole grain bread
butter
sliced turkey
sliced Colby or Cheddar Cheese
Prepare soup by mixing it with ½ can of milk instead of the water and heat. Toast bread and lightly butter one side. Place bread on baking sheet and top with warmed turkey slices and then cheese. Heat under broiler just until cheese melts. Place sandwiches on serving plates and spoon hot soup mixture atop. 4 servings. This is so, so good!
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