# THE MAIN COURSE
TURKEY: Cook according to instructions on the turkey wrapping. Be sure to buy a few days ahead of time in order to let it thaw. Use a roasting bag and foil pan. Cut open the roasting bag about an hour prior to serving. Using the roasting bag can cut down the cooking time by an hour or two.
GRAVY: Use the turkey gravy packets from the store, not juice from the turkey. One packet is enough for a dozen or so people.
STUFFING: homemade or use Stove Top stuffing; do not stuff the bird but cook on top of the stove.
CRANBERRIES: get 2 cans of whole berry cranberry sauce
# VEGETABLES
MASHED POTATOES: First, bake the potatoes, then mash and mix with whipped cream (not yet whipped). Keep warm in the oven.
STEAMED VEGETABLES: Steam using the microwave. Birds Eye Steamfresh brand works well.
# SALADS
BEAN SALAD
1 can each of: garbanzo beans, kidney beans, green beans, yellow beans
1 medium onion
1 small shallot
a small bunch of green onions
1-cup cider vinegar
1-cup honey
Drain and rinse all beans. Combine with diced onion and shallot. Cut up the white part of the green onions, and mix this in. Blend vinegar and honey thoroughly and pour over vegetables. Stir slowly to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate overnight. Do not use a metal bowl.
AMBROSIA
4 oz. sour cream
1-1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1-1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1 can (12 oz) of pineapple chunks, drained
1 small can of mandarin oranges, drained
Juice of one lemon
2 medium sweet red apples, cored, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 medium firm bananas cut into 1/3-inch slices
On Wednesday night, mix sour cream, coconut, and marshmallows in a bowl, stir well, cover, and refrigerate. Put mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks in the refrigerator.
On Thursday, just before serving, drain mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks and add to the sour cream mixture. Dice the apples, slice the bananas, and place them in a separate nonmetallic bowl. Cover the apples and bananas with lemon juice. Add the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle top with a small amount of coconut. Serve immediately in individual cups rather than in a large serving bowl on the table.
# SIDE DISHES & MISCELLANEOUS
ROLLS: follow instructions on the pre-made roll package; enough for 3 per person. Get the Grands style of rolls, not crescent rolls
RASPBERRY JAM: On Wednesday or earlier, add a pound of sugar to a pound of fruit. Raspberries work well. Blackberries may need extra sugar, or mix 50/50 with raspberries. Boil the fruit for half an hour. Mix in 1 packet of gelatine while cooking and then a second packet when you take the jam off of the stove. Pour into jars, then refrigerate. Raspberry jam requires less sugar because of its natural sweetness.
TANGERINES
BUTTER, SALT, PEPPER
# DESSERT
PUMKIN PIE: Make according to the recipe on the can or use the recipe here. Use pre-made piecrusts and deep-dish glass pans. Make at least 2 pies for 6 people (1/3rd of a pie per person).
Mix Together:
30 oz can of pumpkin pie mix or a 30-oz can of pure pumpkin
2 cans (24 oz in total) condensed milk
2 eggs
1 tbsp of pumpkin pie spice ( = 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg)
If you get a can of pure pumpkin only (not the pie mix) you may want to add:
1-1/2 cups of sugar
2 more eggs (for a total of 4)
Pour into two glass deep dish pans using the refrigerated, unbaked pastry pie shells (preferred) or frozen pre-crusted aluminum deep dish pans. Bake for 15 minutes at 425 F, then reduce the temperature to 350 F and continue baking for an additional 35 to 45 minutes until the knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
WHIPPED CREAM: Buy the cartons, not pre-whipped. Add 1 tbsp of sugar, 1/2-tsp of vanilla. Whip just before dinner and put in the refrigerator. By the end of dinner, it should be well chilled but not frozen. Make enough for dinner only, as the whipped cream does not save.
ROOT BEER FLOATS
# BEVERAGES
SPARKLING JUICE: Get the non-alcoholic sparkling juice that is in the champagne bottle. To save money, make your own by mixing sparkling water with frozen juice concentrate.
MILK
SPARKLING WATER: Get a couple of liters of sparkling water
WINE: Get Merlot & Chardonnay. Smoking Loon brand is good. Boxed wine is OK if expecting a large number of guests.
COFFEE: French roast is best.
BEER: Budweiser or similar light ale is always appropriate. Keg beer is best if possible.
ROOT BEER: Thomas Kemper, 1/6 keg, if available; otherwise, get diet root beer.
# PRAYERS
Express our love for others
In the very best way.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2023
It’s a two-part word:
We say Thanks, then start Giving.
Sharing our blessings.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2022
Full of gratitude
We thank our community
God's greatest blessing.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2021
We are together
With our friends and family
Forever grateful.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2020
Ever so thankful
We celebrate all of life
Together again.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2019
We are so thankful
For the people everywhere,
Family and friends
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2018
He gave everything
So we could experience
Life to the fullest.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2017
Our feast celebrates
The time we have together
It's lifes' greatest joy.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2016
(working in Goldendate, celebrated with Klickitat Valley Health community)
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2015
(working at Deaconess, celebrated with Deaconess Medical Center community)
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2014
We all celebrate
the family together.
It gives us great joy.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2013
All the Family
together at the table
giving Thanks to God.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2012
We say our prayers
to express our gratitude
for what's been given.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2011
Everyone is home
With laughter comes our friendship
This is Thanksgiving.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2010
Away from our home
Yet happy with each other
We are all at peace.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2009
All things must change – yet
Our gratitude is constant.
Thank You, God. Thank You.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2008
On this Thanksgiving
May we always remember
To love one another.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2007
On this Thanksgiving
Let us remember to give
from our heart and soul.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2006
Father in Heaven
Thank you for everything
You have given us.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2005
On this Thanksgiving
May we always be grateful
For all our blessings.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2004
Thanks and gratitude
We give you O Lord our God
For eternity.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2003
Oh great God above
Thank you for our family
And all your blessings.
PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2002
We thank you Father
for bringing us together.
We are truly blest.
# TOASTS
---------------------
The traditional toast recognizes we show gratitude through our actions.
---------------------
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2022: It is one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do. - Tim Keller
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2021: Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but on every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have. - Catherine Pulsifer
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2020: God doesn’t bless us to provide for our own needs; he blesses us so we can be generous. - Rick Warren
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2019: Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. - Earnest Hemingway
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2018: A grateful heart is filled with acts of kindness.
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2017: If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. - W. Clement Stone
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2016: (celebrated with Klickitat Valley Health community)
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2015: (celebrated with Deaconess Medical Center community)
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2014: There are two kinds of gratitude: the kind we feel for what we receive; and the much larger kind we feel for what we give. - Edwin Arlington Robinson
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2013: We show Thanksgiving by doing our very best to serve others. - Traditional American Saying
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2012: To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven. - Johannes A. Gaertner
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2011: A grateful life, not just words, will bear witness to the glory of God. - Matthew 8:4
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2010: They do not love, do not show their love. - William Shakespeare
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2009: All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits committed to our trust on this condition: that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors. - John Calvin
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2008: By our words and our actions, we give Thanks the whole year through. – Traditional Irish Saying
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2007: If the only prayer you said in your whole life was thank you, that would be enough. – Meister Eckhart
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2006: May your heart be filled with gratitude, your days filled with laughter, and your life filled with service to others. - Irish Blessing
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2005: Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. - Cameron
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2004: Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds. - Theodore Roosevelt, 1901
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2003: Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. -WT Purkiser
THANKSGIVING TOAST 2002: As we express our gratitude, let us never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. - JFK
# BLESSINGS
THANKSGIVING IRISH BLESSING 2024
May your harvest table glow with soft, golden light,
While autumn winds dance gently into the night.
May stories shared bring laughter, sweet and true,
And grateful hearts beat strong in all you do.
May blessing's warmth surround your family fold,
Like morning sun rays that turn rainbows into gold.
May God's own love rest gentle on all your days,
And guide you home through life's windy ways.
THANKSGIVING IRISH BLESSING 2023
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy, that long endures.
May all of life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
# OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
MUSIC: Soft background music: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart or similar
TABLE SETTINGS: Centerpiece, Candles, Tablecloth; Cloth Napkins
CAMERA
GAMES: Have group family games on hand, such as Mad Libs and playing cards.
DISCUSSION TOPICS: Think about possible discussion topics of special interest to your guests. If at a loss for words, discussing college football is always appropriate. Prepare a few jokes or humorous stories ahead of time.
# TIME TABLE
A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THANKSGIVING: Invite guests to dinner. Last-minute invitations are always okay as well. Arrange your work schedule to get the time off. Get some potatoes from the Kellog, Idaho Rotary Club. If you are having a large gathering, now is the time to order beer and root beer kegs. Get mail-order items.
SUNDAY: Double-check your supplies to make sure you have everything. If not, go shopping. Depending upon the size of your turkey, you may need to take the turkey out of the freezer and put in the refrigerator. Allow about 24 hours of thawing time in the refrigerator per 5 lbs of turkey.
TUESDAY: As much as possible, finish up all of your work duties so you can have time at Thanksgiving to share with your family. Pull the frozen pie crust out of the freezer if using pie crusts & a glass pie pan.
WEDNESDAY
- Make the 4 bean salad
- Make the raspberry jam
- Prepare the ambrosia salad: refrigerate the fruits (except for the bananas) and the sour cream mix (1.5 cups coconut, 2 cups mini marshmallows, 4 oz sour cream).
- Relax and play some family games like Clue or other board games.
THURSDAY
AM:
~ 8:30 - do the local Turkey Trot run/walk event
~ 9:00 to 10:00 - cook the pumpkin pies
~ 10:30 to 11:30 -
- put the turkey in the oven in plenty of time to be done cooking by 3:00 and ready to serve by 3:30. Put the potatoes in the oven
- Set the table
- Memorize the toast & prayer. Update this webpage and archive it.
- Relax and play some card games
PM:
~ 2:30 -
- take the potatoes out of the oven and mash them; put the mashed potatoes back into the oven in the covered serving dish.
- open the turkey's roasting bag for the last hour of cooking
~ 3:00 - shortly before meal time, in order:
- take the turkey out of the oven and allow it to rest for 30 minutes
- put the cranberries in a dish on the table
- whip the cream and put it in the freezer; by dessert, the whipped cream should be chilled but not frozen.
- bake the rolls
- cook the stuffing
- cook the gravy
- steam the vegetables
- finish making the ambrosia and put it on the table
- put the 4 bean salad on the table
~ 3:30 - Dinner Time
At the end of the meal, while serving dessert, make the coffee
# TIPS
- As much as possible, clean up as you cook. As soon as you are done with a cooking utensil, put it directly into the dishwasher or sink.
- Get everyone involved in preparation and cleanup. Many hands make light work!
- Make it a point to fill your home with music and laughter. Have some music ready to play, learn some good jokes ahead of time, and have some fun stories to tell.
- Use Splenda or Stevia for tea, coffee
# SHOPPING LIST
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Section
2 medium bananas
1 Lemon
2 medium red delicious apples
At least a dozen Idaho potatoes (if not already obtained from Rotary)
Tangerines or oranges
1 small shallot (if you can find one)
A small bunch of green onions (scallions)
A medium-sized onion
Turkey Items
Buy a frozen whole turkey, generally the biggest you can get; figure approximately 2 lbs per person
Roasting bag
Foil cooking pan
Turkey gravy (powdered; just add water; get 2 or more packets)
Stuffing (2 or more boxes of Stove Top)
Canned Goods
1 can of whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 can of garbanzo beans
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of green beans
1 can of yellow (wax) beans
1 can of pineapple chunks (12 oz)
1 can of mandarin oranges
1 jar of mayonnaise (for leftover turkey sandwiches)
1 jar of mustard (for leftover turkey sandwiches)
3 cans of pumpkin pie mix (not just canned pumpkin)
6 cans of evaporated milk
Baking Goods
Cider vinegar
Sweetened shredded coconut - 1 bag
Flour
Gelatin
Miniature marshmallows - 1 bag
Pumpkin pie spice
Cream of Tartar
Vanilla
12 oz honey (a honey bear works great)
Sugar
Stevia sweetener
Dairy Section
Butter or Smart Balance margarine
Milk (at least 2 gallons)
one or two dozen eggs
Vanilla ice cream - 1 to 2 gallons
Sour Cream
Ready-to-bake grand dinner rolls, 3 or more packages (enough for 3 per person)
4 pre-made pie crusts. Get the refrigerated pie crusts to use with glass pie pans (preferred) or get the frozen pie crusts in a deep dish aluminum pie pan.
Frozen Foods
2 lbs of frozen fruit for the jam
Birdseye Steamfresh frozen vegetables
Beverages (in addition to milk)
Sparkling juice
Sparkling water
French roast coffee
Red wine
Root beer (1 case or pony keg)
Beer
Miscellaneous
Salt & Pepper
loaf of bread or two (for leftover turkey sandwiches)
Foil
Zip-lock freezer bags
Camera
Deck of cards
Board Games
Table settings: centerpiece, napkins, candles
Cleaning supplies
Empty jam jars
# OUR FAMILY THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS
IN 2024 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN PALM SPRINGS WITH:
Thirty-three family members and friends attended our gathering at Jake Wade & Rob Donovan's villa in Palm Springs, including: Tom & Mary Heston, Matthew Heston, Michael Heston, Brooke Heston, Harvey Heston, Sophia Heston, Cecilia Heston, Alexander Heston, Fred Wade, Scot Wade, Tom Simplot, Jake Wade, Rob Donovan, Bill Donovan & Alba Conte, Mary Coucher, Kirk Fredrik, Braden Coucher, Audra Ewert, Joe Coucher, Maria Mollison, Monty Tripp & Don Wolfensberger, Bruce & Maribeth Roberts, Holly & Lyman Smith, Miles Smith & Femka, Sadie Smith, Mike & Donna Kuratli.
IN 2023 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Tom & Mary Heston
Matt Heston & Inga Laurent
Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston
... and our friends at Huffin' for the Stuffin' Turkey Trot
IN 2022 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Tom & Mary Heston
Matt Heston & Inga Laurent (now married!)
Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston
... and our friends at Huffin' for the Stuffin' Turkey Trot
IN 2021 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Tom & Mary Heston
Matt Heston & Inga Laurent
Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston
Jerry Heston (on the 24th)
IN 2020 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Tom & Mary Heston
Matt Heston & Inga Laurent
Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston
IN 2019 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Tom & Mary Heston
Matt Heston & Inga Laurent
Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston
Alex Heston
Alfred C "Jerry" Heston
Alfred C Heston Jr
... and our corgi Dozer
IN 2018 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN SPOKANE WITH:
Tom & Mary Heston
Matt Heston
Alfred C "Jerry" Heston
Alfred C Heston Jr
Beth Merck
Tim Merck
Jon Merck
... and our dogs Dozer and Zilla
IN 2017 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN SPOKANE WITH:
Tom & Mary Heston
Matt Heston
Alex Heston
Alfred C "Jerry" Heston
Alfred C Heston Jr
... and our dogs Dozer and Zilla
IN 2016 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN GOLDENDALE WITH:
Klickitat Valley Health patients and hospital staff
IN 2015 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Deaconess Medical Center patients and hospital staff
IN 2014 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING AT SEASIDE WITH:
Fred Wade
Gail Wade
Scot Wade
Jake Wade
Barbara Mollison
Mary Coucher
Joe Coucher
Tom Heston
Mary Heston
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alexander Heston
Tom Simplot
Brooke Bradford
IN 2013 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Mary Heston
Tom Heston
Mike Heston
Alexander Heston
Cecilia Heston
Matt celebrated Thanksgiving working
... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla
IN 2012 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Mary Heston
Tom Heston
Alexander Heston
Matt Heston
Cecilia Heston
Mike celebrated Thanksgiving in Germany
... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla
... and our friends at the Silver Valley Turkey Trot
IN 2011 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Tom Heston
Mary Heston
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alexander Heston
... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla
IN 2010 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN THE UAE WITH:
Tom Heston
Mary Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alexander Heston
Mike celebrated Thanksgiving with the Mercks in Spokane
Matt celebrated Thanksgiving with the Mollisons in Portland
IN 2009 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN IDAHO WITH:
Tom Heston
Mary Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alexander Heston
.... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla
Matt was in Portland
IN 2008 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN DELAWARE WITH:
Tom Heston
Mary Heston
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alexander Heston
Andrea Pardoe
Dave Pardoe
Matt Pardoe
Ian Pardoe
... and our pets Dozer Heston and Steeler Pardoe
IN 2007 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN IDAHO WITH:
Alex Heston
Cecilia Heston
Mike Heston
Matt Heston
Mary Heston
Tom Heston
... and our pets, Dozer and Lightning
IN 2006 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN IDAHO WITH:
Mary Heston
Tom Heston
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alex Heston
Fred Wade
Gail Wade
Scot Wade
Barbara Mollison
Robert Coucher
Mary Coucher
Margaret Coucher
Joe Coucher
... and our pets Dozer and Lightning
IN 2005 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN SEATTLE WITH:
Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alex Heston
Julie & Rod Younker (aunt and uncle), and their son Ryan (cousin)
Connie & Jerry Heston (grandparents)
Dave, Dave & Suzy (friends)
IN 2004 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alex Heston
IN 2003 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alex Heston
Fred & Gail Wade (grandparents)
IN 2002 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alex Heston
Fred & Gail Wade (grandparents)
IN 2001 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alex Heston
Jerry & Connie Heston (grandparents)
IN 2000 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:
Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children
Matt Heston
Mike Heston
Cecilia Heston
Alex Heston
Jerry & Connie Heston (grandparents)
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