After the “train-wreck” with the pot holder, it was time to get on with making the dressing. Oh, by the way, the cornbread was fine.
We mix everything in the old aluminum dishpan that mother has had forever. It has been used for many things like washing dishes, cutting off corn, and mixing dressing.
We chop, mix, stir, mash,
…and pour!
We had dressing for three 13x9 pans.
We are seriously considering Cracker Barrel next year!
I had four black iron skillets filled with cornbread cooking….the first step for making dressing. My mother is the expert dressing-maker. I was almost out the door (going to get her) and Stan was going to “watch” the cornbread. Just one quick look before I left. Have mercy, have mercy…..smoke blinded me as I opened the oven. What in the world?? Dear God in heaven, I had left a pot holder in the oven and it had dropped down on the heating element.
I bought three of these pretty, provincial print pot holders…cooked one of them with the cornbread today!
I do it every year. Leaf through cookbooks, shuffle through kitchen drawers, go through a box of clipped recipes, finally retrieving a handful of old, dog-eared recipes for dishes our family always expects on the table every Thanksgiving. I don’t view this disorganization as a sign of being messy or untidy. No, I’m showing respect for family history. 
A yellowed slip of paper with a recipe written by my mother would not be the same on a fresh, white index card. Another memory is sparked as I find recipes shared by old friends written on the letterhead stationary of a bank where I used to work. My old, well used, Cotton Country cookbook is also a good friend during the holidays. 
I usually plan to eat around 1:00p.m. It ends up happening at noon. Everyone(20+ extended family members) comes early and stays late.
Mother’s cornbread dressing is the most anticipated dish. There is no recipe but I do know it must start with a “fresh, fat hen.” My husband, Stan, is usually in charge of the turkey. We like it smoked, so flavorful and tender it falls off the bone
Fresh cranberry congealed salad is enjoyed by most everyone except Josh(grandson)and Tommy(nephew) for whom we have a large dish of jellied cranberry sauce, fresh from the can!
Macaroni and cheese is required. 
An old crackled china gravy boat reminds us of my mother-in-law, Ma Ida, and the many times we gathered around her table. 
There’s nothing more special than family gathered around our table remembering how blessed we are.
Blessed to have our Mother’s hand to hold.
Happy Thanksgiving!
OUR THANKSGIVING MENU:
Smoked turkey
Cornbread dressing with giblet gravy
Fresh cranberry congealed salad
Relish tray
Creamed sweet corn
Fresh green beans
Macaroni and cheese
*Sweet potato casserole
Rolls/Iced tea
*Pecan pie and caramel cake
(this menu may be altered a little bit this year. Our nephew(Tommy)has invited us to his families’ lovely home)
MOTHER’S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
½ cup evaporated milk
½ cup melted margarine
Mix all ingredients with mixer until all lumps are gone.
Pour into casserole dish.
Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
l/2 cup flour
1/3 stick margarine(melted)
2/3 cup pecans(chopped)
Mix until crumbly. Put on top of casserole.
Bake at 300 degrees for 35 minutes.
MY FAVORITE PECAN PIE
3 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
Dash of salt
1 cup Karo syrup(I do ½ cup light and dark)
1/3 cup butter, melted or chopped up
1 cup pecan halves
1 (9inch) pie shell
Beat eggs thoroughly with sugar and salt.
Add syrup and butter, then pecans. Pour
into unbaked pie shell and bake for 50 minutes
on 350 degree oven or until knife comes out
clean after being inserted into pie.
…….to always buy white towels (and bed linens)
that only when I diet do I think about food continuously
that my energy level is not that of a 30 year old
that I should wear only one color at a time (top & bottom)
that the best jokes are ones I tell on myself
that it’s OK to say “No”
that I really do feel better when I get lots of rest
that my hair needs to be short and “dyed” (natural is not good at this stage of my life)
that I know myself better than anyone else does
that simple food is the best
that most people are doing the very best they can
I loved these shoes. I found them at T J Max and bought them on the spot. I felt good when I wore them. I called them my “sex in the city” shoes.
Two years and a knee replacement later…this is what it’s come to…..
It is not fun to shop for shoes any more!
Travis W. Parker retired from US Army as a Colonel. (Stan’s brother)
Tom Campbell (my Daddy)
He served in the US Army as WWII came to an end. He then served in Japan during the reconstruction.
Ab Sparks (our brother-in-law)
He served in US Army during WWII
Dan Parker (Stan’s brother) served during the Korean War.
Earl Mabe (my uncle) served during WWII.
Travis W. Parker 
F.L. (Bill) Parker (Stan’s brother) served in US Army during WWII.
Ab Sparks
William C.(Cliff) Parker (Stan’s brother)
He served in US Army during WWII.
Nat Parker(Stan’s brother) served in the US Army.
Carl Parker(Stan’s brother) served in the National Guard.
Sam Futrell (brother-in-law) served in the US Navy.
