To Grandmother’s house we go,The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow.
Oh!
Everyone's singing along, right? Right! We all know this song!
But seriously, who in the world goes to their grandmother's house in a horse-drawn sleigh?
When my brothers and I were young and first heard the "Over the River" song, we wondered why the words didn’t mention the part where we drove through that long, dark tunnel under the airport. So we made up our own lyrics.
Hop on the freeway And drive through the tunnel
To grandmother's house we go,
Dad knows the way
In our Chevrolet,
And into the city we go.
Oh!
Yes, that's more like it!
And snow? We didn't know anyone who drove through snow. No comprende! We grew up in Southern California, near the beach. I didn’t see snow until I was … well, much older.
My dear husband, who grew up in Buffalo, New York, still teases me about the first time I saw snow falling. It was my first trip to his hometown and looking out the airplane window, 
I saw all this sparkly, shiny, colorful fairy dust flying in the air. It was beautiful! I asked him what it was, and he laughed and said, "That's snow." ("You idiot." No, he didn't add that part, but believe me, it was clearly implied in his tone.) I insisted that what we were looking at couldn't be snow. "No, it's too sparkly. It looks like fairy dust to me," I said.
I saw all this sparkly, shiny, colorful fairy dust flying in the air. It was beautiful! I asked him what it was, and he laughed and said, "That's snow." ("You idiot." No, he didn't add that part, but believe me, it was clearly implied in his tone.) I insisted that what we were looking at couldn't be snow. "No, it's too sparkly. It looks like fairy dust to me," I said. You'll all be happy to know that I successfully repressed the memory of his response.
So ... Where are you going for the holiday? How are you getting there? Will there be snow?
So ... Where are you going for the holiday? How are you getting there? Will there be snow?
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!
79 comments:
again ?
Hi Kate,
Happy ThanksGiving to you ! and to All that celebrate it :)
We're going to my MIL's house next month. With my boy and of course my DH :)
this is our first time to come down to southern part of Sumatera. so it will be no 'snow' there. Infact, i've never seen snow in my whole life *grins*
Had bought the airplane tickets for three of us.
Oh, man, I was SOOOO close!
Kate, I have to laugh. You seem to end up with all the Holiday posts! I think you're down to do Christmas day too, aren't you? Loved your post. I must say the whole Thanksgiving theme seems mighty exotic to me. We don't celebrate it down here. Our holiday for eating lots and lots and getting together with family is Christmas.
I fantasised about snow all my young life too. Here in subtropical Queensland we don't see it either. First time I saw it, I was 24 and in London. Went out and danced and carried on like a loon, which rather bamboozled the locals. This soft white stuff that came from the sky seemed so magical to me! After living with it for a couple of months, it just struck me as a nuisance. It's really dangerous in town where it melts and re-freezes and becomes as slippery as, well, ice! That transition always makes me think of the Joni Mitchell song Both Sides Now. You know, I've looked at snow from both sides now...
Mariska, really! People are talking!! LOL! Hope you and the Golden One -- and of course, your family! -- have a happy holiday! Sounds like you have a lovely holiday planned.
And you've never seen snow? I know just how you feel! It was a completely foreign subject for most of my life, too. :-)
Oh Anna, you was robbed!! That Mariska is a wiley one!
Hey, I do seem to have all the holidays, don't I? LOL.
And hmm, I seem to have completely forgotten that not everyone in the universe celebrates Turkey Day! Ah, well ...
Hey, you never saw snow either? Isn't it the oddest thing, first time you see it? It really does sparkle! But you're right, after a while, what a nuisance. And you'll notice my darling husband got the heck out of Buffalo as soon as he could and headed for sunny California! Oops, not that I don't love Buffalo, I do, but all that snow....I don't know how they make it through some winters, just sayin'. ;-)
hi kate! hello bandita friends! congrats mariska! happy thanksgiving everyone! :D
great post! i've never ever seen snow either. i'm going to stay home this holiday season and have a hawaiian christmas. no snow--just lots of sun and most probably rain.
anna, i have to tell you. i finally had some tim tams. remember when you were at the borders blog and you were offering it was one of the giveaway prizes? i was so sad when i didn't win b/c i wanted to try them... then the other day i saw them at my local grocery store and i had to try 'em. oh man, they are sooo GOOD! i'm hooked! sorry, i just wanted to say thanks for introducing me to my new fave snack :D
have a great rest of the week everyone and stay safe during Black Friday LOL
The weather is going to be pretty nice on Thanksgiving and we're thinking of going to see the Macy's parade. I am hoping for a white Christmas. It's been a while since we've had one.
Michelle, hey, cool on the Tim Tams! You can see what all the fuss is about now, can't you? Thanks for swinging by! That Borders blog was great fun, wasn't it? I still think Tim Tams should sponsor my next U.S. trip ;-)
Congrats again Mariska have fun with him
Kate
What a fun post Happy Thanksgiving to all who celbrate.
I never saw snow either till I was 18 and went on a holiday down to the Snowy Mountains here in NSW and I loved it. I have been there a couple of times since but not as often as I would like to.
I am so looking forward to Christmas and watching my grandchildren with their presents from Santa. Now if only I could get myself organized and get some shopping done LOL. I am not going away anywhere but I am having 11 days off work which I am looking forward too.
I have made 3 Christmas cakes I still have 3 more to go and never enough time LOL.
Have Fun
Helen
...the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh....
Hi Kate! Congrats, Mariska..if I were the GR, I'd keep a low profile just in case the turkey doesn't turn out!
We're having T-day (aka National Food Coma Day) at our house. Some snow would be be great as long as I don't have to put chains on the car. My husband has taken a sudden interest in brining turkeys and spent the evening trying to brine the turkey...and then he's going to attempt to smoke it on the barbecue. I'm not worried though...I have a back up turkey coming from his uncle's restaurant. :) I'm extra excited this year because only my fun cousins will be here along with my roommates from college. Okay...going back to work on my floral centerpieces.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Fairy dust! That's so sweet, Kate. Lovely post!
Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving and safe travels wherever you may be.
The first time I saw snow was in Tasmania (the southernmost part of Australia) when I was on honeymoon. Since then, I've seen small flurries in New Zealand and Japan, but I'd love to take the boys to Germany or North American somewhere cold so they can play and make snowmen. It looks like so much fun!
Kate, as someone who lives 90 miles away from Buffalo (and gets hit with plenty of lake effect snow) I'm LOL at your description of snow *g*
It snowed once last month but other than that, it's been unseasonably warm here. Although, we are to get snow Friday. Just in time for my sister, daughters and I to make our annual Black Friday Shopping Trip :-)
My brother and his wife always host Thanksgiving and since all of us kids live in the same town where we grew up, it's an easy trip *g*
My family is all gathering at my folks' home--as we have done for the last 25 years since my grandma passed away. As far out in the country as she and Gramps lived, it would have been a perfect Currier and Ives Thanksgiving/Christmas card picture.
There have been some years with no snow and then there have been some years with LOTS of SNOW---pack our overnight bags in case we have to spend the night at Gram and Gramps' kind of snow.
It is supposed to snow 1 or 2 inches tonight and only a trace tomorrow.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wow, Mariska, you & the GR are going to end up going steady here soon. :-)
And thanks, Kate, for a great topic today. We're actually not going anywhere for the holidays. As a kid we didn't have family nearby and plane travel was prohibitively expensive for a family of six so we were always on our own for the holidays unless somebody came to us.
Now, though, I have two families within a days' (or so) drive, so I actually had to work out a schedule. We do a three year rotation--one year for my husband's family, one year for mine, then one year just for us here at home.
This is a treasured AT HOME year. My husband's family is coming for Christmas but we're staying HOME. We'll go to services at our church, let our kids be in the pageant, wake up in their own house on Christmas morning. We'll watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on our little TV in our little kitchen while we cook.
Can you tell I'm looking forward?
Okay, speaking of doing the holidays at home, I'm off. There are pies to bake today!
Congrats again, mariska!
Oh! I never knew what came after the "to grandmother's house we go" part! :D
No holiday for me. Our Thanksgiving was last month. I don't THINK we're going anywhere for Christmas but I could be wrong. Thanksgiving Day in the US is actually tomorrow, right?
I grew up with snow. The thought of winter without snow is just weird to me(though, I could do without all the backbreaking shovelling). I find it disappointing if we don't get a white Christmas.
We stay home for the holidays. Is it still true that Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday of the year (in the US)? It's the comforts of home for us!
Good morning everyone!
Hi Michelle! Wow, staying at home for the holidays when you live in Hawaii sounds so lovely. I hope the weather cooperates and you have lots of beautiful days.
Tim Tams are amazing, aren't they????? ;-)
Hey Jane, we'll be watching the Macy's parade on TV, so we'll look for you! :-)
Hope you get your pretty white Christmas!
Anna, I know you'll have that Tim Tams deal hammered down by summer.
I picture a company rep, following you everywhere you go, handing out packs of TT's to everyone you meet and greet. That's the way to work it!
Hi Helen! Here I was, thinking I was the only person who'd never seen snow while growing up. Good to know I'm not alone!
Also good to know I'm not the only one who hasn't started their shopping yet. ;-)
Your Christmas plans sound delightful. There's nothing better than having the little ones around, sharing the excitement of the holiday. Have fun!
Hi Pink, I hope your DH's brining/smoking turkey plans work out. But it's always smart to have a backup turkey plan. ;-)
Now that I think about it, I've had turkey brined, smoked, deep fried ... it's always great!
Sounds like you're going to have a good group together for the holiday. Have fun!!
Hello, Madame! Your boys would have so much fun playing in the snow and making a snowman! And you could watch them from inside the house, warm adn toasty by the fire, sipping a hot toddy ... hmm? Sounds like the perfect family holiday to me!
LOL Beth! I'm sure anyone who's lived through lake effect snow is snorting derisively at my fairy tale version of snow! :-)
Have a fabulous holiday at home--and good luck with the Black Friday sales! I know a little snow won't slow you down!
Over the river, and through the wood
Now Grandmothers cap I spy
Hurray for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurray for the pumpkin pie
I know there's a lot of other verses between the first stanza on the blog and the last above - but I don't know them. We kids did know the stanza that mentions pie, though (grin).
Hope everyone has a great, safe and fulfilling Thanksgiving - that turkey won't be the only thing stuffed! Family comes to my house in Ohio for the holiday. Usually there's no snow, but we've gotten socked with an early storm from time to time. I'm thinking the forecast is for flurries here - or rain turning to snow (the worse), but accumulations should be light this time of year.
I grew up with winter snow in Maryland. Can't imagine living as a kid without snowmen, snowball battles, snow forts, attempts at sking down a neighbor's hill, ice-skating... As a kid, snow is magical. As an adult - I'm ready to move in with Kate!
Wow, Deb, your holidays with your grandparents sound like the real Currier and Ives lifestyle!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday -- with just the right amount of snow. :-)
I'm home, Kate, and will be bandita in residence here tomorrow.
Mariska, you're developing quite a streak with the bird!
Anna, better luck next time!
Congrats mariska on the rooster!
I guess we will be going to my MIL tomorrow for Thanksgiving! I will have to prepare some dishes to take today! She just lives a few blocks away! This weekend I will cook a dinner for my family. I always do the Thanksgiving dinner because its around my sister's birthday and we combine it. I always do it the weekend after Thanksgiving because her birthday is first part of December. My sister cooks the Christmas dinner on Christmas eve.
Their saying we may get a little snow tomorrow! I don't care much about it myself! I hate snow if I have to get out! Everyone have a great weekend!
Again, Mariska!!?? You're on a roll, girl!
Ah, snow is magical isn't it, Kate? Unless, of course, you have to shovel it daily, can't start your car because the engine's too cold or have to scrap the frost off your windshield. That's not to mention to slipping and sliding on the roads! We lived in Idaho for four years where it actually snowed once in June!!
Still it's a beautiful place to visit.
We're having a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home, just the two of us -- quite a change from our usual crowd.
Kate, I love your parody of the song!
My mom's family all lived in the Carolinas, so we had lots of family gatherings when I was growing up. One of my dad's brothers lived in Florida. We visited them every summer, but the rest of his family was spread all over.
The dh grew up in Colorado's Front Range, where snow was a regular occurrence, sometimes as late in the year as May or as early as September. He keeps making noises about wanting to take the boy out there in the winter, let him go tobogganing down the hill (with a frozen pond at the bottom--not a great idea in my galaxy, but he survived it, so I guess the boy will) and see a "real winter," but of course we can't predict whether there'll be snow on a given occasion.
Not going any where until I have to pick up kiddo in Knoxville over the weekend and unless something weird happens, there will be no snow. Thank goodness! Grew up with snow, happy to never see snow again. At least not in huge amounts.
As a kid, we lived with my grandmother, so pretty much traveling down the hall was the only journey needed. LOL!
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Kate, the only problem with that is I think the Tim Tams would completely outstage me! ;-)
Happy Thanksgiving, all!
I'm staying home tomorrow, but most of the family will gather here. I've been baking pies today, so the house already has that holiday smell.
I saw snow as a kid, but it was rare and usually only flurries. We did go over a river, and we always sang the Thanksgiving song enthusiastically as we drove less than twenty miles to my maternal grandparents' house. There's a line in the song about spying grandmother's cap too. I remember that particularly because we equated cap with baseball cap and the image of our dignified grandmother in a baseball cap struck us as side-splittingly funny.
Like your comparison of the two so different journeys. I go on holiday by plane as home is many thousand miles away.
Steamy Darcy
GREAT post, Kate!
I grew up in So Cal too so didn't see snow until I was 14 and we went to visit my cousins in Tehachapi.
It has snowed here in Sactown exactly twice in the past 30 years, and that's the way I like it. :-P I only have to drive a little over an hour to see all the snow I want and then some. HATE driving in it.
My very best experience with snow was the first time the DH and I visited Santa Fe (about 16 years ago). We arrived late at night and when we woke up the next morning, a fresh blanket of about 4 inches of snow covered everything. It was truly a wonderland (until we had to drive in it).
I'll be here in the Lair tomorrow along with Nancy for anyone who wants to drop by for a hot toddy.
AC
Hey Susan, I hope you're enjoying the pie baking today. Bet it smells good in your house!
And I swear I could hear the joy in your voice as I read your words describing your stay at home holiday! :-)
We're at home, too. It's joy--even when our laundry room sink blew a hose this morning and we had to mop up the mess with every towel in the house.
Cause of course, we could have been GONE when it happened. And that would have been a Thanksgiving nightmare.
So I am so, so happy to be here. :)
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Hi Pissenlit! I hope your Thanksgiving last month was a good one! And I guess if you're used to having snow at Christmas, it just wouldn't be Christmas without it. So I'm wishing you a lovely white Christmas!
Claudia, it sounds like you'll be warm and snug at home tomorrow. Have a wonderful day!!
Ooh Donna, I really like the pumpkin pie verse. I'll have to remember that one. :-)
And you're welcome to come on out! Please do! Actually, we're traveling to my mom's tomorrow and she lives in the desert, so it'll be even warmer than usual. Bring your bathing suit! *g*
That's right, Nancy, you've got holiday detail this year! I'll try to stop by and say hello, once I get to my mum's house.
Your dh's version of a "real" Christmas is making me shiver!!! But I'm sure the boy would love it!
Hi Virginia, hope you have a wonderful holiday with lots of good food! Sounds like you don't have too far to travel, which is nice. And I hope there's not too much snow to slow you down. :-)
LOL Jo! Yes, you've obviously spent some time living in the snow! And thanks for the warning, just in case I ever thought seriously about moving ...
Spending a quiet holiday with just the two of you sounds really appealing. I hope it's wonderful for you. :-)
Hi Terri! I'm sending good thoughts heading your way that nothing weird happens on your travels. *g*
LOL on traveling down the hall to grandmother's!
I hope everyone has a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. We are going to my sister's house tomorrow. She lives about 40 min. away, so it's an easy trip.
We trade off hosting each year, but we both make LOTS of goodies. Bring on the carb induced coma!
Terri, I hope you have the snow-free Thanksgiving you desire. :-)
Mariska, no snow ever? Wow. I mean, I guess not, living where you live. I just had never stopped to think about the two.
I hope your trip goes smoothly.
Michelle, you saw Tim Tams at your local store? Is it a chain? Which chain? You lucky!
Anna Campbell wrote: I still think Tim Tams should sponsor my next U.S. trip ;-)
As much publicity as you give them, I think they should, too.
Oh, Gillian, I feel your pain. We awoke at 3 a.m. some years back to the sound of water spraying. One of the newly installed bathroom pipe connections had come loose (the hot water pipe, of course), and the pipe was spraying hot water all over the bathroom.
Like you, we were glad to be there for damage control, but it was still a pain!
Oh Janga, I had a very proper grandmother, too, and I can't imagine her ever wearing a baseball cap! LOL
Your house must smell like heaven with all those pies baking!
For years, I was the grandmother who hosted the holidays, before that it was my MIL's honor. Nowadays our 1969-sized home just doesn't handle the family we have grown to. Most of the holidays are enjoyed at Son #2's home in The Woodlands, north of the city. The rest of the family comes in from Spring, Tomball, and all the
way from near downtown Houston! And we will all be driving! Unless
there is a miracle, we won't be
seeing snow in Houston tomorrow!!
Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!
Pat Cochran
Hi Enid, thanks for visiting. Have a whonderful, safe holiday!
Happy holiday, Aunty Cindy!! Wow, that view in Santa Fe sounds breathtaking. Even without snow, it's gorgeous. But yeah, driving in the stuff? Oy, not so much. :-0
Ooh, hoping to get a break tomorrow so I can stop by for a hot toddy! See you then!
Oh Gillian, how awful! I'm sorry that's how your day started but I hope it got a lot better from there.
Of course in my house, that's the only way the floor gets mopped.
Kidding!!
Have a wonderful holiday. You deserve it. :-)
Hi Gannon, thanks for stopping by today! And a very Happy Carb-Induced Coma Day to you!! LOL
Hey Kate! I've always loved the first heavy snowfall of the year. Living in Ohio as a child, that sometimes would be around Thanksgiving. I wish I was going home for the holiday to see my parents, sister and her family, but alas, it is too far!
So, we're having dinner at my house with all the kids and grandkids, (two of whom were mere twinkles in their parents' eyes last Thanksgiving!).
We'll have the traditional turkey with our traditional oyster stuffing, country style green beans, corn casserole, and cranberry relish, (cranberries, jello, apples, celery and walnuts...sort of like a tart chutney). My oldest daughter made up a recipe last year for maple-pecan-sweetpotato casserole and will bring that. My younger daughter will bring her traditional caramel apple pie...(to die for!). And my son brings the movie for after dinner! (Hey, everyone should have to contribute!)
Every so often, we hear about someone who has no plans for the holidays and the kids invite them over. Haven't heard about any last minute add-ins, but they will be welcome if they show up!
Hi Pat, good to see you here today! Wow, it sounds like you've got a BIG, fun family gathering in store tomorrow. Hope it's a wonderful day!! With no snow, of course. ;-)
Whoops, forgot to mention my new tradition...instead of pumpkin pies, I made a pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust!! Yummo!
And Jo...You and Dr. Big could hop a plane and join us, I've got an extra bed and extra chairs!!
Suz, what a wild and wonderful party you're going to have! All that food sounds simply fabulous and I know it'll taste even better than it sounds! And this year you'll have a new little darling joining y'all at the table. How wonderful. I wish you and your family a beeeeyootiful holiday!
Wishing all my US buddies a very Happy Thanksgiving. I'll be celebrating the holiday with my family of the heart: both two-legged and four-legged. ;-)
Hi Kate! I love the story about snow -- VBG! I never associated snow with fairy dust. I just associated it with cold...and dark...brrrr....stlll, the first snowfall of the year is always magical. I don't care how many times you've seen it.
We travel three houses down the block for Thanksgiving, so it's a pretty easy commute. I'll be sending out good travel vibes to everyone braving the road, rails, and skies today!
Happy Turkey Day everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving, Banditas and Buddies!
Unfortunately I have to work tomorrow so I am missing Thanksgiving at my SIL's darn it. My Mom has been cooking for days and I won't even get a bite.
I have the ingredients for my own small feast and my four-legged family will definitely be willing to help me put a dent in it!
One of these days I hope to have a profession that insures I don't have to work on holidays!!
Safe travel, safe holiday and blessings to everyone! Now, back to my GH entry which STILL isn't finished!
Our holiday for eating lots and lots and getting together with family is Christmas.
Um, ours is too...that's why America invented the show "The Biggest Loser", LOL
It's just gonna be me and my turkey...and Stove Top Stuffing...blech.
I had several wonderful friends invite me and I was so appreciative....
But ....it's hard when you don't know anybody else in their family. Some twisted little bit of me feels like an intruder. So it's me, and Macy's and turklet...
Sigh...where'd I put that tiny individual apple pie.....
Louisa, I hope you got that entry out!
I'm sorry you're missing turkey day. I miss the days when stores took actual holidays.
Claudia, I think it is still true that Thanksgiving is the biggest travel day. We flew out to Colorado for Thanksgiving with the dh's family when we were first married. Our flight out, Thanksgiving morning, wasn't bad. The airport wasn't crowded, though the plane was full.
Coming back on Sunday was horrible, though!
Kate, writing that comment about travel and the holiday to Claudia reminded me it was snowing that Thanksgiving. Our flight sat on the ground in Knoxville for a couple of hours while they decided whether we could go on to Denver or had to turn around.
Eventually, we headed for Denver. Stapleton was still the airport back then, and it had one runway open. After we'd circled for a while, the pilot came on to explain this, concluding, "There are two planes ahead of us, and then it'll be our turn to try."
Try? People looked at each other. "Did he say 'try?'" The plane got very quiet.
A few minutes later, the pilot came back on and said, "It has been brought to my attention that I used the word 'try' about landing. I did not mean 'try.' We will be landing at Stapleton in a few minutes."
Ever since, "Then it'll be our turn to try" has been a catch phrase between the dh and me.
His brother met us at the airport and drove us up into the snow-covered mountains. The trees were laden in white, and everything was beautiful. I'd never had a Thanksgiving with snow!
PinkPeony - "National Food Coma Day?"
I love it!
AC, you're keeping me company tomorrow! And with hot toddies. Yay!
Joan, you can come down here . . .
Hi PJ! I I hope you and your two- and four-legged friends have an absolutely fabulous holiday!
Hi Kirsten! I know you know all about Buffalo and snow, but I have to explain, I was inside the plane looking out, and the little flurries were sparkling in the red and green lights of the plane, and it was really just magical. I soon found out how freaking COLD such magic could be! LOL
Sounds like you've got a pretty short commute to dinner. Enjoy!!
Oh Louisa, I can't believe you've got to work! I hope they're paying you mucho overtime!
And hey, maybe your mom will save you a doggie bag of goodies. Of course, they might actually be for your doggies, so better double check. *g*
Now back to the book, young lady! Don't make me call Aunty for her riding crop...
Oh Joanie, don't tell me you're spending the day alone!
Of course, growing up in my family, the thought of spending the day alone was a wonderful dream ...
Kidding, mom!!
Hey, I'll be your partner on The Biggest Loser if you want to try out. NOT kidding. :-)
OMG, Nancy, "trying" to land the plane??? Seriously, don't these guys learn not to say this stuff in pilot school?? LOL
I'll try to stop by for hot toddies tomorrow!
Thanks for coming by today, y'all! Happy Thanksgiving to everybody celebrating!!
I know....I was watching The Biggest Loser special tonight and actually thought "I think I'll get a trainer"
Scared me so bad I ate two pieces of chocolate :-)
Seriously...if I can find a certified one with a decent rate....
AFTER leftovers :-)
Joan, I couldn't afford a trainer for a long period, but I've used one in six-week stints a couple of times, to help me get back in the groove. That worked.
Happy Thanksgiving, Banditas! I'm in Chicago, where my son's girlfriend just made her first turkey -- it was a veritable feast! It was odd but fun to watch someone else do all the work while I just washed dishes. We're about to decorate their Christmas tree. Hope you all had a wonderful day!
Post a Comment