Thanksgiving Memories From Our Team

Alexandra — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:30:57 +0000

It’s almost the day that, regardless of creed, we all celebrate and give thanks.

I asked a few of our Gibson team members to write about their favorite Thanksgiving memories. Here is what they said:

“Growing up as the youngest child in my family (by so many years – I would almost say I was an only child) the holidays seemed dull. I would often think of how much fun it would be to have a big family – like some of my friends.

Strickland clan

Now that I am married Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We spend it with my husband’s family, which I love. Everyone comes to our farm in Virginia, where we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with a table set for 24, eleven of which are children. I love to see my four children enjoying time spent with their cousins, aunts and uncles. Our family travels from Connecticut, California, and Maryland and they arrive early in the week, and stay though the weekend. We play games, visit, and eat lots of good food. I am so very grateful to be able to spend this time with our family and create memories that will last generations.”

- Margie Strickland, Associate Director, Accounting Services

“Thanksgiving is the one time of year that every single person in my mother’s large family gathers together. For me, the best part of the holiday is the calm before the storm. When it’s just my immediate family in the kitchen, preparing the green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and stuffing. A few hours later, 26 hungry people, plenty of extra chairs, and non-stop conversation will crowd the house. Every crazy minute of it is great, but it’s that peaceful afternoon that I look forward to year after year.”

- Heather Bien, GDM Blogger Extraordinaire

(Photo from espn.com)

“When I was in 5th grade, we lived in Idaho and my mom, dad, and I traveled to New York (the big city!) for Thanksgiving. It was a great week for a 10 year old–eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Four Seasons, petting every carriage horse in line outside Central Park, and seeing the Rockettes at Radio City. We saw the Macy’s Day Parade live on the street and quickly realized that witnessing it on TV was much better considering the sub-arctic temperatures outside.”

- Alexandra Gibson, CEO

My favorite Thanksgiving memory doesn’t come from one day or moment, but is what I looked forward to every Thanksgiving of my childhood – delicious southern cuisine! I may be biased, but my grandmother was an expert when it came to southern comfort food. My favorite dish was always her corn pudding. It still surprises me when I hear that someone has never tried or even heard of the dish. If you haven’t ever enjoyed corn pudding at your Thanksgiving, below you can find the special recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! [Click here for printable recipe.]

2 eggs, large
1 cup sugar
2 tbs all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cup 2% milk
1 tsp baking powder
2 shakes salt
2 tbs cornmeal
2 (15.25oz) cans white shoepeg corn (drained)
½ stick butter
2 shakes pepper

Beat eggs, sugar, flour, milk, baking powder, salt, and cornmeal.
Add 2 cans of corn to the mixture.
Pour mixture into 9”x13” baking dish.
Slice ½ stick of butter and dot the top of the mixture with the pieces.
Sift pepper on top.
Bake at 350 F for 1 hour or until golden brown on top.

- Amanda Butterworth, Director, Creative Services

From Full Cry: A Hound Blog

“I loved waking up on Thanksgiving morning and going to the Blessing of the Hounds in Keswick, VA. The ceremony entails formally attired foxhunters, their horses and hounds, and a blessing for protection and thanksgiving for the harvest season. After the blessing my family would rush home and watch the Macy’s day parade.”

- Lolly Rush, Senior Associate, Member Services

“As a small child, and throughout my teen years, my family was rather small, consisting of my mother, father, two brothers and myself. My mother had immigrated from Australia, therefore her family was still in Australia. My father’s family was spread across many states, so it was just the 5 of us. Wonderful, cozy holiday memories, my father at the head of the table giving the blessing. As we all grew into adulthood, married, had children, he was still at the head of the table until his passing in 1993. What grief that first year, not quite knowing what to do, but that sadness has replaced by great joy, as my brothers, my husband, and now my son-in-law have each taken their turn at the head of our family table. We mark the years with the amazing growth of our family, now numbering 13, a very lucky number for us, as we are blessed and grateful to be together this season.”

- Martha Kirkpatrick, Director, Member Services

What are your favorite Thanksgiving memories?

Left Brains for Right Brains » Central Park

Thanksgiving Memories From Our Team