Not Another Blog About Your FAVORITE Thanksgiving Foods . . .

Have you ever noticed that the food our grandparents like is quite different than the younger crowd? It seems to me that ageism has crept its way into our food too.

Please, if you will, let me offer some delicious/disgusting (depending on your age!) examples:

1.) NOBODY under the age of 60 likes those fluffy desserts with mandarin oranges suspended in jello. Or worse yet, that mysterious tapioca dessert . . .

2.) Sticking with desserts, I've never really been a pie fan. My very unscientific observations over 26 years of family Thanksgivings would support my hypothesis that pies are a dessert past their prime. I assume this is because the young'uns prefer something with more sugar & chocolate. (I can't deny it--I could inhale a whole pan of brownies, but would pass on a piece of pie any day.--The only pie I've ever liked is strawberry rhubarb--made by my great-grandma Edna.) I imagine one of these days we'll have to change the our patriotic slogan, "As American as Apple Pie" to "As American as Rice Krispie Treats."

3.) Don't even get me started on the issue of TURKEY! There's no way you're ever going to find a kid or 20-something first in line for the gizzard or any other bird innards! EWW! EWW! EWW!

4.) Beets. Do I really need to explain this one?

5.) Mashed Potatoes. Everybody likes mashed potatoes, right? I mean, what's not to like?! Don't think I can find the ageism in mashed potatoes? You'd be wrong, my friend. I do believe the older you get, the thinner your mashed potatoes get. I swear, my great-grandma (same one, God rest her soul) used to blend her mashed potatoes--you could literally drink 'em if you wanted! Now, don't get me wrong here, I'm not asking for lumpy potatoes, but the blender?! Just doesn't seem necessary . . .

6.) Here's one that I do right alongside my dad & uncles . . . pe<span style="color:#996633;">pp</span>er! Lots & lots of pepper! Might as well unscrew the lid. I must be wise beyond my years! :)

7.) Ick, I hate this one . . . ANYTHING PICKLED! Why?! It must be an acquired taste. I'll leave it at that.

OK, enough with the actual foods. Moving on to eating styles/habits. I can't handle my food touching on the plate. No way, no how. Not happening. My dad on the other hand, will pile his foods on top of each other. "Dad, what are you doing?! Your stuffing is touching the mashed potatoes & the green bean casserole is on top of your pumpkin pie!" Dad: "Oh, Sara, who cares? That's how I like it. It's all going to mix in your stomach anyway." Me: "Eww! But, Dad, the pumpkin pie . . . the green bean casserole . . . the orange fluff on your dinner roll . . ." Honestly, he really does prefer it that way. And, he's not the only one. I've been watching, there are others out there just like him. I can't have them touch . . . at all. I get a new plate & silverware--& THEN, I switch from supper foods to desserts. It's only dignified! :)

I guess it's possible that it's just a matter of time & we'll get there too . . . mixing our foods, blending our potatoes, lining up for dibs on the turkey gizzard. (Yeah, you're right, I'm not kidding anybody . . .) :)

So, this brings up a major problem. What are we going to do if this is the way we go through food fads? Will we go through foods like we do fashion--will we someday look at beets & orange fluff as "retro-cool" or "couture"? Will the future come to say, "That sandwich is soo yesterday"? Or "summer squash is the new cauliflower"?

Whatever you do, don't pass on the sweet potatoes! (Yeah, I used to be appalled at the idea, then I tried 'em 2 years ago . . . my NEW favorite Thanksgiving food!) I guess some things know no age. :)

Champs of SW Iowa!

Just a super quick post here . . . nothing BIG, just a little thing the guys & gals at St. Albert HS in Council Bluffs & the Vikings (& Viqueens!) of Stanton HS like to call a

HS

FOOTBALL

STATE

CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

Congratulations on bringin' the trophy to your hometown!

It's a good day to be a Falcon or a Viking! Be proud!

Be Thankful!

Be thankful.

Not just at this time of year, but as often as possible. It doesn't hurt to share the things you're thankful for with others either.

Here's my list (no, not of everything--but of the things that have struck me this week) :

1. Manners/Politeness: It isn't required; you don't have to be polite--but gosh, it sure makes life more pleasant! :) I have run into some of the nicest guidance office ladies this week down in KC. It's amazing how nice it is to have someone genuinely say: "It's so good to have you here. How are you, Sara? When do you get back home? Have a great Thanksgiving!" Pretty simple, really. And, today at lunch, the waitress was extra-nice. Sure, it could have all been about the tip (or the fact that I looked pretty pathetic in that big booth all by myself), but I doubt it. She asked where I worked, did I graduate from Simpson, how long I've been in town, if someone has pointed me toward the best shopping, etc. It can be that easy.

2. The Weather: Maybe it's global warming, but this week has been uncommonly mild & beautiful for mid-November! I'm known for never wearing a jacket--just my trusty scarf/pashmina from London & my glovtens, so this is wonderful!--(Glovtens: gloves on the inside, mittens on the outside!) I just hate being all bundled up with layers & a big old coat. I feel constricted & marshmallow-y!

3. Rockstar Professors at Simpson: Monday night a ton of Simpson professors volunteered their evening to call some of our accepted students. I don't think that's something you'd find just anywhere! :) Our professors are very passionate about their programs, so it's a perfect chance for them to spend a few minutes sharing their cool stories with prospective students.

4. Students Who Care: Simpson students have a lot on their plate--studying for exams, basketball practices, newspaper deadlines, reading for class, internships, theatre auditions, CAB meetings, music recitals . . . & much more. Yet, so many of them still make time to volunteer & serve others. I don't always know that they get the recognition they deserve. Friday I donated blood (something very important to me) at Simpson.--We hold numerous blood donation days throughout the school year & it's all run by students. Last week Simpson donated 133 pints--including 59 1st-time donors! What makes someone take time out of their busy schedule? I don't know, I'm just glad they do! And, as you probably read in Tiff's blog (awesome blog, Tiff!), a group of Simpson students braved the elements on Friday night to raise money & awareness for homelessness at Reggie's Sleep-Out. Every week Simpson students give of themselves in numerous capacities. Thank you!

5. A Big, Wonderful Family: I spent all weekend with family. Some might dread a weekend with extended family--if that's how you feel & you're ever in the area, come over to one of our get-togethers! :)

6. MapQuest; Olive Garden's Endless Soup, Salad & Breadsticks for $5.95; SATC Re-Runs: Enough said.

7. Best News of the Week: My favorite show from last spring just got picked up for another season--"October Road"! Starts November 22, watch it if you want to enjoy life!

8. Quadruple Alarm Clocks: Yep, my neuroticism extends beyond fountain pop--I am also a freak about over-sleeping. At home I have 3 alarms (2 cell phones plus the clock), in hotels I throw in the wake-up call from the front desk for good measure. Sure, 4 alarms going off at 6am makes me want to shove my head in a blackhole, but there's a certain security that I just must have. This thing--this thing people call an "internal alarm clock" is completely beyond my comprehension. Where do you get one?! I'll put it on my Christmas List . . . oh, wait, I'm 26, I don't get to do Christmas Lists anymore . . .

And, 9. has a catch: I'll be really thankful if when I get home tomorrow I find my green, beaded jewelry bag sitting on my coffee table. You see, Monday night when I got to my hotel room & started unpacking, I frantically realized it wasn't in my backpack . . . a nightmare to me! A) Because I truly feel naked without jewelry & couldn't possibly fathom a week in KC without accessories. B) Because, while most of my jewelry is odds 'n ends cheap Target or antique store finds, a few pieces are truly irreplaceable.--My mom's wedding ring (they're still married after 33 years; she has since upgraded!), the Meandros ring I got in Greece & the necklace pendant with my name in Greek lettering on the front & in English on the back. As soon as I noticed the jewelry bag was missing, I re-traced my steps through the hotel, the parking lot & searched my backseat, but to no avail. So, I'm hoping I absent-mindedly forgot it in the hussle of packing on Monday . . . I'll keep you posted! :: Everyone, please, relax--the green, beaded jewelry bag was just where I had left it. Life is good!

10. Blog Readers: If you read this blog, you rock. Even if you hate everything I say, think I'm the world's worst blogger EVER or don't know why I think anyone in the world might care about these mundane life musings . . . thanks for reading!