In the late 1950s and early 1960s thanksgiving time meant lots and lots of heavy wet snow. The drifts, along our driveway - from shoveling snow, were 8 to 10 feet high! Yes! I have photos!
School was closed for a week. On Thanksgiving Day the family left early, bundled in blankets, and traveled 2 to 2.5 hours to Grandma's 1880s house. The speed limit was about 45 mph, but if the roads were bad the trip laster longer. There were no heated seats, no hi-tech car heater; just an on/off switch for heat and a fan. I suppose the heat came off the car engine, and no seat belts!
We had dinner with Dad's big family, and grandma's 2 boarders, on Thanksgiving Day. The usual fare was turkey, duck, and ham. Served with gravy from all 3 meats. Also homemade rolls, homemade whipped potatoes (made with real butter, whole milk and a little cream), homemade cranberry sauce with pieces or orange rind and fruit, and homemade variety of pie, cake and also salads. After lunch (or dinner, as Grandma called the noon meal), the adults would sip Grandpas homemade grape wine, and the kids would play.
At 6 pm (after sandwiches, cake and pie) our immediate family loaded back into the car and we drove 2.5 hours to the other grandparents 1910 brick house. Grandma W would serve us an evening snack and then bed us down for the night.
On Friday we would have another thanksgiving feast with mom's sister and brother and their families, and of course, grandma and grandpa W.
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