By 1879, thanksgiving was held but at different times. Then after World War One, it occurred with Armistice Day in November. But our real stat holiday was in January 31 1957 when the Canadian Parliament proclaimed it to be a day of honouring our thanks to God and would occur the 2nd Monday of every October.
Harvest home! The celebration actually connects with the European roots of celebrating the harvest. Celts apparently celebrated a harvest festival over 2000 years ago. Quite fitting that many modern Canadians can claim some Celtic lineage!
Besides being a day off work, it is a fun weekend of outdoor and indoor activities. Some close up their cottages, some go to a farm to pick up a pumpkin and other vegetables but mostly a feast of a meal.
Turkey with all the trimming- turkey stuffed with a bread stuffing, cranberries made into a sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, sweet potato, mushrooms, broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts and to satisfy the guys some Italian sausage. Dessert with a pumpkin pie and whipping cream, apple pie and vanilla ice cream and some pumpkin shaped cookies for the kids. Your choice of beverage.
Some of my favourite memories are watching my mother cook the dinner with the excitement that other family would be coming. My Uncle Norman, Auntie Lynn and cousin Pam were usually the family coming. My mother would make turnips too along with frozen corn and peas. We do not eat turnip now. If out somewhere I would eat it.
At school we would make Thanksgiving decorations. However, pilgrims were included which had nothing to do with the Canadian Thanksgiving. Only in America and that's in November.
Church altars would include a cornucopia of items. Celebrating the harvest. Celebrating for all that we can be grateful.
#gratefulforthanksgiving#cranberries#thanksgivingdinner#canadianthanksgiving#thereisahistoryforaCanadianThanksgiving
so many good things to share with family on Thanksgiving!
ReplyDelete