Heston Family Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner



# THE MAIN COURSE

TURKEY: Cook according to instructions on the turkey wrapping. Be sure to buy a few days ahead of time in order to let it thaw. Use a roasting bag and foil pan. Cut open the roasting bag about an hour prior to serving. Using the roasting bag can cut down the cooking time by an hour or two.

GRAVY: Use the turkey gravy packets from the store, not juice from the turkey. One packet is enough for a dozen or so people. 

STUFFING: homemade or use Stove Top stuffing; do not stuff the bird but cook on top of the stove.

CRANBERRIES: get 2 cans of whole berry cranberry sauce




VEGETABLES

MASHED POTATOES: First, bake the potatoes, then mash and mix with whipped cream (not yet whipped). Keep warm in the oven.

STEAMED VEGETABLES: Steam using the microwave. Birds Eye Steamfresh brand works well.




# SALADS

BEAN SALAD

1 can each of: garbanzo beans, kidney beans, green beans, yellow beans

1 medium onion

1 small shallot

a small bunch of green onions

1-cup cider vinegar

1-cup honey

Drain and rinse all beans. Combine with diced onion and shallot. Cut up the white part of the green onions, and mix this in. Blend vinegar and honey thoroughly and pour over vegetables. Stir slowly to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate overnight. Do not use a metal bowl.

AMBROSIA

4 oz. sour cream

1-1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1-1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

1 can (12 oz) of pineapple chunks, drained

1 small can of mandarin oranges, drained

Juice of one lemon

2 medium sweet red apples, cored, cut into 1/2-inch dice

2 medium firm bananas cut into 1/3-inch slices

On Wednesday night, mix sour cream, coconut, and marshmallows in a bowl, stir well, cover, and refrigerate. Put mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks in the refrigerator.

On Thursday, just before serving, drain mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks and add to the sour cream mixture. Dice the apples, slice the bananas, and place them in a separate nonmetallic bowl. Cover the apples and bananas with lemon juice. Add the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle top with a small amount of coconut. Serve immediately in individual cups rather than in a large serving bowl on the table. 




# SIDE DISHES & MISCELLANEOUS

ROLLS: follow instructions on the pre-made roll package; enough for 3 per person. Get the Grands style of rolls, not crescent rolls

RASPBERRY JAM: On Wednesday or earlier, add a pound of sugar to a pound of fruit. Raspberries work well. Blackberries may need extra sugar, or mix 50/50 with raspberries. Boil the fruit for half an hour. Mix in 1 packet of gelatine while cooking and then a second packet when you take the jam off of the stove. Pour into jars, then refrigerate. Raspberry jam requires less sugar because of its natural sweetness.

TANGERINES

BUTTER, SALT, PEPPER 




# DESSERT

PUMKIN PIE: Make according to the recipe on the can or use the recipe here. Use pre-made piecrusts and deep-dish glass pans. Make at least 2 pies for 6 people (1/3rd of a pie per person).

Mix Together:

30 oz can of pumpkin pie mix or a 30-oz can of pure pumpkin 

2 cans (24 oz in total) condensed milk

2 eggs

1 tbsp of pumpkin pie spice ( = 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg)

If you get a can of pure pumpkin only (not the pie mix) you may want to add:

1-1/2 cups of sugar

2 more eggs (for a total of 4)

Pour into two glass deep dish pans using the refrigerated, unbaked pastry pie shells (preferred) or frozen pre-crusted aluminum deep dish pans. Bake for 15 minutes at 425 F, then reduce the temperature to 350 F and continue baking for an additional 35 to 45 minutes until the knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

WHIPPED CREAMBuy the cartons, not pre-whipped. Add 1 tbsp of sugar, 1/2-tsp of vanilla. Whip just before dinner and put in the refrigerator. By the end of dinner, it should be well chilled but not frozen. Make enough for dinner only, as the whipped cream does not save.

ROOT BEER FLOATS




# BEVERAGES

SPARKLING JUICE: Get the non-alcoholic sparkling juice that is in the champagne bottle. To save money, make your own by mixing sparkling water with frozen juice concentrate.

MILK

SPARKLING WATER: Get a couple of liters of sparkling water

WINE: Get Merlot & Chardonnay. Smoking Loon brand is good. Boxed wine is OK if expecting a large number of guests.

COFFEE: French roast is best.

BEER: Budweiser or similar light ale is always appropriate. Keg beer is best if possible.

ROOT BEER: Thomas Kemper, 1/6 keg, if available; otherwise, get diet root beer. 




# PRAYERS

PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2023

It’s a two-part word:

We say Thanks, then start Giving.

Sharing our blessings.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2022

Full of gratitude

We thank our community

God's greatest blessing.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2021

We are together

With our friends and family

Forever grateful.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2020

Ever so thankful

We celebrate all of life

Together again.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2019

We are so thankful

For the people everywhere,

Family and friends


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2018

He gave everything

So we could experience

Life to the fullest.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2017

Our feast celebrates

The time we have together

It's lifes' greatest joy.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2016

(working in Goldendate, celebrated with Klickitat Valley Health community)


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2015

(working at Deaconess, celebrated with Deaconess Medical Center community)


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2014

We all celebrate

the family together.

It gives us great joy.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2013

All the Family

together at the table

giving Thanks to God.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2012

We say our prayers

to express our gratitude

for what's been given.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2011

Everyone is home

With laughter comes our friendship

This is Thanksgiving.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2010

Away from our home

Yet happy with each other

We are all at peace.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2009

All things must change – yet

Our gratitude is constant.

Thank You, God. Thank You.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2008

On this Thanksgiving

May we always remember

To love one another.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2007

On this Thanksgiving

Let us remember to give

from our heart and soul. 


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2006

Father in Heaven

Thank you for everything

You have given us.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2005

On this Thanksgiving

May we always be grateful

For all our blessings.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2004

Thanks and gratitude

We give you O Lord our God

For eternity.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2003

Oh great God above

Thank you for our family

And all your blessings.


PRAYER HAIKU FOR THANKSGIVING 2002

We thank you Father

for bringing us together.

We are truly blest.




# TOASTS

---------------------

The traditional toast recognizes we show gratitude through our actions.

---------------------

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2023: To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant; to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.- Marcie, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2022: It is one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do. - Tim Keller

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2021: Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but on every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have. - Catherine Pulsifer

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2020: God doesn’t bless us to provide for our own needs; he blesses us so we can be generous. - Rick Warren

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2019: Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. - Earnest Hemingway

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2018: A grateful heart is filled with acts of kindness.

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2017: If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. - W. Clement Stone

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2016: (celebrated with Klickitat Valley Health community)

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2015: (celebrated with Deaconess Medical Center community)

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2014: There are two kinds of gratitude: the kind we feel for what we receive; and the much larger kind we feel for what we give. - Edwin Arlington Robinson

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2013: We show Thanksgiving by doing our very best to serve others. - Traditional American Saying

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2012: To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven. - Johannes A. Gaertner

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2011: A grateful life, not just words, will bear witness to the glory of God. - Matthew 8:4

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2010: They do not love, do not show their love. - William Shakespeare

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2009: All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits committed to our trust on this condition: that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors. - John Calvin

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2008: By our words and our actions, we give Thanks the whole year through. – Traditional Irish Saying

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2007: If the only prayer you said in your whole life was thank you, that would be enough. – Meister Eckhart

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2006: May your heart be filled with gratitude, your days filled with laughter, and your life filled with service to others. - Irish Blessing

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2005: Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. - Cameron

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2004: Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds. - Theodore Roosevelt, 1901

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2003: Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. -WT Purkiser

THANKSGIVING TOAST 2002: As we express our gratitude, let us never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. - JFK




# BLESSINGS

THANKSGIVING IRISH BLESSING 2023

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.

May the soft winds freshen your spirit.

May the sunshine brighten your heart.

May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.

And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.


THANKSGIVING IRISH BLESSING 2022

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

with joy, that long endures.

May all of life’s passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours!

 



# OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

MUSIC: Soft background music: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart or similar

TABLE SETTINGS: Centerpiece, Candles, Tablecloth; Cloth Napkins

CAMERA

GAMES: Have group family games on hand, such as Mad Libs and playing cards.

DISCUSSION TOPICS: Think about possible discussion topics of special interest to your guests. If at a loss for words, discussing college football is always appropriate--especially years when the Washington Huskies or Washington State Cougars have had a winning season. Prepare a few jokes or humorous stories ahead of time.




TIME TABLE

A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THANKSGIVING: Invite guests to dinner. Last-minute invitations are always okay as well. Arrange your work schedule to get the time off. Get some potatoes from the Kellog, Idaho Rotary Club. If you are having a large gathering, now is the time to order beer and root beer kegs. Get mail-order items.

SUNDAY: Double-check your supplies to make sure you have everything. If not, go shopping. Depending upon the size of your turkey, you may need to take the turkey out of the freezer and put in the refrigerator. Allow about 24 hours of thawing time in the refrigerator per 5 lbs of turkey. 

TUESDAY: As much as possible, finish up all of your work duties so you can have time at Thanksgiving to share with your family. Pull the frozen pie crust out of the freezer if using pie crusts & a glass pie pan.

WEDNESDAY

  • Make the 4 bean salad
  • Make the raspberry jam
  • Prepare the ambrosia salad: refrigerate the fruits (except for the bananas) and the sour cream mix (1.5 cups coconut, 2 cups mini marshmallows, 4 oz sour cream). 
  • Relax and play some family games like Clue or other board games.

THURSDAY

AM:

~ 8:30 - do the local Turkey Trot run/walk event

~ 9:00 to 10:00 - cook the pumpkin pies

~ 10:30 to 11:30 - 

  • put the turkey in the oven in plenty of time to be done cooking by 3:00 and ready to serve by 3:30.  Put the potatoes in the oven
  • Set the table
  • Memorize the toast & prayer. Update this webpage and archive it.
  • Relax and play some card games

PM:

~ 2:30 -

  • take the potatoes out of the oven and mash them; put the mashed potatoes back into the oven in the covered serving dish.
  • open the turkey's roasting bag for the last hour of cooking

~ 3:00 - shortly before meal time, in order:

  • take the turkey out of the oven and allow it to rest for 30 minutes
  • put the cranberries in a dish on the table
  • whip the cream and put it in the freezer; by dessert, the whipped cream should be chilled but not frozen.
  • bake the rolls
  • cook the stuffing
  • cook the gravy
  • steam the vegetables
  • finish making the ambrosia and put it on the table
  • put the 4 bean salad on the table

~ 3:30 - Dinner Time

At the end of the meal, while serving dessert, make the coffee


# TIPS

  • As much as possible, clean up as you cook. As soon as you are done with a cooking utensil, put it directly into the dishwasher or sink.
  • Get everyone involved in preparation and cleanup. Many hands make light work!
  • Make it a point to fill your home with music and laughter. Have some music ready to play, learn some good jokes ahead of time, and have some fun stories to tell.
  • Use Splenda or Stevia for tea, coffee




# SHOPPING LIST

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Section

2 medium bananas

1 Lemon

2 medium red delicious apples

At least a dozen Idaho potatoes (if not already obtained from Rotary)

Tangerines or oranges

1 small shallot (if you can find one)

A small bunch of green onions (scallions)

A medium-sized onion

Turkey Items

Buy a frozen whole turkey, generally the biggest you can get; figure approximately 2 lbs per person

Roasting bag

Foil cooking pan

Turkey gravy (powdered; just add water; get 2 or more packets)

Stuffing (2 or more boxes of Stove Top)

Canned Goods

1 can of whole-berry cranberry sauce

1 can of garbanzo beans

1 can of kidney beans

1 can of green beans

1 can of yellow (wax) beans

1 can of pineapple chunks (12 oz)

1 can of mandarin oranges

1 jar of mayonnaise (for leftover turkey sandwiches)

1 jar of mustard (for leftover turkey sandwiches)

3 cans of pumpkin pie mix (not just canned pumpkin)

6 cans of evaporated milk

Baking Goods

Cider vinegar 

Sweetened shredded coconut - 1 bag

Flour

Gelatin

Miniature marshmallows - 1 bag

Pumpkin pie spice

Cream of Tartar

Vanilla

12 oz honey (a honey bear works great)

Sugar

Stevia sweetener

Dairy Section

Butter or Smart Balance margarine

Whipped cream (4 to 6 cartons minimum)

Milk (at least 2 gallons)

one or two dozen eggs

Vanilla ice cream - 1 to 2 gallons

Sour Cream

Ready-to-bake grand dinner rolls, 3 or more packages (enough for 3 per person)

4 pre-made pie crusts. Get the refrigerated pie crusts to use with glass pie pans (preferred) or get the frozen pie crusts in a deep dish aluminum pie pan.

Frozen Foods

2 lbs of frozen fruit for the jam

Birdseye Steamfresh frozen vegetables

Beverages (in addition to milk)

Sparkling juice

Sparkling water

French roast coffee

Red wine

Root beer (1 case or pony keg)

Beer

Miscellaneous

Salt & Pepper

loaf of bread or two (for leftover turkey sandwiches)

Foil

Zip-lock freezer bags

Camera

Deck of cards

Board Games

Table settings: centerpiece, napkins, candles

Cleaning supplies

Empty jam jars




# OUR FAMILY THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS

IN 2023 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Tom & Mary Heston

Matt Heston & Inga Laurent (now married!)

Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston

... and our friends at Huffin' for the Stuffin' Turkey Trot


IN 2022 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Tom & Mary Heston

Matt Heston & Inga Laurent (now married!)

Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston

... and our friends at Huffin' for the Stuffin' Turkey Trot


IN 2021 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Tom & Mary Heston

Matt Heston & Inga Laurent

Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston

Jerry Heston (on the 24th)


IN 2020 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Tom & Mary Heston

Matt Heston & Inga Laurent

Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston


IN 2019 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Tom & Mary Heston

Matt Heston & Inga Laurent

Mike & Brooke & Harvey & Sophia Heston

Alex Heston

Alfred C "Jerry" Heston

Alfred C Heston Jr

... and our corgi Dozer


IN 2018 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN SPOKANE WITH:

Tom & Mary Heston

Matt Heston

Alfred C "Jerry" Heston

Alfred C Heston Jr

Beth Merck

Tim Merck

Jon Merck

... and our dogs Dozer and Zilla


IN 2017 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN SPOKANE WITH:

Tom & Mary Heston

Matt Heston

Alex Heston

Alfred C "Jerry" Heston

Alfred C Heston Jr

... and our dogs Dozer and Zilla


IN 2016 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN GOLDENDALE WITH:

Klickitat Valley Health patients and hospital staff


IN 2015 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Deaconess Medical Center patients and hospital staff


IN 2014 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING AT SEASIDE WITH:

Fred Wade

Gail Wade

Scot Wade

Jake Wade

Barbara Mollison

Mary Coucher

Joe Coucher

Tom Heston

Mary Heston

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alexander Heston

Tom Simplot

Brooke Bradford


IN 2013 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Mary Heston

Tom Heston

Mike Heston

Alexander Heston

Cecilia Heston

Matt celebrated Thanksgiving working

... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla


IN 2012 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Mary Heston

Tom Heston

Alexander Heston

Matt Heston

Cecilia Heston

Mike celebrated Thanksgiving in Germany

... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla

... and our friends at the Silver Valley Turkey Trot


IN 2011 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Tom Heston

Mary Heston

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alexander Heston

... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla


IN 2010 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN THE UAE WITH:

Tom Heston

Mary  Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alexander Heston

Mike celebrated Thanksgiving with the Mercks in Spokane

Matt celebrated Thanksgiving with the Mollisons in Portland


IN 2009 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN IDAHO WITH:

Tom Heston

Mary Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alexander Heston

.... and our pets, Dozer and Zilla

Matt was in Portland


IN 2008 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN DELAWARE WITH:

Tom Heston

Mary Heston

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alexander Heston

Andrea Pardoe

Dave Pardoe

Matt Pardoe

Ian Pardoe

... and our pets Dozer Heston and Steeler Pardoe


IN 2007 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN IDAHO WITH:

Alex Heston

Cecilia Heston

Mike Heston

Matt Heston

Mary Heston

Tom Heston

... and our pets, Dozer and Lightning


IN 2006 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN IDAHO WITH:

Mary Heston

Tom Heston

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alex Heston

Fred Wade

Gail Wade

Scot Wade

Barbara Mollison

Robert Coucher

Mary Coucher

Margaret Coucher

Joe Coucher

... and our pets Dozer and Lightning


IN 2005 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING IN SEATTLE WITH:

Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alex Heston

Julie & Rod Younker (aunt and uncle), and their son Ryan (cousin)

Connie & Jerry Heston (grandparents)

Dave, Dave & Suzy (friends)


IN 2004 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alex Heston


IN 2003 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alex Heston

Fred & Gail Wade (grandparents)


IN 2002 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alex Heston

Fred & Gail Wade (grandparents)


IN 2001 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alex Heston

Jerry & Connie Heston (grandparents)


IN 2000 WE SHARED THANKSGIVING WITH:

Mary & Tom Heston (parents) and their children

Matt Heston

Mike Heston

Cecilia Heston

Alex Heston

Jerry & Connie Heston (grandparents)


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