Nan, I loved this story of your father and his amazing dedication to his feast, ah, but what trickery to put sausage in your beloved stuffing. Nonetheless, I am glad you recovered enough to enjoy pie and later your tray of Thanksgiving joy. Those popovers look amazing. My own Dad loved to make those, too. A dad thing?
Could be a dad thing...I don't know! I wonder about my commitment to being a vegetarian...that I could just say WTF, and eat it anyway. The stuffing was so good all of my values went out the window. All these years later, in and out of my carnivore moments, I've forgiven myself. I guess that's a good thing, yes? But I was really mad at him, and I ate it anyway. He could be cruel at another's expense. I still loved him.
He had a slightly sadistic side. As far as the popovers go, with your new piece of information, I guess saying they were hard to get right was obviously cover for just wanting to eat them!
Love a good popover - with some strawberry butter. It's a very nice ode to family, really, not just food - and the things we put up with for love. Thanks, Nan.
That's really cool! So the question is, where did they get the recipe? Was it on the back of the Pepperidge Farm stuffing box? I'm getting suspicious! I'm glad you enjoyed the essay. xo
OMGosh, I love this tale so much. I’m very much like Sid when I’m preparing for guests, even if it’s only 2 or 3 ( as it is this year). I too bought a popover pan this year! Popovers are traditionally served with roast beast (as my English relatives jokingly call it) and gravy.
The stuffing sounds wonderful.
My daughter and I love kitchen gadgets.. it’s a tradition to find some little new thing for the holidays.
Teyani, I hope you have a wonderful day! If you need or ever want to try the recipe for the stuffing, I've added it to the end of the story. Thanks for reading. xo
So great, Nan! A delightful portrait of your father. And TOS! Did not see that coming. Or, the sausage in the stuffing.
I’m one of those people who believed at one point that even though I’d never poached a salmon in my life, I would never be happy unless I had a salmon poacher. So it was perfectly obvious that he would have one. (I don’t. And I’m fine. Really. Don’t worry about me). I have two popover pans and it’s absolutely true: timing is everything. That’s why I have two; one goes in the oven when the first one comes out.
I have a plum pudding mold. There are no plums in it. It contains suet. Utterly disgusting.
I just polished off half of a gluten-free frozen pizza that I doctored up with some extra toppings and I’m fine. Really. A little miffed about the salmon poacher but I’ll get over it. I’m doing a very small Thanksgiving but making enough for leftovers.
My husband always ate the canned cranberry sauce. I used to make two kinds, and lingonberries as well.
I usually bake salmon filets with a maple syrup/miso glaze anyway.
A wonderful story, well told, as always. Thank you, Nan, and Happy Thanksgiving! Much love to you.🙏❤️
YUM! With a twist. Love you, Nan. Your stories warm me and remind me of family - the glory, the grotesque, the grace, and everything in between. Love you and Happy Gratitude Day. xoxox
I can’t believe two Sids found each other. I’d like someone to calculate the odds of that. Also, while I was angry that your father tricked you like that, if you forgave him, I guess I can too. Oh, and I prefer the canned cranberry sauce too. It’s probably 4% cranberry, but I love it.
One more thing. Since you published today, does that mean we're all SOL for Friday? I need you on Fridays! I guess I can go back to your beginning to stave off Stantonland jonesing DTs. xo
I will! I introduced a new Substack writer friend to your writing tonight. Her name is @Eileen Dougharty She was very happy to meet you on the page. You’ll love her writing. She’s smart and funny.
It's hilarious really. And it does tend to happen more commonly than one would think, but the odds increase in same sex relationships. The Sid part...probably more unusual, but I'm sure there are plenty of Johns, Dicks, and Harrys that find their name doubles. I was angry at him too. I'm not sure I have completely forgiven him. I just sold my soul for that stuffing! Nothing like giving up ones values for a little bit of sausage to make a girl feel good about herself! That stuffing was good! And yes, cranberry tube gel all the way!
A friend of mine is going to his brother’s tonight for their annual night-before-Thanksgiving stuffing dinner. That’s all that’s on the menu—stuffing. Four different kinds. I’m sure sausage will be accounted for!
Great article! I listened as I drove and was getting so hungry. Lol. Stuffing is my favorite that receipe looks amazing. Prepared chestnuts a plus ;) That's awesome about your dad's cooking. I still prefer canned Ocean spray cranberries.
Oh my God, Nan, this story is the best. The ending, crazy good. And sorry at the same time. xo
Thank you. Yes. You get it. xo
Nan, I loved this story of your father and his amazing dedication to his feast, ah, but what trickery to put sausage in your beloved stuffing. Nonetheless, I am glad you recovered enough to enjoy pie and later your tray of Thanksgiving joy. Those popovers look amazing. My own Dad loved to make those, too. A dad thing?
Could be a dad thing...I don't know! I wonder about my commitment to being a vegetarian...that I could just say WTF, and eat it anyway. The stuffing was so good all of my values went out the window. All these years later, in and out of my carnivore moments, I've forgiven myself. I guess that's a good thing, yes? But I was really mad at him, and I ate it anyway. He could be cruel at another's expense. I still loved him.
He had a slightly sadistic side. As far as the popovers go, with your new piece of information, I guess saying they were hard to get right was obviously cover for just wanting to eat them!
Gotta say, I'm not forgiving your dad for that one.
(Love popovers. They are not hard to make, though!)
Love a good popover - with some strawberry butter. It's a very nice ode to family, really, not just food - and the things we put up with for love. Thanks, Nan.
Thanks, Troy. Yes, the popovers were wonderful, and the stuffing, too. I loved my dad very much as you know, and sometimes, sometimes...oh boy. xo
That was my father’s recipe for stuffing as well. And it was absolutely insane how delicious it was! I adored this piece.
That's really cool! So the question is, where did they get the recipe? Was it on the back of the Pepperidge Farm stuffing box? I'm getting suspicious! I'm glad you enjoyed the essay. xo
Delicious in every way, and full of love. Oh, those golden popovers!
Thanks, Rona. They were definitely puffy and very fluffy, and quite delicious! xo
Great writing Ban - full of humour. Families!
Thanks, Caroline! Yes. Families. Families. Families! xo
OMGosh, I love this tale so much. I’m very much like Sid when I’m preparing for guests, even if it’s only 2 or 3 ( as it is this year). I too bought a popover pan this year! Popovers are traditionally served with roast beast (as my English relatives jokingly call it) and gravy.
The stuffing sounds wonderful.
My daughter and I love kitchen gadgets.. it’s a tradition to find some little new thing for the holidays.
Teyani, I hope you have a wonderful day! If you need or ever want to try the recipe for the stuffing, I've added it to the end of the story. Thanks for reading. xo
A great read Nan! And I saw where you posted the recipe. Thank you :) xox
Thanks, Rhaine! I hope you have a lovely holiday, whatever you do. xo!
So great, Nan! A delightful portrait of your father. And TOS! Did not see that coming. Or, the sausage in the stuffing.
I’m one of those people who believed at one point that even though I’d never poached a salmon in my life, I would never be happy unless I had a salmon poacher. So it was perfectly obvious that he would have one. (I don’t. And I’m fine. Really. Don’t worry about me). I have two popover pans and it’s absolutely true: timing is everything. That’s why I have two; one goes in the oven when the first one comes out.
I have a plum pudding mold. There are no plums in it. It contains suet. Utterly disgusting.
I just polished off half of a gluten-free frozen pizza that I doctored up with some extra toppings and I’m fine. Really. A little miffed about the salmon poacher but I’ll get over it. I’m doing a very small Thanksgiving but making enough for leftovers.
My husband always ate the canned cranberry sauce. I used to make two kinds, and lingonberries as well.
I usually bake salmon filets with a maple syrup/miso glaze anyway.
A wonderful story, well told, as always. Thank you, Nan, and Happy Thanksgiving! Much love to you.🙏❤️
I’m having salmon, too, but that’s not a big deal because I eat it every day. There will be pie, though!
I didn’t keep his salmon poacher when he died. If I had, I’d be boxing it up and shipping it off to you! And YES to more than one popover pan! xoxo
You are a brilliant storyteller.
Wow. Thank you! What a wonderful thing to read! xo
YUM! With a twist. Love you, Nan. Your stories warm me and remind me of family - the glory, the grotesque, the grace, and everything in between. Love you and Happy Gratitude Day. xoxox
You get it, every single time, Billie. Happy Gratitude Day, indeed! xo
What a loving portrait. Food is love, and he knew it. Also, I love popovers.
It is. And, there was a touch of the sadist in him, as well. But I did love the guy.
I can’t believe two Sids found each other. I’d like someone to calculate the odds of that. Also, while I was angry that your father tricked you like that, if you forgave him, I guess I can too. Oh, and I prefer the canned cranberry sauce too. It’s probably 4% cranberry, but I love it.
One more thing. Since you published today, does that mean we're all SOL for Friday? I need you on Fridays! I guess I can go back to your beginning to stave off Stantonland jonesing DTs. xo
Yeah, this was my post for the week. But I would love for you to go back and check out some older stuff! There’s probably a lot you haven’t seen yet.
I will! I introduced a new Substack writer friend to your writing tonight. Her name is @Eileen Dougharty She was very happy to meet you on the page. You’ll love her writing. She’s smart and funny.
Thank you so much, Nan! I look forward to reading Eileen’s stuff!
https://open.substack.com/pub/eileendougharty?r=f3c9o&utm_medium=ios
It's hilarious really. And it does tend to happen more commonly than one would think, but the odds increase in same sex relationships. The Sid part...probably more unusual, but I'm sure there are plenty of Johns, Dicks, and Harrys that find their name doubles. I was angry at him too. I'm not sure I have completely forgiven him. I just sold my soul for that stuffing! Nothing like giving up ones values for a little bit of sausage to make a girl feel good about herself! That stuffing was good! And yes, cranberry tube gel all the way!
A friend of mine is going to his brother’s tonight for their annual night-before-Thanksgiving stuffing dinner. That’s all that’s on the menu—stuffing. Four different kinds. I’m sure sausage will be accounted for!
I have to be invited next year, okay? Can you get me in?
I can definitely get you in!
😛
Great article! I listened as I drove and was getting so hungry. Lol. Stuffing is my favorite that receipe looks amazing. Prepared chestnuts a plus ;) That's awesome about your dad's cooking. I still prefer canned Ocean spray cranberries.
That's so funny about the Ocean Spray, isn't it? But do like the whole berries or the tube of gel? xo
I don't like the whole berries. My husband will make it from scratch. I eat it but don't have the heart to tell him I'd rather have it out if the can
You can always buy it and eat it on the sly...but I think you should be upfront with him. I'll bet he wants you to be happy! xo
Lol!! Sounds like a plan
Which, the "slying" or the telling?
I'll keep my little habit a secret for now 🤪