Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Something handed down . . .

by Kim


tradition

noun
1.  the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to          generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.

Thanksgiving is a tradition in itself, but within this tradition there are many, many more traditions. 

Traditions create bonds, they can give us comfort, and they connect us to our past. They also help to define the uniqueness of our families, no matter how small.

Ever since I've been old enough to remember, there has been a tradition in our family that I look forward to during Thanksgiving, with great anticipation. It goes back at least 3 generations to my Great Grand Aunt Tillie. She always brought the coveted homemade egg noodles, all lovingly done by hand. When she passed my grandmother made them and when she could no longer make them, my mom did.

Unfortunately I have no way of knowing just how long this tradition has been passed down and we don't have her original recipe, but after starting my own family over 20 years ago I think I have it pretty darn close!

My husband and I have continued this with our kids, and have always included them in the process. When I was too pregnant to get close enough to the counter to roll the dough, he took on that job. After the dough rests, I then carefully roll it up and cut them, and the kids unroll them and lay them to dry overnight...it's not only a family tradition, its become a family affair.

Honestly, I could probably do Thanksgiving without a turkey, but it just wouldn't be the same without those egg noodles, which we cook in chicken broth if you were wondering.

So tomorrow, we will be covered with flour (and most likely the floor too), making new memories with an old tradition, and strengthening bonds that comfort not only our senses but our connections to those who came before us.

For this I am very grateful!

Do you have any interesting Thanksgiving traditions?

"What an enormous magnifier is tradition!
How a thing grows in the human memory
and in the human imagination, when love,
worship, and all that lies in the human heart
is there to encourage it." -Thomas Carlyle



6 comments:

Dotti said...

I think this is such a meaningful tradition, so many great connections to past generations. We have none like this but a recent tradition that has evolved is that my son-in-law does the turkey and trimmings. A-ok with me!

Anonymous said...

Wishing all the lovely ladies of FOL a very happy Thanksgiving from your Canadian cousin!

AFishGirl said...

This is so lovely. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

4 Lettre Words said...

Wow...that's certainly an impressive tradition, Kim...and so full of love.

chasing the sun said...

Awesome tradition! My mouth is watering and my tummy is growling after looking at these pictures :-)

Cathy H. said...

Wonderful tasty tradition! Our tradition for Thanksgiving is Graham Cracker pies. We've had four generations making them. I'm with you, I don't think anyone would really care if there was not turkey, but we MUST have the pies!

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