ATB: Thanksgiving Takes Many Forms

In a few more days we will celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and friends.  We've been slowly but surely shopping for the meal that will be shared as 18 of us gather together around the table.  Our traditional Thanksgiving menu usually consists of a large roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, squash, turnip, rolls and pickles.  The cooking is always done by John whose father before him always prepared all the holiday meals. The turkey, stuffing, gravy, and pickles are all recipes that have been passed down in our family.  There's a secret ingredient for the stuffing and gravy which John sometimes will share with others! Other items we sometimes add to our meal include corn, peas, carrots, and/or sweet potatoes.

Tomorrow (Monday) I will begin making the dough for the pies I will bake on Wednesday.  (Speaking of pies, I have just learned our grand daughter Alana will be baking a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving!) I make my pie dough from scratch, separate enough for each individual crust, roll it into a ball, wrap in wax paper and let it chill for a day or so.  Then it's all ready when I begin my bake-athon.  Years ago when my mother in law was alive we would race each other to see who finished their pies first!  We lived next door to each other so I'd call her about 6 a.m. and she'd tell me she already had one pie done which motivated me to get going.  I miss that friendly competition. Typically I bake the following:  apple, mincemeat, squash, pumpkin, cherry, chocolate cream, and pecan.  It usually depends upon how many are joining us for dinner or who may drop by for coffee and dessert later in the day. Another staple for Thanksgiving, also from Nana's recipe box, is Date Nut Bread.  There are many recipes for this however only one of them comes out tasting the same way John's mother's did.  And so far, only one other person can make it that way - our daughter Maryann.  (Although one year her husband made it and no one could tell the difference!) Most everyone in the family has their favorite pie.  Our son's has traditionally been cherry although he will change his mind from time to time.  But again, it was 'Nana' who always baked a cherry pie on Washington's birthday - just for our son growing up. This year he tells me pecan is his favorite.  Cherry pie has also become our son in laws favorite pie.  Speaking of pies, I think we have observed each and every grandchild sticking their finger into their own leftover favorite pie long long after adults have left the table. This has been captured on camera.  I must absolutely have all my baking done during the day on Wednesday. Evening comes and  the kitchen becomes the sole domain of John.

He has his own techniques and methods. Even with all he has to do there are few ways that I am of help once the pies are made.  I will take loaves of bread for stuffing and break them to be just the perfect size then fill the roaster pan with them to dry out in the air.  In the meantime he makes an innovative aluminum foil tent for the turkey. It has to be just right.  I will often do some vegetable prep but even that must be done a certain, perfect way. Mostly I stay out of his way! Before going to bed however our home has already begun to smell like Thanksgiving.  Our turkeys are roasted slower than slow for many, many hours overnight at an extremely low temperature.  I love the way it smells in the morning.  I also love being a taste tester for the Short family secret gravy recipe.  John works diligently to have it taste just perfect and he will not offer me a chance to test it until he's certain it needs nothing more! Sometimes I may DARE to suggest a little more this or a little more that - but mostly it is ALWAYS so delicious - as is the bird, as is the stuffing, as are all the fixings he prepares. 

In the past I have suggested we go to a restaurant or accept an invite at a friends for Thanksgiving dinner - only because I know how very hard John works as he puts his heart and soul into this meal.  But even when there are Thanksgiving dinners when family and friends wish to gather somewhere else, we will always be found together at our own table. We did have one year when that actually happened.  I felt bad for John but he was perfectly happy to simply be where he wanted to be, leftovers and all! I've seen years that he has prepared more than one meal to accommodate others. It's just the way he is. 

Sometimes friends and family will bring a dish or a dessert to share but we never expect them to.  When asked what to bring, we simply say bring yourselves and your appetite! It is not a fancy affair here by any means.  In past years I have gone all the way by making place cards with names and Scripture verses, glowing candles, beautiful tablecloth with matching napkins and rings, had the finest of our special dinnerware, silverware, and glassware. We have sets of dinnerware and serving pieces that belonged to our parents and I am especially proud of an antique serving platter which belonged to my mother and was in her family.  In recent years however John and I have opted for ultra casual, informal, and E-Z clean up and splurged on Chinet plates and paper napkins. Sometimes we simply serve Thanksgiving dinner buffet or cafeteria style!  With 7 grandchildren it does make it a lot easier for everyone that way. We are also blessed to have those with the 'gift' of service. By this I mean, our daughter in law and our niece both are extremely helpful with making sure that the utilitarian aspects of serving a large meal does not create any additional work for us, for John especially. 

Thanksgiving (and most of our meals) always begin by giving thanks and asking God for His blessing.  As the grandchildren grow up it's been meaningful to go around the table and have everyone share one thing they are grateful for. Not to say all the adults all of the time are that agreeable with this, but nevertheless they do it to appease me more than anything.  And I like that.

There's so many jokes and TV shows around that really mock the tradition of a family Thanksgiving meal shared together.  And the history behind the first Thanksgiving is full of holes and inconsistencies that it is easy to understand why some people could care less.  I suppose there was a time in my own life that I looked upon these times with ho-hum, do we HAVE to do this, HAVE to go here or there, do we HAVE to?  And it always reminds me of one particular Thanksgiving.  The one I'll never forget for as long as I live.

My dad died the year I turned 12 years old leaving my mom a widow at the age of 46.  I was too young and naive to even be aware of her grief and mourning the loss of the man she loved, my father. That year as well as those immediately following his death are all blurs as far as I'm concerned and I often coin them all 'the blackest night' but that is another story for another time for it is my Testimony of how I became a Christian.  No, it is that first Thanksgiving without my dad that I always seem to reflect upon.

We didn't talk about it that morning. Didn't even acknowledge it was Thanksgiving.  My mom had cooked a turkey and I watched with interest as she made several sandwiches and packed them up.  Then she announced we were going to go for a ride.  I don't remember any conversation at all.  I do know it was a cold, breezy November day.  We ended up at Old Orchard Beach in Maine, at the pier which was totally abandoned.  We sat in the car together and ate turkey sandwiches.  When we were done we both got out and walked along the shore together, saying little to each other.  I think my brother was still in the service and overseas at the time.  My sister and her family were somewhere else with friends.  It was just my mom and me and a lonely beach on Thanksgiving.  Now looking back I can understand so much about that day.  I can even understand why we went to that particular beach because before my parents married that is one place they always enjoyed going together.  There must have been even deeper meanings to her to want to share Thanksgiving alone together there in that place. And to this day I just respect her decision to handle her grief in her own way that year so long ago.  I also wonder how would I have handled becoming a widow at the age of 46 with a 12 year old daughter.

My mom and my dad rest together in the Lords care as do John's parents. My faith allows me to believe there will come a day... when the circle will be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by.   I now live in the present moment, very aware of the need for family and friends to mark the years that pass all too quickly through these various holidays and times of celebration.  These are the times of our life and we never really do know from one year to the next what will transpire, what will change, who will be here and who will not.  There is much to be thankful for when we are here and are gathered together, but there is also much to be thankful for when that is not the case.  To love, to be loved, to be able to love, to be able to give love, to know love, to have known love - these are among those things we can always be thankful for. Sometimes this is very difficult, other times gratefulness flows free and easy. 

This Thursday will be just as wonderfully crazy busy as any other home celebrating Thanksgiving together with family and friends.  There will be moments of reflections too for most of us in our own special way, just like my mom had hers that Thanksgiving so long ago. I bet she never thought her actions would impact the way I look at Thanksgiving for a lifetime - but they did, and it is all good.  As our family gathers together to ask the Lords blessing, we are also mindful of the many who are not so fortunate for surely, but by the Grace of God go I.  I will never take what we have for granted. I appreciate what to me, is the richness of our life found in the simpler things.  By the standards of some we have very little.  But I am persuaded we have an abundance, especially when I think of others in need.

It's funny because these days John and I are the family 'matriachs' - oh my!  And we hope that our family and friends know how much they mean to us, how much we love them and care about all that concerns them.  For we do thank God for the many blessings in our life, and especially so on Thanksgiving.  Take care and God bless you always, John and Ann and All Things Brittany

ATB: Hemi's Introduction to Dog Shows

Oh, Hemi!  I find that my heart is captured yet once again by a sweet Brittany puppy.  And as it feels the chains of love surround it, this heart knows that there are many, many years to look forward to.  I can look in any direction from where I sit writing and look into the eyes of our Brittany canine crew. From the oldest to the youngest, my heart is embraced with the reality of living a life - all for the love of the dogs, both given and received.  Each stage of development, each new horizon brings an untold joy of discovery.  As certain as I am of so many aspects of our ATB family, it is the affirmation of a confirmation which brings satisfaction.  Confirmation of what was hoped for, materializing in front of my eyes. Affirmation of the original hope and dream and that all knowing which can only be found in the heart.  Bottom line?  FAITH.  For readers who are not familiar with what is perhaps the most illusive definition of all but which also makes perfect sense it is found in the  Bible, Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV).

And what is the inspiration here?  What is the motivation?  Simple.  Being on the end of a leash, showing little britches at his first dog show.  We've been to handling classes together, participated in two matches, and spent the last 6 months bonding with each other on many different levels.  As I try to reflect on this past Thursdays show with Hemi, I feel as though I am once again a 'dog show newbie'.  Apologies to my friend Karen for borrowing the name of her blog to describe this latest ATB adventure!  Speaking of which, it is a great blog and I completely relate to Karen's comment when she says "I was never that great a handler, between lack of coordination and stage fright. My hat's off to anyone who sticks with it."  This past Thursday was no exception for me, but Hemi was very forgiving.

Hemi's 6 month birthday fell on the same day as his introduction to dog shows. I entered him in Day One of a 4 day cluster known as the 'Breeders Circuit' in Fitchburg, MA.  I wanted to keep the experiences from his handling classes with Penny Cary at Finish Forward Studio, the Penobscot Valley Kennel Club Fun Match, and the York County Kennel Club Fun Match fresh and in front of him.  The show entries were minimal with 7 Brittanys to be exhibited, 2 of them would be dogs.  Perfect.  Hemi and I could go about this in a very calm manner.  It was to be all about Hemi. 

At 6 months of age, a puppy is still in the middle of various developmental stages especially in regards to socializing.  Really, the last thing I wanted was to appear over zealous at Hemi's expense by showing him if he was not mature enough.  When I observe pup in the ring that tucks their tail between their legs, back away from the judge, and/or lock up when the handler tries to move them in the ring I know that pup is not ready. The ring is not the place to train a puppy - that's my opinion. You may end up with a judge who is just great to show a very young puppy to.  But you may end up with a judge whose technique with pups leaves a lot to be desired.  Speaking of showing at the pups expense - is it worth it to take the chance if you do not know the judge in question?  Not to me.  Yet Hemi was ready. He was actually more prepared than I!

We are down to one vehicle at the moment.  For me to travel to Fitchburg meant literally leaving John at home.  And it meant that I would load and unload a vehicle I had never used by myself for a dog event. Please don't get me wrong when I say I do not like driving John's truck.  It is great for John! It is great for field events and the dog topper is awesome.  And I appreciated I even had something to drive.  But I like to be very organized when it comes to going to a show. Believe it or not, I do have a routine. 

When a show is coming up I print one of several show checklists.  I have one for day trips, one for weekend trips, one for RV dog show trips.  The list appears on the dining room table the week before the show and I gather things on my list, checking them off as I accumulate the items.  Although I do have tubs, totes, grooming kits etc. always ready to go I still need to go through EVERYTHING to be sure I haven't neglected to put something back in it's place.  Not that I need EVERYTHING at the show but you never know when you MIGHT need something. Most fellow exhibitors are happy to share a spritz of their grooming product or offer the use of their favorite blending shears but it's better to be prepared with your own favorites.  Wednesday night I had everything ready and packed.  Most important of all, I had a beautiful, freshly bathed and groomed little puppy to not only show, but to show off!

Thursday morning! Hemi's 6 month birthday and we were on the road by 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. ring time. Typically I would have driven down and stayed overnight to avoid rush hour traffic but did not have that luxury this time. Not a problem.  That is, until I hit road construction about an hour out from the show site.  Not to mention the early morning commuters who seemed to ALL be having driving difficulties from my point of view.  Coffee. Give me Coffee. ATB runs on Dunkins - especially when it comes to dog shows. Hemi slept comfortably in his crate, right up until the road construction.  Then he was sick.  He puked. Although he had nothing in his tummy, he was sicker than a dog. Sick as a dog. Whatever. He was sick.

I took the wrong exit in the middle of rush hour traffic.  Hemi was sick. Hemi was barking and scratching.  I could not get Mandy to cooperate with GPS signal yet I could see we only had 15 minutes to ring time.  I've seen frustrated exhibitors rushing in at the last minute and soon, I would know what that felt like. For the first time. 

Driving into the already filled up parking lot I frantically looked for a place to unload. There were none.  I pulled the truck off to the side, opened up the tailgate and set up an impromptu grooming station. Right there. Little britches was drooling from being sick and visibly shaken. We both were. I contemplated whether it was worth it to try to show him so after getting him cleaned up we went into the building.  I would let Hemi be my guide, he would tell me and I would know.

I couldn't believe my eyes when the first person I ran into was Nancy Morabito, who co-owns Chevy, Hemi's father.  She was there with Hemi's competition, a handsome Brittany just needing a couple of single points to finish.  Nancy's sister was there too.  I must have looked as frazzled as I was feeling because she and her sister kindly and quickly helped me get my act together. And Hemi? This whole time he's just taking it all in stride and was particularly happy about the cushy royal blue carpet.  I know this because he lay down in the middle of the aisle doing a frog dog.  Nancy did ask me if I planned to take Hemi's coat off before showing. 

There was no time to lose, just as soon as I picked up my exhibitor number it was time to go into the ring.  Mints! I needed mints!  They work wonderfully to conceal the hormone that releases the scent of stress.  I also needed Hemi's treats which was dried partridge from birds John had shot over the adults this fall.  Couldn't find it - too bad - too late - had to go in with dried bits of who knows what.  It didn't matter. None of that mattered.  I was hot, I was roasting, I was sweating - someone turn down the heat! 

Suddenly, the stewards call.  "Number 9, male Brittany puppy, 6-9 months." Oh my goodness.  This is it.  Indeed.  It was.

For I looked down into the face of a wide eyed loving sweet little puppy, a puppy who came into my life 6 months ago and soon became mine.  A puppy stood there looking up at me, with trust and innocence, just as if to ask me what were we going to do next mom?  Where's my treats?  Do you want me to stand this way? Or do you want me stand that way? I'll back up for you if that's what you want?  I'll even wag my tail if it will make you happy!  You know, if you ask me I can speak to you, and sometimes I can make you laugh by sneezing. What do you want mom?  Just tell me? I'll do it for you. 

With new found pride and new found joy we went into the ring as a team that understood each other. Hemi was not aware at all of everything that I felt had gone wrong.  All Hemi knew was that we were together, doing something familiar to both of us yet in a brand new setting. And he liked that royal blue plush carpeting I was walking him out onto. I half wondered if he might just spread out and make himself at home.

The time in front of a judge is very brief but the concept of how long things actually take to happen become quickly skewed and distorted.  No matter how often I visualize what is supposed to take place, my mind often draws a blank when I'm there and it's as if I have never shown a dog before! 

With just one entry in the class, the judge only seemed to glance at Hemi when we went in and I never really had a chance to set him up properly. That's probably just as well, I knew he'd only stand still briefly and I needed some capital to work with!  The judge motioned to me to take him around the ring.  He looked up at me as if to say "I've got this covered" and off we went.

Hemi reminded me of handling his grandmother at the very first show I ever participated in, almost 5 years ago now. Chrissy taught me about a Brittanys movement the first time we gaited around the ring. Translated this means Hemi amazed me.  I quickly began to let the length of his lead out more and more so that by the end of the run he was out in front of me nearly on a loose lead. Wow. This was like power steering. No pressure. No dog in front. No dog in back. But he has moved with many other dogs in matches and in classes. 

So now it was time for the judges exam.  Dear Lord, please let Hemi remain still for this. Little britches gave me my window of opportunity to work with him.  I began to count to him just like I've been doing at home practicing a hard stack.  I've heard that you should be able to set up a dog in 5 seconds or less.  I don't know if that's true for a puppy but we did it!  And the judge was in a hurry to exam Hemi.  I presented him to the best of my ability and he made eye contact with me while I told him he was being a good boy. 

I learned that there are some dogs that like to be able to see you when the judge moves down their body to feel them, after looking into their mouth. By the way, Hemi had no problem with having his bite checked. I do prefer to lift the gums of my own dog and show teeth - it bothers me to think of the judges hands going from mouth to mouth when there are many dogs in a class.  After checking his bite I slowly moved from his side to the front where I could very gently cup his muzzle, praise him softly,and scratch his chin while the judge felt him all over and under. He didn't mind having his cookies examined to be sure there are two. 

Hemi's judge asked us to come into the middle of the ring and instructed us to go down and back.  Well, this was a little different.  Half way down Hemi decided he wanted play and gallop.  Rather than try to correct him I simply stopped and caught his attention.  When I had his focus again we continued on just fine.  Turning around, I walked with my back to the judge, keeping Hemi's attention until I knew he was on track again.  I was basically playing with him.  As Hemi and I approached the judge the 'Go see!' training from Penny paid off.  Hemi focused now on the judges face and seeing she had a friendly face decided to get up close and personal, happily wagging his tail.  Hemi won his first blue ribbon for that!

Then it was time to compete for Winners Dog and for the point. I'm being realistic when I say I had no great expectations for my Magnificent Obsession to defeat a seasoned show dog with all his major points. Nancy had been kind and said earlier well you never know!   I did know.  Not to mention once again I had a good case of nerves because I went back into the ring and headed to the wrong spot with Hemi!   

Even so, I was very proud of Hemi and it was really nice to be able to share his first show with Nancy.  That was an unexpected surprise and blessing.  The dog she was handling won the point. And little britches? Well he won Reserve Winners.  I enjoyed showing him, and he showed himself very well! 

It was great to hook up also with Phil Thayer at the show. He has a lovely year old liver and white girl who should do well.  If you know our dogs, you know there is a lot of Birch Spring Brittanys behind them which is Phil and Sherri's line. I'm glad to see them showing again.  He and Nancy go way back with their dogs. It was especially enjoyable to listen to their recollections and talk of Birch Spring glory days in the ring. 

Last but not least there was time to spend visiting with friends Kim Zuk and daughter Cindy.  Kim's recovering from knee surgery and I really felt bad for all she's going through. My prayers will be with her in hopes of a speedier healing.  Cindy showed their beautiful Beagles. We talked about the pups that Jasmine just had which are out of JackDog.  I said hello to several others, wished Linda and Kristen good luck at the upcoming Nationals and gleaned some grooming tips from Nancy. It was a pleasure to meet her sister who really gave me an extra hand when it was well needed. 

Headed home only to drive in the pouring rain.  The truck was an experience and we did get home safe and sound at the end of the day. Hemi's treat was a big long Bully Stick.  I like to get those for the dogs at the shows because it helps keep them content in the crate where a lot of time is spent out of necessity.  He chewed on it all the way home until he fell asleep. 

Okay Hemikens...little britches... Magnificent Obsession.  I am indeed once again and as so often (always) is the case, I am smitten. But we already knew that didn't we. 

As always, thanks for your interest in All things Brittany. Take care and God bless you and yours!  John, Ann, and our fun loving canine crew.