Starting New Traditions Cold Turkey
Ice Cream Turkey
This Thanksgiving was a quiet one because the kids weren’t here. Jim and I had some welcome alone time. We had my parents over for a late afternoon lunch. We also had the pleasure of our dear friend, Anne’s company. She lives down the road, and is a regular visitor and confidante whom I rely on heavily. Anne is adorably crochety. She gets around admirably well with her cane and has remarkable energy for her 70+ years. The other day I walked in on Anne discussing the merits of kicking the crap out of bullies that might be bothersome with my third grader. You really don’t want to mess with Anne. But when she’s on your side there’s no one better who’ll love you more!
Every holiday that I get to spend with my father is a blessing to me. About twelve years ago he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. And he almost died. Thank the Lord, he beat it. If it weren’t for that he wouldn’t even know my youngest three children! In July, he had another bout with cancer. He had 34 carcinoid tumors removed from his stomach. Some were microscopic, but some were bigger from M&M to golf ball sized. Since then he has been in a world of trouble with complications, and has been mostly in the hospital. The worst part has been that he has had to have all his “food” through a tube. “TPN” for those of you familiar with it.
So this Thanksgiving my Dad was finally able to get back to eating soft foods again – YAY!!! Along with the mashed potatoes and dressing, we got an ice cream turkey from Baskin Robbins that he could eat. It was made of pralines & cream ice cream. I have to say that it was worth the hour drive over to West Mobile to get it! It was delicious. Dad didn’t want to give it back, as you can see.
(Oh, and by the way, can you tell that my Dad looks like a cross between Santa and maybe Kenny Rogers or Merlin Olsen or something? He’s so cute. He lives on the beach and wears a Hawaiian shirts EVERY day. Like every day. He has maybe 25, and one for every single occasion. Except a wedding or funeral. Then he will change. I think he thinks he’s Jimmy Buffet or something.)
The drumsticks on the ice cream turkey were made from the sugar cones and were filled with the ice cream too. The outside was topped with a caramel glaze that was so good! We all loved it. You can order them with any flavor you want inside, and there was a coupon in the newspaper the weekend before Thanksgiving. The kids are clamoring for us to get an ice cream cake now for Christmas because most of them didn’t get to have any before it was gone. It was such a hit! Sounds like this will be a repeat and will become a family tradition of ours.
What have you done over the holidays in recent years that was a hit that has become a tradition in your family?
December 6th, 2011 at 11:44 am
Thanks for posting the details of your dad’s illness. I just found out yesterday that my dad has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, so every survival story I see is helping.
December 6th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Sounds wonderful Katy, so glad you have the blessing of having your dad with you and your family.
Our “new” tradition this year was raising our own fresh turkey. Started with just a 3 wk. old poult and he grew into an amazing tasting Thanksgiving turkey. Hard as it was to wrap our brains around the ‘harvesting’ of our own turkey, We were blessed with the opportunity of sharing the most juicy, flavorful turkey we’ve ever had. We will continue this as a new tradition for our family. It’s a blessing in itself to know where our food comes from and have a hand in feeding our own family.
Continued blessings to your and yours, and Merry Christmas
The Whisnant’s
December 6th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Your Dad is such a cutie, and I think that’s awesome that he wears Hawaiian shirts! That cake looks amazing. We have a Christmas Eve tradition some years… Whoever is brave enough dons a swimsuit and jumps into my parent’s icy lake (I haven’t done it in years). Pretty unique, I know!
December 7th, 2011 at 7:38 am
That cake is awesome and I think your dad is, too. Every day you have with him is a treasure. (But I think you know that and so does he). Glad Jum made it home safely and that is a treasure, too.
December 7th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I have to say that your Dad looks amazing condidering all that he has been through. He must be one tough Gentleman !
At first glance I thought “Oh nooooooo, a tofu turkey !
Yucky, yucky, ugh” !!!! Then I read your post and realized that I should have known better………you and sweets ! Here’s to many happy traditions for you and Dad and all of your family.
I’m getting kind of hungry now…..I think I want an ice cream cone.
Hugs,
Cindy
December 17th, 2011 at 6:24 am
Katy,
We go camping in the Smokey Mountains with our two boys. This year we went on two long hikes (it just about killed me) with the boys. We cooked the turkey in the small oven in our travel trailer. We love to be in the mountains.
January 4th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
That is the cutest cake! So glad you had a wonderful holiday! Hope you have a great 2012!