thanksgiving dinner, 2001

This was the occasion of the first full family dinner at Taus Mahal, with Tausworthe, Nichols^*, and Krusic clans en ensemble. We had coordinated the menu items and farmed some of them out for others to prepare, so it was quite an elaborate affair.

This was also the occasion of our learning, for the first time, that San Diego interstate traffic on Thanksgiving’s day is very slow. The locals in attendance got a considerable early start over those from further origins, who stayed late, so as not to miss anything.

It was also the first family gathering since the Al Qaeda terrorist attack of September 11^th, only two months earlier. The occasion was a solemn one, with grave concern for the future of our country and its people throughout the world. But gloom was supplanted by a convivial and festive undertone, with trust that there would be an eventual resolution of such strife, with gratitude for our present good fortunes, with hope for better times to come, and with resolve that each of us would do their part in making it so.

The quality of the food listed below did its part in promoting the warm and happy feelings that encompassed and infused the assembly that day.

hors d’oeurves

• Spanakópita†
• Meatballs in barbecue sauce
• Crudités and onion dip
• Black olives and artichoke hearts

soups

• Potato-leek-fennel soup
• Butternut squash soup

salad

• Green salad

entrées

• Barbecue roast turkey†
• Wild rice and sausage dressing†
• Giblet gravy†
• Sliced ham
• Mashed potatoes
• Three cheese potatoes
• Cranberry-walnut relish
• Cranberry-serrano relish†
• Zucchini-tomato-basil casserole
• Assorted breads

desserts

• Pecan pie
• Strawberry pie
• Apple pie
• Vanilla ice cream

libation

• Ice water
• Soda pop
• Champagne punch†
• Beer
• Wine
• Camden’s surprise

I can’t remember what my grandson’s Camden’s Surprise beverage was, but he was only 13 at the time, so be assured, it was non-alcoholic.

The evening continued with the adults retreating to the patio (finished by now) for brandy and cigars, supplied impromptu by guests unremembered.