HAPPY THANKSGIVING! The Day of the Turkey. I have some fun vintage scans for you, starting with this first example, shared with us by Sue B. You can see the family resemblance between these women! They've begun serving dinner, a drumstick has been claimed already; the daughter seems to have some pieces of cooked potato, perhaps she's about to whip them into the mashed variety? Seems a little late in the game! There's cranberry sauce, stuffing (I think), and... something I can't identify in that shallow dish to the left. Love that vintage kitchen! Thank you, Sue.
Next I have some of my own scans from Thanksgiving, 1957. Location unknown, sadly. Gramps is carving the bird, serving up big slabs of white meat. I hope there's lots of gravy! I'm not sure how to interpret Gramps's expression, perhaps he's blinking to avoid being blinded by the camera flash. Grandma (to the right) has dressed to match the Delft china. I see that a bottle of ketchup is on the table, which makes me realize that my whole life has been a sham.
A bronze bust of Elvis watches over the festivites; what in the world is that sculpture to the right? Little sis has been helping herself to the cooking sherry in the cupboard, but it'll be just our secret.
Most people have glasses of tomato juice, but Gramps has a giant bottle of Schaefer beer. When you think about it, it is just liquid bread. Seeing the basket with sliced bread makes me think of my grandparents in Minnesota, they always had bread and a tub of margarine on the table for every meal.
The big meal is over - perhaps the TV is on, and the tryptophan is starting to kick in. Soon everyone will be sprawled on the floor, snoring loudly - the sign of another successful Thanksgiving!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to each and every Junior Gorilla!
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ReplyDeleteMajor-
ReplyDeleteThat kitchen has all that one would need: a stand mixer [I think a Sunbeam] and a sink fixture with a Rinse-Quik. (I wonder if the Cheerios played a part in the Thanksgiving feast-?)
That family really knows how to set a table for Thanksgiving: ketchup; Miracle Whip; mustard (with a genuine French's Mustard Hot Dan serving spoon-!); olives; butter; and a sure sign of gracious living - tomato juice.
That "sculpture" looks like someone's idea of 'moving modern art', propelled by the heat from a pair of candles, beneath . (Undoubtedly the 'inspiration' for The Tower of the Four Winds).
I'm surprised only 'Gramps' has a cigarette in hand following what was unquestionably a delightful repast.
Here's to a delightful Thanksgiving repast for all the Junior Gorillas. Thanks to Sue and The Major.
1) The cranberry sauce (in the white bowl) looks to be the made-from-scratch variety. And I would guess that the dark stuff in the shallow dish is some of that home-made cranberry sauce, now in a more decorative dish, for the table. That turkey looks scrumptious; well basted. Thanks for this nostalgic and yummy photo, Sue. (I licked my computer monitor.)
ReplyDelete2) In addition to the ketchup(!), there's also a jar of Miracle Whip. Maybe these condiments are always on their dinner table, regardless of what's being served? Looks like mustard is also there... and processed American cheese.
3) I think that strange "sculpture" to the right of 'Elvis' is one of those candle-powered twirly things that spins around from the candle's heat. Looks like a cherub is doing the spinning.
4) I wonder if the tomato juice picture is before or after the big meal? The turkey isn't there, nor are the condiments or plates.
5) Looks like Junior, in his white shirt and tie, is already a victim of the tryptophan. Is that a die-shaped cigarette lighter next to him?
I see Nanook also discussed the condiments and candle-powered whatsit.
Thank you, Major and Sue. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good feast!
Major, as Nanook & JB have mentioned, that “sculpture” is a set of “angel chimes.” Heat from the candles rises, spinning the propellor at the top, which then makes the angels spin. Small clappers suspended from the angels then strike the chimes. Here’s a VIDEO showing how the contraption works, although this particular example uses Santa and reindeer rather than angels.
ReplyDeleteWishing all of you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!
I sure am grateful for the effort Major, Sue and the rest of us make to share lighthearted fun and obsessional observations - every day. Thanks Gorillas.
ReplyDeleteMS
Thanks for GDB, Major! I am grateful for it and for each of my fellow Junior Gorillas every day. I hope you all have a wonderful day with family, or however you want to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThose cabinets in photo 1 are just like my childhood home. Little shelves on the ends to hold keepsakes, a detail lost to time. I love the ladies cooking stuff. Mrs. G and daughter G are chopping stuff in our kitchen right now.
Gramps is taking his official duties seriously, right down to relaxing with beer and lung dart.
I see that Chuck has filled in on the little animated sculpture. Daughter G has a little one made of yellow pine, these are a Scandinavian Christmas thing, in our case, Danish.
I’ve just been handed a glass of champagne and the Macy’s parade is on, so I’ve got to run.
May God bless us all.
JG
So many fun ceramic knickknacks in these photos, not enough of those in homes these days. I like the kitty and piggy in the window in the first pic. And there’s a headscarf-wearing lass peeking over the table from the background china cabinet in the first few images of the other gathering. That doesn’t look like milk in that carton in pic 1; is it turkey fat? Homemade butter? Little Sis is wearing an interesting double headband.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving all, and thank you to Sue and Major!
A throwback to our childhood. And what a treasure that you have them Major. Sadly, mine exist only in memories. Sue, you really found a good one too!. Happy Thanksgiving to all! KS
ReplyDeleteWe just had our feast. Y'all can call me a turkey, 'cuz I'm stuffed.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to the Major and the Jr. Gorillas.
ReplyDeleteThe Macy's parade had a pretty big Disney showing, as usual.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration, and lots of your favorite pie.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Major, I hope you're enjoying your "stuffing and suching."
I'm especially grateful for Major and all of you Jr. Gorillas who make each day more interesting and a lot more fun. In the midst of a crazy world, this is a great place to gather.
@ Sue-
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for all YOU do here, too-!