Special day’s best when set to music of family’s playlist

By Peggy Walker, R.D.

Our families will gather next Thursday to eat and visit; talk weather, football and politics (only a little); enjoy those who are there and miss those who are not.  We’ll reminisce; play; be thankful; be happy; be patriotic; be sentimental; hug, nap, rest, laugh; eat some more and wash a lot of dishes.  Some will need to take a walk outside, throw the football, or run; and we’ll snap some new pictures and look at old ones.  There will be new babies to hold and deer hunting stories and football teams to compare.  We’ll eat a little more; make plans for Christmas; and watch a little football.   That’s the day’s game plan…little heavy on the food and football, but that’s how we like it.
And there needs to be music, so here’s a play list for the holiday.  I hope you enjoy this eclectic music mix and maybe begin your own family’s playlist.
Ask everyone to bring a tune that suits the day.  Yours could be all hymns, like Count your Many Blessings, or you could make it all classical, country, or jazz.  Or songs all about food.  Who knew that James Taylor and Ray Charles sang a duet about sweet potato pie!  My list is rather random. It’s fun though.
Over the River and Through the Woods:   Start with a traditional tune that my sister and her boys used to come in singing, except they changed the words from “grandmother’s house” to Aunt Peggy’s.  But “to grandmother’s house” now works!
We Gather Together to Ask the Lords’ Blessing:  a beautiful traditional song and best done by the Boston Pops Orchestra.  The pause to remember the pilgrims, the hardships they endured, and why they came.
Two songs for the little ones:  10 Little Turkeys for fun and the Little Pilgrim sings “Be thankful and grand; let’s give thanks for you and me and our home and family.”
Bless this House.   A favorite of mine, sung at our wedding.  Perry Como does it best.
Instrumentals:   Green Onions by Booker T and the MGs; Theme from Northern Exposure; Gobblers by Jay Unger and Molly Mason and also their Blue River Waltz.  And Simple Gifts from William Coulter and Barry Phillips’ CD is a Shaker melody certainly worth repeating. And don’t neglect Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving song by Vince Guaraldi.  Peanuts go with any holiday!
Play anything written by Stephen Foster for some Americana.  Include The Entertainer if you love piano music.  And give Somewhere over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole a try. It’s very nice.
DW’s pick is It’s a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong.  For sometimes we need reminding.
And for the last song of the day it will be Alan Jackson’s Let it Be Christmas, for Nicholas.
“Bless this house, oh Lord, we pray, make it safe by night and day.  Bless these walls so firm and stout, keeping want and trouble out.  Bless the roof and chimneys tall, let thy peace be overall.  Bless this door that it may prove, ever open.  Bless us all….”
Be thankful.
Recipe of the Week
Raspberry Salad
Traditional, classic, pretty, easy and always worth repeating.

2 10-ounce packages frozen raspberries
2 6-ounce packages raspberry gelatin
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple in syrup (do not drain)
2 ½ cups liquid: 1 ½ cups boiling water and juice from the raspberries
1 cup sour cream
Extra sour cream

Thaw frozen raspberries in bags in bowls of hot water.  Strain and reserve the juice.  Dissolve gelatin in boiling water, stir in reserved raspberry juice.  Mix in crushed pineapple with liquid, stirring well.  Gently stir in raspberries; thoroughly blend in 1 cup sour cream to make creamy.  Pour into a 10-inch mold that has been lightly sprayed with pan spray.  Refrigerate overnight.  Before serving, place mold in pan of hot water for 3 seconds (in and out quickly). Turn over onto serving plate lined with curly green lettuce.  Fill center with additional sour cream for garnish.