For me, Thanksgiving is a bittersweet holiday; one infused with beautiful memories of my family through the years, paralleled with the opportunity to create new memories alongside those we love most. We come together here at French’s Point. We work side by side to put the estate to bed for the year before old man winter arrives. We celebrate our connection with time spent together walking the trails as the last autumn leaves fall and sitting by the fire in deep conversation while our kiddos roast “just one more marshmallow”. We honor each other with the sharing of a beautiful meal. We show our love for each other in a way that was taught to us through the example of our grandmother May Brooks, or “Nana” to her grandchildren. She was the perennial hostess and her family adored her. Holiday meal prep was thoughtfully planned. She prepared in the days leading into the Thanksgiving for her family that came from near and far to be in her loving presence.
“Thanksgiving is a bittersweet holiday; one infused with beautiful memories of my family through the years, paralleled with the opportunity to create new memories alongside those we love most.” – Jessika
May was known for her cooking and particularly baking. My sweet father loved her donuts the most, fresh out of the fryer. Her turkey was always beautiful and delicious. She was famous for her mashed potatoes and lump-free gravy. But her pies were crowning jewel of the feast. My favorite was her apple pie, but there is debate among our tribe as to what was the “best”. She made her pie crust as all experienced bakers do… by feel and muscle memory, not by recipe. At our pleading, she finally wrote it down so we have some means to try to duplicate her flaky crust…somedays I feel like I am almost there, and others, I feel like I am a novice at the task in need of much more practice. The days I get close to making the perfect crust, almost like hers, I feel closest to her. I am grateful I have this endeavor to share with my children, so they may know her too. I am carrying my Nana with me each Thanksgiving, and always in my heart.
Photography by Rachael Anderson