10/06/2026
A THANKSGIVING STORY FROM RITA
With Thanksgiving here, Rita wanted to share a Thanksgiving memory that goes all the way back to 1967.
And let’s just say... the turkey wasn’t the problem.
Thanksgiving Dinner - 1967
Mel and I were married in February 1967, and by Thanksgiving we were already the parents of a three-month-old baby girl. I was just 17, Mel was 18, and we lived in a small house in Carvel, Alberta, not far from where we live today.
That Thanksgiving, I decided I was going to make dinner for Mel’s parents, my parents, some of our siblings, and one of my uncles. I was determined to prepare the entire meal on my own and wouldn’t accept any help from our mothers, although they would have been more than happy to lend a hand. I’m sure everyone was a little nervous about how it would all turn out!
I roasted the turkey, made all the traditional side dishes, and set up a large table in the living room so everyone would have a place to sit. To my delight, the meal turned out beautifully. I was especially proud that I had managed such a big dinner while also caring for a three-month-old baby.
Then came dessert.
Naturally, I had made pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Even the crust looked wonderfully flaky! I served everyone a slice and waited proudly for the compliments. But after the first bites, I noticed the expressions around the table. Something was definitely wrong. I tasted my own slice and immediately discovered why—it was awful! I actually had to spit out the bite.
I asked my mom what I had done wrong. I explained that I had opened a can of pumpkin puree, poured it into the pie crust, and baked it. I had assumed pumpkin filling worked just like canned cherry or apple pie filling. My mom gently explained that pumpkin pie needed evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs, and, of course, all those delicious spices.
At 17, I was devastated. I burst into tears and ran to hide in the bedroom. It took both Mel and my mom to persuade me to come back to the table.
Nearly 60 years later, I’ve made more pumpkin pies than I can count. And I learned one lesson from that first Thanksgiving dinner that I’ve never forgotten: always have a backup dessert ready, just in case!
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Sincerely,
Rita
