Thursday, November 18, 2010

1970's Thanksgiving

When I was a girl, we lived far away from family.  So instead of gathering with Grandparents and cousins for the holidays, we invited friends over.  Close friends, who were given honorary family names, like Aunt and Uncle, even though we were not related.

Here we are,  circa 1970, with 4 families all seated around the table for Thanksgiving.   Where did we find a table big enough for 18 people?  My Mom set up our ping pong table in the family room!     Everybody brought food. Somebody brought candlesticks.  One of the other Moms brought over her dishes, so we would have enough for everyone.  All of us glad to be together.   It really was a perfect holiday!

Mmmmm, look at all that good food!
That's me there in the plaid shirt and lovely glasses. 
 (Family photos may not be borrowed or pinned.)

Speaking of eye-glasses, here is another pair to admire.
And look at that molded jello!
 (Family photos may not be borrowed or pinned.)

 (Family photos may not be borrowed or pinned.)

Four of the group had birthdays within a week of Thanksgiving.  
I love this picture of all of them blowing out the candles on their group cake!

Linking to
Vintage Thingie Thursday at The Colorado Lady
Thank you for hosting.

I must apologize for not visiting and leaving very many comments this past week.   I have been so busy getting everything ready for the kids to come home from college.  I'm hoping to get caught up with all of you in the next two or three days.

(All of these pictures were taken by my parents or other guests at the dinner.)

39 comments:

  1. over from colorado lady....

    oh yeah, the ping-pong table solution...know it well...grew up with it! thanks for sharing your delightful photos!!!

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  2. What a neat Vintage post. Loved seeing all the pics. Isn't it funny that we can look back on our childhood pics and they are instantly dated by what the fashion and hair styles weree? We still laugh when we see our old pics here...My kids shall do the same in 20 years I hope. It's all good! :-) I love that there was no Elaborate planning...(pingpong table) You just accomadated anyone and everyone with what you had. Our moms repurposed all the time!!!!
    Hugs to you Gayle...Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  3. I was born on Thanksgiving so that is when my birthday was celebrated when I was young.

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  4. What a wonderful time was had by all. A delightful solution when family is not near. Loved your pictures.

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  5. Super Cute, I love the photos. Thanks for sharing

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  6. I love your glasse and the Jell-O creation!

    It remimded me of a lot of family gatherings...

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  7. I love these olden photos from our past :) The 70's, love em!

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  8. These are just wonderful! What memories!!!!
    Time sure scoots.
    But hey! Styles always return. I am sure those glasses were on someone the other day at the mall:))
    Enjoy the time with your kids when they come home:)))

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  9. A wonderful vintage moment in your life.

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  10. I loved seeing the vintage pictures. It is so good to remember happy times. And to remember the ping pong table was just fine and some candlesticks. The table did not have to be perfect! Just the companionship!

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  11. These were wonderful photos. I am sad to think that 70's are vintage...lol!! Wonderful Thanksgiving photos.

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  12. LOL, we have a lot of photos that look eerily similar to this! We used dad's saw horses and sheets of plywood for our giant table though- and starched bed sheets as our table cloth! Happy Vintage Thingies Thursday and thanks for the walk down memory lane!

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  13. Oh I adore these pictures. And the glasses, I had the same pair. The jello mold is a relic isn't it. Our family has 5 birthdays from Nov 4 to Nov 24==know what ya mean!. Happy VTT
    Ann

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  14. Oh, what would we have done without the trusty dinner (ping-pong) table. These days Thanksgivin' Dinner has grown to 35-37 and the dinin' room table with all it's leaves in becomes one gigantic buffet!

    You have a marvelously blessed day and enjoy your Thanksgiving sweetie!!!

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  15. What a great post..full of wonderful memories. I loved it. Sounds like the perfect holiday. Happy VTT!

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  16. I love these pictures! We must be about the same age because I have very similar looking pictures! We were a military family and we always had a houseful of chosen family members at Thanksgiving too :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  17. I am thankful for the post. These helped me remember our wonderful memories!! :o)

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  18. What terrific photos, what wonderful memories they must bring back!

    Happy VTT,
    Sally

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  19. Oh, the memories! Some of the best times are with friends.

    Melinda

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  20. A family is anyone you take into your home and love! Looks like its perfect to me. I love these vintage pictures...the molded jello reminded me of the Griswolds in Christmas Vacation!
    Thanks for sharing this!

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  21. I adore the photos you shared of the most special Thanksgiving. You look so cute and the special friends all around just makes me smile. Especially the group birthday cake. That is a LOT of candles. All the food shared looks delicious. It makes me want to make a jello mold. BIG smile. A wonderful Thanksgiving to share today.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  22. I love these pictures. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the seventies just for one day.

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  23. I love this post!

    Isn't it funny how all families look the same!!

    M.E.

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  24. Love your photos, they are wonderful! Hope you have a lovely weekend xx

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  25. I LOVE old photo's like this. No matter how I try, I cannot figure out what makes such a huge difference in the way we looked back then and now. Hair styles were a bit different...and clothing..but there is something else. Have you ever wondered?

    I loved this post!

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  26. What a fun post! Love those pictures, really takes me back. This could have been taken at our house in the 70's. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Kat

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  27. Wow! Your pictures bring back memories of similar Thanksgivings. I don't think I have any pictures like these though.

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  28. That's exactly what Thanksgiving is all about. Everyone, family and/or friends, gathered togeteher.

    I've been slow getting around to visit also and am catching up with a few blogs a day. I love all your fall leaves photos! Can't wait to see what you do with your blue dishes. I know it will be lovely.
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  29. I loved this post, Gayle! What a special childhood you had! Some of what you shared brought to mind stories our daughter and son-in-law shared about their days away. :-)

    I wanted to tell you that I just found an old copy (hardcover, nonetheless) of Come By Chance on Amazon for a penny...even with shipping and handling it was only $4. I'm pleased as pleased can be! It should be here in time to add to Grandma's stash of books for the girlies to read while they are here at Christmas time.

    Hugs to you as you enjoy Thanksgiving Day in your home! Hope you will be able to share some of those pictures. I'd really like to see your tablescape!

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  30. Hi friend,
    Did we get the same glasses that year? HA! How absolutely wonderful! I love those old photos...Who doesn't have them? HA!
    I ALWAYS sat at the "card table" and never made it to the "big table" at Grandma and Grandpa's house!
    Hugs,
    Tanya

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  31. These vintage photos are priceless,Gayle! I, too, had those same glasses...they've come back in style too! LOL

    Wonderful memories...thanks for sharing them with us. Enjoy those kids while they're home for the holiday.

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Rett

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  32. My father was in the service so our family was always the guys on post who were far from home. Great glasses. Thanks for sharing your memories. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  33. I was a teenager in 1970 and remember the times and clothes and pictures well! Thanks for sharing!

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  34. Love these "older" pics - brings back memories of my younger days, too. Loved when so many people were crowded around the table. And my grandma made the prettiest jello mold. :-)

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  35. Something about these photos feels so Norman Rockwellish!

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  36. I just loved this post! Thanks for visiting and glad you liked the green ornament! hugs, Kerrie

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  37. Gayle, it was so good to find your note! I've been missing you. Glad to know it was that you were computerless and not worn out from the Thanksgiving week.

    I love this season, also. Advent is so special in turning our hearts toward Him...quieting our spirits.

    Hugs to you

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  38. What lovely special memories you have! I loved seeing the old photos, with the sideburns and glasses and sweet plaid outfits!

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THANK YOU for your thoughtful comments. Replies to your questions will be posted here, so be sure to check back soon. Have a wonderful day! - Gayle, Garden Of Daisies