Mom’s Scalloped Oysters

“1972” mom answered.

It was 2007 or ’08 and we were back in Ottawa for Thanksgiving.   My sister Tanya and her husband Shawn had prepared a wonderful meal at their home. Roberta brought a side dish, we brought wine, and Mom brought her “famous” Scalloped Oysters that she always served at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The entire family was there, and with kids, grandkids, husbands, wives, and friends, it was a madhouse in the best possible way. After the meal we were all talking at the same time, as is often the case in my family. I started thinking and then said, “You know, I think this is the first time I’ve been home for Thanksgiving since…” and was then thinking about when I actually was last home for Thanksgiving.

From the other end of the table, mom answered “1972.”

Was it really that long? Of course she was right. 1972 was my senior year at Ottawa High School. After that, I headed to West Point, and then the Army. Our assignments were around the world and around the country, usually a long way from Illinois. When we were in Germany (almost all of the ‘80s), we didn’t make it back to the States much at all. Later, we were stationed in the DC area. If we could get home at that time of the year, we always planned on making it back for Christmas. After I got out of the Army, we stayed in the DC area and the same held true.

I felt embarrassed and a bit chagrined.

I’ve thought about that Thanksgiving off and on since then. You never quite know where your life is going to take you, but those are the choices you make.

I have also thought about how we took a little bit of home with us, as we travelled the world. Cathy had gathered many of her mom’s Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes when she first left home in the early ‘70s. In addition to turkey, dressing, and green bean casserole, she would make that ol’ favorite, green Jell-O salad.  She also made my mom’s scalloped oysters. I like to think that we honored both of our families with the Thanksgiving meals we made. I sure know we thought of home while making them.

The 3×5 card from Mom with her Scalloped Oysters recipe

Mom’s Scalloped Oysters. Why she first started making it, I haven’t a clue. We lived in the middle of the mid-west and oysters weren’t exactly plentiful, or common. But every year, she would find fresh oysters in Ottawa or a neighboring town, and make “Oyster Dressing”, along with the regular stuffing. It was wonderful. And expensive. Mom would joke that she spent as much on the oysters, as she did on the turkey. Of course we never thought about that as kids.

Over the years, the scalloped oysters became a staple of Cathy’s and my Thanksgiving table as well, if we could find the oysters. Some folks liked it, some tried a small bite, and some wouldn’t eat it. I loved it. Secretly, I always hoped it wouldn’t get eaten, so I’d be able to have more leftovers in the coming days.

Life continued over the years.  Mom passed away last spring at the age of 86.  I miss her and have found myself thinking about her much more than I expected.  I’m sure that is why the Thanksgiving of 2007 popped in my brain.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and as usual, Cath and I aren’t going back to Ottawa. We’re staying here in Virginia and going to a friend’s home. We are supposed to bring a dish to pass, so we are taking Mom’s Scalloped Oysters. I believe mom will be with us in spirit and giving me a few words of advice while I make the oysters. I know I will be thinking about her throughout the day.

Oh. And I hope our friends aren’t too thrilled with the oyster dressing, and we have enough for leftovers on Friday.

Love you mom….

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By the way, the recipe doubles our quadruples nicely.  If you are quadrupling it, you may need to take out a small loan.