Thanksgiving day is just three days away, and I’ve made my grocery list, and have the meal planned. Different family members are set to bring their specialties, and cooking will begin the day before. Bring it on!

Long before there were food shows and television channels, I learned to cook at home, in the kitchen, with my mom showing me how it was done. The recipes for turkey, gravy, and dressing are not written down anywhere- I learned by standing next to Mama.

Everything is made from scratch, and butter is used…never margarine. Timing was also taught – when to do what, and how to get it all to come out together for a hot dinner.

I still can remember the first time my gravy came out as good as Mama’s. I was in my 20’s. It was a great day!!

Being the Southern cook that I am, I have come up with my own made from scratch recipes – a better fresh cranberry sauce, a new way of doing sweet potatoes.

It’s not thanksgiving without Mama’s cornbread dressing and white gravy, though.

I taught all my kids how to cook by example. They have a basis to form their own family traditions now.

Having the family tradition recipes helps us have a piece of home, wherever we are.