Peeper is Famous

Shrike used to work for the newspaper in our hometown (she now works for a paper in a neighboring town), and I recently ran into one of her former coworkers and her husband, and told them all about Peeper.

A couple of days later, she called asking if she could interview us for a story about "non-traditional families celebrating Thanksgiving."

We ended up being the first family profiled in the story, and she even used a photo of the three of us.

Also profiled in the story are a vegan cookbook author from OurTown who now lives in New York City and celebrates with different friends each year, usually immigrants; the paper's "This Day in History" columnist, who is a widower and will be travelling to his daughter's home out of state and a couple who live at a local assisted living facility and will be celebrating at the dining hall there.

Here's an excerpt (the part about us!):

Traditional Thanksgiving meal doesn't always mean turkey

A Thanksgiving dinner gathering, as depicted in Norman Rockwell's 1940s painting of a turkey surrounded by a "typical" American family, has evolved in the past decades, just as society has evolved.

With families living hundreds or even thousands of miles apart, the changing face of the typical family as well as the growing popularity of the vegetarian lifestyle are some of the factors Rockwell may take into consideration if he updated his famous painting to resemble this nation's current lifestyles.

Whozat and Shrike Whozat-Shrike of Chambersburg and their 1-month-old daughter, Peeper, will celebrate Thanksgiving at the home of Shrike's parents. With them will be Shrike's sister, [name], and her partner, [name], who both live in [their town].

[Sister's] former husband and their two children -- as well as Shrike's aunt and uncle from the [BigCity] area and her grandparents -- will also be guests at the holiday dinner.

"All the dinner conversation will revolve around Peeper this year," said Whozat, adding that the Thanksgiving dinner will be on Saturday instead of Thanksgiving Day, due to conflicting work schedules.

The family is planning a menu based on everyone's favorite traditional holiday dishes, although there's some debate as to whether the meat should be turkey or baked chicken.

Whozat said she requested green pepper stuffing, made with green bell peppers and bacon.

A vegetarian, the aunt from [BigCity] will bring a casserole of either vegetable lasagna or macaroni and cheese.

A highlight this year will include the family's heirloom cradle that four family members had slept in. It will be brought out and Peeper will be the fifth family member to lie in it. [Actually, she will be the 7th - Shrike's mom and uncle, Shrike, her sister and Sister's two kids were all there before her. - Whozat] Photos will be taken with Peeper laying in the cradle surrounded by all her relatives who've used it.

"We're all thankful that Peeper is here now, and that she's healthy," said Whozat, adding that Peeper wasn't due to be born until Nov. 25. She was born four weeks early.