How can people find your music? www.AnnieVanderMusic FB: www.facebook.com/AnnieVanderMusic/ IG: www.instagram.com/annie_vander/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@annie_vander YouTube: www.youtube.com/@annie_vander Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2gWwV5QvM3Yk6ayrmOrhrt?si=2XJEwwruTO6syafllnWfnA&nd=1&dlsi=3c9e231d71014cb1 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/annie-vander/1581237342
What is your current single and/or album? “Ornamental Christmas”
What was a typical Thanksgiving meal look like for your family? A small gathering at my home, if I am not on vacation with my husband celebrating our wedding anniversary, which always falls on or around Thanksgiving. If we are home, we bake a turkey, while snacking on a veggie plate and deviled eggs until the full dinner is complete. We have various casserole dishes, with a must have mashed potato casserole that has been nicknamed “pig out potatoes” as it is the one dish that no one can get enough of. This recipe was passed down from my grandma “Close” – she was my mom’s mother and lived only 5 min away from us when I was growing up.
What were your Thanksgiving traditions when you were younger? First thing in the morning was a church service, where we brought food for the needy, followed by a Thanksgiving feast at my grandparents home, Grandma and Grandpa “Close” where we were able to eat off of the “fancy” dishes.
How has your Thanksgiving celebration changed since you have became an adult? I am one of five siblings, and as the years have gone by, the family has grown tremendously and some of the older family members have passed. So, people around the table have changed, due to marriage, more extended family, etc… but the basis of the meal has stayed the same and family recipes still grace the table. I love that traditions in the meals are carried on.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving Day memory? First, it was my grandpa saying “feed ’em they’re hungry” right after he said the dinner prayer. Then, I could not wait for the turkey-shaped covered basket that was filled with croissants. I loved that thing, and could not wait to reach in and take mine. The croissants were so yummy and it was a special Thanksgiving treat!
What are you most thankful for this year? All of the family and friends I have been blessed with to make memories with, my fans, my music, and the opportunity to play a full band show at Soldier Field in Chicago last summer!