Thanksgiving Blessings

Thanksgiving is a favorite in our house. It is the beginning of the "holiday season" and has all the elements necessary to make great memories...family, friends, football, food, and yes...black Friday!!

Our Thanksgivings have evolved through the years. When we first came to Florida, we spent Thanksgivings with my aunt and uncle and all of their extended family. There might be anywhere from 12 - 25 guests depending on who wanted to spend the holiday in sunny Florida (and of course whoever my uncle had invited the day before while visiting with customers and friends who wandered through his gas station). There was always a football game on the TV and loads of people from several generations visiting and enjoying a great meal. Eventually, our family grew as did our circle of friends and we began hosting Thanksgiving in our home. Again it was a time of lots of family....those who lived in town and those who came to visit, as well as close friends who couldn't get to their families....and yes, my husband had taken to inviting someone who needed a family for the day. Those years, when our children were still young, hold some of my fondest memories....getting up early to eat breakfast and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (dashing into the kitchen on commercials to continue working on some side dish or to pull the turkey out of the oven just to check on it?!). Honestly, side dishes are my favorite at Thanksgiving. Give me a plate full of stuffing/dressing, mashed potatoes swimming in gravy, sweet potato casserole, my grandmother's creamed lima beans, pineapple cheese salad, and CANNED cranberry sauce, and I am a very happy camper. I know that there are turkey lovers out there, so Mr. Turkey is the guest of honor and provides ambiance for the meal. The smell of the roasted turkey and the sight of it sitting at the head of our table awaiting the lucky man chosen to tackle him with a carving knife and fork (after being prayed over of course) brings back memories that make me smile....does anyone remember when the electric knife was the latest and greatest thing!!!

In recent years Thanksgivings have taken place at Rich's parent's house. We have blended traditions together and created new ones (such as decorative place settings handcrafted for each guest...check out the fun picture of the Indian headbands modeled by Nicole and David). We still get up early at our house and turn on the beloved parade to enjoy the streets of New York all festive and full of good cheer (someday, someday). A couple of years ago, much to my children's delight, I started a new tradition, The-Come-In-Your-PJs-Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Breakfast. Family and friends all show up to enjoy breakfast and parade fun...this year's party will include a trivia contest!! Lots of fun and just the beginning of a day filled with food and special people.

This weekend will be jam-packed...there is the Alabama/Auburn football game on Friday and the FSU/Florida game on Saturday (though I have a notion neither of my teams will win I will still tune in and root them on). In and amongst that, we will try to fit in putting up and decorating our Christmas tree together as a family, and send Chelsea back off to Auburn for a few weeks! Hmmm, I may have to forgo Black Friday!!!!!
I am thankful for so much this year...but a few big ones include Nicole's healthy pregnancy and the coming of Claire Elizabeth, Chelsea's transition into college, Katelyn...she hasn't gone anywhere and won't for almost two years and she is always the sane one in this bunch, Rich...he is the foundation of this family and that is why we are so strong. I'm also thankful that our extended family is healthy, Sue's surgery was a success and she continues to reach her goals (and the latest was buying some cool clothes in Talbots!), and that our best friends may actually end up staying in Florida (Woohoo Southwest!).
Wherever you are this Thanksgiving I hope it is a great holiday full of turkey and lots of sides, family and friends, and if it's your thing... successful shopping! I would love to hear about your special holiday traditions and wish you and your family safe travels and peace.