When you come from a large family as I do, Thanksgiving and Christmas are major holidays for everyone to get together. A number of years ago, we all decided that we would do Christmas together and each of us do our own thing on Thanksgiving. So I cook Thanksgiving dinner. Now, when I say I cook, I mean I cook 🙂 It’s the one time of the year when I have all the comfort foods of my childhood – at one sitting. Here’s a sampling of what will be on the table tomorrow:
- Turkey breast (no need to cook a whole bird – don’t like dark meat)
- Cornbread and sausage dressing, with gravy
- Ham, with pineapple slices and cherries
- Sweet potatoes (in some form)
- Potato salad
- Corn pudding
- Brussell sprouts (not for me, mind you)
- Green beans (in some form)
- Spinach casserole or soufle
- Macaroni & cheese
- Deviled eggs
- Hot rolls
- Sweet potato pie
- Cheesecake
Usually, it’s just the two of us. Oh, we’ve done the whole “invite everybody” thing, but it’s just too much to deal with. One year, we had a bunch of friends come over. A few ate before they got there (!), there were complaints about silly stuff, like no mashed potatoes on the menu or that my carving knife wasn’t sharp enough. After that, I said never again. Last year, a good friend of ours and her father joined us. They were planning to go out to dinner instead 😯 so we invited them over. They will be joining us again this year. (Actually, she’s bringing homemade rolls, one of the things I just can’t make.) We’ll eat, watch some football, eat, watch some more football, eat… well, you get the idea 😀
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. And, appropriately, I’ll be making the first batch of my homemade eggnog.
Here’s hoping that all of you enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Speaking of Christmas, I have been watching Good Morning America this morning while wrapping some gifts to get in the mail. I found the segment on “Shopping on-line” astonishing! Is this suppose to be a good thing?
I am completely amazed at how people have figured out more ways to disassociate themselves from “life”. How meaningless it is to present a gift (as in the spirit of Christmas) that one was just too busy or too unconcerned to personally shop for.
If the excuse is to avoid the crowds, or the traffic, or the time consuming selection process for the perfect gift, one deprives themselves of the joy of experiencing the true meaning of giving.
No matter how busy my schedule is, I find it exhillerating to jump at the chance to browse the shops, experience the music and lights, and totally loose myself in the true meaning of the holiday spirit! It is a sad lot of human beings that cannot bother to give of themselves and their time. But I will wish one and all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS in spite of themselves!