Thanksgiving Celebrations

We had an absolutely beautiful Thanksgiving this year. Trav's parent's came up this year, which was lovely... you know I like to share this holiday with family. The night before I headed out to a yoga class. As I left the house the moon was huge and heavy in the sky; golden colored from the setting sun. It felt festive and very autumnal! That feeling persisted the day of.

We cooked all our traditional foods: turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and crescent rolls. Gwen set the table and made lovely little place cards for everyone.

We all ate our fill, before retiring to the living room to digest and watch our traditional first holiday movie of the season: Miracle on 34th Street. I'm a huge proponent of waiting until after Thanksgiving to start thinking of Christmas, but I love this tradition of ending this holiday by welcoming the next.

When enough time had passed, we broke out the pie... I went with traditional pumpkin, but with a less traditional sugar cookie crust! It was delicious, and I'll never go back!

While the movie played and the pie was eaten... I fired the stove back up and used the turkey bones, as well as some seasonings, onions, and garlic to make a nice rich stock. We frozen half, and turned the rest into turkey and rice stewp. One of my favorite ways to enjoy leftovers.

Our day was full of everything I always wish for it: family, amazing food, rich smells, a reflection on all we have to be grateful for, and a relaxing end to the day. I hope you had much of the same.

[As an aside: I have certain fundamental problems with the story told about this holiday, and the real atrocities that it glosses over. I made a donation to support the American Indian College Fund and I encourage your to find a group to donate to as well. Here are a few great ideas: Native Charities ]