See those smiling boys? That is what I am thankful for. I’m also thankful for the man behind the lens. 😉
I’m afraid Thanksgiving has lost its wholesome sheen. Retailers have bastardized the holiday, making us more focused on door buster deals and spending money than spending time with those we love. Thanksgiving is a day we stop to be thankful, but it’s turning into Valentine’s Day. I personally hate Valentine’s Day. I paradoxically love to shop but I hate our consumerist culture. I believe in moderation. I believe in showing our love and gratitude in big and small ways everyday. Such are not things for a once-yearly holiday alone. And let’s be clear, in my book Valentine’s Day is decidedly not a holiday. But Thanksgiving? Now there’s a holiday, my favorite one, in fact.
There is a difference between being truly grateful and simply not taking things for granted. It’s easy to pause today and comment on the things we won’t take for granted. But it seems that in a flutter of a crow’s wing those words of gratitude vanish and we fall back to our skerfuffling, griping ways. It’s a wholly different thing to stop and appreciate all that makes us fulfilled and warm and joyous.Â
It goes without saying that Thanksgiving is all about the grub too. It’s a day to cook and eat and share food with those we love. And let’s not forget that it’s the one day of the year that wine wins over whine.
On my menu:
Roast turkey with Indian spice rub (cumin, ginger, chili powder, garam masala, coriander)
Gravy, natch
Carrot ginger soup (made by Mac Daddy from scratch)
Fennel au gratin
Green bean casserole
Sweet potato spoon bread
Cranberry sauce scented with orange and fresh ginger
Pickled red onions
Pumpkin pie (another Mac Daddy creation)
White chocolate bread pudding
I cannot help but think about the people who go hungry while we feast. It’s an overwhelming problem in our community and in the world. It’s too much to solve as a family, but in aggregate every little bit helps. It never feels like enough, and it’s easy to feel defeated before we even get started. Nonetheless, we try to keep Sisyphus’ rock at the top of the hill. Join me in making a donation to your local food bank throughout the year.
Happy Thanksgiving! May your hearts and bellies be full.