I can’t believe the holidays have already crept into sight. It seems like the days go by faster now that I’m back in school. I plan around deadlines and I’m looking forward to conquering the first semester. So is every other student that I talk to. Even though there will be plenty of reading peppered into the holiday weekend, I’m hoping to focus on family, lots of food and sleep. In that order.
If you’re sticking around New York for Thanksgiving, I recommend that you check out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for a couple of hours. Hubby and I have gone for the past two years and we’ve never had an issue with crowds. Each time, we’ve been able to get a good spot that didn’t consist of enduring a sea of people or working through claustrophobia. The majority of the action is in the sky too so you can clearly see the balloons.
We even had a good spot in Times Square.
During our first Thanksgiving in the City, we celebrated by having my brother over as our first guest and we made an enormous amount of food for three people. My “easy-bake oven” went to good use and the food fed us for about four days. Our second Thanksgiving in the City was accompanied by wonderful friends from Texas and fabulous new friends from New York. A smoked turkey from a country roadhouse came along with our friends from the south and it met up with a spread full of Italian influences in the north. The blend of food and friends (and wine) made for a delightful holiday.
Thanksgiving 2009
When I was a kid I didn’t really appreciate all the hard work that goes into this traditional event. I remember mashing potatoes, sitting at the kid’s table and watching football. As I’ve become an adult, it’s been nice to develop a signature dish to contribute to the feast (green bean casserole – with fresh green beans), to partake in the consumption of wine and to just be in the presence of others. Naturally, there can be awkward or dysfunctional conversations and strange tension if that weird uncle or cousin shows up. You can eventually look back and laugh when something ridiculous happens like, “remember when Uncle (insert name) showed up to mom’s house blasted and used the dog as a napkin?” This year, I challenge you to find a positive angle to the potential stress.
If you’re part of the crowd that’s going away this weekend, or if you’re staying in town and taking it easy, be sure to take a minute to count your blessings. I concur with Charles Dickens’ statement that “there’s always something for which to be thankful.” This year, we’re thankful to be part of the departing crowd – it’ll be our second visit to Texas since we’ve moved to New York! I’m counting down the hours until I leave my surroundings for quality family time and quality home-cooked food.
Through the sticky holiday shuffle and through the sweet encounters, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
*Photos by Athena Villarreal
GlobetrotterAV 