November 17, 2007
Saturday Question
Well, it's the weekend before Thanksgiving. Wow. That sure snuck up on us, didn't it?
As I was sitting out on the porch this morning I was thinking about the holiday. It's weird for me. Before I moved to Florida it was a huge family weekend. All four days - gatherings, feasts, football.....heaven.
Then, being so far away it changed. We didn't do the traditional Thanksgiving activities. It became more of just a four day weekend - and the kick off to Christmas.
I'll be honest - I envy those that are able to continue the traditions. I try. I like to do a big traditional dinner on Sunday. Gather together with people I love and just enjoy the company. I don't get to do that every year, for whatever reason. Sometimes, it's once again, just a long 4 day weekend.
But it got me to thinking....what IS the best part of the holiday? Is it the foods that we really only treat ourselves to on that one occasion? Is it spending time with family and friends? Or is it just the opportunity to be THANKFUL for the good things in our lives?
Now we all know, I'm all about the food. I love to cook, and love to eat. And I do have some favorites that are only prepared for this particular occasion. Grandma's cranberry salad. Dressing. Some of my favorite things.
And I AM thankful. But I think I do a pretty good job of counting my blessings on a regular basis. At least I try to. I KNOW I am blessed. I am able to support myself, work in a career that I truly enjoy. I am surrounded, physically and cyberly, with people that are flat-out the best kind of people. Not everyone can say that.
That leads me to what *I* enjoy most about this holiday. It's the people. I enjoy the fellowship that this particular time allows us. I'm so lucky to be a part of a loving family. And my friends? Oh my. Some of the most incredible people I've ever met. Yeah, I'm going to say my favorite part of this holiday is the opportunity to be with those I care about. One way or another.......
So tell me.....as we make the preparations for the big weekend.....what is it YOU love most about this particular holiday? What's the BEST part for you?
Posted by Tammi at November 17, 2007 09:01 AM | TrackBackMy favorite part is making the cranberry salad. It's chopped cranberries, sugar, pecans, whipped cream, and marshmallows. When my oldest brothers boys were little, they called it "the pink stuff". It is still called that today and the oldest ones are 20 and 18. My mother made it when I was little and she hosted Thanksgiving, her mother made it before her, and I'm sure my great grandma Molly made it before her, and so on and so on.
It's just one of those traditions I love to keep going, but see signs of those things falling by the wayside along with other traditions.
Posted by: Tina at November 17, 2007 12:06 PMAs much as I enjoy spending the holiday with my family, the best part for me is that I don't have to go to work.
Posted by: ktreva at November 17, 2007 12:13 PM4 days off!
And now since we don't do the the family thing anymore, the not having to put up with the family for an entire day sure is a treat too!
Posted by: Quality Weenie at November 17, 2007 12:23 PMFor me it is relaxing and enjoying friends after a newer (3 years?) tradition - the pre-holiday frenzy of preparing and sending Christmas stockings and goodies to the Marines.
Posted by: jck at November 17, 2007 07:24 PMFeeding people and hanging out with friends and family - imagine that. ;)
Oh - and dressing. Gott, I LOVE DRESSING. Mmmmmmm....
Posted by: Richmond at November 17, 2007 07:35 PM.... it is hard for me to answer this question...... what IS best about this holiday?....
.... I suspect that it is in seeing my family, although, that will prove very interesting this year (much more interesting than in years past)....
.... sometimes family is best kept at arm's reach..... but I am sure that is true with quite a few families...
.... and congrats on the home win with Notre Dame.... I suspect that Lou's ESPN pep-talk had a lot to do with it......
Posted by: Eric at November 17, 2007 08:34 PMTicket prices to Paradise are awfully cheap this time of year...
Posted by: HomefrontSix at November 18, 2007 02:59 AMWith the job I have now, I have to work on Friday; but I am thankful that I even have a job since they are so scarce in Pinellas County right now.
Family, to be sure. Arthur's, not mine. I don't really have any... but his has really come together in recent years, with the grandkids and all... it's usually fun, though there can be fireworks. ;)
I'd love to see my friends over the holidays as well, but the plane fare would kill me. Heh...
Posted by: pam at November 18, 2007 01:40 PM