No, this title does not mean another blog about football. It’s about how relieved I am that, once again, wonderful friends have invited us into their home for a Thanskgiving feast, which, among other things, means I’m only responsible for contributing sides to the turkey dinner. This delights me to no end. I’ve only done the traditional bird on my own (full disclosure: my mom was there for advising) twice in my life. Scandalous, I know.
While I hate not seeing my family, I’m pretty used to Thanksgiving without them. I moved to Oregon for grad school when I was 23, and I couldn’t afford to go home for both Thanskgiving and winter break. Those two years I was invited to friends’ houses, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciated people taking me in to (somewhat) alleviate the homesickness. That first year I was invited to a Thanksgiving unlike anything I’d experienced before: about 25 friends (rather than an extended family) gathering, and it was somewhat potluck. There were so many new dishes I hadn’t tried, and it was good for me to see how much fun could be had that day even around strangers (I know about 2-3 of the people there, and one was the host–a Unitarian minister–who had much to do that day). I come from a small family, and growing up my biggest Thanksgivings included, at the most, about 10 people.
Now that I’m married, Chris and I have in the last few years begun our own traditions over the break. Since I often have work to do, it’s okay not to travel, and now that we have a house we put up decorations. I’ve also started to make some of our fave Thanksgiving sides from both families. This year I’m taking green bean casserole and pumpkin pie with me to our Thanksgiving dinner, but I’m also making a cranberry salad and corn souffle (just about the best comfort food you can find), two dishes Chris grew up with, for us to munch on over the long weekend. Luckily, all of these dishes are on my level; I even surprised myself the other day thinking, “it’s going to be fun to spend the morning making my sides.” I’m not someone who looks forward to lots of kitchen time.
So: this year I’m grateful for the kindness of close friends and even acquaintances who have generously opened their doors and gotten a big enough bird that I can partake in their good cooking and fellowship. I’m grateful that even though I can’t be with my family I know exactly what food will be on their table (we’re traditionalists, y’all: the menu is the same every year, which I love) and will get to talk with them all. I’m grateful that Chris and I have our own traditions underway. And, of course, I’m grateful for so very much more, and I’m glad that this country gives us a day to focus on our gratitude.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, whether that takes you to stores at 4 a.m. on Friday or in front of the couch for some good football or to the storage closet for your Dept. 56 villages or none or all of the above. And thanks for reading my blog.






