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Tag: Thanksgiving

  • A Special Day for Gratitude & Family!

    Thanksgiving is a special holiday to express gratitude, reconnect, and share wonderful memories together. It’s the opportunity for spending time with family, families, and friends. Of course, each family has their own way of celebrating thanksgiving, particularly through their distinctive cultures and traditional feasts. 

    How Was Our Day? & What Did We Do for Thanksgiving?  

    Well, our day went like this. We all woke up and said good morning greetings to one another as usual, followed by our daily morning routine. My father was required to work, but lucky enough his boss allowed him to leave two hours early. My brothers and I had the day off from work and school, especially my younger sisters. My bros and I took our furry companion for a stroll in our local nearby park about 6-8 minutes from our home. We had a great early morning, taking our dog for a stroll in the park and running, which is something we rarely do together. Therefore, my sisters were aiding my mother in preparing for the afternoon holiday feast. Though, I’ll love to continue, but here was a bit of an overview on our morning. 

    This Thanksgiving, we are celebrating alongside our aunt, uncle, and younger cousin. And we’re looking forward to spending time with them!

    My family is from Mexico, and my mother, sisters and aunt prepared a variety of delicious traditional Mexican dishes. For instance, pozole, roast pork (with added potatoes, carrots, some add in juices for flavor) types of salsas, tortilla chips, tostadas, mexican rice, to name a few.  For desserts, we had homemade chocolate brownies, caramel flan, and Mexican rice pudding with cinnamon. Our furry pals also had tasty meals too!

    We enjoyed a wonderful night of sharing memories, expressing gratitude to one another, playing board games, and listening to music in the background while communicating and sharing moments of laughter and happiness!

    Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!

  • Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and More!

    My family comes from Mexico and Thanksgiving is not a holiday we participate in. However, having been in the United States for many years, certain aspects of the holiday are adapted. We regularly like to have friends and family over for dinner and so we use Thanksgiving as another day to do so. There isn’t a specific dish that anyone prepares but my mom enjoys cooking a big ham that always comes out so decorative and delicious. This Thanksgiving was different for me.

    It has been two years since my parents have moved out of state and because I usually only get Thanksgiving day off, I’m unable to visit my family for the day. I instead find comfort in knowing that I have friends and family nearby who are more than willing  to have me over for this holiday. This year, I went to a friend’s house whose mom dedicated the entire day to preparing all sorts of dishes. They kept it very traditional with turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, Spanish rice, and sweet potatoes.  My favorite had to be the baked sweet potatoes, but I always enjoy sweet potatoes! Since it was warm enough, we had all gone to a nearby park to enjoy a late night walk.

    If I could have spent Thanksgiving at my family’s house I think I would have requested that we make penne alla vodka with shrimp, which happens to be my dads specialty. I would not be able to walk you through how he makes it because he has yet to pass his recipe on to me. Here’s a recipe for someone else’s shrimp penne alla vodka if you’re curious to try it! I would request this dish specifically because it is very nostalgic to me and my dad only makes it on special occasions. Remember to always share your gratitude for your loved ones, even when it isn’t a holiday!

  • The Beauty and Joy of Thanksgiving

    The beauty of warmth, thanksgiving, and togetherness make Thanksgiving special (Cavoto, 2020). It is a unique day characterized by traditions, great meals, and memorable times with family members. In many homes, thanksgiving is like a cacophony of cooking, cheerfulness, and story after story, making the house comfortable and joyful.

    For me and many others, thanksgiving is found in the kitchen; that is where families and friends gather and where, for a moment, the scent of roasted turkey, savory side dishes, and sweet pies fills the air, making a lasting memory for the holidays.

    One of the personal highlights of my Thanksgiving is the preparation of a beloved dish: Maple Glazed Carrots. The ingredients in this recipe might be simple, but it contributes sweetness, which is quite unusual for a savory feast. For this process, carrots are peeled and sliced diagonally for that rustic fashion feeling. The olive oil-coated slices are then sprinkled with salt and pepper and roasted to achieve the desired tenderness. Lastly, a generous maple syrup and butter drizzle is added, followed by a final 5-minute roast, resulting in a lustrous, mouthwatering coat.

    However, Thanksgiving is not just about dinner but also about appreciating simple things in life (Cavoto, 2020). It has since become a tradition for many, including me, to stroll after indulging in the plentiful meal. Local Park Nature Trail is a peaceful place where I enjoy going the day after Thanksgiving when I need solace and beauty. This place’s serene pathways and spectacular scenes are ideal grounds for reappraising the joys and blessings of life. Strolling through dry leaves, experiencing the mild coolness, and seeing the sunshine through the leaves in late autumn are relaxing moments of calmness and appreciation.

    These walks are not only an excuse to burn off those Thanksgiving calories; they are an opportunity to spend time in nature, take it easy, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world (Thompson, 2023). However, the falling leaves, fresh air, and peaceful mood on the road contrast with that loud holiday showing us the harmony of life. Thanksgiving, therefore, becomes more than a feast on food and family, but the beauty that encompasses us in nature, in simple traditions, and moments of silent self-reflection. It is a good time to appreciate the earth’s bounties, home warmth, and friends’ companionship.