Happy Thanksgiving

'Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday in November, and is meant to commemorate that time, at the founding of the country, when the pilgrims celebrated their first harvest in the New World.

Nowadays, with families spread across the country and beyond, it's come to be THE traditional time to get far-flung families together for a family get-together and a Thanksgiving meal. It's interesting that it's one of the few American holidays that AREN'T associated with consumerism and presents.... it's about people and food. :-)We'll be travelling to my parents' house on Cape Cod this Thanksgiving, as usual. As many family members as possible will congregate there. Kids come home from college ... it's one of the biggest travel times of the year here.

We'll watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV from NYC in the morning, while a giant turkey is cooking in the oven. If there are high-school-aged children in the family, there's usually a high school (American) football game in the morning pitting two local rivalries together. The meal always includes a roast turkey, with all the trimmings, which vary regionally. We usually have turkey, bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, and sweet potatoes of some sort. Dessert is traditionally pies: pumpkin pie ALWAYS, sometimes also pecan pie, apple pie, mincemeat pie, etc.

Everyone eats too much and then falls asleep in front of the TV watching American football games.

In the evening, we bring out the leftovers ... hot turkey sandwiches, pie, etc. People eat leftovers for the rest of the weekend. :-)

Holiday decor is centered around harvest themes in autumnal colors ... autumn leaves, pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, raffia. Here in New England, the trees are putting on quite a show to compete. :-)

Then, of course, it wouldn't be America if shopping didn't enter into it somehow. The Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season for those so inclined. The malls and stores hold HUGE sales and are packed full of bargain hunters.

I, personally, avoid Black Friday shopping like the plague, and just enjoy a long weekend with family.'

This was written by a friend of mine who lives in Massachusetts. I met her on the net and she kindly agreed to let us in on what Thanksgiving means to her and her family. Like alot of holiday traditions for the most part we do what we do cause that's 'what's done' i think its good to know why occasionally. Thanks to Kelly for taking the time out of her busy schedule to share with us her forthcoming celebrations. Happy Thanksgiving :-)

Thanks also to my Mum, she designed the Thanksgiving picture especially to accompany this piece :-)