Thanksgiving- a real family affair

As our perfect summer days turn into crisp autumn season, the beautiful flowers give away their magnificent colours to the flamboyant foliage.  The old make room for the new and us Canadians shift our attention from the great outdoors to the warm, cosy indoors.   Hence begins the planning for our first celebration of the season – Thanksgiving.

The Intent:

Thanksgiving is all about being grateful and appreciating each other and everything we are blessed with along with having lots of fun.  When our kids were younger we celebrated with extended family and/or friends.  It was either pot luck or some brave souls hosted.  I did have the courage to do this on a few occasions.

Now that our children are older and have demanding careers or studies our time with them is precious.  As is the case with our aging parents. Thanksgiving has naturally become a very intimate affair.

Our intent is to spend time together and create beautiful moments without stress.  The solution is to plan well, and divide and conquer.  Here is how we attempt to make it a real joyful family affair.

The Practice:

• Planning is the most essential part of any event.  As much as we love to condemn social media, it can certainly be useful for communication and planning.  From deciding on the day that works for everyone to finalizing the menu and designating duties it works wonderfully.   
• First and foremost confirm the menu.
• Go through the menu and decide what things can be made ahead of time so there is more time for fun activities.
• Its wonderful to follow traditions but equally fun to create your own along the way.
• Designate two members to make a particular dish or finish a task. This takes a huge load off and provides an amazing one on one opportunity to have wonderful conversations, discussion and of course jokes.  My favourite is when my 83 year old mother and my 19 year old son team up to make his favourite mashed potatoes. Experience and enthusiasm sure make an efficient team.   Last year it was so precious watching our newlyweds (my older daughter and her husband) make stuffing together. She has taken cooking to the next level in our household.
• Designate kitchen and oven time for each team and each dish.
• Have a colour theme (a pretty liberal one to keep stress low) for dinner. This just adds another element of excitement. 

• Perfect time of the year and the perfect day to take some family photos.  The colour theme also helps in creating beautiful photos. I absolutely love it when the photographers in the family bring out their best cameras and lenses.

• Set a beautiful table.  Nothing makes an occasion more special than warm, cozy ambience.  The advantage of keeping the dinner to core family is having proper seating around the formal dining table.  Its a joy to use this table a few times out of the year. The key though is to keep it simple and designate a family member who loves to do this.  I have always enjoyed decorating but my younger daughter takes it to the next level. 

• My favourite family tradition is going around the table and having each member share what they are grateful for.  We revisit some of the most precious moments from the year with happy tears, beautiful smiles, and nods of acknowledgement remembering some forgotten moments.  With personal gratitudes there is abundance of love, respect and appreciation to make one feel so fulfilled.  How grateful I am for these moments!!

• Let everyone help with clean up and in my world if the kitchen is left a bit untidy there is always the next day.
• Take time to watch childhood videos or photos from a family vacation.  Old photos like these bring back a flood of beautiful memories and wonderful conversations.
  
• Try a new board game as a family.

The Menu:
I have learnt not to mess with a good thing.  This is the case with the Thanksgiving feast.  The core recipes will remain unchanged  but I keep adding a few healthier options each year.

The traditional:

-The Turkey – for us it will always be the pre-basted Butterball Turkey.  I do try each year to add a new kick to it. Here is a recipe I am planning on trying this year.: 

 https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/citrus-and-herb-butter-roasted-turkey/

-Corn

-Stuffing

-Mashed Potatoes with lots of garlic.

-Cranberry sauce with real cranberries.

https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/fresh-cranberry-sauce/

-Gravy

-Apple/Pumpkin pie.  Check out my favourite recipe for apple pie:

http://fabulousfiftyfive.com/guests-in-my-kitchen-thanksgiving-edition/

The healthy Options:

-Butternut squash soup

-Roasted Butternut and Yams.  Here is a recipe I am excited to try:

http://www.confessionsofachocoholic.com/veggies/the-best-thanksgiving-side-ever

-Beans. Here is a recipe I love:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/green-beans-with-lemon-and-garlic-recipe-1938670

Here is wishing a very happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. May this be the beautiful beginning of a year full of gratitude and celebrations!!

With Love, 

Devinder ❤️