Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it’s not going to be what any of us imagined. But that’s ok and what we need to do right now. We’ll make it up for it next year!
To be honest though, for a variety of reasons our Thanksgivings have always been small, ranging from 3-9 people each year. So this isn’t really that different, at least number-wise. Every year friends would ask who’s cooking this year, I always say me. The whole meal. And you know what, it’s been awesome. But I do love to cook so maybe I’m biased. We’ve created family Thanksgiving traditions that’ll live on through my kids and made this one of our favorite days of the year. So don’t be nervous, you can do it!!!
This year, there’ll just be three of us. Our other two kids, our moms and the rest of our family all live out of state. I’m hoping they can find a way to enjoy the day, each in their own away. But it’s definitely hard when you’re alone.
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What’s some of our traditions?
One of the things about not having guests is that you get to settle in, be comfortable, and go at your own pace. You are in completely in charge of the day’s schedule. Be creative–sleep in, watch that football game and eat at 5, stay in pajamas until noon, eat on tv trays, create an intimate setting at the dining room table. Make it your kind of day. Here’s the highlights of our Thanksgiving this year.
- We’ll start the day with brunch centered around a delicious Kale, Chive and Goat Cheese quiche (jump to recipe). This year, I’ll have homemade sourdough banana bread and Waseda Farms Bacon on the menu as well.
- In recent years, I’ve planned a signature holiday cocktail. One of the benefits of having adult children 😉. This year is going to be a Calvados Apple Cider Cocktail (jump to recipe).
- During the early football game, we’ll have some tasty, light snacks to munch on while the turkey is cooking.
- Then late afternoon, we’ll enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving spread. Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetable, rolls, cranberry sauce, and apple and pumpkin pie are on the menu. I usually make a 14-16 lb turkey no matter the number so I can get enough stuffing in the bird and guarantee leftovers. The leftovers never go to waste that’s for sure!
- At the table, we started a new tradition a few years ago after my dad passed away suddenly. We light a candle to remind us of these who can’t be with us this year, for whatever reason. It’s a special moment when we light the Love candle, and even more so this year with so many in our family spread far and wide.
What’s going to be new this year?
- We’ll be a little smaller than normal.
- Shopping has been a little different. As the covid rates have gone up in recent weeks, I am making full use of curbside pickup and can personally vouch for Whole Foods, Target, Williams Sonoma (my source for chestnuts for the stuffing), and in our area, Jewel and Mariano’s grocery stores. I submit my order online and pick it up later in the day. They’ve really worked out the kinks since earlier in the spring
- A group of my friends have put together a contact free, Thanksgiving Share-a-Dish. We all have picked one of our Thanksgiving favorites and will deliver a portion to everyone else’s homes on Wednesday. While for me making the whole meal is nothing new, I can see how this year’s meal prep could be daunting and unexciting when you’re used to guests bringing a dish to share. I’m super excited to try some of my friend’s favorites that have never made it onto my menu. You can only cook so much food for 3-5 people to eat. What am I sharing? My Leek, Apricot and Chestnut Stuffing (jump to recipe).
- We’ll be spending time with family this year throughout the day through video streaming. Hopefully the internet doesn’t crash, but it’ll be nice for everyone to be able to spend some time together watching football, having snacks, or even joining us at the table.
- I’m also planning to set up some fun games to play with family of all ages across all the miles. I’m thinking of Bingo, Trivia and a football pool.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving however you are celebrating this year,
Stephi
