Thanksgiving Day Blessings and Traditions from Tennessee

Thanksgiving Day Blessings and Traditions from Tennessee

I guess I didn’t give thought to the fact that Thanksgiving is only celebrated in our country – duh. I am becoming more GLOBAL on Google+. My niece married a man from Britain and my brother is currently engaged to be married to a woman who lives in the Ukraine. So, you would think I would be catching on!

My typical Thanksgiving holiday is spent with my Dad and his wife in Harriman Tennessee – just outside of Oak Ridge. My Dad’s wife, Dr. B has several family members come and we have quite the cooking competition. Although we’ve done this a dozen years – THIS year, no one was able to attend. 🙁

So, we stuck with our tradition that each person contributes a different dish, but it wasn’t as challenging as our typical competition.

Dr. B provided the ham and made macaroni and cheese with Gouda cheese. She also made a sweet potato soup. I contributed fresh green beans cooked over a day with onion and bacon. My husband Demetrius made a Caribbean salad of fresh apples, roasted corn, chili powder, vinegar and lime. My Dad (the non-cook) contributed vanilla ice cream and Kahlua topping for dessert.

I only see my Dad and Dr. B once or twice a year, so it’s a relaxing trip with much catching up. The dinner is not as important as the TIME we spend together. They live in the beautiful mountains of eastern Tennessee – quite the variation from our Oklahoma geography.

At the end of this day, I want to tell you that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday – because I appreciate the nudge to identify all for which I feel thankful. I am ever so grateful for my husband and best friend, Demetrius – he is the butter to my bread. I am thankful that both of my parents (and their spouses) are healthy and spirited. I am thankful for my brother Kevin and my many friends. I am thankful for our good health and our parish.

I am thankful that President Obama was re-elected, and I wish for peace on earth and goodwill among our countries.

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, you surely set aside time to give thanks. We ALL have so much for which to be grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends, near and afar!!!