Thanksgiving Hangovers and All That Goes With It ~ by Darlene Kuncytes

This Thanksgiving was a relatively quiet one for me.

I hosted a small group with family and friends. It was nice. But I couldn’t help but find myself missing the days when my family was so much larger. The chaos and craziness of running all over town seemed endless. Nieces and nephews. Aunts and Uncles and cousins.

It’s inevitable that things change, and I’ve learned something that has become so important to me.

It’s okay.

Change is inevitable. People move away. Children grow up and start families of their own. We lose people we love. It’s a part of life.

What should never change is that we remember to be thankful each and every single day. Not just sitting around a table surrounded by turkey with all the fixings on Thanksgiving.

Although, who are we kidding? Wine always helps. lol

I have so much to be thankful for. We all do. We merely need to take the time, and sometimes put in that little bit of extra effort it takes to see it. Because, let’s face it, sometimes these things are harder to find than others.

The holidays can be crazy, and nothing is crazier than what comes the day after Thanksgiving!

Black Friday!

Dun dun dun…

Nursing a food hangover, all those brave souls swarm the stores in search of the perfect gifts.

I don’t do Black Friday. It scares me. A lot.

Ever since the time my nephew wanted nothing for Christmas except a certain, hot item... Mighty Morphin Power Ranger action figure... and my sister almost threw down with the woman who had nastily grabbed it right from her hands at the store.

We laugh about it now, but at the time, it was insane. That woman was ready to beat down my sister for – as we ended up calling it – that stinking Goldfart figure.

So, to those of you who recover from the food hangover and do it every year…I salute you!!

I stay home. I gorge myself on leftovers as I try to decide what to do with ALL this leftover turkey. How can I disguise it so that no one will know that we are having it for dinner for like the third day in a row! Lolol

And I am still thankful. I’m thankful for so much. Little things and big things. 

It’s so easy at this time of year to forget this. Forget that the holidays are a time of love and friendship. Of doing something for others. 

Enjoy them. Treasure the little ones while they are still little. Cherish those who are the keeper of holidays past. The ones who know all the stories. 

They are irreplaceable.

This season, enjoy the small stuff. Start a new tradition. Just don’t stress yourself out. Life is way too important.

And remember to be thankful every day!
Darlene

Your Thanksgiving celebration ~ by Joanne Jaytanie

No matter the way you choose to celebrate, today is a day to give thanks. 

A day that you share with your friends and family.

A day to give thanks for all that you have.

A day to share with those that need a helping hand.

A day to reflect on all you have accomplished.

A day to have hope for the opportunities tomorrow may bring.

A day to bask in your success, both large and small.

We give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day for those we love and those who love us. For love is a precious thing and should be celebrated each and every day. It can be given with a smile, a hug, or a shoulder to cry on. 

Until next time...
Joanne

To read Joanne's past posts visit her page.

Thanksgiving ~ by Grace Augustine

         

Photo: Wikipedia

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states.

Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789, after Congress requested a proclamation by George Washington.

Photo: PinehurstResort

Long thought of as a celebration of harvest, in today's society it means different things to different people. To some, it is a four-day weekend. For others, it is the beginning of the holiday season--family gatherings, good food, football, and laughter. While others brave the crowds for the best shopping deals on Black Friday through the weekend.

Photo: WholeFoods

For me, it's all about the turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie! (Along with being grateful for all life blessings.)  And, what is Thanksgiving without a new recipe?  Below is one I found that seems like it could find its way to my oven this year...courtesy of Food Network. Click the underlined link and be taken to the recipe.

Photo: FoodNetwork

Four-Flavor Sheet Pan Pie

 From all of us here at Originality by Design, we wish all of you a very wonderful Thanksgiving!