Thanksgiving Then and Now....

Growing up, every Thanksgiving we would all gather to eat or rather gorge ourselves into food coma's. There was the "adult" table and the proverbial "kid's" table. The "adult" table was set with china reserved only for holidays. Special plates, fancy glasses, one for wine, one for water and silverware that was so shiny you could see your reflection in it. Then, there it was the "kid's" table, a bland boring card table set up with chairs to match. No fancy china or polished silverware. Just plastic cups, plates and paper napkins. You only moved up to the "adult" table once you've reached your teenage years.

As I was the oldest of all the children, I was the first to move to the "adult" table. I felt so important and I made sure that my siblings and cousins knew that I was "cool" enough to eat with the adults. Finally, I was going to eat on the fancy plates and use the shiny silverware. I would be privy to all the adult conversations. However, they talked about things that I had no use for at all since all I could think about was calling my girl friends and setting up our plans for tomorow at the mall.

Years later I would find out that not much would change. I no longer live near my family so over the years I have spent many a Thanksgiving with my very good friend Kristin and her family. The first ones were spent in her tiny apartment where she, her sister and I cooked in their galley style kitchen. Her mom would join in and we would all attempt to "cook" in this tiny kitchen.

The innagural first year, due to space constraints had us plugging the mixer into the kitchen outlet and mashing the potatoes in the dining area, a place where a small two person table was set up. The area in which we would dine was in the living room on a banquet table, aka big-ger card table. Not unlike the card table I grew up having dinner on. However, this time I was able to be involved in adult conversations in which I could contribute, enjoy good food and be with some very special good people.


Each year it only gets better. Now, I am hosting the Thanksgiving dinner at my house (2nd one) with family and friends coming over to eat, enjoy each other's company and be thankful for all that we have. And we will eat at a banquet table, aka big-ger card table and then fall into food comas.

So to all eat, drink, enjoy and love. Have a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving .