I cooked my first [complete] Thanksgiving dinner for my family when I was 21. Let’s face it. The Thanksgiving meal is kinda like culinary Olympics. I had prepared and thought about that day ever since I was a little girl watching my mom flawlessly perform year after year. When my day finally arrived, binder in hand, I did the damn thing. And by the time I finished, I felt like an athlete who had just won GOLD after their dream Olympic performance. I was full of pride after a job well-done and felt exhilarated, exhausted, and slightly feverish with absolutely no appetite.

Since that day I’ve learned a thing or two. Prep is key – it’s a marathon not a sprint. And it’s ok to ask for help! Whether you’re cooking the full meal [superhero status] or bringing a side-dish [smart]; remember at the end of the day it’s not whether your yam casserole is the fluffiest, or your turkey was the moi—- yeah still can’t use that word. It’s about taking the day to really reflect on how truly first-world our problems are and how grateful we should be for ALL the blessings [the good & lessons] in our lives. As cheese-tastic as it sounds, gratitude really is an attitude…and it’s the only kind of ‘tude I tolerate. 😉

So. Here’s a snap-shot of recipes I’ll be using this Thanksgiving (click on the images for recipe link-ups). Some are new and some are old, some are silver but mostly gold. [sorry] HAD TO.  Gobble Gobble ya’ll!

aaaand I’m stuffed.
blessings to you and yours.
love – light
&
gratitude always.