pilgrims rock!

what's up with snow before thanksgiving? i don't remember this happening too often but it happened today. i had to scrape snow and fallen leaves off my car windows this morning and like 4 days ago it was 60 degrees. there are still some trees in my neighborhood with green leaves. hi, global warming.

speaking of thanksgiving, let's talk a little bit about my favorite holiday in the whole wide world. it's the one national holiday that doesn't anger me in some way. christmas is annoying because people start preparing for it so far in advance that by the time it comes, nobody really feels like celebrating it anymore. halloween is mostly for kids (even though some adults get into it in slightly disturbing ways). easter is really pointless unless you're religious (which i'm not. see previous post: oh, ye of little faith). 4th of july? it's alright, i guess. i don't usually do anything except drink until fireworks become more entertaining...so, yeah, thanksgiving: two thumbs up. plus, any day that is devoted entirely to eating and drinking is my kind of holiday. not to mention the fact that my family does it right. my mom is probably one of the best cooks i know (and it's not just because she's my mom). the only person i know who is on par with my mom is my aunt (my mom's sister interestingly enough). and who does all the cooking for thanksgiving? why, my mom and my aunt, of course. it's very simple but so amazingly good.

i'll give you a run down of our menu:

• turkey, always 1 ovenroasted, sometimes a deep fried one and/or a smoked one in addition (depending on how ambitious my cousins are)
• turnips (sounds gross but sooooo good)
• mashed potatoes (sometimes done in the twice baked version)
• green beans with almonds
• mashed sweet potatoes
• stuffed mushrooms (those were my idea about 15 years ago and it stuck)
• cornbread and sausage stuffing (made from scratch, not out of a box)
• cranberry sauce (both canned and homemade)
• a whole lot of wine

dessert:

• pumpkin pie
• pecan pie
• sweet potato pie
• apple cake
• homemade whipped cream

mmmm...so excited for thanksgiving... only bad part about this fantastic day: it usually marks the beginning of christmas music. death to whoever thought this was a good idea. i don't want to hear stupid xmas music until like 3 days before xmas. unfortunately, this means i wouldn't be able to: have my radio on in the car, go to the grocery store, go to any store, watch tv or go to work. so...it seems like i will have to grin and bear it like i do every other year. oh well, at least i'll always have thanksgiving...