Preparing To Be Thankful

This week the holiday season officially begins. Many are preparing to go and visit friends and/or family and share with them Thanksgiving dinner. Turkeys will be bought and roasted, fried, and/or BBQ (although a BBQ turkey, just doesn't sound right). A variety of side dishes from candied yams to oyster dressing will be prepared and many of us will sit down to fill ourselves with all the yummy flavors of the season.

Eating is definitely one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving; that and the ritual of preparing the feast.  I have opted for an organic bird this year.  Trying to accommodate every one's taste buds can be a bit of a challenge yet I think I have it handled.   An array of dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, green bean casserole, corn on the cob, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, and of course the deserts will all be present. 

Then there is the Macy’s parade Thanksgiving morning which for many (especially us older ones) is somewhat of a tradition. Of course it is not quite what it used to be. I remember vividly watching all morning long Thanksgiving day. Eagerly waiting for each huge balloon to come by. The last time I watched there were not nearly as many balloons and most of the time was spent with whoever hosted the televised event. Maybe I am just becoming a crabby old person but it just did not seem as good as in younger years. :-)

Football is also a big thing on Thanksgiving day although for us here in Oklahoma it will occur a few days later. A couple years back Bedlam (Oklahoma University and Oklahoma State University) agreed to play their game the weekend after Thanksgiving. This is really great as it is a big game anyway and to place it during this time just makes it that more special. With each of my children representing one corner of the great football triangle (OU, OSU, and UT) it lends itself for some great times. Football also gives the men a good excuse to nod off to sleep after eating to their hearts content. Blaming it on the turkey of course, yet I heard the other day that there is little if any truth to this claim.

So what are your plans for Thanksgiving? Are there any traditions that you share on a yearly basis? Whatever they may be here is wishing you and yours a wonderful blessed time.