thanksgiving q&a

Up until yesterday it hasn't really felt like Thanksgiving here (frankly, it still doesn't feel like Thanksgiving, but it's slowly getting there). Yesterday it was a little chilly (probably upper 70's haha) and there were some clouds which made it feel autumnal.

On my drive home I started to think about all of the things that I was thankful for. I was overwhelmed with everything that I have to be thankful for, and I'm grateful that I can be thankful for them. I was going to compile a great big list of gushy things that I was thankful for, but then I saw this on someone else's blog, and decided to follow suit. So here we go:

What are your favorite food items for Thanksgiving?
Mashed potatoes (redskins with the skin still on them), gravy, and rolls. The turkey is a nice additive, as long as it's done well.

Do you go to the same place every year or does it vary?
Growing up we used to go to Pittsburgh to my grandparents or aunts house on my dad's side. Since my parents divorce, we have Thanksgiving every-other-year with our respective parents. When it's with Dad, we typically travel, with Mom, we usually have it at her house, or at my sisters. This year is probably my first Thanksgiving away from home. We're having it at our house, and we've invited all of our "orphaned" friends to come over.

Do you mind traveling for Thanksgiving?
I enjoy the short drives to Pittsburgh or Michigan for family. Now that I live on the other side of the country, I think I would mind having to travel.

Do you prefer a big crowd or a small group?
I always enjoyed the Thanksgivings with my dad's family because there were always so many people. You were rarely ever bored, and if you where, it was ok to cozy up on the couch and read a book. We'd always play a game of cards or something after the meal. The same stories are told over and over again (each with a bit more embellishment as the night wears on) and the cousins are always running around, with the aunts all outraged. So in a nutshell, I prefer big crowds.

What's your favorite pie of the day?
I like fruit pies. But in general, I'm not a huge pie fan

Is it hard for you to think of things to be thankful for?
I can list a hundreds of things I'm thankful for, so I'm thankful for that too.

Is there unspoken tension at your family gatherings?
One on side of my family there is, on the other there isn't. I'm just excited to not have a giant helping of guilt on my plate this year from the one side of my family

Do you eat until you're stuffed or are you rational?
I think what kills me is all of the goodies to munch on before the meal. But as for the actual feast, I think I'm pretty rational.

Did you enjoy Thanksgiving as a child?
I loved Thanksgiving as a child. I loved when I was old enough to graduate to the "grown-up" table and not have to sit at the "kid-table." [See answer above for more thoughts on big crowds/families]

Do you shop on Black Friday? (The big Christmas shopping day the Friday after Thanksgiving. People start at 5am!)
Heavens no! In fact, this year I probably won't even do my shopping until the 22nd of December -- I can only imagine that traveling with gifts will be a nightmare.

**What about you??**
**I am documenting our Thanksgiving, so look for a post tomorrow!**