Thanksgiving 2016

There is always something for which to be thankful.  As the quick taglines have taken to saying, "Gratitude is an attitude" - not the most eloquent of sayings, but we Americans have made an entire holiday around it.  And it is maybe my most favorite of holidays.

Thanksgiving was the usual good food (great food), family, and this year some parental friends and their daughter.  Altogether lovely.  I would say not my most successful of culinary executions, but not bad.  Every year one learns a bit more and does a little bit better - mashed potatoes will be a little lighter and fluffier next year, braised cabbage will be a little less liquidity and a little bit more flavorful, roast vegetables were just fine, salad was fine, pumpkin pie crust will need some tweaking next year, but the chocolate addition to the bottom was terrific, although next year will be a little less scorched.  All lessons learned.  And one year I will learn to debone the chicken and make the sweet rice stuffing.... But I am thankful for the plenty that we had to eat.  And, really, the amount of food was just about right, and more than enough for the meal and leftovers.

And this year, Thanksgiving also fell on the death anniversary for my second Ba Ngoai (my maternal stepgrandmother - but the one who was there when I was born).  It was cold, but some of the flowers from the Mother Garden were still alive - enough for a spray for the altar table.

Roses and chrysanthemums from the Mother Garden, on the altar table for Ba Ngoai.

It was a bit of a tight schedule; we barely stayed into Friday - but all about balance, right?  Friday night back in the city for a Match date - nice fellow, but no legs for the long run.  All about fitting it in where one can.