Thankfulness in 2020

 

In this crazy year we call 2020, it is easy to find lots to complain about, but I would like to take a few minutes to reflect on those things for which I am thankful.  Won't you join me?

Family and Friends

I am very thankful for my family and friends.  During times when we couldn't get together we have family and good friends who have stayed in touch by phone call, texts, and emails.  At the beginning of April my husband and I spent 12 days in the hospital and we never missed a day without hearing from so many people that are near and dear to us.

Now that we are home, and our health is good, these friends and family continue to contact us.  When the weather was good and we could sit out on our deck with masks and social distancing our friends would join us.  We had several small groups gather and it was wonderful to see people.

My next door neighbor is working from home and we are able to take daily walks in the fresh air.  We often go to a park near our house.  I am thankful for Teresa.  Sometimes we bring our cameras and take photos along the way.

Technology

I am very grateful for technology this year.  It has allowed us to connect in ways we otherwise couldn't.

• We have live streamed our church services every Sunday on our TV and it has been a great comfort to worship in this manner.  

Our church has increased online opportunities for Bible study and for prayer services.  They are available on Zoom, Facebook, and You Tube.

Zoom allowed us to have visits with our doctor while we were safe in our own home.

Zoom also allowed my photography club to meet so we could share ideas and connect with each other.  I had never used Zoom before and it has certainly been a blessing this year.

We also did a Zoom call with our family for my husband's birthday.

Books

I have always enjoyed reading books, but this year I am particularly thankful for the opportunities that a book brings.  Here is a quote that I think is very fitting.

           Reading gives us someplace to go

           when we have to stay where we are.

                         Mason Cooley

Photography

Hobbies are a wonderful thing to occupy your time.  I am very thankful for my hobby of photography.  It has certainly helped to keep me grounded this year and also to help me appreciate all that is beautiful in nature.

I have had plenty of time to take online classes in photography and various software programs.  I have spent hours honing my skills and this has brought hours of enjoyment to me.  

I have then taken the skills I have learned and visited "safe places" like my yard, my neighborhood, and nearby parks.  I am so thankful for all the time I have had to devote to my hobby this year.

Here are a few of the photos that I have taken. 

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA.  May you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving.  May you take a few minutes to reflect on the things for which you are thankful.

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Reviewing Regional Thanksgiving Dinners

Thanksgiving dinners in America, and the dishes we serve, may seem to be the traditional dinner everyone eats on this most thankful day of the year. Not so.  What each family considers to be the perfect dishes on this 'turkey day' may be completely different to someone living in a different part of the country. What is traditional for you depends on where you live and also the culture you grew up in.  Let's explore a few different regions and see what is commonly served for Thanksgiving dinner. 

*A few recipe links are sprinkled throughout the following food descriptions if you want to try adding them to your Thanksgiving menu. 

Turkey or Other Main Meats

• Baked turkey with stuffing is the traditional Thanksgiving Day main dish.
• Fried turkey is popular in the South, especially in Texas.
• Ham is often served in addition to turkey, especially for large gatherings.

Stuffing

Image Source: Pixabay

• The South prefers cornbread stuffing with their turkey
• In the New England states you will find clams or oysters mixed with the breadcrumbs in the stuffing.
• In the Northeast, the stuffing is made with sausage.
• The Southwest is known for their Tex-Mex style stuffing due to their large Latino population. A favorite one is Blue Cornmeal Chorizo Stuffing, which includes Chorizo sausage and serrano peppers in the blue corn bread crumbs.

Side Dishes

Image Sources: Pixabay & AllRecipes

• Creamed onions made with pearl onions and heavy cream is a tradition in New England.  
• Saurkraut is a staple for Thanksgiving dinner in Maryland, particularly in Baltimore due to their large German-American population. And Maryland crab cakes and corn-on-the-cob is often served.
• Italian-Americans in New Jersey & parts of New York State traditionally serve Manicotti (ricotta-stuffed crepe pasta topped with marinara sauce) before the turkey is served. Or lasagna and baked ziti with meatballs are known to grace the table as well. 
• The Northeastern quadrant of the country insists on homemade cranberry relish or sauce with this holiday dinner. 
• The West and Southwest states serve a sweetened, fruity pasta salad which is made with pasta, pineapples, mandarin oranges, Cool Whip, and marshmallow topping. It's called Frog Eye Salad.
• In Utah, Jell-O salad is an important side dish for Thanksgiving dinner.
• The most traditional side dish in the Midwest is Green Bean Casserole.
• In the upper Midwest, German Potato Salad is a favorite side dish. 
• In Minnesota and Wisconsin, wild rice casserole is a tradition. Ingredients include mushrooms, pecans, and onions, and other variations. 

Desserts

Image Source: Pixabay

• Pumpkin pie always seems to be the traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but this is actually a mainly Northeastern states dessert. 
• The South is famous for their Sweet Potato Pie. 
• New England is known for it's Hasty Pudding (originally known as Indian Pudding), a delicious and simple dessert made with cornmeal, molasses, brown sugar, and spices. It's usually topped with whipped cream or scoop of ice cream.  
• The Midwest Region favors Cherry Pie over Pumpkin.

Other Regional T-Day Dinner Traditions

Source: Pixabay

• In New Mexico and other Southwestern states, the food word is 'spicy'.  It's popular to add chile to everything, gravy, stuffing, and even a chile-rub for the turkey. 
• Southern traditions include a large variety of foods for the Thanksgiving table, including several types of macaroni and cheese, okra pickles, cornbread, and sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping. And, of course, lots of collard greens. 

Happy Thanksgiving

What is your favorite dish or combination of dishes for Thanksgiving Dinner?

Whatever your Thanksgiving menu includes, the contributors of ReviewThisReviews wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

More Thanksgiving Holiday Recipes and Reviews on ReviewThisReviews

*Regional Thanksgiving Dinners written by (c) Wednesday Elf (11/21/2020)

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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