Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US on the 4th Thursday of November. Its one of the largest celebrated festivals when traditionally people from all parts of the US and possibly the world descend to their homes to partake of the Thanksgiving Meal at an annual family get together.
The fact that its the most popular US holiday is borne out by the days before and after Thanksgiving being the busiest days for air travel across the US. Interestingly most Americans believe that Thanksgiving goes back to the Pilgrims and was a celebration along with the Native Americans of a successful harvest.
This event took place in 1621. Not many are aware that Thanksgiving as is currently celebrated has been a tradition only since 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens".
Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys. JFK was the first president reported to spare the turkey given to him and Ronald Reagan was the first to grant the turkey a presidential pardon, which he jokingly presented to his 1987 turkey. Gorge Bush in 1989 continued the tradition annually when he was President. It has become a permanent annual tradition carried on by every president each year since. President Obama has a lot to be thankful for just having won his 2nd term and did his bit for the lucky bird.
You can read all about the history of Thanksgiving at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_%28United_States%29
For Reia and me it was out first Thanksgiving. For Reia it meant several holidays and a long weekend. So it quickly became here favorite holiday. It started with a half day on Wednesday and stretched all the way to Sunday. And Reia's favorite aunt had invited all of us to her place.
The main event at Thanksgiving is the Thanksgiving dinner. And for our Thanksgiving, the Chef for the main event was Frank. The preparations had started more than a week before the event where a list of ingredients to be purchased was created. The Chef traveled with his own kit that consisted of knives, spatulas and amongst several things I don't know names for, to a designer apron.
The main dish as is traditional was Turkey. And the Turkey that was to adorn our table was a huge 20 lbs bird. The process of preparing the meal was an elaborate one. And started at 11. The turkey had to be prepared, stuffing made, the turkey stuffed, stitched and then roasted with several bastings. Along side the rest of the side dishes that consisted of mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sprouts and a fresh salad.
Frank was continuously at work with Ed and Vanitha assisting when required. Reia and I helped by staying out of the way and by playing a role I described as "diarist". This article is the result of that role.
Dinner was finally ready at around 8 p.m. A full 9 hours after the preparations began. Each person at the celebration had to say what they were thankful for. Everyone was thankful to their family, their hosts, the Chef. By then I was starved. And thankful that dinner was served.
The meal was amazing. Each dish a foodies delight. All of us stuffed ourselves. And were then told that there was dessert. Pumpkin pie, Apple pie, Chocolate Brownie. And fresh fruits for the calorie conscious. Since I had already consumed far more than my share of calories, I decided to skip the fruits. And not wanting the hosts to feel bad, gorged on each of the desserts. And they were so tasty.
All of us had a great time and an eventful Thanksgiving. Thanks to Frank for a wonderful dinner and to Vanitha for inviting us. And now I too know the secret of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is the time when you give Thanks for having Thanksgiving. Holidays. Food. Fun. Doesn't get any better.
The fact that its the most popular US holiday is borne out by the days before and after Thanksgiving being the busiest days for air travel across the US. Interestingly most Americans believe that Thanksgiving goes back to the Pilgrims and was a celebration along with the Native Americans of a successful harvest.
This event took place in 1621. Not many are aware that Thanksgiving as is currently celebrated has been a tradition only since 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens".
Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys. JFK was the first president reported to spare the turkey given to him and Ronald Reagan was the first to grant the turkey a presidential pardon, which he jokingly presented to his 1987 turkey. Gorge Bush in 1989 continued the tradition annually when he was President. It has become a permanent annual tradition carried on by every president each year since. President Obama has a lot to be thankful for just having won his 2nd term and did his bit for the lucky bird.
You can read all about the history of Thanksgiving at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_%28United_States%29
For Reia and me it was out first Thanksgiving. For Reia it meant several holidays and a long weekend. So it quickly became here favorite holiday. It started with a half day on Wednesday and stretched all the way to Sunday. And Reia's favorite aunt had invited all of us to her place.
The main event at Thanksgiving is the Thanksgiving dinner. And for our Thanksgiving, the Chef for the main event was Frank. The preparations had started more than a week before the event where a list of ingredients to be purchased was created. The Chef traveled with his own kit that consisted of knives, spatulas and amongst several things I don't know names for, to a designer apron.
The main dish as is traditional was Turkey. And the Turkey that was to adorn our table was a huge 20 lbs bird. The process of preparing the meal was an elaborate one. And started at 11. The turkey had to be prepared, stuffing made, the turkey stuffed, stitched and then roasted with several bastings. Along side the rest of the side dishes that consisted of mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sprouts and a fresh salad.
Frank was continuously at work with Ed and Vanitha assisting when required. Reia and I helped by staying out of the way and by playing a role I described as "diarist". This article is the result of that role.
Dinner was finally ready at around 8 p.m. A full 9 hours after the preparations began. Each person at the celebration had to say what they were thankful for. Everyone was thankful to their family, their hosts, the Chef. By then I was starved. And thankful that dinner was served.
The meal was amazing. Each dish a foodies delight. All of us stuffed ourselves. And were then told that there was dessert. Pumpkin pie, Apple pie, Chocolate Brownie. And fresh fruits for the calorie conscious. Since I had already consumed far more than my share of calories, I decided to skip the fruits. And not wanting the hosts to feel bad, gorged on each of the desserts. And they were so tasty.
All of us had a great time and an eventful Thanksgiving. Thanks to Frank for a wonderful dinner and to Vanitha for inviting us. And now I too know the secret of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is the time when you give Thanks for having Thanksgiving. Holidays. Food. Fun. Doesn't get any better.
No comments:
Post a Comment