between friends
n last month’s issue, I asked,
1
“How do you celebrate
Thanksgiving?” And in e-mails
and letters you answered back:
This is a holiday that celebrates
family and gratitude and keeping it
simple. The meal is the main event, but
the real treasure is the gathering of those
you love for thankfulness and time as one.
It’s like that in my family, too—a
holiday of familiar patterns. Each year,
25 or so of us squeeze into my husband’s
family home, tables extended to capacity.
The hometown crew takes care of the
turkey and fixings. Those who travel a
few hours bring coolers filled with side
dishes and pies. After dinner, four
generations of us engage in walks,
football, kitchen chat, and catnaps.
Predictable? Yes, yet each holiday is an
original. Some years, there are babies to
welcome or a loved one missing for the
first time. Most years, one cousin or
another suddenly transforms into, say, an
athlete, rock star, or Thanksgivingprayer-
maker, revealing a side that takes our
^ P a r t o f k e e p i n g h o l i d a y t r a d i t i o n s
s t r o n g is k e e p i n g t h e m f r e s h a n d
r i g h t f o r t h e w a y w e liv e n o w .
D
breath away. Always, there’s something
new on the table. Alongside the classics,
someone turns up with a vegetarian
entree or a just-invented take on a crisp
green salad. (I generally bring the
crunchy, whole-grain one that the little
kids just won’t eat.)
And, funny thing: It’s usually that
“something new” that kicks off the
conversation, leading to more what’s-
new chat, and onto a broader exchange
of stories and ideas. That, in turn,
strengthens the very things we’re most
thankful for—the family we love and the
memories we create together.
Part of keeping holiday traditions
strong is keeping them fresh and right
for the way we live now. That’s why this
issue celebrates the idea of bringing a
little something new to your
Thanksgiving—while keeping the
traditions you love. You’ll find dozens
of ways to add a thoughtful touch, from
fresh-twist recipes, to pretty ways to
dress your table, to simple ideas to
express thankfulness. Take a look at
writer Kathleen Parrish’s first-person
account,
page 264,
of living out gratitude
through everyday benevolence. It’s a
good conversation-starter for your
holiday meal, or anytime.
Wishing you and those you love a
wonderful holiday weekend, with much
to be thankful for.
PtAY WIN j
Here's another
new thing to try
this holiday: the
all-new Food &
Recipe site at
B H G .c o m /re d p e s.
Super easy to
use, it has tons
of recipes and
videos, plus
an interactive
Roasting Guide
to help time
your feast. Your
personal Recipe
Box lets you save
recipes from any
source you like—
including the one
for this issue's
yum m y cupcakes
on
p a g e 20 8 .
Gayle Goodson Butler,
Editor in Chief
LETTERS & COMMENTS
3
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