Why Thanksgiving is My Favorite Holiday

Thanksgiving is almost here! It’s my favorite holiday and features all my favorite things: Cooking, family, relaxing, wine, blazing fires, card games, pies, football and kids running and playing! No gift giving expectations, the weather allows plenty of outside time, and it’s a time to recognize the meaning that your friends and family bring to your life. Thanksgiving! I love every minute of it.

A big added bonus, for me, is that our family tradition is to host. My family comes in from Lake Ocononee and Rome, GA. My in-laws come in from Florida and Connecticut. And I savor the 3 or 4 days of the year that we are all together.

Did I mention that I love to cook and I’m head chef for ~20 people during our Thanksgiving visit? Yes, I cook 3-4 days for 20 people and I still have time to enjoy and savor the time with my family. What’s my secret? Planning. Yes, It’s all about creating a plan that fits our family’s needs, then following through with some hard work, while enjoying the process.

Josh Chamberlain’s Thanksgiving Plan

Saturday/Sunday

• Finalize the menu for the week

• Grocery shop at the YDFM

• Buy beer, wine and bourbon

Monday

• Audrey (my mother-in-law and sous chef) and I check for missing ingredients

• Make another run to the farmers market

• Start the pie dough

• Drink wine and relax

Tuesday

• Brine turkey

• Make pies

• Cook black eyed peas

• Drink wine

Wednesday

• Bake mac & cheese

• Cook greens

• Bake potatoes

• Roast brussel sprouts

• Audrey and I each make a soup for our yearly “Soup Off” (she normally wins)

• Attend neighbors pre-Thanksgiving party

Thursday

• Fry turkey

• Prime rib

• Roast Carrots

• Bake rolls

• Make the gravy

• Make Salad

• Savor the feast

• Watch football

• Drink wine

The kids love to help make whipped cream.

Friday

• Enjoy Leftovers

• Family hike

• Family pictures with Cathy Davis

Saturday

The weekend is only just beginning!!

It’s a plan with lots of room for a wonderful week with family and friends.

*Does anyone see the parallels to financial planning? If you want to talk turkey, contact me.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!