This is my nephew, Stone. He is six and he’s been helping me cook since he was three. Here he’s got a stalk of Brussels Sprouts that we are going to roast and drizzle with a balsamic glaze for today’s Thanksgiving meal.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Toss Brussels Sprouts in olive oil, salt and pepper and roast until tender and the outer leaves are brown and crispy. Toss with a balsamic reduction.
We both would like to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and share with you one of our annual traditions. We put a place card at every seat at the table and scatter some pens about. During the beginning of the meal everyone is encouraged to write on their card the things they are grateful for this year. We save these cards so friends and family that have been coming to Thanksgiving at my home now have several cards at their setting. It is fun and poignant and sometimes sad to read what we were grateful for in past years. During dessert, we read our current card out loud and some from the past. We also cherish the cards that have been written by those who are no longer with us on this planet.
This year Stone is in first grade and his writing skills are excellent, so he made the place cards.
Gratitude from the Past
“I am grateful for big things in life: That my family can come to spend a week with me and we have such a wonderful time together, I am grateful to have two nephews and the opportunity to really spend time with them. I am grateful that my cousin Davida is on the mend and was able to make the trip to join us at Thanksgiving. I appreciate the little things: Pat’s help shucking the oysters, Bill’s excellent turkey carving skills, Linda’s delicious mashed potatoes and creamed corn which she brings year after year and everyone’s help in the kitchen.”
“The freedom we have.”
“Good friends.”
“Good health and old age.”
“Having exciting happy moments, lots of them, with my family.”
“I’m grateful for my family and friends.”
“I am grateful for my lovely daughter-in-law.”
“I’m grateful for my job and my life.”
“We are thankful for fresh air from the ocean, good earth to grow vegetables, clean water for seafood, and friends to share with.”
“I am thankful for my family, wife, health and great dinner, and I am finally thankful I am not a Yankee fan.”
“I am thankful right now to be sitting among all these lovely people.”
“Great food!”
“Thank you for yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”
“I am thankful for God.”
“I am thankful for this great opportunity to get to know a different country and new people and to be part of a traditional Thanksgiving in America.”
“I am thankful to be able to watch the kids grow.”
“I am thankful for the lives we live and all our loving friends and kin.”
Thanks to all for being so dear
And I hope to see you again next year.
The same faces have again appeared
Along with some new ones which we cheer.
With our friends and family we remain very close
As we celebrate Thanksgiving
With those we love the most.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Wow! What an interesting blog!
Amen to all of it. Wonderful photos, sentiments, gratefulness and food!
What a cute helper. It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Hi Sam Jam – thank you, and I am not a chef, just have a passion for cooking. Fortunate to have gotten to eat at some of the top restaurants, and to have taken some lessons at some neat places like Paris and Thailand.
Thank you to Gurpreet.
Thanks DDF – will do!
Hi Agree – I’m glad too!
Hi Lori – I hope yours was too. I gotta get over to see what you cooked. Been a little busy around here 🙂
Hi FOODalogue – mind? I’d be honored!
Thanks Lore – is it possible you’ll have one someday? I hope so for you.
Hi Carol – are the sprouts whole or chopped when you add them? Sounds good.
Hi Marie – I am a very fortunate women to have such wonderful family and friends. Stone left this morning on his way back to your city over there. Missing him already.
HI Melissa – sometimes little boys don’t want to “smile for the camera” but this day I couldn’t take a bad picture of him. He was so cute in that chef’s coat.
Hi Sarah Jane – you’re not alone either. Glad to shed some light…
Hello Person With Letters I Cannot Read – so glad you stopped by to comment. I appreciate that a lot!
You know it Cynthia!!
Hi Ronell – we are a thankful bunch. And I am an especially grateful auntie to have my little sous chef helping me.
Thanks Psychgrad – steal away. I think your family will enjoy it.
HI Alicia – oh how I love Thai food, I would have that any day of the year except turkey day. I bet it was great.
HI Darius – your ingredients sound like a winner paired with Brussels Sprouts. Little Stone will always know how they grow now too.
Hi Jenni – nice to hear from the land down under!
Hi Stacey – likewise!
HI Dots – thank you and same to you!
Hi Sachin – OK, see you soon I hope!
Hello Webhosting and Pathore!
Hi Merisi – oh, under the snow? I didn’t know that. Cool. My little Stone is a star! Thanks for all your lovely comments.
Welcome Villager and Zayiflama – thank you so much.
HI Jamjar – apparently you’re not alone. Glad to have you visit.
Hi Reishi – I got that jacket at Le Cordon Bleu. So cute on him.
Hi Joseph – maybe I’ll post a photo of the finished product…
Hi Jesse – thank you so much. I really enjoy reading your blog.