Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving is a hard day not to be at home. Last year was the first time I had ever not been with my family for the holiday and this year I again stayed in California. It's just too much to make the trip for such a short break, particularly when I head to Maine in three weeks for Christmas. Nonetheless, I'm always amazed at the outpouring of hospitality and kindness around Thanksgiving and I had many invitations to dinner. My plan for the day was to go to three dinners - after a good swim at the gym! I had a couple of delays getting to my first dinner: the gym was insanely busy and it took awhile just to get a shower, then once I was on the road, 680 was absolutely jammed. I finally arrived at my first destination a little after 1:00 (even though I should have been there a good 30 minutes earlier!). My first hosts were Geoff (my co-worker) and his wife Jenn at their home in Livermore, and two of their friends were also there. They had quite the spread - my favorites being the Sicilian stuffing and sweet potato casserole - but I managed to eat very lightly by Thanksgiving standards. See the beautiful table here:



I need to make a trip to their local winery, Concannon, as they served a lovely Rose wine from there.

I left Livermore about 4:00 and headed to the second destination: Brentwood, the home of a woman I know from the gym, Celia, her husband, Hector, and their two children, Hector and Arturo. I had never been this far east in the Bay Area and it's like another world! Rolling hills (my first experience with Vasco Road), cows, and lots of country. Absolutely lovely. It was wonderful to spend a part of the holiday with Celia and her family. Her husband made an amazing smoked turkey, which he had been working on for two days! I also had my first dessert of the day, perhaps the best apple pie I have ever eaten. Ever. Another must-have recipe. We had great conversation and I didn't end up leaving until 8:00.

Originally I had been planning to finish the day with McKenzie's family, who had been my Thanksgiving hosts last year. But I underestimated how far away Brentwood actually is from the San Jose area. I felt terrible that I couldn't stick to my initial plan but I sent my regrets and made it home around 9:30.

Despite missing my last destination, it was a wonderful, balanced Thanksgiving. I feel very blessed that so many people were willing to open up their homes to me and I'm grateful for all the experiences I had on the holiday. Thanks to everyone for making me feel at home.