thankful thursday: thanksgiving day traditions anew

Since it’s been another interesting year for me, I can’t help to be thankful for many things this day. But the holidays always make me think of family and this year it’s hard not to think of who’s not around this Thanksgiving day. But before I got to down in that thought process, I read Melissa’s post at Live, Love & Run about how this Thanksgiving is different for her. Through her post, I realized as your life changes those traditions you hold dear also morph.  I’ve already adapted some of my usual Thanksgiving traditions, and I’m looking forward to these things – many of which I did last year:

…I’m thankful for this blog – to start my day with the best way I know how to communicate my thoughts. Thank goodness for the written word in all its forms.

…I’m thankful for 90 minute hot vinyasa flow at Nishkama Yoga this morning – or what I lovingly call Turkey Tadasana. The best spot to cultivate my gratitude is always on my mat.

…I’m thankful to be watching The National Dog Show while prepping my Thanksgiving meal offerings. Forget the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Watching hundred of pups prance about is much more my style.

…I’m thankful to be providing the veggies at my dad’s feast. I’ll be making my favorite Whole Foods green bean with shallots dish and my maple sweet potato gratin, as well as the obligatory side of corn. Don’t worry – Dad’s got the mashed potatoes covered.

…I’m thankful my father’s down for a 1:00PM feasting time. Means we get to enjoy leftovers the same day we first enjoy them!

…I’m thankful for a quiet Thanksgiving meal: me, my dad, my brother, my husband and the VP of Fuzz. A simple menu of turkey, ham (it’s a LaVecchia holiday get together after all), stuffing, veggies, rolls and pumpkin pie are all we need.

…I’m thankful for NFL football and Pinterest: the football for the boys, and Pinterest for me: I’ve got tons of recipes to pin via Punchfork on how to use up that leftover turkey.

…I’m thankful to spend the late afternoon visiting my father-in-law on the other side of town when we have sprung from our afternoon turkey coma.

…and I’m thankful to be able to come home at the end of the day – to a warm, safe environment that is allowing me to focus on what I want out of this crazy life. So much opportunity is abound – and I’m ready to seize each and every option that I see fit.

A peaceful Thanksgiving filled with food, fitness and family – those sounds like traditions that will always be a part of this holiday for me.

From the entire PIP family, we wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving!