Monday Musings

  One of the busiest weeks of the year is upon us. Today we tackled the market: our grocery cart groaned under its burden, as we filled it with recipe ingredients and end-cap two-for-one specials. As the cash register total rose, we reminded ourselves of our blessings. The checklist continues: pulling the turkey out of the freezer to begin its days-long thaw, tidying the house for a holiday guest, baking and making do-ahead dishes, and placing fresh flowers on the mantel. Our Thanksgiving menu is traditional: roast turkey, dressing, special mashed potatoes (a family secret), a gussied-up sweet potato bake, green bean casserole (this year’s version a treat with frozen green beans from my garden and baby Bella mushrooms), cranberry-orange relish, Parker House rolls spread with Kerrygold Irish butter, turkey gravy, and pumpkin pie. On Black Friday, we always avoid the shopping crush and head to a local Christmas tree farm. The Thanksgiving visitor, our able-bodied young nephew, will d...

Thanksgiving will be upon us in just a few days. It’s time for turkey and all of the fixings. We will attend a “Friendsgiving” celebration, so we only need to prepare Bobi’s Special Mashed Potatoes, my fabulous Sweet Potato Casserole, and Bobi’s Apple Pie. The shopping is completed. According to  USA Toda y, the inflation-adjusted cost of the feast has decreased: 2022-$67.84, 2023-$62.76, and this year-$58.08. We’ve watched the parade of poultry trucks down the local state route to the Tyson plant. Per the  USDA  report, farmers raised 205 million turkeys in 2024, the fewest since 1985 due to avian influenza. Nevertheless,  North Carolina is the top turkey-producing state , followed by Minnesota, Indiana, Arkansas, and Iowa. Other major turkey producers are Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, and South Dakota. Worldwide, the US is the leading source of turkeys; other large contributors are Brazil, the European Union, and Canad...

This week those of us who live in the US celebrate Thanksgiving. A time to gather with friends and/or family. Plentiful meals to prepare and enjoy. To binge on football. Or begin the hunting season. I’m thankful to travel and break bread with loved ones. How will you spend this weekend? You can follow the Author at her  Website  or on  Twitter .

  We will be traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday, so I wanted to take a moment to share a brief message with you. I am thankful for all of you who have journeyed with me on my writing adventure: those who have read and reviewed my books, and those who simply ride along in support and friendship. Happy Thanksgiving and many more! You can follow the Author at her  website  or on  Twitter .