Thanksgiving :)

I know that I probably posted this song before, but I'm not tired of it, yet. So here is the link again. I thought it was quite a fitting song to sum up some of my thought for Thanksgiving.

I think back to my childhood, and thought I'd share a few of my favourite small wonders.

1) Watching the leaves change colours

My dad used to take my family out for drives in the fall and we would drive down country sides or highways where we can just watch the array of colours of the leaves before us. I never thought much of it, but perhaps, it is a rare thing for a family to take the time out to do that. I still gasp and point out scenery as I drive down the DVP to this day. It still takes my breath away.

2) Christmas lights

Again, another family drive around the neighborhood (sometimes our neighborhood, sometimes not). My family is not very big on decorating with a lot of lights, but we would take drives and marvel at other peoples' creations. I think I want to bring it up this Christmas and go for a little drive. Only this time, my sisters and I will be about 15 years older than we were last time we did it. I'm sure we'll point and gasp just the same.

3) Watching airplanes

Back in the day, it was a big deal for a family member to go somewhere via airplane. My entire extended family would all gather at Pearson International to see them off. Even though my family didn't go anywhere. My favourite part about seeing other people off, was watching the airplanes afterwards. My family would go up to the old Terminal parking garage and watch the planes take off. One by one. It was beautiful watching the airplane take off against the lights of the city.

I think I even waved to them, thinking my relative would see me. Silly me.

To this day, I think it's amazing that a big piece of metal can fly. I know it can be explained by physics. I prefer to think it's magical.

4) Steamed birthday cakes

When we were little, we hardly ever bought birthday cakes because my family couldn't afford them. My mom would round up us kids, and together we would make the cake mix. Then we would watch my mom put it in the steamer. When the cake was done, my mom would let one of us (we would take turns) dip the end of a chop stick in red food colouring, and mark the middle of the cake with it.

5) Eating dinner together

I would take it for granted when we always ate dinner together through out my childhood and teenage years, until I went to university. I wouldn't understand how my parents would get upset if I was late for dinner. Now I miss it. It's so rare to have everyone home, and its always nice when we do. I would take having a simply meal at home, any day, over eating out.

6) Cooking fests

My sisters and cousins and I used to have "cooking fests" when we lived together. Basically, we go shopping the day of, and then buy all the ingredients for the week (or two). Then, we make our favourite dish (at the same time) in the kitchen and have a little potluck afterwards (and major clean up). They were always fun. I love how food brings people together!

There you have it. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!