THE AROMAS OF cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, vanilla and apples beckon us into a new season. Flavorful aoups warm our bodies adn souls as during cold months. It is harvest time—a season for reaping, preserving and giving thanks. The holidays are upon us.

By carefully planning and preparing for festivities, we are better able to enjoy the many celebrations. We can more easily give thanks and enjoy loved ones, as well as partake of the bounty before us.

A Feast for All

Thanksgiving is a banquet – a feast! If you are hosting a feast, make your guests an integral part of the event. Invite each guest to bring a favorite traditional dish so that everyone shares the delightful anticipation and preparation. Invite each one to share holiday memories surrounding the dish and the meaning of those reminiscences. Ask each to bring a card with the hand-written recipe. Create a Thanksgiving 2011 recipe scrapbook to share with as a holiday gift in December.

Engage guests of all ages in holiday-related projects. When my daughters were young, while Thanksgiving feast was cooking, I brought out autumn-colored paper, scissors and crayons. We traced their little hands on paper, cut out the handprints, and the girls colored them to represent turkeys; the thumb was the head and the fingers were the feathers. They labeled each paper decoration with the name of a guest. Then they inserted each turkey into a pinecone or napkin ring next to a dinner plate. My daughters were proud of their contribution to the meal, and guests loved the special touch of a child’s craft. Furthermore, everyone was occupied happily until dinner was served.

Special Traditions

On Christmas Eve, our family celebrates our tradition of LaVigilia, also known as The Feast of the Seven Fishes. This special dinner, with Italian roots, features seafood dishes and honors the wait for the birth of the baby Jesus. Family and friends gather together for the feast, acknowledge the bonds that strengthen us and remind us of our heritage.

This season, share your unique traditions while creating new ones. Through traditions, we provide continuity to our children, and reasons and seasons to gather, celebrate and look forward to the next.

I wish you love, I wish you peace, I wish you good food and good family. Happy Holidays, ~Cynthia

484-459-3685 •  www.GochYaCooking.com

GochYaCooking@gmail.com

Favorites to Follow

Visit an apple orchard. Snack on freshly-picked apples, or pick or purchase baskets of fruit in preparation for a season of home-baked apples or holiday pies.
Are you serving a turkey for Thanksgiving or the December holidays? Visit an organic turkey farm or place an order fresh-from-the farm.

Reality Recipe

Whether you celebrate the upcoming holidays alone or with loved ones, take a moment to count your many blessings. We live in a state of grace and gratitude. At the same time, please remember those who are less fortunate ~ members of your community who may be hungry, alone (invite them!) or faraway serving our country. Invite someone to dinner, donate a dinner to a local food bank and feed a family…share. Greet the person who is next to you and make the day better for both of you!

This holiday season, give thanks and be merry.

• Reflect—count the many blessings that surround you.
• Share your bounty with others.
• Share traditions with friends and family.

A Recipe for Table Suggestions

• Illuminate the season with candles on your tables and around the home; create a cozy feeling.
• Make or listen to music to uplift moods, as well as to relax.
• Share memories and traditions with your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Storytelling is becoming a lost art ~ capture ears and hearts.
• Experience the balance of giving and receiving.

Save The Dates

Events

Friday, November 4

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Mushroom Cap, Kennett Square – A FREE Thanksgiving Stuffing Cooking Demo and Book Signing

Wednesday, November 9

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Faunbrook Bed & Breakfast, West Chester – Girl’s Night Out – Holiday Appetizers A pre-paid/pre-registered event: www.GochYaCooking. com/events

Saturday, November 12

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. LaCucina at the Market – The Reading Terminal, Philadelphia A Cooking Class – How to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey and sides Reservations: Anna@LaCucinaAtTheMarket.com

Sunday, November 13

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Village Craft Festival, Route 113, Lionville – Book Signing

Saturday, November 19

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fante’s Kitchenware Store. 9th Street, Philadelphia (The Italian Market) – Book Signing and Cooking Demonstration

Thursday, December 1

5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. LaCucina at the Market – The Reading Terminal, Philadelphia A Cooking Class – All About Pies Reservations: Anna@LaCucinaAtTheMarket.com

Friday, December 9

5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. LaCucina at the Market – The Reading Terminal, Philadelphia A Cooking Class – Girl’s Night Out – Holiday Appetizers Reservations: Anna@LaCucinaAtTheMarket.com

Thursday, December 15

6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sur La Table, The Court at King of Prussia Mall A Cooking Class – Feast of the 7 Fishes Reservations and information: 484-612-0046