Thanksgiving and Life's Other Joys

I know it's been a long time since I have written anything. There has been so much that has gone on. So much to write about. So much to say. Too much in fact that it has rendered me speechless. I guess it's about time I said something though so here goes.

Thanksgiving. For this food lover and food lovers world round, this is the greatest holiday ever created. Outside the commercialization on Black Friday afterwards, this is probably the purest of holidays to me. Not much decorating, no present giving, no candy or costumes, no cupids or sandy hearts, it is just food, family and festivities. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Growing up in a Vietnamese household, we didn't celebrate Thanksgiving the traditional way, or in any way really.  Shoot, we never celebrated holidays at all for that matter outside a Christmas here and there, maybe a Halloween once or twice but in general, holidays were merely any other passing day for us.

This started changing the older I got.  I started going to friends houses and celebrating Christmas' and other holidays with them.  Getting made to feel a part of their family and sampling their traditions.  Thanksgiving was the holiday that always stood out to me. Maybe it was the camaraderie of family members gathered around the table, or the gluttonous eating on display, or how each person had a favorite dish on the table, or maybe it was just the fact that everyone always seemed to want to be there for nothing but the spirit of the day.  Whatever it was, it sure was something that I was glad to be a part of. 

Sadly, this year however was a little different than what I have grown accustomed to. We had very recently lost my dear father-in-law and friend. As a result, my wife and her family just didn't seem in the mood for a formal dinner at home since this was something that he always enjoyed having.  There was a weight on the holiday this year and it just didn't seem the same joyous time as it used to be. Her family decided we would all just go out to eat this year so we made reservations at Mignon in Plano.

The food was pretty good. They didn't try to upscale a traditional turkey dinner like some places I know. They served food buffet style (my favorite style for anything) and everything was done well.  The turkey had a good flavor and moistness to it, the potatoes were rocking, the stuffing was a mushroom stuffing and a little bit of a miss but the pecan pie more than made up for it. 

This is the only real pic I have of the food.

Turkey, Ham, and Salmon? Why not.

 This year, family was way more important.

Took this one much to the shock of all involved. My sister in-law-in law was trying to get out of the way but I'm that fast.

My wife's lovely mom and step-dad who were most generous taking us all out to eat. 

That evening, we even went to my parents to partake in my mom's um... Thanksgiving day meal of hot pot? 

And she even went all out with the beef heart, mussels, Asian fried goodies, shrimp, and squid.

Obviously I'm still at the kiddie table since my dad and his buddies were out there eating and watching the game...

I was a little bummed about not having leftovers to eat since we went to a restaurant but no fear, my dear friend Jill saved the day. 

So much goodness on a plate.

I can't believe I ate the whole thing either.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, got home safely from the shopping of Black Friday, and have as much as I do to be thankful for.  This year was different but still good.  I guess in the end, I still ended up with the same result, a full belly, time spent with family, and even a Cowboys win for icing on the cake.  I guess it would have been so much better this year if I just had one more guest at the table. Maybe one more plate to serve.  I miss you David, wish you were here because the pie was pretty good this year man. I'm sure you would have approved.