Cranberries and kindness………

It is that time of the year again when we gather together with Family and Friends and celebrate the start of the Holiday Season. Whether you are cooking or invited to someone’s home or spending it at a favorite Restaurant, Thanksgiving seems to bring back memories of our childhood. Giving thanks is a gesture that comes from our hearts and Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to share these feelings. As children we are taught in school of the Pilgrims and the early Settlers that gave us traditions as well as customs from our ancestors and their Countries. Our Family likes to enjoy the traditional Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and visiting with our Family and Friends. Actually the preparations have become some of the funniest memories over the years ! We look forward to the next day when you put everything between two slices of bread and just enjoy the blending of all the tastes together. My Dad used to say he’s was going to have a Dagwood the next day and combined turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and cranberries and had it on rye bread. Oh my, no one talked about carbs back then! These memories and traditions I try to keep ( as if its hard to enjoy a great meal LOL! ) and add our special touches that we’ve added over the years. Once again I’d like to share with you a story of two people and the link that keeps us together. Many years ago we were celebrating Thanksgiving with family in upstate New York. Cousin Theresa and Billy and Cousin Maryann and Charlie and their Families had invited our Family to Dinner that year. Cousin Dominick and a friend John were there and John’s mother Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a lovely women who had been a Head Mistress at a private school in NYC and was telling us many stories which we thoroughly enjoyed. She also had brought along a jar of her homemade Cranberry relish. Well by now I know you are thinking this must have been great and yes it was the tastiest cranberry relish I had ever had. The funny thing is how simple it is to prepare. It is raw and has three ingredients , cranberries , an orange, and sugar. I can still recall just thinking about it how my mouth burst with this delicious taste. Needless to say this recipe has become one of our favorites and served as part of our Thanksgiving meal. Another memory was of a  gentlemen who lived in my Daughter’s apartment Bldg named Joe.  He was a very talented man who actually did Audio work at Lincoln Center and also loved to cook. He would send for the best ingredients for his dishes or cakes and then make them and give them to people to enjoy. One of his famous recipes and enjoyed by many was his cranberry relish . His recipe was cooked with orange zest and walnuts and sugar and was absolutely amazing. He would start preparing in early Fall with ordering the cranberries from Wisconsin and the nuts from somewhere else and getting his jars and canning equipment ready for the big day. On one of my trips I was lucky to be there while he was making it, and he showed me his cranberry canning operation. It was so obvious the love and enjoyment he had both talking about it ,and preparing , but most of all sharing. It became a part of his Holiday Tradition as well as many who received this bottle of joy! Of course we were on the recipient line that year and actually got two! Thinking and remembering these two special people are really what makes me enjoy this Holiday most of all. Maya Angelou has said “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Although not related and when we met just acquaintances these two lovely people have left me with a special feeling of a time so thoroughly enjoyed! A link that has been added to a chain of wonderful memories.

Here I am flying home with my head literally in the clouds! (My husband always teases me about that as I’m such a dreamer). It was great visiting my Daughter Stephanie in NYC and really enjoyed all the Fall sights and cool weather. I spent time with family and friends and of course had some of the best food in the World. I get so inspired to be creative in both cooking and gardening after a visit to New York. My favorite place is Central Park and seeing every type of plant and tree imaginable and set in backdrops that are magnificent is amazing. Clearly, nature at its finest with a feeling of grand elegance and topped off by history with all the Statutes around the entire park. Walking around the farmers market is always so fantastic. To see such a selection of fruits, vegetables, fresh breads, eggs, local honey, and beautiful lavender is great. I tried some tri-colored  chards that I sauteed with some onions and celery and used as a base to plate my roasted pork tenderloin with heirloom tomatoes. I also picked up a celery root and made a great Greek salad adding the fresh root. The leaves you get with the root are great in a light soup with peas and rice. Another idea for the leaves is to make a pesto with garlic and then add some cream cheese or even fat free yogurt and spices for a great dip or salad dressing .

I think the best thing about visiting New York is to just observe all the chatter around you. For example staying at my Daughters apt is like being a part of a sitcom. She lives on a beautiful tree lined street in an apt in a lovely turn of the century building. That in it self sounds picturesque but does pose issues. You really don’t have to see people on a daily basis as you can hear mostly everything through the walls. Actually you know that phrase If Walls could Talk well Stephanie’s Do! Another example the window panes are so thin when the leaves fall outside you think they are blowing around in your apt. I’m always amazed at how loud everyone can be from discussing dinner plans to picking up the kids or even just making an appointment. New Yorkers are emotional and don’t hide much. The cutest thing was last week I heard this women talking so lovingly and I had too take a peek to see the child and it turned out to be her adorable dog! She was chatting about what a great Play date they had and about stopping for a treat on the way home! Priceless NYC moment. Some of the  neighbors came over for a wine and appetizer gathering and what a fun time. Without even knowing what everyone was bringing it turned out to be so colorful and quite healthy. I’ve posted a picture in the gallery. Although we rarely see them, the next door neighbors are always having International people over and I love all the languages and dialects you hear. From England, Ireland, Germany and last week Chile!

Another funny encounter was on a trip downtown. I got off the subway and wasn’t sure of the direction I needed to walk. I stopped a gentleman and as he was giving me directions I realized I had to make another stop. When I stopped him and said I think I need to change the address he threw his hands up and said “Are you Kidding me, do you know where you’re going?” Once again only an emotional New Yorker will display such drama at giving directions! I thanked him for his help and walked away with such a smile on my face. I really enjoy Florida but miss the dynamics of the City!