Category Archives: Thanksgiving

The Anniversry

13 Wednesday Aug 2025

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I’m still the Northeast Epicurean; however, I’m now residing in the mid-Atlantic. Not sure if I’ll capitalize upon the brand recognition of NEE (a shaking of the head and rolling of the eyes would be appropriate here) or come up with a new name; so, for now, I’m going with the Northeast Eplicurean in the Pseudo South (NEEPS. Side note, I would argue this is pretty darn south). 

The Happy Couple

It’s our 20th Anniversary. Our 15th was a bust. A pre-COVID booked cruise that got ‘lifted and shifted’ into oblivion turned out to be a non-event. Since then, over the years, we’ve had some fun trips to celebrate the nuptials, but this year, we’re under the gun to do something fantastic—it is the 20th anniversary, after all. 

We bantered about our options – a cruise, a trip to Puerto Rico, or even a road trip through the mid-Atlantic. Nothing piqued our interest; however, we knew there were a few excursions we’re  definitely doing: 

  • Christmas in Colonial Williamsbug: an almost surreal holiday experience. 
  • Dining on the James River – literally: we did a summer time sunset cruise; so excited for the ‘Farm to Batteau’ experience. 
  • Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination: they do fireworks, does anything else need to be said? 
  • Thanksgiving at Omar’s: the closest thing to Mom’s Thanksgiving I’ve found yet. 
  • Anniversary dinner at the Bavarian Chef – German food done right, and the Sacher Torte is amazing (the surprise for the weekend for Tony is a chauffeured ride through Central VA wine country – a surprising delight for fans of the vino!) 
  • A sojourn to NYC/NJ for a friend’s wedding: can you say “Bagels, Pizza; Pizza,Bagels?”
  • Chesapeake Bay Star Gazing Cruise: because I fell victim to a FOMO ad; first time that’s happened. Since buying the tickets, I’ve refrained from looking at Google reviews for fear that I pissed away a bunch of money. 

While planning all these activities, it hit me like a dim lit light bulb crashing slowly to the floor, why not do 20 super fun things from now through the end of the year; each being dubbed an anniversary celebration.. 

And that was the birth of insanity. All activities above have been booked and will be done; the other experiences are still being planned. My goal: report on the original seven and plan out and report on the remaining 13 as they arise. I’m looking at an Airshow Circus, the Military Aviation Museum Symphonic Airshow, Edgar Allen Poe experience, and Segway tour of Richmond. Even with those, I’m only up to 11. I see the need to get creative with these as the year waxes on. 

The Art Museum at Colonial Williamsburg

I’ll be reporting on our sojourns over the coming weeks and will keep you updated on our celebrations. We recently did the first event happy hour at Norfolk Seafood Company – a wonderful experience any time of the day; later that weekend, we entertained Tony’s Cousin Tina, the original Blue Angel. This weekend, we’re off to the Northern Neck (not sure what/where that is, but that’s what the locals call it) for the Chesapeake Bay Star Gazing cruise. Posts/reviews to follow.  

Until my next missive, wishing you all the fun summer tidings you deserve while we’re still in the season. 

Surviving Thanksgiving

26 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in Epicurean, Holidays, Massachusetts, New England, New Jersey, Thanksgiving, Travel

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A Thanksgiving Table

Well, we survived Thanksgiving; at least those of us who traveled during the peak Sunday travel period did.  24-hours later, the country is being assaulted by rain and snow.  In reflection, I’m glad to have gone home yesterday.  Ah, hindsight, you are indeed 20/20. 

A Thanksgiving scene from a flick that sticks in my head is Meg Ryan in The Doors (note, link to a great overview of the scene, albeit a bit light on the Meg analyzation). She performs Jim Morrison’s girl friend who has a melt down as she prepares Thanksgiving dinner, banging the duck on the ground, sobbing, “all I wanted to do was have a nice Thanksgiving” or something to that effect.

That’s usually how I feel at the beginning, mid point, and even end of each Thanksgiving we ‘host’ — OK, it’s only happened twice — like a crazy chick banging her bird on the floor wanting something just a bit better, something a bit nicer for the holiday.

The weekend was fine and I only had to deal with a meal for five; three of whom aren’t that picky.  After dinner — I swear the whole time I felt like poor Meg — we lounged about.  Saturday, my sister joined the festivities and hiked with the goats.  We walked through the woods — the cabin has about 80 acres to trudge through — and made a final meal over the fire, Bacalhau Assado.   

Bacalhau Asado 

As promised, we did take videos and I’m now figuring out how to use the software I purchased (which was to eliminate the ads among other actual needed tools — the ads are still there).  We did do a teaser video to send to his friend, included below for test purposes only.  It’s pretty good for the third video created that weekend and kind of amusing. 

For my husband, I’m including a clip I tripped upon while posting the Nor’east Epicurean video, it’s rather apropos as, indeed, the Maker’s Mark was flowing this past week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Q-B6KepX4

I’ll posts more thoughts about Thanksgiving dinner (OMG, the acorn squash thingy was so delicious), which, thankfully, ultimately turned out really great and will update you on our adventures over the coming days/weeks.  And, as  we enter the holiday season, I’m wishing everyone safe travels and, of course, bon appetite. 

To Blog or Not to Blog …

24 Saturday Nov 2018

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“You should do a cancer blog, Aunt Paula,” Addie exclaimed as I was attempting to explain my blog to her.

“Well,” I gulped, searching for the words that would appropriately answer such a statement.  “It would be boring as I’m actually really fortunate,” I meekly responded.

It’s Friday evening; black Friday has been in full swing for more than a few hours. And here I sit, with the utter knowledge that I should be elated, so thankful, and operating in a state of complete, joyous gratitude.  But, that’s not how I’m feeling.

Don’t get me wrong, I do give thanks.  I don’t talk about it much but ~ 14 months ago I was diagnosed with cancer.  Today, I sit here typing, basking in the glory of being in remission for more than 5 months. From start to finish, this endometrial cancer messed with about 10 months of my life.  Some people give birth; others get diagnosed with and treated for/cured of cancer in that time frame.  It’ been quite the ride.

But throughout my ordeal, I never faltered from being a person…a person irked at having to organize and do the heavy lifting of a Thanksgiving away; a person perturbed that for the second time today she had to clean the kitchen from top to bottom knowing that in less than 24 hours she would be faced with cleaning and closing down the wonderful cabin she’s been residing in for the past week, or a person who should be rejoicing in the fact that she now sits here in front of a fire, in the quiet, wee hours of the morning – cancer free– enjoying the remaining hours of her Thanksgiving weekend.

In early November 2017 I had a hysterectomy which was to cure me of the cancer I had been diagnosed with less than 4 weeks earlier.  Two weeks later, a few days before arriving at this fantastic cabin for Thanksgiving 2018, I was advised that the cancer had spread and was now classified as stage 3. Today, I type this in the glow of a fire, smiling at the fact that I am in remission.

I reflect upon all those inspirational sayings and poems about feet walking in the sand, or sob, sob, sob “when you’re 96 you’ll look back, glad that your hands were busyed with the work of a crazy person” or, better yet, “while you were alone, I carried you,” blah, blah blah…And I want to scream.  This is not how it’s supposed to be (‘Suck it people,’ I bellow to myself, in my head; “just because I have cancer, doesn’t’ mean it’s my last days!!”).

While I sit here with conflicted emotions, at the end of the day, I’m happy – happy that I’m in remission, happy that I was able to treat my brother and his kids to a great weekend with the goats, and thrilled that I’m even able to enjoy such an evening.

As we look toward the beginning of Christmas, I want to thank you for listening; wish you safe travels and, of course, as always, bon appetite..

The Turkey Ran Away

22 Thursday Nov 2018

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Upon Thanksgiving Day…they said they’ll make a feast of me so I shan’t stay….

Earlier in the week, a bunch of Toms ran through our yard.  On the most appropriate of days, here’s a picture of them running…for their dear lives. 

Wishing all my North American Friends the happiest of Thanksgivings. 

And, to all my followers, safe travels and bon appetite!  

The Great Orchard Hunt

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

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The fire is roaring, Tony’s entertaining us with his guitar playing, my brother and his family have arrived safely, and the kids are popping popcorn and roasting chestnuts over the open fire.  Another fabulous day. 

We ventured off the hill earlier, in an attempt to make our way to the local orchard.  There’s one a few miles away, Breezeland Orchard, but it was closed for the season; we zipped past another, but I was driving too fast and we couldn’t tell if it were open.  Then, as we were going through downtown Brookfield, we saw a promising sign for Brookfield Orchards – café open year-round.Things were looking up.  

Brookfield Orchards

After an idyllic drive through the the Brookfields – I say that as, yes, there is a Brookfield proper, a North Brookfield and a West Brookfield; didn’t drive through or see an East or South Brookfield, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they existed – we ambled upon the orchard with ‘The Happy Apple’.  With acres of trees, the family who operates the land and facility really have it going on. The area along the orchard itself is lined with playground equipment for those with kids and the shop is part bakery, part yard sale and part purveyors of local fare.  And the family running it was super sweet to the extent that they opened a bag of cider donuts and pulled one out as for me as I didn’t want to buy the whole bag.

Upon arriving home, we watered and fed the goats and hens –they’re Red Rhode Island Hens…who knew?!?  Restocked the firewood for the evening (we’re going through the wood) and served a sumptuous beef stew to the relations.

Tomorrow is the big day; I’ll be busy burning food…err,cooking so I’m not sure I’ll be posting. That said, I want those traveling to their friends and family tomorrow to be safe and, of course, I wish you all bon appetite.