Over the river and through the woods ...

(Nov. 22, 2010) As the song goes, "Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go." And this grandmother, like so many others, is busy getting ready for the Thanksgiving feast. Thanksgiving Day, a federal legal holiday, is the fourth Thursday of the month of November, this week, Nov. 25.

Although the big bird seems daunting, it's actually the easiest part of the meal. All the turkey needs is a little seasoning and roasting in the oven. The hard part is it's so heavy and it takes up the whole oven while other stuff needs cooking.

The most challenging part of the dinner is the seating. First, having enough seats for everyone, considering lefties (left-handers who need to sit on a left end) and kiddies (little ones who need to sit in high chairs in a spill-proof area, but still close to Momma).

So, now that the house is cleaned, I'm working on the table set-up: one big one in the dining room, another in the kitchen, a smaller one in the foyer, and one for the teens in the rec room, plus a long serving table. And chairs have to be collected from all over the house, which is Grandpa's job. That should do it until the cooking begins: stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving is many people's favorite holiday because it is such a simple family day - a time to savor how we all have been blessed at a joyful meal with friends and relatives.

Then the busy winter holiday begins - with decorating and shopping, along with parties, benefits and shows. Read all about what's happening in your neighborhoods in Recorder Community Newspapers right here online and in their blogs.

Anyone interested in joining the growing list of Recorder bloggers is welcome to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers. I will help you with this simple 21st century communication tool. It's free and all you need is a computer and an e-mail.