It always drove me crazy that I would prepare for days prior to Thanksgiving and in 15 minutes - 20 TOPS! The meal would be done. And the kitchen looked like a bomb went off.

These days, I head to my daughter's place - where I am simply staff. My older sister meets me there & the three of us co-operatively cook a kick-ass meal but the best part is the bonding - one full blooded Italian, one half-blooded Italian, & one 1/4-blooded Italian. And just drinking wine while spending time with them in the kitchen makes me thankful beyond words. The meal is optional, time spent with loved ones is priceless. <3