ThanksGIVING
“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.” — Theodore Roosevelt
No one loves the dining experience more than me. It just makes me happy. Good food, flowing wine, laughing friends and the atmosphere that makes it all work have made for some of my most beautiful experiences. One would think Thanksgiving – the holiday that revolves around gastronomy – would register at the top of my list of annual jubilees. Nope. Not by a long shot. I’m actually more into Sweetest Day – you know, that made up holiday that just showed up as the ugly stepchild of Valentine’s Day and yet still manages to guilt couples into spending “love” money and to make singles feel generally inadequate.
“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”
Turkey by Alison Marras
No one loves the dining experience more than me. It just makes me happy. Good food, flowing wine, laughing friends and the atmosphere that makes it all work have made for some of my most beautiful experiences. One would think Thanksgiving – the holiday that revolves around gastronomy – would register at the top of my list of annual jubilees. Nope. Not by a long shot. I’m actually more into Sweetest Day – you know, that made up holiday that just showed up as the ugly stepchild of Valentine’s Day and yet still manages to guilt couples into spending “love” money and to make singles feel generally inadequate.
Seriously, as I sat down to write a seasonal post about Thanksgiving, I thought, “what the hell am I going to write?” We all know about gratitude. We all know it’s good and proper to be thankful for our many blessings. Everyone’s family goes around the feast-laden table, one member at a time, reciting gratitudes before glutiny ensues, right? Nothing new here.
Why do I travel and cook and sweat and cry and bleed (there was an incident involving a knife and a gizzard a few years back…almost took out a thumb)? Is it simply to say thank you? I do that daily anyway. Couldn’t this just be a speed bump on the way to Christmas? I mean gratitude fits right in there with peace on earth and goodwill toward men, right? Couldn’t we treat it like an extension of the larger holiday season rather than it’s own thing (i.e. Thanksgiving is to Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Boxing Day what Akron is to Cleveland)?
I’ve glossed over it long enough. For the last 7 years or so, I’ve been on a mission to live authentically, changing things little by little to hopefully achieve a life that fits me a little better. So it is no surprise that I am probing into Thanksgiving to try to find some meaning, outside of pilgrims and Natives and turkey-hand crafts, that I can really latch onto so it’s real to me.
Give thanks by Simon Maage
It hit me as I was writing and I think I found something that I can love, folks. We call this holiday Thanksgiving, not simply Thanks, nor do we reference the state of Thankfulness or the latent quality of Gratitude. Thanksgiving is the moniker we’ve collectively chosen and I think the giving is important. It’s an action word. I recently heard gratitude described as a consciousness of prosperity. If that is so, then thanksgiving is the process of acting on that consciousness and that seems to open up a whole host of creative ideas! What do you do when you realize how much you have? How do you give thanks? Thanksgiving also implies process. The “give” kind of continues for a bit. Are you aware as you are of giving thanks? What does it feel like? Is it enjoyable? What are the responses? Thanksgiving also begs the question giving thanks to whom? We may reflect on our place in the universe. We may become aware of and love more deeply those in our lives that incite the very prosperity upon which we are asked to reflect during this holiday. Pondering the questions allows us to nurture an atmosphere of connection and togetherness.
Feeling thanks and tangibly expressing those feelings in real time creates a beautiful reciprocal relationship that does not come out of a sense of duty but from the authentic beats of our hearts. The cycle of receiving and giving, giving and receiving continues, now with an awareness that the two are inseparable and each contains the seeds of the other.
Giving a flower by Evan Kirby
Thanksgiving, like other holidays, gives us an opportunity to cultivate the best of our humanity so we can project it more fully all year. It is indeed a holiday worth celebrating and one for which it is certainly worth picking a fight with our modern, commerce-driven lives. I am moved and inspired, guys. I’m stoked to practice. And the gratitude-driven ideas are dancing in my head like sugar plums…oh wait, like cranberries.
Love in all things,
April Eileen
P.S. Check out my upcoming experience, Holiday Pancakes and Pajamas, for an opportunity to enjoy a bit of holiday magic!
Tips for Recreating Dinner and Dessert in the Dark
“People who love to eat are always the best people.” — Julia Child
At our inaugural experience - Dinner and Dessert in the Dark - guests learned the art of being present with delicious food and drinks, ambient music, and great conversation...all while blindfolded! If you couldn't make it, no worries! Check out our tips below for creating the experience at home. And don't forget to take a peek at the gallery.
“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
At my inaugural experience - Dinner and Dessert in the Dark - guests learned the art of being present by enjoying delicious food and drinks, ambient music, and great conversation...all while blindfolded! If you couldn't make it, no worries! Check out our tips below for creating the experience at home. And don't forget to take a peek at the gallery.
Wine, mask, and flowers by April Eileen
Blind dining tablescape by Aaron Clay
The Preliminaries
You can find effective and budget friendly blindfolds here.
Be aware of your environment. If you opt for an outdoor experience, for example, mosquito repellant and blankets or sweaters may be in order.
Minimize distractions by asking guests to arrive on time, to take bathroom breaks in advance, and to silence cell phones. If an issue does arise, it's very easy to escort a guest from the table if needed.
Be prepared to jump in and boost conversation lulls when needed. Sometimes, people can become quiet without the ability to see facial expressions, etc. Remember that attention to food is great so no need to fill every silence…just the awkward ones.
Depending on the number of guests, you can help them relax and have fun by having enough helpers to direct them to their plates and drinks, clear the table periodically, etc.
The Food
A theme is helpful in creating the menu. I served clean, plant-based food because I thought it worked very well with the idea of being more mindful and present.
Simple is good – not necessarily in terms of flavor but in terms of handling. Consider foods that are finger-friendly or easy to serve, relatively non-messy, or pre-cut such as fresh fruit, roasted chickpeas, cauliflower bites or risotto. Spaghetti or tacos might not be good options here. :-) Tastings are great too and mini desserts or tarts work very well.
Allow extra time as guests will spend more time getting food onto their silverware and into their mouths.
Ensure that you have extra napkins on hand, as guests will be using their hands to feel where the food is on their plates.
Minimize the number of glasses on the table to no more than two per guest at any given time. Also, keep glasses half-full to minimize spills and make them easier to maneuver.
When the Blindfolds Come Off
Champagne and strawberries by Aaron Clay
The Big Reveal: Remember your guests have been in the dark for some time. It’s nice to have something lovely for them to see when they remove the blindfolds. I served champagne in sugar-rimmed flutes on a tray with rose petals (thank you, Pinterest). Another option is to plate each dish and put it on the table for the guests to see (you can eat it later). Also, make sure the room is not too bright to give time for eyes to reacclimate.
Go through the menu. Of course, one option is to describe the dishes ahead of or during the dining experience, but if your guests are adventurious, I prefer to do it afterward because people are more likely to really taste the food. If they know what they're eating, they may take for granted that they also know what it tastes like.
Talk about the experience. Your guests will want to share what they tasted and how they felt. It’s such a great time to connect in a real and meaningful way.
Should you decide to take on Dinner and Dessert in the Dark at home or elsewhere, these tips should make for a super enjoyable and totally stress-free experience. Would love to know how it goes!
Love in all things,
April Eileen
Dinner and Dessert in the Dark Recap
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” — Helen Keller
As we wrap up our series on the art of being present, please enjoy photos from our inaugural experience - Dinner and Dessert in the Dark. It was a special evening and a truly great way to practice being in the here and now. If you couldn't make the event, no worries! Check out our tips for creating the experience at home.
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
As I wrap up my series on the art of being present, please enjoy photos from my inaugural experience - Dinner and Dessert in the Dark. It was a special evening and a truly great way to practice being in the here and now. If you couldn't make the event, no worries! Check out my tips for creating the experience at home.
Love in all things,
April Eileen