Thanksgiving 2025
What a lovely week it has been. My schedule allowed me to be home for the most part, which allowed for good, focused work, near daily visits to the gym, and consistent time spent with Rosie - who is growing up so fast and is a very good girl. The cherry on top was a solid week of sound 7+ hour sleep each night. If you want improve your mind state, getting good sleep is probably the surest way to do this.
I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving. The boys will be home soon. I made a double batch of these pumpkin cookies, putting them in the freezer to enjoy on Thursday. So the wonderful aromas have already begun to waft from our kitchen. Today the tantalizing smell will be from the cinnamon simple syrup I am prepping in support of this Apple Cider Bourbon Punch recipe.
Turkey Trotters who are in-the-know can consider our driveway a cocktail aid station of sorts. Given the chilly temperatures predicted, I may pivot and serve these beverages hot rather than on ice. It’s so fun to see the entire village glide past our house. It conjures the notion of a weird melding of Fred Rogers and Mussolini - all of my neighbors, filing by in a long parade, and we exchange pleasantries as they go by. “Hi, neighbor! Look at you, running so fast. I’m proud of you. Here - have a hot toddy.”
A day to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. A day when everyone is welcome at our table. A day when we have the time to dice, chop, stir, and taste - to produce delicious food, with intention. I am so lucky that I grew up in a household where this type of cooking was done most days of the year. I am so lucky to be able to continue this approach to eating.
Reheating leftovers, recombining them into new and interesting forms. Hanging out, catching up, napping, farting around. Thanksgiving had to be Kurt Vonnegut’s favorite holiday, too - right? “We are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different.”
Cheers to a week focused on our true purpose.
Sunday Supper
Here are fourteen low-impact rice bowl recipes that won’t wreck the kitchen as you prepare for the big feast. These easy casseroles are a good way to feed a crowd. And here are twenty five ideas for repurposing your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Sunday Music
This performance by Marcus King at the Blue Note Los Angeles grooves hard. Here is more than three hours of live performances at The Fallout Shelter. And here is more than an hour of electro, chill, hypnotic sounds if that is more your vibe. Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,