By John Hall for Blue Mountain Town & Country Gazette
No matter how challenging things can seem, appreciating the spirit of Thanksgiving is one of the blessings to be found this time of year. Sometimes you’ll find the spirit in memories of Thanksgivings gone by, when you were younger and joined your family around a dinner table filled with the bounty of the harvest and loving conversation. Other times you find the spirit right where you’re standing. No matter where you find it, let that spirit fill your heart with warmth and kindness to share with everyone you meet.
Now whether you’re sharing the Thanksgiving spirit with a large crowd for the holiday, or an intimate family gathering, it’s always special if you have a creative centerpiece on the table or even up on the mantle. In “Making a Thanksgiving Cornucopia Centerpiece” we give you the “how to” for creating an easy, rustic cornucopia centerpiece that will look great no matter where you place it. It’s the perfect way to tie into the bounty of the fall harvest.
So we wanted to bring you a “pumpkin-cream cheese” recipe in this issue, but didn’t want to do another pumpkin roll. So instead, we found a creamy pumpkin cheesecake dip that is the perfect, no-bake appetizer or dessert for any Thanksgiving holiday celebration. See “Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip” for the full recipe.
We also have the details for our next “Short Getaway:…”, a daytrip to nearby Bucks County. We give you seven activities you can enjoy there on a winter day. As a matter of fact, there’s so much to do in Bucks County you could easily stretch it into a long, or even romantic weekend. From history to shopping, dining and sledding, you can do it all this winter against the beautiful backdrop of Bucks County. Get full details in “Short Getaway: A Winter Day in Bucks County.”
Don’t forget that Small Business Saturday is November 30 this year and it’s like the “Black Friday” for small business retailing. We feature six of our area’s favorite small businesses in “Local Small Business Shopping for 2024.” We hope you’ll get out and support your local merchants: Shop with friends and shop local.
Finally, in “The Power of Thanks Giving” we look at the act of “thanks giving” and how it can transform your outlook on life. Even in challenging times, there are so many things to be grateful for that we encourage you to stop for a moment and rediscover the power of gratitude.
With that, we wish you a warm and thoughtful Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family. We look forward to having you join us next issue when we will celebrate winter.
