thanksgiving 2016

Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...

it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, 

and creates a vision for tomorrow.

|Melody Beattie| 

Thanksgiving day is one of my very favorites of the entire year. Typically we wake up slowly & have a lazy morning until we gather at Mimi & Papa's for lunch. However, this year, Mike got up and ran his very first "Thanksgiving 30" ... he ran from TR to Simpsonville with just enough time to shower before sitting down at the table for turkey and all the fixin's. The boys played all afternoon in the yard and even took a dip in the hot tub (apparently we do this on Thanksgiving). (: We meandered to Fountain Inn for dinner with the McCraw clan like we always do. We had a spread of desserts fit for a king (who needs turkey when you can have apple strudel, pumpkin bars, strawberry cheesecake, or peanut butter pie? NOT me!) 

We've much to be thankful for over this past year, as always, it seems. At the top of the list: 3 healthy little boys, being in our white house, and simply being together to enjoy it all. 

Just like that we're on to Christmas! Let the festivities begin! 

Thanksgiving Day Meals, New England Style in Massachusetts

Concord's Colonial Inn, Concord Mass. (photo by Eric)

Do you enjoy going out for Thanksgiving, having someone else do all the cooking for you?  If so, you'll find no shortage of such places in New England, but the key is to find a destination that will get you in the local spirit. Here are some traditional, historic and charming New England spots in Massachusetts that are sure to provide a fabulous setting for your Thanksgiving Day meal...

The Pilgrims were to first to celebrate Thanksgiving in America, so why not celebrate at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth? This wonderful outdoor living museum that recreates life during the Pilgrim days offers the traditional America's Thanksgiving Dinner, as well as a Thanksgiving Day Buffet. It looks like some seatings are already sold out for both Thanksgiving Day dinners, so we recommend making reservations soon if this event sounds interesting to you. Log onto http://www.plimoth.org/dining-functions/thanksgiving-dining-special-events for more information, or call (508) 746-1622 for reservations.

In Central Massachusetts, the historic Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield provides a beautiful restaurant setting for enjoying the bounty of New England's harvest on Thanksgiving Day with traditional free range oven roasted turkey and appetizers, unique drinks and homemade desserts (the deep dish apple pie is phenomenal!).  If you'd rather have something else than turkey, then broiled salmon and pepper crusted sirloin with gorgonzola cheese are also available. With a roaring fireplace, post and beam design, and 600 acres of beautiful rolling hills, this colonial restaurant -- with part of the building well preserved from the early 1600s -- will surely bring you into the heart and soul of traditional New England.  For more information, log onto http://www.salemcrossinn.com/CalendarEvents/thanksgiving_dinner.htm, or call (508) 867-2345 for reservations.

In historic Concord (birthplace of the American Revolution), Concord's Colonial Inn offers a comprehensive Thanksgiving Day meal with a carving station (yes, including oven roasted turkey with pan gravy!), pasta, fish,  salads, cheese, a raw bar, soup, bread and sides, including fresh vegetables. This restaurant and inn overflows with colonial charm and is located at beautiful Monument Square in the heart of this beautifully preserved town. One of the inn's original buildings was once used, in 1775, for arms and provisions while from 1835-1837, famous author Henry David Thorough (Walden and Civil Disobedience) lived here before moving to Walden Pond.

You can view the full Thanksgiving Day menu at http://www.concordscolonialinn.com/sites/default/files/docs/Thanksgiving%202012.pdf, or call (978) 369-9200 for reservations.

Editor's note: we strongly advise you call ahead for Thanksgiving Day meals details and to make reservations before embarking to the above-mentioned places.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy reading:
Walking along Plymouth Harbor
20 classic New England travel attractions
10 reasons to love Central Massachusetts