Thanksgiving Pictures

The brilliant colors of late-autumn, the smell of log fires, and the crisp November air.  

The local church bells rang for 3 o'clock, as Lewis and I walked from the subway to our friends' apartment for a Thanksgiving Friendsgiving feast!

Feast your eyes upon our homemade dinner and locally-made baked goods!

20-pound stuffed turkey, with sage butter under the skin, and moist from lots of basting.

Whipped mashed (cream cheese/butter) potatoes!

While the bird "rested", our friends Christina and Danny served homemade spinach/cheese dip (feta, Monterey jack, cheddar).

Mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon, toasted coconut, and marshmallows: Ambrosia!

We swooned at the aromas emanating from the open oven!

Fresh-from-the-oven dinner rolls (from batter--not a tin)!

Champagne toast to commence the meal... perfecto!

Pan drippings gravy for a table full of goodies.

Above, my plate of seconds.
Below, the turkey bones, after dinner. 

Pumpkin pie, citrus cheesecake, Greek cookies, banana cream pudding, and cherry pie (made with New Jersey cherries--not from a can)!  Each so amaze-balls!

While we felt too stuffed to move, we enjoyed using the laser pointer to keep the 1yr-old kitten, Molly, active.

By the time, Lewis and I arrived back at my home in Astoria, the city-hung street decorations were already illuminated... signally the arrival of the Christmas season.  Happy Holidays!

Perceptions

Perceptions can be unfortunate.  Too many American guys might look at this picture and assume that the men are gay.  Yet, throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia, it's commonplace for guys to enjoy cooking together.  In those cultures, masculinity is not challenged when you wear an apron and cook with your friends.  Like they are with many things, too many Americans are fearful.

Deal With Stress Before It Weighs You Down

     The expression "carrying all of that around with you" really has weight to it (pun intended).  Stress and our Past are usually described as things that we (choose to) carry around with us... instead of leaving behind.  

     

     Consider that analogy.  It's no surprise that when you're feeling stressed, your shoulders and neck are the first to be "in knots", tired, and tense.  

     Therefore, if your neck/shoulders are fraught with tension, it's a telltale sign that you're carrying something (often unnecessary) with you.  
     Only you can create a solution.  Listen to your "little inner voice" about the issues.  Admit to any lies, remove yourself from negative situations, put distance against negative people, and don't give them admittance.  Regardless of temporary pain you might feel (as you adjust to the wrong situations that you created/allowed/tolerated), you will feel "free and easy" very soon afterward.  It's a proven fact.