In my last blog, I told you about our first family vacation in Puerto Rico. If you haven’t read it, click here. Today I will tell you how our family celebrates Thanksgiving. It is important to be thankful for everything we have.
Do you know why we celebrate “Thanksgiving”?
It all began as a harvest and religious festival. In the olden days, there were no supermarkets like today. Many families had a garden where they grew their fruits and vegetables. Other families had pigs, cows, ducks, chickens, geese, sheep, goats or rabbits. There was a lot of work to do. The children helped, too. Some years they had plenty to eat and others not. Everything depended on the weather!
Do you have a garden at home? My grandparents have one. I help them collect the fruits and vegetables. Then I help grandma make jams and marmalade or bake my favorite cake! Yum, yum.
Back to the story. Thanksgiving is celebrated worldwide between October and November. It is a national holiday in many countries like Germany, Puerto Rico, and the USA. In Germany is celebrated on the first Sunday of October. It’s known as “Erntedanktag”. That means “Ernte”= harvest+ “dank” = thanks + “Tag” = day. In Puerto Rico and the USA on the last Thursday of November.
Our family celebrates Thanksgiving twice a year. Can you guess when? Every year Mom cooks something different. American-style: the traditional roasted turkey with gravy, salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, caramelized apples, and her delicious garlic bread. My mom makes the best gravy and garlic bread in the world! We eat pecan or pumpkin pie for dessert. Puerto Rican-style: roasted turkey or chicken with a special sauce, short white rice, stewed pinto or pink beans, salad, and “tostones”, "arañitas" or “mofongo.” She makes them with plantains. Never too full for grandma’s secret cheese flan recipe. German-style: roasted duck or lamb with gravy, boiled potatoes, green beans and carrots, salad, and garlic bread. There is always space for dessert: fruit salad or a cake. (yummy, yummy for my tummy) We give thanks to God and bless our food before eating.
What do I like the most? The great stories my grandparents tell us and our time together. We play cards and board games or go for a walk. How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?
Our family wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!
In my next blog, I will tell you about … it’s a surprise!
Remember to brush your teeth and keep them clean for the Tooth Fairy.
Joey Paco