Simplicity Relished

minimalism for the adventurous heart

Thanksgiving Menus and Memories

Every Thanksgiving, my hospitable heart flutters with excitement as nearly all of its dreams come true. The reason why I adore Thanksgiving so much is that it brings together three things I love: hospitality, gratitude, and good food. Ever since I helped cook a Thanksgiving meal at an addictions recovery community in New Hampshire, I have been in love with the joy of this holiday.

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Perhaps as an American-born daughter of Asian immigrants, this has meant adapting a new tradition into my family; but memories of gathering with loved ones around the table reach far back into my childhood. This is something that every culture does at one point or another: come together over food to feast and enjoy each other’s company. And on Thanksgiving, there’s no need to look beyond that very table for reasons to be grateful.

Last year's Thanksgiving meal shared with college friends!
Last year’s Thanksgiving meal shared with college friends!

For three years, my husband (then boyfriend) and I spent Thanksgiving in rural Virginia with his aunt, uncle and grandparents. We loved traveling down to beautiful Greene County, where the scenes of autumn promised happy moments around the hearth.

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Pa and my husband, 2010.

Before Pa, my husband’s grandfather, passed away, we also enjoyed spending time with him during Thanksgiving and learning his quiet ways. We served our extended family with such great joy and they offered us such sweet compliments and brought their best appetites. Despite the long journey to Virginia from Boston, I relished those moments of simplicity and tranquility on the farm.

photo 2

Views from the farm in Virginia!
Views from the farm in Virginia!

This Thanksgiving, we’ll be having brunch with my family and dinner with my husband’s family. This means lots of dishes to contribute!

Here are some dishes we hope to be serving.

All images linked below and sourced from Williams-Sonoma.
All images linked below and sourced from Williams-Sonoma.

Prosciutto-wrapped Figs with St. Agur
Apple-Orange Cranberry Sauce
Roasted Beet Salad
Spatchcock Brined Turkey
Herbed Quinoa and Red Rice Stuffing with Kale and Pine Nuts
Sweet Potato Puree with Marshmallow and Pecans
Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart
Pecan Pie

Is Thanksgiving a special holiday to you? What do you plan to serve this year? If your family gathers at other times of year, what are they? I’d love to know!

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  • Love this! What part of VA is your husband from? My husband is from there, too! Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorites, too! Your menu looks amazing!

    • Thanks Madison! So my husband is from CA but his mother’s family is originally from VA! She grew up in Roanoke. The photos here are of his aunt and uncle’s farm, which is in Stanardsville (2 hrs outside of Charlottesville)! Where is your husband from?!

      • He grew up in Northern VA outside of DC! But his grandfather lived in Nellysford County outside of Charlottesville! 🙂

  • Ivana Džidić

    how lovely!

  • Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday after Christmas for the same reasons you listed! I love gathering with loved ones to share what we’re thankful for and stuff our faces with excellent food. It’s the best. Those dishes look fantastic! 🙂

  • This is a great gathering of Thanksgiving dishes. Bookmarking several of these 🙂

  • Jane Fitfabfun

    Beautiful pictures and wonderful memories!
    xo, Jane
    http://www.fitfabfunmom.com

  • This is such a cute post 🙂 Lovely memories and countryside pictures. Thanksgiving looks amazing, I wish we celebrated something like that here. Have a wonderful time!

    Rachel xxx
    http://www.thedailyluxe.net

  • Oh what lovely memories! Thanksgiving is such a lovely time of year to be with family and celebrate yummy food. This year, my family will be going down to Disney for Thanksgiving and while I am very excited, I will miss the usual traditions. I hope that yours will be enjoyable. Thank you for sharing!
    Olivia | http://www.hernamewascelebration.com

  • These photos are great and that food looks amazing!
    xo
    http://www.laurajaneatelier.com

  • Nidhi

    Wonderful memories and delish recipes! You definitely shared what Thanksgiving is all about!

    Nidhi
    An Unblurred Lady

  • Oh my gosh I’m drooling! It’s so fun to have holidays that are dedicated to being with family and loved ones. Last year we had a huge Thanksgiving, but this year it will just be my boyfriend and me since he couldn’t get work off.

    XX,
    S. Roderick
    http://www.currenthabits.com

    • Haha these are great recipes aren’t they! It sounds like a quiet Thanksgiving for you two but I hope it’s a good time together 🙂

  • Audrey Adair-Keene

    Wow! Looks like you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Those recipes look delicious! Thanks for sharing your story.

    Audrey | http://www.keygypsy.com

  • Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday as it involves nothing more than being grateful for what you have. I was blessed to have my family and my husband’s family at our new home the first year we moved in. Sadly, what we hoped would be a tradition with everyone was not to be. We still have his parents but we’re taking a break from the traditional Thanksgiving. We’ve decided to take a vacation this year as we are in limbo on what we would like for our holiday to look like in the future.

    • It’s nice that you’re getting to go away for Thanksgiving. Sometimes that’s just what we need. It must have been nice to have a joint Thanksgiving that one year though. Our families seem to have their own traditions so we won’t be joining together. Thanks for sharing about your experience Sheryl! I always enjoy hearing from you 🙂

  • Looks like you’ll have plenty of food! i love thanksgiving. This year we aren’t near any of our family members for the holiday, but we’re inviting friends over for dinner!

    • Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with friends!! I guess we’ve always spent time with family because we’ve had access to them (so not much choice there), but we’d probably invite friends over if we couldn’t! Sounds like fun Rachel!

  • Sarah Dusinberre

    Aw! I love this! Both of my parents relocated when they got married so I grew up cherishing these holidays to see everyone. I see so much of your husband’s family looking a lot like mine. I just adore spending time with my grandparents and there’s something about family time with a crackling fire in the fireplace and bundled up. So great!

    That said, can you come and cook for my family whenever I’m left in charge of dinner? I’m the worst cook! And your food looks much more delicious than anything I ever pulled out of the oven.

    Haha

    – Sarah 🙂
    http://www.thecrownbijoux.blogspot.com

    • Aw that is so sweet, it’s wonderful that the holidays hold that significance for you! A crackling fire is really quite divine during the fall and winter seasons 🙂 I miss my grandparents a lot; they were super active when I was little! And haha, I wish I could share some food with you 😉 It takes time to learn how to cook… but there’s hope for you!

  • Love that you shared this with us! I love Thanksgiving as well because I can see so much of my family. After not seeing them for 2 years, I am so looking forward to this day. Love that you shared some pictures with us and you look adorable with that pie! Can’t wait to see pictures of the food that you cook!!

    Denise
    http://www.fashionloveletters.com

    • Thank you Denise!! That’s wonderful that you get to see your family again this year– I’m so glad for you! And I’ll try to take some photos and share them on the day of 🙂

  • This all looks soooo delicious, Daisy! I’m bookmarking this for the recipes! 🙂

  • Carli Ferretti

    What a beautiful post, Daisy! It was nice learning about about your thanksgiving traditions. And that sweet potato puree with marshmallows and pecans sounds amazing!

    xo, carli
    http://www.puppiesandpolkadots.com

  • Hello Daisy! Not only are you beautiful on the outside but also inside and I am so happy I met you. What a beautiful post. Love reading all of it and seeing all the memorable pictures from wonderful times with loved ones. Thanksgiving is also one of my favorites holidays. I spend it with my better half, my daughters and my family and I love it. It is a wonderful time of the year because it is also right before the Christmas Holidays. I believe that giving thanks is an act that we should practice everyday but to gather with family and friends and share good food there is no better time than that. Thanks for sharing. XOXO, Jeannette
    http://www.msjeannieandhercloset.com

    • Oh you are too kind Jeannette!! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this 🙂 And it sounds like you have a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition. And you’re right, the sentiments behind the holiday can make any day better! Thanks so much for reading, friend!

  • you are an awesome cook! that pie looks amazing!

    kelseybang.com

  • The Real Arnolds

    Great post! I love Thanksgiving for those three reasons as well. It’s like Christmas’ laid back cousin.

    xo, Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

  • I have really enjoyed reading this post, Daisy! I love Thanksgiving for so many reasons and the food is definitely one of them. My husband and I always have two celebrations, one with his side of the family and one with ours. He makes a mean sweet potato casserole and I make a big healthy salad. I know salads are not traditional Thanksgiving fare but it’s nice to have something light and healthy to accompany all that yummy rich food!

    http://www.girlinahotcity.com

    • So glad to hear that Ivete– thank you!! And sweet potato casserole is delicious, as are salads! We usually serve a salad as well, it definitely helps with flavor balance!

  • I love reading about your Thanksgiving memories!! I have very fond memories of going to my late uncle’s house for Thanksgiving and we would all gather around the table and share what’s been going on in our life. Now with the hustle and bustle of life it doesn’t seem the same. Thanksgiving is still one of my favorite holidays but now we go out to a restaurant that serves delicious Thanksgiving food! 🙂

    • Thank you Anna! And it’s great to have Thanksgiving memories, though I imagine it’s more relaxed and less of a hassle when someone else is cooking for you 😉 The most important part is being close to loved ones, of course!

  • Heidi D.

    I love thanksgiving and incorporating new and old dishes and traditions!

    Heidi D.
    http://www.wishesandreality.com

  • ahrosales

    And your fam on the Farm loved spending the time with you, to be sure! I imagine they also didn’t mind getting to enjoy your delicious cooking also!

    • They sure did! We’re going to miss being on the East Coast this year but are happy to be coming back to the bay!

  • This looks like the perfect thanksgiving celebration! Great menu! I’m not the best cook, but it gives me ideas on what to order lol Great ideas!
    http://weshooinheels.com

    • Thank you! And I love cooking, but Thanksgiving is definitely more relaxed when someone else is cooking for you 😉

  • I am so excited about Thanksgiving this year but next year it will be even better because I will be spending it with my family! We get up every thanksgiving morning and eat an amazing breakfast casserole my aunt made, then we eat dinner later that day and watch the Cowboys play. It’s pretty epic.

    • Sounds wonderful!! What’s in the breakfast casserole? I’m looking for a few more brunch-y items for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

  • Shannon Jenkins

    Eeek I can’t wait for thanksgiving!! We do a brunch with my husband’s family and dinner with my family too! Double the yummines!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com

  • Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s such a special day filled with relaxation and comfort. And all those recipes sound delicious.

    • That makes two of us! Although, I do tend to be hurrying around the kitchen before the meal… afterwards is when I lounge around and decompress!

  • Let me know when you want to come over and make this happen 🙂 What a great post!

    -Kat
    http://www.katwalksf.com/

  • This was such a lovely post. I cannot wait until Thanksgiving! My favorite thing about it is mashed potatoes and pecan pie! yumm!

    ClassToCloset

  • ” And on Thanksgiving, there’s no need to look beyond that very table for reasons to be grateful.” YES! I love that! Truly what that holiday means for me as well! Thank you for sharing these looks into your traditions!!

    • Aw thank you Hayley! I love all the good food but it’s the people at the table that really bring it home for me 🙂

  • Elmira Vatsni

    I love love all the pictures. The funny thing is I just finished my lunch but after looking at your pictures, I think I need more food:))
    xo
    Elmira
    http://www.wellputtogetherstylebyelmira.com

  • I love these photos! Here where I live we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but from what I’ve seen and heard it’s such a lovely holiday where you gather with your friends and family and simply enjoy each other’s companies. I hope you’ll have a happy Thanksgiving!

    TRENDGALORE
    BLOGLOVIN

    • Thank you so much Hana!! It really is a great holiday, but any occasion that brings people together around a table to feast is pretty much the same thing! Thank you for stopping by 🙂

  • Closet Fashionista

    YUM! All the food you want to cook looks so good!
    and yep, I love Thanksgiving. Spending time with family is always a good thing. And the tasty turkey helps. We actually extend it to two days because the day after thanksgiving we go get our Christmas tree and then go back to my Grandmother’s for leftover turkey sandwiches and soup!
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

    • Thanks so much, I’m hoping the food turns out! And you have a great Thanksgiving tradition!! Love that it paves the way for Christmas season 🙂

  • Wonderful post! It filled me with plenty of happy holiday feels remembering the holidays past and anticipation of this coming Thanksgiving. The food looks delicious! I love Thanksgiving. I love that the holiday season consists of a holiday to thank the Lord for all the blessings He’s given us, especially the blessings typically overlooked. It’s perfect to lead into the Christmas season, of celebrating the gift of Jesus. If you can’t tell I rather love this time of the year. 😉

    We have to travel several hours, and everyone’s making a little something to take. This year we’re making a couple of my chocolate pies, cranberry sauce, jalapeno poppers, sweet potatoes and apples, rocky road mallow bars, plus food for those with food allergies.

    • Thank you Rachel!! And yes, it’s a wonderful way to kick off Christmas season (though sadly there’s a mad rush to the mall on Black Friday, which I never really understood!) And what you’re contributing to Thanksgiving dinner sounds incredible!! Especially the rocky road bars… mmm!

  • I love Thanksgiving for the sheer fact that there is no pressure other than to bring your appetite. All that is expected is for guests to sit, eat, and enjoy each other’s company. I love what you said…there’s no need to look beyond that very table for reasons to be grateful. So so true. Family and friends is always at the top of my gratitude list.

    • So glad you agree, Anne! There’s nothing better than gathering around the table with people we love and being reminded of how blessed we are!

  • I love your Thanksgiving meal – sadly, I don’t do much for Thanksgiving now that I’m in law school. Finals are usually the week after Thanksgiving so I have to lock myself in and study /:

    – Deniz

    http://www.dressedupdeniz.com

  • Your Thanksgiving meal plan looks amazing!!! I definitely have Pecan Pie on my list!

  • Why do you tease me with all the delicious food pictures?? It’s only 9.30am here and I am soooo hungry for lunch! LOL!

    Reflection of Sanity

  • Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love spending relaxing time with family, opening my home to others and starting the excitement of the Christmas season. The dishes you chose look amazing, I may snag one of those recipes myself!
    Brooke
    http://www.pumpsandpushups.com

  • I love this post, Daisy! It’s so fun to see how different people celebrate in different ways and with different food – that’s one of my favorite things to see. And all I’m saying is I wish I had some Kale Quinoa Stuffing on MY Thanksgiving table. Maybe I can make that a reality. 😉 Xo, Alison

    http://www.simplyfairbyalisonjeanine.com

  • Erin

    Such a great post and a wonderful reminder of what Thanksgiving is all about. This is our first Thanksgiving away from our family (we moved to a new state a few months ago) and a few of them will be coming our way to celebrate. Being far from them makes the time so special. I love the recipes you shared, too!

    http://www.21dayexperiment.com

    • Thank you so much Erin!! That sounds like a special Thanksgiving you have planned 🙂 It’s always wonderful to gather with people we don’t get to see often. I really appreciate you stopping by!

  • Your Thanksgiving meal looks so delicious. We get together a lot for birthdays as well as the typical year round holidays. Thanksgiving is by far the best. There’s no better holiday when it comes to appreciating what you have and seeing the love on everyone’s face. (:

    http://accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com/

    • Aw so glad to hear you enjoy Thanksgiving a ton as well!! Will you share a recipe or two? 😉 Birthdays are really great too, we always try to do something special 🙂

  • Alecia Mariana

    I just loved reading this post! Makes me even more excited for a day of family, food and fun. 🙂

    xx,

    La Joie de
    Vivre by Alecia Mariana

    Facebook//Twitter//Instagram
    // Bloglovin

  • Love reading what Thanksgiving is to you…it’s always nice hearing how people appreciate such special times. And the pictures of the farm are gorgeous, looks like a wonderful place! Thanksgiving the past few years, hasn’t been anything special since we don’t have much family out here. However this year my family is coming out and I could not be more excited! I’ve never hosted a holiday, so it will definitely be an experience!

    Shannon
    Clothes & Quotes

    • Ooh sounds like a super exciting year Shannon! I hope you’ll share some of your hosting ideas on the blog 😉 And thank you <3

  • Shauna C

    Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I loveed reading what it means to you, too! – xo

    Shauna

    http://www.lipglossandlace.net

  • Love how you defined Thanksgiving in your heart! 🙂 You have such a sweet and giving soul my dear!
    xo Erin
    http://www.winkandatwirl.com

  • My boyfriend and I are having lunch with my family and dinner with his – but we never contribute anything because we’re bad at cooking!

  • Thanksgiving is the best!

    I love being able to spend time with everyone who means so much to me. Having everyone in one place, breaking bread together, is such a humbling and fulfilling time.

    This will be our first married Thanksgiving, which means I can officially make the M-Family secret banana salad. I’ve only been allowed to taste it this far… but now that I’m family, I can know the recipe. 😀 That’s going to be so much fun.

    • Aw that’s so sweet– there’s a secret banana salad recipe?! Sounds like it will be a wonderful celebration Jaelan!

  • Virginia looks beautiful! I’m Canadian so our Thanksgiving was in October though we don’t tend to do much for the holiday – we spent that weekend in Chicago. We generally tend to gather for Eid or for weddings! Hope your Thanksgiving dinner goes well, Daisy! The food looks awesome!

    thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com

    • Oh that’s neat! I’m looking up Eid right now because I’m not familiar with it. And thank you so much Nabihah 🙂

      • Oh I should have explained! I’m muslim and Eid is our religious festival! There are two Eids in the year and we usually take the day off work and spend it with family, giving gifts to the younger kids and eating a LOT!

  • I love Thanksgiving! Thank you for the food inspiration:)

    My husband and I also host Friendsgiving the week before for our best friends and make a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Similar to your family history, my mom is from the Philippines so Thanksgiving was not something she grew up with (but she’s all about Christmas!) but it’s such a nice day to spend with family and express gratitude.

    Lovely pictures and that is so sweet that you helped cook Thanksgiving for a recovery community.

    lovejoanna.com

    • Ooh friendsgiving is super fun!! I love the feeling of a potluck where everyone can show off something delicious. And yes, I feel like Christmas has definitely made it much further into Asia than Thanksgiving… but for some reason, my family always did something when I was growing up. Guess they liked the idea 🙂 And thank you so much, Joanna!

  • Thanksgiving is quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays too Daisy. We run the Turkey Trot 5k every year and then come home to spend some much needed down time together with just the 4 of us. We have changed our T-day menu since moving away from our families to Houston 4 years ago and usually have steak instead of turkey! Sweet potato casserole & pumpkin pie is always a must but we will definitely down size our sides this year. Love our new traditions here in Houston 😉

    charity
    lifeafterbaseball.net

    • That’s so neat that you actually run on Thanksgiving! And the steak sounds like such a good idea– my husband pretty much disliked turkey until we figured out a way to keep it juicy. And sweet potatoes and pumpkin are Thanksgiving must-haves! Thanks for sharing your tradition Charity, that sounds wonderful 🙂

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