I come from a fairly large family. Each of my parents has 4 siblings and I have two sisters and a brother. So, when it came time for Thanksgiving, there was always a crowd.

Growing up in northern Pennsylvania, we typically had snow at Thanksgiving. We would often go sledding or toboggan riding with all the cousins.  Occasionally we played a little ice hockey when everyone could find skates that fit and there was always a snowball fight under the guise that we were building a snowman!

Then, when my husband and I moved to Charlotte, we found ourselves far away from family and there is certainly no snow at Thanksgiving (not that we complain about that!). My husband works in the financial arena and they are always open the day after Thanksgiving. So, more often than not, we don’t travel for the holiday.

We decided a few years ago, that if we could not always be home for Thanksgiving with family, we would just create a family here! So, our house has become the place where other “transplants”, such as us, gather. My friend Sue and I like to listen to Alice’s Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie on the radio (it’s always played on Thanksgiving) so she is coming early this year as it will be played at 11 am on the radio station The Ride.  It is a must for us as we prepare dinner.  Others will straggle in depending on how much football they want to enjoy during the day.

This year, it’s a mix. My brother, his wife and 2 boys are going to visit us for Thanksgiving.  They visited a few years ago and we went swimming in the lake, (the only activity I did not participate in as it was November after all!), climbed the rock wall at the Whitewater Park and visited the Raptor Center.  We are members of the Raptor Center and have an adopted owl which the boys found quite funny!  They brought Dumbledore out and the boys were able to get their photos by the owl.  This year it could be riding go karts.

My husband’s cousin moved to Charlotte a few years ago and she and her husband work in the NASCAR world.  They typically join us if they are in town.  This year they will be bringing along Bentley who was born in September.  It will certainly be different having an infant at dinner, but we all, including her mother, are looking forward to it.

Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy are a staple. Other dishes will vary some depending on everyone’s favorite dish for Thanksgiving. Sue always makes the best pumpkin pies which are a must for my husband who always inquires if she is attending!  I have never been a big cranberry fan, until my friend found a great recipe!  I think you might enjoy it as well!

Baked Cranberry Sauce

• 1 (12 – ounce) bag cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1/4 cup bourbon, or more
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Combine the cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small baking dish and cover. Bake for about 55 minutes.  Remove the cover and stir to melt any un-dissolved sugar. Return the dish to the oven and bake for about 5 to 10 minutes more, or until the cranberries are soft and surrounded by a syrupy sauce.  Remove the dish from the oven and immediately stir in the bourbon, to taste.  Let the dish cool to room temperature, then chill for at least an hour before serving.  The sauce will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.