For many reasons, I thoroughly enjoy Thanksgiving. It’s a time to slow down and reflect on what we have to be thankful for and trust me, if you live in America, there is A LOT to be thankful for. Never mind the ridiculous display many put on the next day – for many reasons. I don’t partake in the insane push and pull of Black Friday, the savage nature of so many all get a glimpse of. Instead, I want to focus on Thanksgiving and how much my family enjoy it. So here are 5 reasons I really enjoy Thanksgiving.

The 5 reasons I really enjoy Thanksgiving

Reason # 1: Cold weather

I’ve lived In Virginia all my life and the older I get the more I hate the heat. It’s no secret, either. As a matter of fact, my family often remark I complain about summer all the time. During November, though, it’s supposed to be cold. It’s often what I think is the beginning of colder weather – at least symbolically, anyway.

But Thanksgiving finds me in the Mid West every year, where the temperatures are much more enjoyable and closer to my liking. Take a look and compare today, for example.

_____It’s easy to spot the difference_______

I LOVE cold weather. It’s far more conducive to working in the trades than the heat of miserable summer. Not to go off on a tangent but you can read one of the articles about my disdain of summer below.

Why I HATE (and I mean HATE) Summer

Reason # 2: Family celebration

Our vacation is typically reserved for a yearly trip to the Mid West, where we get to spend time with family. I hate the long drive, but do enjoy the time there. Spending time with the family celebrating is always a joy, especially when it’s done on a farm. The kids get to climb all over hay bales, explore the barn and chicken yard, and ride the 4 wheeler. What’s not to like?

Moreover, my wife’s birthday always falls within the time frame of Thanksgiving, too. Yet another reason to celebrate one of the best holidays there is.

Reason # 3: Deep fried turkey

Ahhh…deep fried turkey. I have yet to have a turkey out of the oven that tasted as good as the turkey which comes out of the deep fryer. I’ve been deep frying turkey for close to a decade now and it never gets old. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also fast.

This year there was an extra special reason to enjoy the season: we had a fresh, never frozen, turkey. A turkey was homegrown for the specific reason to be Thanksgiving dinner.

____________________

____________________

One day I’d like to try a smoked turkey that turns out like this. Until then, deep fried deliciousness is the way to go!

Reason # 4: New areas to explore

For a decade now we’ve been going to the Mid West and there are things to do and place to explore you can’t find in Virginia. I’ve always enjoyed exploring Menards, Theisens, Hy-vee, and a host of other local places. There’s a farm emphasis out here, too. The Mid West has a charm the East Coast lacks. Plus, you can get squeaky cheese – what’s not to like about that?? From the corn saturated Iowa to the rolling hills of Wisconsin, the Mid West is dappled with farms pleasing to the eye.

 

Reason # 5: Time to slow down

The love of colder weather gets the book end for this post. I’ll be returning to Virginia soon, where summer always seem to have a death grip. The ability to deep fry the turkey outside in the cold is worth it. Plus, I’m enjoying time with family that I don’t get back home. Being on vacation in the Mid West affords us the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the farm life, and be thankful for what we have – AND not ruin it by acting like a moron the next day – which is what the masses do. It’s a time to slow down and in a fast paced world it’s a breath of fresh air. More of us could benefit from just taking a breath and slowing down despite what others are dong.

Time to be thankful

Thanksgiving is a terrific holiday, affording us wonderful opportunities to slow down, reflect on what we have, and be thankful for it. It’s unfortunate so many celebrate the holiday in such a hollow manner. For me and mine, though, we appreciate the wonderful holiday it is.

Speaking of time, perhaps you’d like to read a couple of posts about time and just how important it truly is.

Time – THE most important asset

Time isn’t money – it’s worth SO much more

So there you have it; 5 reasons why I love Thanksgiving. Perhaps you have your own reasons why you like Thanksgiving. From a skilled trades perspective, perhaps you enjoy the shutdowns that are par for the course during this holiday – and every holiday, for that matter. I can’t blame you there. It could be that some of you like to go hunting or fishing. Or maybe some enjoy the travelling they get to do. Whatever the reasons may be, I hope you really do take the time to slow down, catch a breath, and truly enjoy it.