Turkey Day Traditions

Can you believe it... we are officially into the full swing of the holiday season. New and old traditions abound everywhere you look! This time of year is always so exciting! Eeeek!!! Neighbors are decorating their homes, special yummy treats (designated for these exact holidays) are being baked, families get together, and memories are made. Pull out those oversized hoodies and sweat pants. Grab those fuzzy socks and snuggle up with a cozy blanket. Throw a log in the fireplace (or five), grab a cup of hot chocolate, and let's roast some marshmallows. There's an endless pot of homemade chili on the stove and football is on TV. Diets are a thing of the past and not even spoken of until next year! Can I get a "HALLELUJAH! AMEN!" Scented candles set the ambiance and everyone just seems in a bit more of a cheery and giving mood. What's not to love about this time of year?!

For me, the older I have become the more I seem to really appreciate traditions. Specifically, those pertaining to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I understand that everyone has their own reasons, and to each their own, but for me... I am a firm believer that there must be turkey before the tree can go up. That being said, once the first serving of turkey with a side of baked mac and cheese has been consumed and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has run it's course, it's all fair game when it comes to getting that wonderous Christmas cheer sprinkled all over my house!

I remember as a kid growing up... big family gatherings, everyone brought their own dish, the kiddos sat at one table and the adults were seated at the "formal" kitchen table (as well as, scattered all over the house). As soon as everyone had eaten and the adults had finished their turkey-wine comma, it was time to throw up the Christmas tree. Call me old fashioned, but to this day, I still prefer to give Thanksgiving it's respective timeslot.

Like many of you, each year I start planning, weeks in advance, exactly what will adorn our countertops for that celebrated Thanksgiving dinner. I read and reread, add ingredients to my grocery list and then take them away, search new recipes on Pinterest, and dream of that magazine worthy display of the perfectly dressed and perfectly golden turkey, the finest china and crystal place settings, and dish after dish resulting in the most succulent feast one can imagine. As does with most families, the craziness ensues Thanksgiving Eve with the start of hours upon hours of cooking and baking. Power companies all over America are partying like it's 1969! I am quickly reminded of how much work is involved with making this highly anticipated meal a reality. The ever-growing pile of dishes, now the size of Mt. Everest, has taken over my kitchen sink and is overflowing onto the countertops. I found a rolling pin I haven't seen in a year. Turns out I have two and an electric mixer of all things! My back is aching after the 15-ish hour marathon I've just spent making this holiday a reality. I immediately vow to myself to never again get this crazy over another Thanksgiving Day dinner. That sounds vaguely familiar as I'm pretty sure I told myself the same thing last year and the year before that. Hmmm, I guess history really does repeat itself.

After the dirty dishes are washed (AKA the dishwasher crammed full for the hundredth time) and the last casserole has been removed from the oven, I stand back and admire what has become of those many, many hours and occasional burnt finger. I quickly grab my phone to snap a few pictures of the perfectly arranged dinner. This is to prove that Thanksgiving was a success, I didn't burn down the house, and I killed it when it came to the perfect turkey!

Bahahahaha, I couldn't even type that without laughing. Confession y'all… the turkey is all thanks to my husband every single year. I can't stand to do anything more than the grocery shopping for it. When it comes to prepping that famous bird, I can't even stand to be in the same room. The truth is, I could honestly do without the turkey and probably would if it weren't for him. The apple pie is what makes it Thanksgiving for me (well, that and the baked mac and cheese). Every year, my husband and I make it a thing that we bake a homemade apple pie together. This little tradition is what I look forward to every year and what makes it feel like Thanksgiving to me. While I get, I have probably just started a controversy with my apple pie (and mac and cheese) (skip-the-turkey) Thanksgiving dinner, it's honestly all about the tradition for me.

When things work and they just feel right we make them a custom. At Falls Truck Center, we strive to make each customer's visit easy and hassle free to ensure their return. We hope that whether it's local customers or nation wide truck drivers that come through our doors, they make it a tradition to stop in again next time they’re in the market for a service or product we offer. To learn more about what all we offer check out our website. We're on Facebook and Instagram and even have an online store. If you're looking for just some fun reads, we highly recommend looking through our Blog. Better yet, swing by sometime and take a look around our store. We're located at 2303 Old Jacksboro Hwy #101, Wichita Falls, TX 76302 and we can be reached by phone at (940) 723-9274. What traditions do you have? We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a comment in the section below. Please don't forget to like and share. …and as always, take care and we'll talk to ya' soon!