Mmmmm Piiiiiiiiiie

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving is possibly my second most favorite holiday. Yeah I said it! Second!!!! Anyone who knows me well knows my birthday is my absolute favorite holiday of the year!! Don’t judge me!!!

Anyway where was I?! Oh yes! Thanksgiving!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always looked forward to the Thanksgiving holiday and break. I get to sleep in late on a weekday! Watch football and basketball as well as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And I get to stuff my face with yummy make ya fall asleep food.

There’s nothing like warm juicy turkey and a slice of sweet potato pie. Yep sweet potato pie!! If you’ve near tried this delectable pie you’re missing out on something great. There’s no holiday meal without a slice of sweet potato pie. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!

My maternal grandmother would make one just for me. Partially because it’s my favorite. Partially because she knew I could eat a whole pie by my damn self. Again don’t judge me cuz y’all know you got favorite foods you can eat in large quantities by yourself.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a good sweet potato pie since I was 19 years old. Yep it’s been that long since I’ve had sweet potato pie. No one I encounter outside black folks seems to know anything about sweet potato pie. Boo’s brother in law likes pumpkin pie and makes one every Thanksgiving. He and boo’s sister think it’s the bees knew but uhhhh lemme just say they don’t know nada about making good pies. No flavor. No substance. And waaaaay too thin!! Shake my head I be so disappointed every Thanksgiving.

Well this year, I plan on making Granny’s, my paternal grandmother, sweet potato pie recipe. I’ve attempted to make her recipe before but uhhhh it just didn’t come out right. Something was missing but I’m not sure what!

After I made it that year, I misplaced the recipe. I spent years looking for it but it was no where to be found. I spent years I tell you years. My heart broke because getting the recipe was part of one of the last phone conversations I had with Granny before she passed away in August 2005.

And I misplaced it. I felt like ass. I felt like as the only grandchild not in California, the recipe was one of the few things I had left of my Granny.

Yaaaaaaaas I’m getting to end of my story.

A few months ago, Boo found Granny’s sweet potato pie recipe while cleaning up the office. Surprised me the fuck outta me because I never expected to ever find it again. I was so consumed with emotion that all I could do was cry. You see my Granny always knew when I needed her or when I was going through a rough patch. Don’t ask how she knew. She just did. And perhaps Boo finding her recipe was Granny’s way of telling me I’ll be okay. I believe wholeheartedly our loved ones can communicate with us from beyond the grave.

Anyway… I was supposed to make it today but the stove was full to the brim with yummy turkey, dressing and rolls. Plus Boo used all the fresh nutmeg sooooo I guess I’ll have wait until Sunday when we come back from our mini vacation to have my pie. If I’m not too knee deep in pie, I’ll post a picture of my pie!

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble!!

Thanks for reading…

The Southern Yankee

Thankful

The holiday season is not exactly my favorite time of the year.

I could list a million and one reasons why I really don’t care for the holiday season; however, that would overshadow the reasons why I’m thankful to even be able to celebrate said holiday season that I dislike so much.

First of all, I’m alive and well. There are a couple of instances in my life that could have been the end of my life completely.

Secondly, boo and I have a roof over our heads, food in our tummies, money to pay bills, vehicles that function properly, a bed to sleep in and jobs that keep us from worrying where our next paycheck and meal will come from.

Thirdly, I have my family. Maybe not all of my family like I so desperately need and want but I do have friends who keep grounded when I get outta line.

And lastly, I have my God because without him or her, I would not have the above three things. We may not have the best of relationships but I know where I stand with him or her. I know that my life would be different if I failed to acknowledge there is something bigger and greater than I and everyone else in the world.

I think sometimes we take for granted the people, places and things we already have in our lives. I don’t necessarily have to have the latest and greatest in technology or in electronics or in fashion. I don’t have to attend the most expensive school even though I did for undergrad but that’s another post to prove my worth to a company or even my current manager.

Life isn’t about having everything. Doin it up big and bad ass. Being envied to no end.

Life is about being who you are for the sake of existing. For making the best of what you have but not letting it dictate your present or future. It’s about being thankful for what you got, what you’re about to get and for what you could have if you just work a little harder and smarter.

I don’t mean to be preachy. I’ve just learned that instead of fretting the small things… I should appreciate and be grateful they exist.

Happy Thanksgiving Week and Holidays to you and yours!

Thanks for reading…

 

The Southern Yankee