My hat is off to Whole Foods. They delivered big time. If they offered this meal year round, I think I’d burn my girl scout vest and it’s domesticated patches and never look back. Better than the food, was the company. It was so nice to spend time with Malisa and Anthony and get to know them better. I have to say, when Malisa agreed that taking a walk to the park was a good idea because then we’d be able to eat more, that sealed the deal of our friendship. Anyone who thinks that way is a friend of mine! 

I must mention that there was sweet tea. I’ve got a few Southern roots and no Thanksgiving meal is a meal of mine unless there is sweet tea. 

Thanks for many of these photos is due Anthony and Malisa. They took over camera duty for a bit.

The menfolk. I think Malisa would agree, we have it pretty good. There are definitely plans in our future for a double date.

Truth be told, when we decided to move to the West Coast, my first thought was about the holidays. Part of our family lives in the Mid-West and the rest on the East Coast, so I knew most likely we’d be making our own traditions. It’s fun to create your own holiday traditions within your tight little unit, but part of me was worried we wouldn’t be able to make it special enough or that we’d miss out on our extended family’s celebrations. We did miss family, but this past weekend did not disappoint. Getting four full days of togetherness, spending time with new friends and making new memories; They were drops that filled my cup to overflowing. I love that Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season. If you approach it right, it can set the tone for the year’s finale and bring in the new year on the right foot.