The Holiday Season is Here!

Caitlin Hall is letting us know Thanksgiving dinner is ready!

You can tell that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. Here in South Florida, it’s not the weather that gives it away because it’s still 80-plus degrees outside.


You can tell the season is here with the arrival of numerous auto transport carriers which are delivering car-after-car for our “Snow Bird” residents, my mother included.


Stores began displaying Christmas decorations before Halloween — talk about rushing things! I suppose it’s a good idea to plan ahead, but… Really!


What are YOUR plans? Have any of you finalized your Thanksgiving guest list and menu?


We’ve been celebrating Thanksgiving for the last 30 years with our dear friends Barbara, Kevin, Joe and Caitlin Hall, along with whichever friends or family members happen to be visiting Florida at the time. Mom and Auntie Arpie top the list, of course. 


Our guest list has grown to include Cailtlin’s husband, Richard and their, son, Dylan, plus two other special friends who have become an extension of our family – Leila Alson and her husband Sheldon Teller.


The more the merrier, we say. Sadly, our daughter, Mandy hasn’t been here for Thanksgiving since she began working in New York City, but we are blessed to have her with us for Christmas.


Our Thanksgiving meal is a collaborative effort. Since we are the hosts, Doug makes the turkey and delicious homemade gravy. We usually have another protein which varies from year to year – sometimes it’s ham, or even kufta!


I make the Armenian stuffing- and American-style too, fresh cranberry sauce, plus apricot pie and pumpkin pie. Barbara makes the best mashed potatoes, and green bean almandine; Caitlin makes homemade vanilla ice cream (so yummy!); Aunt Arpie makes cheese boregs or her famous midia dolma; Leila brings deliciously caramelized fresh- from- the- farm roasted vegetables. Oh, and don’t forget the freshly baked loaves of bread!


However you celebrate, remember to give thanks, each step of the way.


The Armenian Kitchen wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!