Kick lines and Christmas: The Rockettes in Rhythm

 

In my post published on 11/12, I wrote about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—the music, the marching bands, the balloons, and the floats. But I realize I didn’t give a proper shout‑out to the Rockettes, who have always been my favorite part of the parade.

The Rockettes aren’t just a dance troupe to me; they’re part of the rhythm of my holidays. Their high kicks and perfect precision have been dazzling audiences for a century, but for me, they’re woven into my own memories. I can still picture myself as a child, curled up on the couch, waiting for their moment on the screen. Year after year, they brought a sparkle that felt like the official start of the season. Even now, I never grow tired of them—their glamour, their energy, and the sense of tradition they carry. Watching them feels like reconnecting with every Thanksgiving morning I’ve ever known.

I can’t wait to see them this year. I’ll be curled up on my couch, just as I have been for decades, waiting for that familiar burst of energy when the Rockettes take the stage. And even though I am not that child any longer the smell of turkey and stuffing will be drifting from my kitchen. Even now, the anticipation feels the same. The couch is my perch, the coffee mug my companion, and the Rockettes my signal that the holidays have officially arrived. Watching them is like opening a time capsule, connecting me to every Thanksgiving morning I’ve ever known.

Trump Dished out a Pardon, Gobble and Waddle have been freed

 

I mentioned earlier that it has become a tradition in the U.S. to pardon a pair of turkeys at Thanksgiving. As skilled as Trump is at pardoning people for crimes they did commit, I worried the turkeys might not be so lucky. I half-expected him to decide they were too democratic for his taste.

But he did pardon them—and for that, I was genuinely delighted.

What surprised me most, though, was learning that Gobble and Waddle got to spend their post-pardon stay at The Willard. Gobble and Waddle, the turkeys pardoned by Donald Trump in 2025, stayed at The Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Monday, November 24, 2025, the night before the official Thanksgiving pardon ceremony held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. They spent that night at The Willard InterContinental, a tradition that gives the birds a bit of luxury before their big moment.

Thankfully The cost of the turkeys’ stay at The Willard InterContinental is covered by the hotel itself, not by taxpayers. After the pardon, they returned to North Carolina to live at NC State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science. Such Lucky birds!

The Bird and the Bottle: A Thanksgiving Pairing Tale

 

Previously, I mentioned that Thanksgiving has always been my very favorite holiday of the year. Growing up, the dinner would rotate between our house and my two aunts’ homes. No one in my family really drank, though occasionally a single bottle of wine might appear on the table.

These days, we do enjoy wine with our Thanksgiving meal. I’ve done a bit of research—both online and through personal tasting—and here are a few pairings I’ve come to appreciate:

• Chardonnay (especially lightly oaked or unoaked): Complements roasted turkey and buttery sides like mashed potatoes.
• Riesling (dry to off-dry): Balances savory turkey with sweet-tart cranberry sauce and spice-laden stuffing.
• Pinot Noir: A classic pairing—its bright acidity and red fruit notes enhance turkey’s flavor without overpowering it.
• Zinfandel: Bold and spicy, great with smoked or barbecued turkey and rich sides.

This past year, I’ve become more open to possibilities, so I think I’ll serve both a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir. That way, everyone can enjoy a glass that suits their taste, and the table will feel just a little more festive.

Football, Family, and the Battle of the Dinner Bell

Martha Stewart recently appeared on the Today Show. When asked the exact time to serve Thanksgiving dinner, her answer was 2 p.m. Sorry, no can do, Pooh! Way too early.

In my family, the timing of the Thanksgiving meal was always a lively topic of discussion—and ultimately determined by whoever was hosting. If the holiday was at my Uncle David and Aunt Em’s house, the schedule revolved around football. They were die-hard New York Jets fans and season ticket holders. So when the Jets played the Lions on Thanksgiving Day in 1972, and they happened to be hosting, football took priority. Nobody sat down to eat until 4 or 5 o’clock. If we caught the tail end of the second game, great; if not, no one really cared. The fun was in watching their household go wild over the game.

When we hosted, my mom had a very different philosophy. To her, Thanksgiving was dinner, and dinner meant 5:30 sharp. She didn’t care who was playing or when. Nibbles were available beforehand, but she wasn’t about to serve a full meal in the afternoon, clean up, and then watch people raid the fridge again by six. Once dessert and coffee were finished, the kitchen was officially closed for the night. Our family was fine with that—it meant we could enjoy the first football game in its entirety before sitting down together.

My Aunt Lila, on the other hand, took a democratic approach. She simply polled the family, tallied the votes, and served the meal at the agreed-upon time.

Whoever hosted, the meal was all about family, fun and food making Thanksgiving my favorite holiday of the year.

It would be interesting to hear what time you eat the Thanksgiving meal.  Do you agree with Martha or does your family have a more fluid approach?

No Fowl Play: Will Trump Spare the Bird

 

The story goes that in 1865, a live turkey arrived at the White House to be cooked for Christmas dinner. Lincoln's son Tad took such a liking to the bird that he named him Jack and requested that his dad spare his life. As such, the president pardoned the turkey, and from then on, it became a tradition for each subsequent president to pardon a turkey at Thanksgiving time. Lincoln, moved by his son’s compassion, spared Jack. No grand proclamation. Just a quiet act of mercy.

While Lincoln was the earliest example of pardoning the white house turkey, the official “pardon” began in 1989 under President George H. W. Bush, and every president since has continued it. 

This lighthearted ritual, known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, has become a staple of the holiday season. Each year, the President of the United States ceremonially spares a turkey (and often a backup companion) from becoming dinner. The event typically unfolds in the Rose Garden or on the South Lawn, complete with speeches, schoolchildren, and plenty of poultry puns.

The turkeys are usually given names and in 2024, the honored birds were Peach and Blossom.  The Pardoning of the turkey usually takes place on the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  Trump has a knack at granting pardons that I certainly hope he pardons these two turkeys.

The End of the Trilogy, But Not the Magic

The Book of Life is the third and final installment in Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy, following A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night. It brings the sweeping saga of witch historian Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont to a dramatic and emotionally satisfying close

This last book of the trilogy took the author two years to write. Dhe did mention that the writing process was shaped by artistic challenges and the complexity of wrapping up a trilogy that spans centuries, continents, and supernatural lore. 

 Deborah Harkness’s academic expertise in the 15th to 17th centuries is the secret ingredient that gives the All-Souls Trilogy its distinctive richness. Her deep knowledge of Renaissance history, alchemy, and early scientific thought doesn’t just inform the setting—it shapes the soul of the story.

This last book ties together the trilogy’s many threads with a mix of suspense, romance, and intellectual intrigue. It’s a satisfying conclusion for readers who’ve followed Diana and Matthew’s journey across centuries and continents.

Since this book was published, it has been developed as a series and was streaming on AMC+.  It also was found on netflix but was retired from that platform in 2025. 

The days are getting longer and chillier.  If you are up for a trilogy series that is fairly long, read the books.  If you can find it on a streaming platform, by all means, binge watch.

Slices in the City: Charlotte’s Cake Picnic

 

Who doesn’t like cake? Honestly, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t. That’s why the concept of a Cake Picnic instantly caught my attention, it’s whimsical, welcoming, and deliciously simple.

So, what exactly is a Cake Picnic? The idea was dreamed up by Elisa Sunga, a Google UX expert and passionate home baker. She envisioned a low-pressure outdoor gathering where friends could meet, share slices, and celebrate the sweetness of life—no contests, no judging, just cake.

All you need is a designated spot, a cake (homemade or store-bought), and a willingness to share. That’s it. You show up, slice into something sweet, and connect.

It began modestly, with 15 guests sharing cakes in Golden Gate Park. The first public event drew 200 people, and recent gatherings have attracted as many as 2,000. The movement has gone viral in cities like San Francisco and is spreading to Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York—and recently, the Greater Charlotte area.

Elisa’s upcoming cookbook, Cake Picnic: Recipes for the Love of Cake & Friends, is set to release in 2026. It will feature 50 baking recipes and a guide to hosting your own confectionery gathering. Her mission is simple and sweet: to encourage play, connection, and creativity—one slice at a time.

My daughter recently discovered and attended a Cake Picnic right here in Charlotte. The turnout was fantastic and the table was overflowing with an abundance of sweet confections of every kind.