I would like to share with you my reflections on the beautiful holiday those of us in America will be celebrating this Thursday. My home during Thanksgiving is filled with friends from all corners of the world, and we often have guests who are celebrating Thanksgiving for their first time! I host a Thanksgiving feast with my husband in our apartment overlooking Central Park. In the morning, I gather with my beloved guests and sip mimosas as we watch the Macy’s parade go by. I am so blessed to have such an amazing view of the parade, and I am happy to take this day and share it with my friends and family. After the parade, we gather for a homemade dinner made by yours truly with help from my wonderful husband David. Most recipes are from the Martha Stewart cookbook with a “Lydia twist”.
(My dinner table)
This is a little sample of the menu we have planned for this year:
Pumpkin Soup
Freshly baked Rosemary Bread
Turkey Stuffed with Quinoa Pilaf
Brussels sprouts
Green Beans
Sweet Potatoes Gratin
Cranberry Sauce, sweet and spicy
Ratatouille
At the dinner table at my home, we have a tradition of going around the table and having friends and family declare what they are thankful for this year. This year, I am thankful for my beautiful family and friends and my new grandson, Asher Jacob. He will be celebrating his first Thanksgiving at the age of 3 weeks. I am also thankful for my other beautiful grandchildren, Gus 7 and Audrey 4, my husband David who has been an angel in my life, and my two beautiful daughters Shiri and Iris. I am incredibly blessed to have such a dedicated and loving family who has always supported me through thick and thin. I have always done my best to be a loving wife, mother and friend, and I know that no matter what we are faced with, my family will persevere. I am also thankful for my skin care business and my many friends, who without, my life would not be as rich.
(My granddaughter Audrey)
I think that it is so important to take a day to reflect on all of things we are so blessed to have. I am also thankful to God for his kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for the civil and religious liberties with which we are blessed.
(David with the Turkey)
When I think of the dark history of Poland in 1968, it makes me realize what an incredible country the USA is. My family and I were forced to leave Poland and we became refugees, homeless and stateless based purely on our religious heritage. Knowing that my family was able to overcome religious prejudice, and succeed in the USA where religious and civil freedoms reign, makes the view of the Thanksgiving parade that much sweeter.
But then it is back to work! Success must be earned! Friday I will be on a plane to Italy where I will be speaking at the Global Beauty Forum 2011 – 61 National CIDESCO Congress.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends!
God Bless America.
