Thanksgiving.

A few things to think about on this day of thankfulness...

I like this quote: 

"Black Friday: Because only in America do people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what we already have." 

But now we do this on Thanksgiving day too?? I could never go out shopping on Thanksgiving day, making others miss their turkey dinners with their family and having a nice relaxing day just because I wanted to save 5 bucks on something I probably don't need anyways. I know everyone likes a good deal, but do society a favor and at LEAST save it for Friday. No stores should be open today, and everyone should have the opportunity to spend it with the people that means the most to them. If you didn't plan ahead, that's your own fault. I'm sure you'll survive the day without that one item you forgot on your list, and it will be a lesson for next year to double check ahead of time. 

I know Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what we have, being with friends and family, and appreciating every aspect of our lives, and I am so very thankful to be where I am today, experiencing such beauty and wonder in this amazing part of the world. I'm thankful to have a loving soul mate to share it with. I'm thankful to have friends and family that support me. I am thankful to have good health to be able to live my dream. I also can't help but to think of the true history of Thanksgiving. 

When people think of the history of Thanksgiving, they usually think of Native Americans and Pilgrims sitting at the same table, feasting themselves on turkey and corn, telling jokes, dancing, having a grand ol time. If only the truth was really that warm and fuzzy. If only the colonists didn't steal land that wasn't theirs, spread disease and famine to the native people, slaughter anyone who didn't follow their orders and fought to protect their way of life. When you look at the facts, this country was founded on terrorism. I would go into more detail explaining myself, but Google was created for a reason. Read THIS article, THIS one, and THIS one to get a better grasp on what I'm talking about.

I'm not saying we shouldn't celebrate Thanksgiving. We just need to detach ourselves from the excessive amount of greed and capitalism that revolves around this holiday, as well as all the other holidays. We need to appreciate the good things in life every day, not just focus on it one or two days a year. We need to spend time with friends and family as much as possible. We need to educate ourselves, because knowledge is more valuable than anything. Learn the truth, don't just go on what 'society' has led you to believe. Open your mind, open your heart, and strive to do good in the world.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL! :)

A Tasty Turkey and Moonlit Mountains

I meant to post the Thanksgiving photos last night, but since I was in a turkey coma that didn't happen. Dustin was in charge of the turkey, and I cooked everything else. I was definitely impressed by how good and juicy the turkey turned out. It was one of the best Thanksgiving turkeys I've ever had! 

Besides the bird, I cooked sweet potato mash, green bean casserole, bread stuffing, spaghetti squash, turkey gravy, and a homemade pumpkin pie for dessert (I even made the pie crust from scratch!). Oh my goodness what a tasty meal! Since it was just the two of us eating this huge meal, we now have leftovers that will last us a month. Winter is helping out with the turkey though :)

After a good meal and a glass of wine (or several), we were out. O.U.T. We both fell asleep and napped pretty much the rest of the evening. It sucks we couldn't spend the day with our families, but it was relaxing to just to cook, eat, then not worry about a single thing for the rest of the day.

Dustin injecting a spicy marinade he created.

After several injections and a spicy rub down.

Fresh out of the oven! 

Dustin carving the bird.

My sweet potato mash in the making, and spaghetti squash about to go in the oven.

Winter was gazing out the window but of course turned her head 

as soon as I tried to take a photo. (Oh yeah, it was snowing all day!)

But she couldn't escape my cuddle attack!

The wind was howling something fierce outside. Dustin snapped this

photo of the rough waters in the channel. 

 Today, I had planned to be productive and do something outside since we spent yesterday stuffing our faces, but that didn't happen. We were both super lazy this morning and just decided to sleep in. We took advantage of some of the Black Friday sales at Sequence. No way in hell was I getting in the chaotic crowd of crazies for the early sales at other places. There was nothing I needed THAT bad! I ended up getting some new Burton mitts, a Neff beanie and a Coal beanie. Dustin got a Grenade beanie with hopes of finding a backpack as well, but he didn't find one that he really liked. 

We heard the aurora was supposed to be highly active tonight but it was too overcast to see anything. Also, it was completely the wrong time to be looking for the lights. I've heard the wee hours of the morning is the best time. I keep looking out the window every hour hoping to see stars, but no luck. If the clouds do clear, you better believe that I'll be hopping in the car and driving somewhere away from the lights. Seeing the aurora borealis has been one of my dreams for as long as I can remember. 

It will happen.

It WILL!

Soon... very soon.

On our way home, we pulled over so I could play with the night settings on my camera. The lights in the photos are kinda blurry, but the wind was howling and it was shaking the tripod slightly. I wasn't going to post these two photos but the mountains illuminated by the slight moonlight is just too pretty to keep to myself.

Looking at downtown Juneau from Douglas Island

Looking at downtown Juneau from Douglas Island. 

This one was actually taken in the parking lot of our apartment building.

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a lot to be thankful for today. And a lot to think about. 

I'm so thankful for the experiences I've had, the lifelong friends I've made, the wonderful family that stands behind me in everything I do, and a wonderful man in my life that shares the same passions as I do. If I had to list everything I'm thankful for, I would be writing for the rest of my life. 

I'm thankful to be eating an almost entirely organic Thanksgiving dinner today... everything is organic except for the turkey... no way I will pay $80+ on a 10lb organic turkey. That's a bit ridiculous in my opinion. At least I found an 'all natural, no hormones, yada yada yada' but like that really means anything according to the FDA 'natural' labeling standards. At least the majority of my meal will be anti-Monsanto! Probably should've just said no to turkey all together, but no turkey on Thanksgiving? That's just wrong. Also, I'm thankful for being able to even HAVE turkey on a plate today... I know unfortunately a lot of people are going hungry today. Be thankful for what you have EVERYDAY because you never know when it could all be gone. 

We also need to remember our history. Not long ago, the natives roamed this land, living off of nature and truly appreciating all this earth has to offer. Of course there were wars and fighting among tribes, but the majority of Native Americans were peaceful souls. Then we came along and ruined it all for them. Although I am thankful for the life I have today, I am also saddened by how it had to occur. It hurts my heart to imagine what these people had to go through. The unknown 'white man' appearing out of nowhere, claiming peace, and then taking everything, slaughtering, and spreading disease that eventually took out so many beautiful people. 

Many people choose to ignore this dark side of Thanksgiving, but I think to TRULY be thankful, we need to realize that this is the reason we are even here today, eating turkey, pumpkin pie, drinking beer, and watching football with our families.