I'm both relieved and sad that I'm not hosting Thankshiving this year. If my memory serves me right, I've hosted the last three years. This year, however, I just can't. Between being a homeowner and having random shit malfunction around the house and having traveled SO much the last month, hosting just seemed like biting off more than I can chew. So, this year will just be us. Hubby, and Lennox and I. And hoping for a close couple friend of ours to join us as well.

Although we aren't hosting an extravagant dinner this go around, there are still some basic rules to keep in mind if it's your year to set the table.

1. Plan your menu in advance

Nothing will keep you more organized and focused. If you're anything like me, you might be tempted to make evetything on Pinterest. Don't do it. Select an appropriate amount of dishes and commit to them.

2. Don't be afraid to go non-traditional

Listen, turkey sucks. Like idk whose idea it was to make this dry ass bird an annual Thanksgiving tradition, but they wouldn't be invited to any party of mine (sorry if you like turkey). If it's not a State Fair-esque turkey leg on the menu, I'm likely not interested. That said, it isn't uncommon for me to stray from tradition and serve something unconventional. Most of the time, I'll still have turkey as an option for those stuck in their bubble, but this year, I'm planning dirty rice stuffed Cornish hens... because I have no desire to have 18lbs of leftover turkey.

3. Don't do it alone

Enlist help. I'm really bad at this because I love things to be a certain way. But listen when I say... ENLIST HELP. Every year, my husband "helps" by walking into the kitchen and asks when the food will be done. My dad is my kitchen co-pilot. And my mom is the on-the-spot dish washer which is the most underrated job of all. I couldn't do it without them.

4. Have takeout containers

Unless you live with a bunch of human garbage disposals, you might have quite a bit of leftovers. To avoid eating dry turkey for a week that feels like the rest of your life, encourage your guests to take to-go plates. If you grew up in a black household, that likely reads paper plate covered in foil. But this is the Faux Fancy and we aren't sending guests away with a roll of foil and hefty plates. Get a bunch of styrofoam to go boxes from your local grocer and make transporting leftovers easy.

5. Don't forget the cocktails

You might need them throughout the preparing, but you definitely need them for dinner. Decide on a signature cocktail, but also have a mini bar as backup.

On that note, I have a yummy cocktail recipe for you to incorporate into your turkey day!

I don't have a name, but it's devine and husband-approved.

Ingredients

2 parts bourbon
2 parts sweet vermouth
1 sugar cube
Squeeze of grapefruit juice
Splash of grenadine
Maraschino cherry for garnish

Pour sweet vermouth into glass with sugar cube and muddle. In a cocktail shaker, add bourbon, grenadine and ice. Shake vigorously. Pour into glass and add ice. Garnish with maraschino cherry. Enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! You have so much to be thankful for. Never forget it.

xo,

Aquia

I've never actually written down the things that I'm thankful for. I think them an awful lot, but don't think I've ever written them down. So, with the Thanksgiving Holiday upon us, I thought it'd be a good opportunity to do so.

We are hosting this year. This is the second time since we've been in our house. My parents will be here this week and Patrick's family will join us as well. I don't go home (to San Antonio) often, but having my family here feels home enough for me. So, before I ramble any more, here is a short, non-comprehensive list of things that I am so incredible thankful for this year.

Health. For myself, for my family. In an age where brushing your teeth and doing everyday activities "causes cancer", and families across the world are plagued with undeserved illnesses that shorten loved one's lives, I can't help but to thank God that as of now, mine and my family's health is intact.
My husband. Lord knows I'd be so lost without him. I can't ever thank him enough for all that he has taught me about myself, about love, about life... and all that he continues to teach me -- indirectly or not. I'm thankful for his patience (because he HAS to have some dealing with me) and for just being my partner as we both navigate this sometimes crazy life.
Lennox. Yes, my dog. In such a short amount of time, he as completely stolen my heart. He has given me a sense of patience that I have only dreamed of having. He forces me to be selfless, putting his dinner and potty breaks above my occasional after-work happy hours.
Friendship. True, endless friendship. The type of friendship that doesn't keep score. That's remorseful. That doesn't hold grudges. This year has put that into perspective for me. I temporarily lost one of my closest and dearest friends. She went from being my matron of honor, to not being invited to my wedding. It was rough. Though things aren't necessarily 100% back to normal, I feel the unfaltering love when we do get together -- and I couldn't be more thankful for that. I have some pretty permanent friends. :)
Time. As much as I take it for granted, when I stop and think about it, I'm so grateful for the time I've been given. Some people aren't afforded such a luxury. While I hope I'm blessed with more of it (yo, God, you hear me?), I'm thankful for every minute of every day that I've had thus far.
The good in the world. There is no shortage of mean-spirited, ill-willed, and frankly evil people in this world. We hear about them and their attack on humanity everyday. Often times more than we hear about the good-spirited, kind people of the world. But I'm thankful for those people. The people that let you over in traffic and smile at strangers in Hobby Lobby.
An internet connection. Yeah, whatever. If it wasn't for the internet, I would likely have to read magazines on the toilet or count the dots on the ceiling. Just saying. So as much as I hate to love it, it's a necessary evil. And adult life would just be so much more difficult and I wouldn't be full of nearly as much useful information (i.e. best happy hour spots in Dallas, or where you should have your birthday dinner).
Justin Bieber's new album. Judge me. But not before you've heard it.
Snail Mail. It's a lost art. I'd forgotten how awesome it was to get actual mail until I received a letter recently from my best friend in basic training. It was the most simplistic, hand-written, front-and-back note that chronicled a few experiences she's had while away. I cried real tears by the end of it... and I was so grateful to have heard from her and to know that she's doing well. I unfortunately haven't written back yet... well, because... it's a lost art. *Sigh*
Good food. Like amazing, orgasmic, well-prepared and presented good food. The kind served at restaurants with 5-stars on Yelp. Because everyone knows there are like 5 of those tops.

Again, not a comprehensive list, but a few things to mull over while eating my weight in mac-and-cheese and drinking ALL of the sangria. Happy Thanksgiving, yall!