Savoring the Season

A strand of cabin Christmas lights, waiting to be hung.

Last weekend I strung the lights at the cabin and put them on a timer so that they come on every night at dusk. I use the old-fashioned kind with big bulbs and bright colors. The kind from my childhood. The kind that light up your heart and make you happy. Mama and Lamar can see them from their den window -- in the distance, a warm Christmas greeting from me, every night of the season.

This weekend I did a little decorating around home as well. A simple white poinsettia. A burgundy one too. A few lights here and there. My favorite candle for the season, Aunt Sadie's Christmas Tree in a Can. And George Winston's December played the first of many, many times.

Savor this season. Pull out a few of your favorite things. Have some friends over for a toast. Go for a walk in the winter woods. Light a candle and listen to your favorite music. Snuggle up with a good dog on a cold Sunday and rest. Slow down and enjoy. Remember what really matters.

A Refreshing Return to Tradition

My brother brought me this bouquet, freshly picked from his garden.

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving. I spent mine with family, just as I always do. This year my family came to my house in Decatur. We used to always do that, but for various reasons, we held it at Mama's house the last two or three years. Having everyone back at my place this year was a refreshing return to tradition. The process of getting the house ready, planning the menu, shopping for it, and then preparing the meal was a joy.

I bought an organic turkey for the first time this year. Inspired by Giada De Laurentiis from The Food Network, I stuffed the bird with sliced oranges, lemons, onions, and fresh herbs and then basted it with a mixture of butter, olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper. This was the best turkey I've ever prepared. Moist and flavorful.

Recently, I learned about Heritage turkeys in an article on one of my favorite blogs, Mark's Daily Apple. The turkeys that are readily available in grocery stores are the big-breasted, mass-produced turkeys. These are genetically modified to grow really big, really fast in order to deliver to you a perfect turkey at a cheap price. The term "Heritage," on the other hand, refers to natural breeds of turkeys that have been around since before the first Thanksgiving. These old-fashioned breeds are still raised by some modern-day farmers who have rejected the factory-farm model in favor of sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and animal-friendly methods. I discovered a nearby farm, Nature's Harmony Farm in Elberton, Georgia that raises these turkeys, and I've already placed a deposit on one for next year. I look forward to learning more about Nature's Harmony Farm and paying them a visit soon.
I haven't been blogging much lately -- just busy with other things and it seems the words haven't flowed as easily. Sometimes you just don't have anything to say, and it's best to keep quiet at times like that. For now, suffice it to say that I continue to learn more about eating a "primal" diet -- a diet based on high quality, minimally processed foods. It's been nearly four months since I made the switch, and it really agrees with me. The most obvious change, of course, is eliminating (for the most part) sugar and grains (refined carbohydrates). I hope to soon write more about the positive results I am experiencing.