I made my favorite cake this week. It is a cranberry spice bundt cake. Fresh cranberries. Cardamon. Ginger. Sour cream. It is a moist, flavor filled cake. I found it in the New York Times last year. It had previously been in a book on cakes. A dependable bake.

Baking involves a series of specific procedures performed in a specific way. When is the cake done? Most of the time you can tell by looking at it. It looks done.  Now just to confirm my choice of doneness, I use a food thermometer. Cakes are usually done about 195⁰F to 200⁰F.

Today is our Thanksgiving holiday in America. It is a family day. People fly and drive long distances to be with family. It is a day of too much food for many. Favorite family recipes. Storebought sides.  An aunt’s pumpkin pie recipe. The food is generally the same but people do rebel against the standard fare. Turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes continue to be the standard fare. I have an excellent recipe for an orange cranberry sauce. And so it goes one generation to the next.

 I have spent many Thanksgivings with family. I have also  spent a few alone. Alone is hard during this season. And yet alone is a good time to stir the pot of change. It is a good time to look outward. Sometimes when it feels like no one in the  world wants to connect with you, it may be  a good time not to worry about it.  .Spend  your day doing something you like to do.  A movie. A book. A show. Cook your favorite food just for you. Sleep in.  Remember many people prefer to be alone.

Wherever you are in this vast world,  find something in your day to appreciate. . We are going to have our turkey and pie then a current movie. Our day is leisurely. We love living in liberal New Mexico.  Sunshine. Mountain air.. We are not a rich state but we are an intelligent bunch. A good life.  Have a very good day.