I asked for her opinion on the salad and she responded, Oh, you mean the the broccoli salad? With walnuts, grapes, and kale? It's delicious and tastes like that broccoli dish you eat on Thanksgiving. I stared blankly at her in confusion. She asked, You eat that broccoli dish at Thanksgiving, right? In all my years of forlorn Thanksgiving meals, broccoli has never been consumed. Ever.

I didn't have the heart to tell the waitress my family isn't really traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving. I mean, we try to be, but culinary detours are the norm at my parents' house. Like that one year my mom forgot to turn on the oven…for a few seconds my dad tried carving a frozen turkey. Or that one time my organic-crazed sister insisted on making mashed potatoes with almond milk and soy butter. And please don't get me started on the time my dad made won ton soup for Thanksgiving. No, really, he did.

And I feel bad for holiday visitors because our lack of Thanksgiving mojo is contagious. Just ask my aunt who made a perfect turkey…and then dropped it from the plate a few feet from the table.

So, no, I didn't tell the waitress we don't eat broccoli on Thanksgiving. But if she wanted a recipe for won ton soup, I had her covered. Regardless of what debacle is in store this year, I'm making a Gratitude List and itemizing how thankful for things and people I have in my life. On that list is you, too. I'm appreciative for the people I've met by way of blogging and I'm indebted to your support. Really.

Much Love…