Tradition

Nashville, TN: Thanks to my mother, I can't hear the word "tradition" without immediately thinking of Fiddler on the Roof.


I love the sentiment of traditions. "The handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another," says Mr. Webster. But where do traditions actually start? And when do new ones actually form? As a kid, you follow along with family traditions because, well, it's just part of what you do as the child. But as you get older and start your own life, it's an interesting dance of carrying on family traditions you have been doing for years and creating your own that not only fit you life as it is right now, but also hold the values that are important to you as an adult.

Over the last four years, Mom & Dad have driven (of course) to Nashville to spend Thanksgiving with me. This has become a new tradition in my life - and theirs as well, it seems - and I love having the opportunity to share parts of my life with them, in my surroundings. Below are a few snapshots of this year's tradition:

Dinner, family-style, at Monells. Except it wasn't just our family, but a few different families at one table. Perfect for conversation and southern food.


Thanksgiving Day. Mom dons the apron once again and does most of the cooking. Though I did actually catch her reading directions (gasp!)....


When I said Mom did most of the cooking, I was referring to the fact that I DID open the bottle of wine.... hey, I proved my cooking skills over the last couple of years and I decided to take it easy this year.



The meal.... with an even number again. Warms my heart and my belly.


We had so much fun at Dave & Buster's last year, but in 2010, we kept it to the home-version-of-competitive-games.... including bowling on the Wii.


Once again, Mom was the big winner and celebrates her victory....


Day-After-Thanksgiving activities included Dad watching football and going through the Black Friday ads in the paper,



And Mom and I doing a little girl-time shopping & coffee drinking.


As a surprise, I took M&D&the boy to see a live version of one of my favorite holiday movie traditions, A Christmas Story (and we actually all kind of enjoyed it....)


And I am thankful for my sweet for spending yet another year together with my family on Thanksgiving. And for sanity. :)