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A Perfect Thanksgiving Weekend in NJ

Published on November 28, 2012 By Emily. Updated on November 28, 2012

Brian and I are still at the stage of our relationship where we’re figuring out our holiday traditions.  We alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas with each of our families, but since Brian’s parents moved last year, it didn’t seem practical to head to the South for a 4 day vacation.

Instead, we all (Brian and I, his parents, his brother and sister-in-law) met in New Jersey, to preserve our previous tradition of spending Thanksgiving with Brian’s aunt, uncle and college age cousins.

It took a little work to figure out how we would spend our time; when my in-laws lived in Connecticut we only spent Thanksgiving dinner in New Jersey.  When Brian’s uncle offered to take us to NYC for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I was all over it.  Watching the parade every year has been one of my family’s traditions for as long as I can remember and I really wanted to see it in person.

As expected, the city was fairly chaotic and I’ve seen a lot more of the parade from the comfort of my living room, but I’m really glad we went.  The weather was surprisingly comfortable and it was really fun to see the balloons live and in person, despite our distance from the actual parade (we were on a side street) and the occasional pushy person who believed that you could reach the parade simply by pushing through the hundreds of people already on the sidewalk.  We skipped out on the very end of the parade in order to make the train back to New Jersey, but I’m already scheming ways to make it back for another parade in a few years.

fireman balloon

statue of liberty float

turkey float

We returned home in the early afternoon, took naps at the hotel and spent the evening eating an amazing Thanksgiving meal at Brian’s aunt and uncles’.  All of the required elements were there, as always: stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, turkey, plus ham and homemade soup.  As always, I filled my plate and enjoyed every bite of it.  We followed up with pie, hot drinks and cookies that my mother-in-law and I baked.

table

We spent Friday relaxing at Brian’s aunt and uncle’s home and shopping (once the crowds had died down).  It was so lovely to just sit and listen to family stories while enjoying delicious leftovers. 

Brian and I headed back to the Berkshires on Saturday, but not before stopping at a diner for an omelet with Taylor Ham and a trip to the mall.  There are some things New Jersey does well—diners and malls are definitely on the list.

If meeting in New Jersey every other Thanksgiving is going to be our new tradition, I am completely alright with that.

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Filed Under: events Tagged With: holiday, new jersey, New York, travel

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Emily
Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we had another fantastic year at @freshgrassfestival. I can never get over how, in addition to all the incredible music, the event features a great venue (@massmoca), delicious food from mostly local vendors, a great local beer tent and bar stocked with @berkshiremtdist and a kid-friendly atmosphere including a @kidspacemm art tent.
Shout-out to some of my favorite acts of the day @ajleebluesummit, @cj_field with @gregcaproni and @theblacklegacyproject.

Looking forward to next year!
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#WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #FreshGrass #FreshGrassFestival #bluegrass #MassMoCA
I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my blog posts, but I just hit publish on my end of August/beginning of September meal plans! Some blogging progress is better than none! Click the link below or visit my profile to see how we used these 2 CSA pick ups from @mightyfoodfarm.
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https://www.relishments.com/blog/august-slipped-away-csa-meal-plan-153/
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebo It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
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#Maine #CoastalMaineBotanticalGardens #Boothbay
We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great Barrington today, bringing along our 6 year old for the first time. 
Pictured: onion rings, pressed Cubano, BOX burger, raspberry mint iced tea/ (huge) side of fries, grilled hot dog, strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious and my daughter especially enjoyed trying out the lawn games.
Until next year!
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #GreatBarrington #TheBistroBox
New on the blog: a list of everything I made for d New on the blog: a list of everything I made for dinner this week. A double @mightyfoodfarm CSA pick up plus hosting my in-laws for dinner resulted in me actually planning quality meals.
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Get the recipe links at https://www.relishments.com/blog/twice-as-good-csa-meal-plan-152/ or click the link in my profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowe I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls this morning. It was as beautiful as I remembered and a great morning for hanging out with some friends.
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#igers413 #ShelbourneFalls #BridgeOfFlowers #WesternMass #WesternMA
Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before w Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before we went on vacation. I loved the atmosphere, decor, location and, of course, the beer. All eight beers we tasted were delicious and I'm looking forward to going back soon. 
More thoughts on the blog at the link in my profile or at https://www.relishments.com/blog/hot-plate-brewing-in-pittsfield/
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#PittsfieldMA #MassachusettsBrewery #igers413_food #igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #DrinkLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in La I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in Lanesborough this morning to pick blueberries with my daughter. We had a lovely time at the farm, and especially enjoyed the short walk to the lush blueberry bushes, and the beautiful flower and lavender fields. We didn't participate in pick-your-own flowers today, but it's definitely on my radar for the future.
We are looking forward to some muffin baking soon! 🫐
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #LanesboroughMA #SecondDropFarm #PickYourOwnBlueberries
It's good to be home, but we had a great time with It's good to be home, but we had a great time with Brian's side of the family in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina last week.
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#WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WilmingtonNC
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