It’s Canadian Thanksgiving!
I just returned from Thanksgiving dinner at my parents’ house, after a two and a half hour drive through the countryside. I viewed fields and forest for five hours round trip so I can confidently say that Ontario has exploded into autumn gorgeousness. Farmers are harvesting fields of corn and ripened pumpkins are waiting to be made into jack o’ lanterns. The trees have all changed colour and, despite the fact that it’s freaking hot outside, their golden leaves are dropping to the ground. Also, I passed a field of alpacas which pretty much made my life.
This weekend, Canadians across the country are obviously celebrating the abundance of nature and a successful harvest but I won’t lie, I had to look up the meaning of Canadian Thanksgiving… just to make sure. I call it:
EPIC THANKSGIVING TIMELINE
1600′s – Settlers in New France, many of them arriving with Samuel de Champlain, hold a feast of thanks for a safe journey and share food with local Native tribes.
Autumn 1578 – Explorer Martin Frobisher returns after a failed attempt at finding the Northwest Passage. A celebration is held in thanks for his safe return home.
Winter 1957 – Parliament declares the 2nd Monday of October “A day of general thanksgiving” for a bountiful harvest
So, how do I, a Canadian, celebrate Thanksgiving? I bake pies of the pumpkin and pecan variety. I watch the Thanksgiving episode of Iron Chef America. I drink A LOT. Also, I am forced to watch “Braveheart” with Fiancé and Poppa Willy. For the record, no amount of rum can make Mel Gibson attractive.
Have a great Thanksgiving, my beer-swilling Canadian readers!
Happy Columbus Day to my readers south of the boarder!
