Why do we celebrate The Giving of Thanks only once a year? For starters there are certain relatives whom we should only be obligated to see once a year. Secondly finding a whole fresh turkey at a good price is nigh on impossible except at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Are Americans so dazed by busyness and too lost in the realm of electronics to dedicate more than one day spot lighting thankfulness?. If we celebrated Thanksgiving once a month, would it become too mundane? Would we be in danger of losing our inner anticipatory ripple of holiday thrill?
For the Bah Humbug sector (what is the Thanksgiving equivalent of that Christmas expletive anyway?) celebrating Thanksgiving even once a year is too much. Here’s an idea, let’s leave Thanksgiving as is. I was forgetting to factor in pumpkins and Pilgrims into the mix. Plus I don’t want to lose the turkey popularity vote.
Since complications in life spread like black mold in a damp basement, simplicity deserves tender nurturing. So I’m beating my drum to institute Grateful Days– as in every day is Grateful Day! Why not? What’s the alternative, Crappy Day? The news already celebrates Crappy Day daily. Do any of us wake up with a glow in our heart and exclaim, “Wow I can hardly wait to begin celebrating Crappy Day.”
Remember the sweetness of the conversation exchange between Winnie the Pooh and Piglet.
“What day is it,” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.
By my new and improved definition a favorite day has to be a Grateful Day.
To officially kick off Grateful Day, I’m suggesting a happy meal and I’m not talking McDonald’s here. These Honey Sesame Pork Chops will put a smile on the face of everyone lucky enough to be sitting at your table.
Well to be totally honest, this dinner probably wouldn’t put a smile on Piglet’s face.
- 6 PORK CHOPS, ¾ inch thick
- 3 tablespoons HONEY
- 1 tablespoon CATSUP
- ½ cup WATER
- ¼ cup SOY SAUCE
- 1 small YELLOW ONION, diced small
- ¼ teaspoon GROUND GINGER
- 1 tablespoon SESAME SEEDS, toasted
- 2 tablespoons OLIVE OIL
- ) Brown pork chops in olive oil
- ) Place chops in 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking pan or dish
- ) Sprinkle onions over chops
- ) Combine honey, catsup, water, soy sauce, ginger
- ) Pour over pork chops & sprinkle with sesame seeds
- ) Cover & bake at 325 degrees F for about 1 hour or until tender
- ) Makes 6 servings
Pam Anderson says
Hey Carol,
I notice you’re a regular to our site, so I thought it was high time I checked out yours. I love the idea of Grateful Day–here’s to 365 of those a year.
Carol says
Thank you for stopping by. Yep, I am a regular to your site, because I LIKE it. Ha.
Thank you also for signing on to 365 days of being grateful!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
What a lovely idea, Carol. We should give thanks more often. Grateful Day sounds terrific. I love the Winne the Pooh quote, too.
Carol says
Thank you Amy. I love that quote too. I heard it a few months ago and it stayed in my mind. Simple, sweet and true——
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
Such a sweet post. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Carol says
Thank you Barbara. Winnie and Piglet are sooooo wonderful.
Allie | Baking a Moment says
I’m all for Grateful Day! And I’m all for those scrummy-looking chops too 😉
Carol says
Lots of people on the Grateful Train. I find that soooooo gratifying. And yeah who can resist a pork chop—-except for Piglet of course.
And Pooh out of loyalty wouldn’t’t eat a piggy chop either. But then honey is his ‘thing’.
Debra says
There are relatives we should only see once a year. 🙂
Carol says
I’m fortunate in that regard. BUT I know a lot of people who definitely are not.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Much wisdom Pooh has. Love the idea of Grateful Day — excellent idea. We could start a tradition and serve these pork chops. 🙂
Carol says
I think a lot of people would like to make the switch to everyday being Grateful Day. Pooh is such a wonderful leader for this.
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite says
Hope you had a wonderful ‘Grateful Day’! Those pork chops look so tasty and we did actually make pork tenderloin on a Thanksgiving and no one asked where the turkey is. Cheers!
Carol says
I would have loved sitting down at your table. I think pork is my favorite meat—-IF I had to choose, which luckily I don’t. Ha—-
addie | culicurious says
Hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving! I got behind on my blog reading last week! 😉
And I agree with you: pretty sure Piglet wouldn’t like these chops, but I know I would!!!
Carol says
Pretty dang easy to get behind on a LOT of aspects of life for the next month! Which is fine, as far as I am concerned. I love pork chops. I try not to mention that when Piglet is around however. Ha!