My "Blended" Family

Growing up, my family's Thanksgiving feasts had a blend of my cousins who were Orthodox and not Orthodox Jews. Some of my earliest memories of the meal are handing out yamakas and making brachos on the food with my not religious cousins.

The yamakas that were distributed consisted of shabby used velvet ones and silk ones that were collected from Bar Mitzvahs and weddings. These yamakas were the ones that were smashed under some bentchers (prayer books for grace after meal) and quite frankly, were not that that aesthetically pleasing. 

Topping Off Thanksgiving in 2019

OK guys, I'll admit it. I bought in to the tablescape craze - those spray painted baby pumpkins and long candles are just irresistible. 

This year, I am keeping it with the traditional Thanksgiving color scheme of burgundy and camel brown. I so look forward to hosting my blended family of different levels of religious observance -- with just a little more style and flare. There will be a basket of camel leather and burgundy leather yamakas for my guests to wear and keep. I am so thankful to be part of my big beautiful Jewish family and to celebrate holidays and Jewish pride with them!

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comment section below! 

Here are my Thanksgiving treats this year:

            Camel Leather                     Burgundy Leather