Reflections of Today - November 27

11/24/2025

✨ This series is an in-between space for sharing behind-the-scenes thoughts and honest reflections.

Thanksgiving Reflections

Every Southern cook knows the best way to kick off the Thanksgiving cooking marathon: start with bacon fat and a good, strong cup of coffee (or in my case—espresso). 💜☕

Let the games begin.

This morning, before the sun even made its way over the Island, I stepped outside to a quiet sky—just a hint of color and a salty breeze that reminded me how lucky I am to live minutes from everything I love. My daughter and her little family, Evoke, the beach… and today, the kitchen.

It felt good to step away from business for a bit and sink back into one of my other passions—cooking for the people I love. There’s something grounding about chopping potatoes in the early morning light, hearing that first sizzle of bacon, and knowing a whole day of memory-making is ahead.

And speaking of bacon—there’s something tender about the way traditions live on in the simplest things. I still use the same little bacon fat container my grandmother kept by her stove, now nearly a hundred years old. It’s held the flavor of countless Sunday dinners, holiday feasts, and ordinary weeknights made special with good food and good company.

Her chicken and dressing recipe—shared in this week’s blog—was always the star of the show, and now the baton has been passed to my daughter, who will be making it this year. It’s funny how one small kitchen ritual can hold so many years of love, memory, and family stitched into it.

And like so many of you, I carry both gratitude and a little ache today. I deeply miss those who aren’t with me anymore—holidays have a way of making that space feel bigger. But I’m also overwhelmed with thankfulness for the family gathered around me, the stories we tell, the laughter we share, and the traditions we keep alive with every dish we pass around the table.

It’s a beautiful day on the Island—even before the sun comes up—and I’m reminded again how blessed I am to call this place home.

Wishing each of you a peaceful, joy-filled Thanksgiving.

May your kitchens be warm, your plates be full, and your hearts even fuller.