Thanksgiving. My Mom is sitting at the end of the table. My Dad had to get up, and my sister hadn’t sat down yet.                Photo by Katelyn Avery.

The holidays shouldn’t come with mandatory rules. There are guidelines to follow, like having a turkey at Thanksgiving, but even then your family’s meal shouldn’t be a cookie cutter event.

Bagel Bites. Photo by Katelyn Avery.

My sister and I grew up on pizza bagels, and we still love them. We decided that they rightfully deserved to sit upon the Thanksgiving table. Cooked in the oven of course. This was a special occasion. The microwave would not suffice on a holiday. We even bought the head honcho of pizza bagel brands; Bagel Bites.

In the middle of the table the pizza bagels were displayed as the centerpiece. This odd centerpiece happened because of arrangement of everything else, but I saw nothing wrong with a pizza centered table. The turkey drumsticks sat in a corner. Another spin on my families Thanksgiving. My Mother noticed that everyone always wanted a drumstick, so for the last few years we have skipped cooking a full bird. Two plate fulls of drumsticks is the better option for my family. The usual sides were out. Mashed potatoes, stuffing and rice, but one dish broke the Thanksgiving mold.

Homemade Hormel dip. Photo by Katelyn Avery.

My Mom let me in on the treat the day before Thanksgiving. Homemade Hormel dip. She explained her plan the day before Thanksgiving, during a break at work. She couldn’t see my smile through the phone so I quickly told her I was excited. When I woke up to see the dip premade, and put in the fridge, I was ecstatic. It was 6:30 am, and I couldn’t wait for the dip to enter the oven.

Nacho chips. Photo by Katelyn Avery.

A few hours later the oven was emptied, and the table was completely set. With the exception of a vegetable platter that wouldn’t fit until we had devoured the pizza bagels.

I used a salad bowl for the nacho chips, and grabbed a smaller bowl to scoop the dip in to. I was in Thanksgiving Heaven.

My families Thanksgiving broke some of the “rules”, but a holiday isn’t supposed to have any. It’s a vacation centered on family, friends and good food. Add your own twist, and celebrate however you want.

-Katelyn Avery

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