Mishpocheh -Yiddish for Family

"Family"... 7 letters that pack a punch. Some folks are blessed and others are cursed. Some have none and others too many. It is what it is. Whatever, the word means, it is magnified during the holidays.

For me, the holidays can be a lonely time. However this year I hit the mother-lode. My brother and his wife, who live in Turkey, came to Philadelphia for a few days. I went to join them and had a wonderful time. It is a complicated story but my relationship with my brother started at age 16. He is a gift I never take for granted. For me, our visit was a holiday.

And here comes Thanksgiving. This year I have the rare pleasure of celebrating with my sister and her husband. We have only celebrated a few times together in our adult lives. They are coming here to visit and I am super excited. My sister and I get together about twice a year. I try to go to NYC and she always comes to see me. I adore her company. She fills a void that no one else can fill.  Although we are very different people, we have grown closer over time. It will be a treat to cook with her by my side. She inspired me to cook and love food when I was a young adult.

My Thanksgiving table will be filled with the rest of my "family". Tariq, my son Zack, my best friend since high school, her ex-husband and his mother and two dear friends. We will squeeze into my small dining room, pass plates, overeat and talk while chewing. Everyone will contribute to the meal, displaying their cooking prowess or ability to choose an incredible bottle of wine. These are people I hug and kiss. They make me laugh and cry. For Thanksgiving 2013, this is my family.

A funny thought just entered my mind.  We will be a gathering of the little people. Only three people will be over 5'6". In Wisconsin this is unheard of. Where I grew up it wasn't a big deal. Maybe I will rename the gathering, "Hobbit Hanukkah". It will be refreshing not to have to look up all the time.

Please leave a comment telling me about your Thanksgiving family and traditions. Maybe you can share a recipe too. I just might give it a try.

I plan to make these delicious molasses cookies right before my sister arrives. She is coming on the Monday before Thanksgiving so we can ease into sweets with these yummy concoctions. I love molasses cookies because of the ginger, cinnamon and clove infusion. The recipe is found online in "All Recipes".  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/crackle-top-molasses-cookies/

I found the comments helpful and learned that if you want a chewy cookie don't cool them on a rack. I placed them on wax paper to cool and they were great! I increased the spices, cooked them for a little less time and I think I integrated some whole wheat flour.

OK- Before anyone tells me.... "family" has 6 letters. I never claimed to be a mathematician.
Crackle Top Molasses Cookies:

Ingredients:

2/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup molasses 2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/3 cup white sugar

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2.	In a large bowl mix oil and 1 cup of sugar. Add egg, beat well. Stir in molasses, 2 cups flour, baking soda and spices. If necessary, add more flour to make a firm dough.
3.	Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Roll in 1/3 cup sugar. Place 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until tops crack. Remove from baking sheet and cool on rack.