I usually have people (more than 10) over at my home for Thanksgiving. In true Hilo style, no one comes empty handed and we end up having a feast of all kinds of food. Here are some previous Thanksgiving reflections.

• Reflecting on a Hilo Style Thanksgiving 2015
• Thanksgiving Traditions 2016
• Turkey Trot in Hilo, Thanksgiving on Oahu 2016
• Thanksgiving Reflections 2017
• Thanksgiving 2018 Reflections
• Thanksgiving 2019 Reflections
• Only Easy: Misty’s Thanksgiving Stuffing
• After Thanksgiving Jook

This year, things will be different. Since we are all trying to keep our gathering sizes limited to ten or less and trying to stay within some kind of bubble, our gathering this year will be a family Thanksgiving. Many of you have large families here in Hilo and this holiday must be so hard for you. I am the only one of my family who lives in Hilo. My father and brothers live either on Oahu or Las Vegas. My father’s side of the family – siblings/nieces/nephews live in California, Washington, and Texas. My mother’s side of the family all live in Japan. So, our gathering this year will be with my immediate family and my husband’s side of the family. I wonder if this will be one of the last Thanksgivings that this particular group will be all together. My children are hoping to be away for Thanksgiving in the future as they head off to college and adulthood. In fact, last year, my son spent his Thanksgiving on Oahu with one of my brothers. The blessing of this COVID Thanksgiving is the time I get to spend with this group of people I love.

Since it is a small group, I am keeping things simple. As I have in the past, I ordered the holiday meal from Zippy’s. This includes a whole turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry/pineapple relish, and some sweet rolls. I also ordered a pumpkin pie and more rolls from the Hawaii Community College culinary program. In fact, I ordered some turkey and prime rib plates HawCC to eat on the day before Thanksgiving too. I love stuffing!!! So for Thanksgiving day, I’ll just make some fresh sides to go with the dinner — maybe a salad or some roasted veggies. And maybe a steak. My garden may cooperate by letting me harvest some kale, microgreens, beets, eggplants, and carrots. I am looking forward to a relaxing few days filled with love this year. What are your plans? Are you spending your holidays in a different way this year? Living Hilo Style.