With this being a real estate blog I guess we should give this a real estate spin. At 1:43 AM this morning Tessa Camille Perry was evicted from her residence of nine months. She did not go quietly. Her 7lb 6oz 20 inch long frame was kicking and screaming as she was removed from the premises. Both grandmothers along with mom and dad were at Emory Eastside Medical Center in Snellville for the occasion. This granddad went to Tessa’s new home to spend the night with brother Lincoln until he awoke to the good news of his newborn sister.

Tessa, the entire blogosphere welcomes you. Thank you for making this Christmas season so special. You are our special Christmas Present.

Thanksgiving Day is almost here and the beginning of the holiday season has started. I thought I would share some of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving.

Smoked Turkey

My first thing actually begins the day before Thanksgiving. For over 33 years I have smoked a turkey for the feast. Several years ago my nephew decided he wanted to fry a turkey which we all agreed would be fine, I would just smoke a smaller one and there would still be plenty to go around. I must admit the fried turkey was very good with the Thanksgiving Day meal but left a bit to be desired for the much anticipated turkey sandwiches. My nephew still fries a turkey but I am back to smoking the larger turkey, somewhere in the 20 plus pound range. This years turkey is a 25 pounder and will take about 15 hours on the smoker. It will smoke over a fire of Mesquite chunks while being steamed by a mixture of water and white wine to keep it totally moist.

Thanksgiving Tradition

For as long as I can remember our family has had a piece of poster board or paper with the alphabet listed on it. Each person attending the festivities write something that they are thankful for next to the corresponding letter of the alphabet. The object is to fill up the page using each letter as the beginning letter of the thing you are thankful for. It’s entertaining to see what the children list as their items. They are more grown up than we sometimes give them credit for. Give this a try, I think you will like it.

Parade and Football

What Thanksgiving would be complete without the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and a good old football game. Nuff said about that.

Finish Off the Day

If you read my post yesterday there is no doubt what we will be doing tonight. We will be leaving for Lenox Square at about 5 o’clock. We will enjoy the pre show and the full entertainment of the Lighting of the Great Tree atop Macy’s. This has become a tradition for my wife and I. The temperature may be a little chilly but the show warms your heart, especially when the tree is lit. Come on down and join us and the other probably 100,000 people who will be there, hopefully you will enjoy it too.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Thanksgiving Evening is a special time in Atlanta because the Christmas Holiday season is kicked off with the Lighting of the Great Tree atop Macy’s at Lenox Square. This years tree is a 70-foot white pine that weighs over 7 tons. It is decorated with red Macy’s Stars, white snowflakes and approximately 1200 multi colored basketball sized ornaments. It takes over 8 miles of wiring to get power to the 4000+ 11 watt bulds, flashing strobes, internally lite ornaments and the LED color changing star atop the tree. It takes a crew of 8 helpers to over 2 weeks to decorate the tree and make sure that it is securely fastened into it’s stand which is designed to withstand hurricane type storms.

This Years Entertainment

The entertainment for this years festivities will be provided by a cast of both local and national stars. Headlining the event is singer-songwriter Jewel. Jewel will be joined by Broadway and recording star Heather Headley, singer Michael Warren, local artist The Regulars Band, the Youth Harmony Chorus and Macy’s All-Star Holiday Chior. As you can see there is something for everyone at this years festivities.

Attend In Person or Watch on TV

As has become customary, WSB-TV carries the entire program live from 7 to 8 on Thanksgiving Evening. This year Jann Carl of Entertainment Tonight will be joining Monica Pearson and David Chandley of WSB in hosting the event. I must admit that I have watched the program on TV in the past, however for the last 3 years my wife and I have attended it in person. Last year a group of our neighbors attended with us and we had a blast. Whether you join us in person or watch on TV, gather with family and friends to kick off the 2008 Christmas Season with the Lighting of The Great Tree at Lenox Square. If you are going to attend in person, do yourself a big favor and get there around 6 o’clock. The performers warm up with the audience that is there and it is almost as good as the live show.

I hope everyone has a truelly wonderfull holiday season filled with the tresures that family and friends can bring. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!