It's the Canadian thanksgiving weekend and I'm still not sure what we're doing. I quite like the idea of joining friends for dinner, however it's been an insanely busy week and I think, for our sanity, it's likely it will be just the family for dinner.

On the whole, it seems like it's a much more casual holiday here than in the US. On the west coast, if the weather is nice, lots of people go camping. To me it seems like it's not a really big deal if the whole family doesn't get together.

Now, I get the impression from movies that Thanksgiving in the States is VERY important, that people have to get home for it at all costs. Is this really so, or should I not believe everything that I see in the movies?

Also, I'm just catching on that Thanksgiving is the beginning of the "holiday season" that runs into Christmas and New Years. Is this right? I kind of like that idea, having a well defined beginning to it all.

It's a pretty big day all right.....and my personal favorite holiday. I guess because there is not the pressure of presents and decorating, just good food and family and a nice long 4 day weekend. Most people I know seem to spend it either beginning their Christmas shopping or watching football, whichever makes them happy. It's a nice time.

OK, I've got Thanksgiving dinner all set to go, just keeping warm waiting for everyone to come in from canoeing. (We're on the Water here).

Everything is local, organic chicken (which I like better than turkey), local water buffalo soft cheese blended with smoked chum, baby potatoes, butternut squash and asparagus, mixed greens salad with dried blueberries and a balsamic dressing (we have a local maker) and Blue Grouse wine. The only things not local are the olive oil and the almonds I put in the stuffing.

I'm going to be able to eat only a teaspoonful of each thing.