This year has been tough on all of us. For the last eight months (or has it been 15 years? I’m not really sure anymore), we have had to social distance, avoid public gatherings, and do all the things that are supposed to keep us safe.
And, when we do those things, the numbers go down. But the safety measures have emotional and psychological reactions (not to mention economic ones), and we stop doing those things. Measures get lax, and we start going out again.
Eventually, we drop our guard. Another wave happens, and measures get tough again. Rinse. Repeat.
We’re now in the “third wave” of COVID-19 in the United States. Some states are regressing in measures again. Louisiana, where I live, is shifting back to Phase 2, which means tighter public restrictions. Across the nations, various states and municipalities are enforcing various measures.
The Centers for Disease Control has even declared you should not travel for Thanksgiving. Many progressive leaders have declared that large family gatherings will be punished by law (law enforcement, thankfully, has stated in many places that they will not be enforcing any such rules this Thanksgiving).
Which is good, because honestly, I feel that most Americans should go out and be with their families this Thanksgiving.
There are risks involved, and there are some family members you probably don’t want to hang around if you are at risk of exposing them to the virus (it could prove fatal for older relatives and relatives who have another serious illness). But, overall, the social and emotional effects the shutdowns and quarantines have had on us have been a lot for many Americans.
Right now is the time to be with those you love. If you can't because of the virus, reach out to them via FaceTime, phone call, or some other means of communication. Take the time to talk to or be with your family. It's important to get as much time with your loved ones as possible.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.
Homestyle: Gathering for Thanksgiving
On this week’s episode of Homestyle, my co-host Leigh Guidry and I continue our talk about Thanksgiving, this time about connecting and spending time with family.
As I mentioned above, the solitude of the shutdowns and the quarantine orders have taken their toll on all of us. Spending time with family is the whole point of the season. We talk about why it’s important and how we can do it even from a safe distance.
If you want to hear more, you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, and we’d love to hear your feedback. Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast here, and if you have cooking, crafting, or family activity ideas, you can find us on Facebook and on Instagram (@Homestylepod).
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The Homestyle Podcast is a joint venture between myself and one of my best friends, education reporter Leigh Guidry. Throughout each episode, we discuss cooking, crafting, and other hobbies as well as how we make sure to spend time with our families despite how insanely busy life can be. The goal of the podcast has always been to take a moment to focus on what’s really important because, at the end of the day, family and life is more important than whatever distractions are going on in the world around us.
Recipe of the Week: Pancakes!
I promised my friend John Brodigan that I would post this recipe, and the very last thing I want to do is disappoint Brodigan.
This weekend, I tweaked the pancake recipe again. Super thick and fluffy. Renamed the recipe “Thiccc Pancakes” as a result. Yes, they were three c’s thick. They were that thick. I had to write the recipe down because there’s no way you don’t make thiccc pancakes more than once.
2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp. brown sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg
Extra butter for cooking
Combine and whisk dry ingredients.
Combine and whisk milk, melted butter, and the egg.
Slowly incorporate wet ingredients to dry. Mix well, but don’t overmix.
Heat a skillet over low-medium heat and add a slice of butter. Pour batter slowly into the skillet and flip after 2-3 minutes or when golden brown on each side.
Serve those pancakes with Mrs. Butterworth, because that is the best syrup.
Final Thoughts…
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. Enjoy this time with your families.