A note of thanks from Bham Now

This Thanksgiving, we took a moment to reflect on the things we’re thankful for, what we love about Birmingham during the holidays and of course, our most favorite Thanksgiving foods. 

We asked our team 3 questions:

1. What are you thankful for this year?
2. What is your favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving?
3. What is your favorite thing about Birmingham during the holidays?

Cindy Martin, President

1. My lifetime girlfriends are the best!  They help me ride through the highs and lows of life.   They help me keep perspective.  Best of all, they make me laugh, many times at myself.
2. I love pumpkin pie!  Add a little whip cream and Irish coffee and the world softens around me.
3. The energy of the Iron Bowl game is second to none.  I enjoy being in the center of that energy right here in Birmingham. 

Patience Itson, Content Producer

1. This year, I am thankful for basic necessities. There are so many in Birmingham and around the world who are without these vital things. I am truly thankful that I am currently fortunate enough to have them. 
2. I don’t have a favorite Thanksgiving food. For me, it’s the combination of all the food together that makes it all so yummy.
   Peanut butter pie with a chocolate graham cracker crust is my favorite Thanksgiving dessert. It is my yearly contribution to my family’s yearly Thanksgiving Fam Jam, and everyone always devours it.
   
3. My favorite thing about Birmingham during the holidays is the overall excitement. Birmingham always offers so many traditional and unique things to do. Everyone is always very involved and in the spirit, which makes it a fun season and city to be a part of. 
   
   

Pat Byington, Content Producer

1. I am thankful that Birmingham is a “giving” community.  From the United Way to the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and many, many more charitable organizations- our city is a community of givers.
2. An old family recipe on my mom’s side of the family that has sausage in the turkey stuffing. It’s addictive. and very bad for you calorie-wise. Then there is pecan pie, of course!
3. Walks with family at Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain Park and around Railroad Park. This year I can’t wait to take the family on the Kiwanis Vulcan Trail during the holidays

Terri Robertson, Content Producer 

1. The older I get, the more I am thankful for the simple things, like a supportive family. 
2.  You gotta have that green bean casserole. I was raised on the recipe printed on the back of the container of French’s fried onions. I also love dessert and everything chocolate. This year, I baked a classic pumpkin pie with a hidden chocolate layer, made with cocoa powder produced locally in Birmingham. 
3. As you can see in my photo (that’s me with my dad in November 2015), I love hiking, especially in the fall. Birmingham offers many great trails. Check out Oak Mountain State Park, Red Mountain Park and Ruffner Mountain. 

Holly Moore, Content Producer

1.  This year I’m grateful that my family including all of my siblings will be together for Christmas. 
2. My favorite thanksgiving food is definitely the stuffing or my mom’s pumpkin pie. 
3. During the holidays, I love driving through all the beautiful Birmingham neighborhoods and looking at all the twinkly lights

Sharron Swain, Content Producer

1. I’m thankful that my family gets to gather with just a short drive down the road, and that we get to help serve a meal at Grace Episcopal Church in Woodlawn. We did this last year and it was a great experience for all of us, especially our kids. 
2. My favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving is a vegetarian nut roast I make. And, my Granny’s dressing that Mom still makes.  
3. My favorite thing about Birmingham during the holidays is getting outside in beautiful places. We love to hike the Irondale Furnace trail or Ruffner. We also love the Waldorf Holiday Faire, which features local artists and has lots of fun activities for the kids. Always the first Saturday in December from 10-3 in Crestwood.

Hilary Meares, Content Producer

1. This holiday (and every holiday) I’m thankful for the time I am able to see my whole extended family under one roof. As we get older, we move away and start living our own lives. It’s harder to make time to visit family. Nothing is greater than this time of year, when I get to laugh until tears fall down my face with my crazy cousins, play ‘dinosaurs’ with my baby nephew, or sit by my Pap while he fries the Thanksgiving turkey in our driveway at 7 in the morning. I count down the days to this holiday every year.
2. Casseroles are my favorite food group. My favorite is Pineapple Casserole. Don’t knock it ’til you try it! 
3. My favorite thing to do during the holidays is go to the Alabama Theater when its featuring Christmas Vacation. I even dress up like cousin Eddy from time to time. See photo for reference. 

Lauren Bedford, Content Producer

1. This year, I am thankful to spend time with my wonderful, supportive family. I am also thankful that we all come together for a holiday that doesn’t revolve around gift-giving. Being together is the best gift. 
2. You just can’t beat my dad’s homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. 
3. I love to see the streets of Birmingham lit up with twinkly lights. Also, i love to see the general sense of wonder that seems to wash over everyone around the holidays. It’s like we are all kids again.

Wade Cline, Sales Manager

1. I am thankful for good health, family, friends, and a sense of direction in life as well as renewed strength and mercy every morning from the Lord. I am also thankful for a profession with Bham Now that continues to fill my passions each day.
2. Fried Turkey. Duh.
   
3. Traveling around and finding Christmas decorations. I’m like a 5 year old when it comes to the holidays. Plus, my house has been decorated for Christmas since the first week in November. 

Gabi Hembree, Marketing Coordinator

1. I’m thankful for the overwhelming support I receive from my family members and friends. I’m also thankful for this awesome city we live in and the endless opportunities to explore, learn, and grow!
2. My favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving is all the different turkey dressing (I have multiple Thanksgiving dinners) and my mom’s hash brown casserole!
3. My favorite thing about Birmingham during the holidays is all the beautiful lights! Coming from a small town, its mesmerizing every year to see the lights and décor on the massive buildings downtown, and super nostalgic to drive around the neighborhoods and see the twinkling lights and wreaths on houses.

Sheila McCallum, Newsletter Producer

1. I am thankful for freedom of speech. I am thankful for term limits and the peaceful transition of power. And cuddly cats, I’m thankful for cute, cuddly cats.
   
2. My favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving ends up filling me up so much that I don’t have room for the dinner part. It’s this cheeseball appetizer that my mother-in-law has made since the 1960s, served with good ol’ Ritz crackers. It simply is not Thanksgiving without it. 
3. I love seeing the four sides of the Regions Bank building downtown when they change out the window lights on all the floors to create those giant holiday symbols. There’s a stocking, a Christmas tree and  a wreath. 

We wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving filled with all your favorite Turkey-day foods!