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Thanksgiving Day dawns in America, and the holiday season is nigh.
In front of stores Salvation Army volunteers and workers are taking their places. They are ringing bells, seeking donations for those less fortunate. On leaving the grocery store yesterday, our cart filled with the makings for our annual feast, my husband stopped to tuck some cash into the familiar red kettle. As we greeted the bell ringer, the old man smiled and with cheerful eyes wished us a Happy Thanksgiving in return.
Though times are tough economically, today millions across this great country will gather with families and friends to share a hearty meal.
Our house, too, will take on a new life this afternoon when our family comes together to cook and eat, to talk and laugh. Amid fragrant smells of roast turkey and sweet potatoes, we’ll join hands at the table to say a special prayer. It’s what the day means.
But I believe that giving thanks must be more than a simple prayer. We must find it within ourselves to truly appreciate the gifts we have been given then give to others in return. Thanksgiving is living the gratitude we feel in our hearts.
May you relish your harvest meal and cherish the company of those who gather with you. And may we all share our many blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sara
Family matters at home led to a late start on a shopping trip to the western edge of the Valley this past Saturday. We thought we’d avoid Highway 22′s congestion so we drove the northern route, across open countryside, through Northampton, and south down MacArthur Road. Since our last trip along that northern stretch a few years ago, we noticed several new businesses have opened, including a large Weis Market. Judging by the parking lot, it’s much appreciated. Our offspring would smile to see that Planet Trog is still going strong. When they were younger, they had many fun times there.
It was around noon so we stopped at the Whitehall Family Diner. Stepping from the car, we were slapped by a cold rush of November wind. Winter is coming!
From the road, the restaurant makes an impressive and shiny appearance. The traditional 
diner feel continued as we walked inside. We were greeted with a bright display case filled with tall frosted cakes and creamy pies. Fresh looking green and white ceramic tiles covered the floors.
We asked for a booth. The hostess escorted us to one in front. We were struck by the hard seats, a minor discomfort and one we would overlook for a good meal.
The waitress brought us two steaming coffees then took our order from the extensive diner menu. Noontime so my husband chose lunch – a cheeseburger and fries. Craving breakfast, I ordered a cheddar and bacon omelet. As we waited, we discussed matters ranging from the upcoming Christmas season to the recent rash of vehicle break-ins in the Valley. Folks, lock your cars!
Our meal finally arrived. His cheeseburger was large but the cheese seemed slapped on as an afterthought. Scarcely melted. Small 
serving of fries. He later said his entire meal was bland and tasteless. “Institutional” is the word he used. In all our years, I’ve never heard him say that about diner food. I agreed, though. My omelet was a decent size but in the center the cheese was still shredded and almost cold, not melted. My potatoes sprawled across the plate giving the appearance of more than were actually there. Not that I wanted more. They had a slightly “old” taste. Toast and jam were good, as was the coffee, although we seemed limited to our original two cups. No refills. Overall, barely a fair meal with moderate to poor service.
Our meals, including cheeseburger and fries, a bacon and cheddar omelet, homefries, and toast, and two cups of coffee came to just under $15 (plus tip).
The Whitehall Family Diner is located at 3026 MacArthur Road in Whitehall, PA. It is open 24 hours.
Sara
I read an article recently – Tipping Point: What It Takes to Make Your Waiter Like You – written by Wall Street Journal columnist, Neal Templin. Good article. (Click article title to read.)
Templin, who once worked as a busboy, says tips have been on the rise for a while now. In the 1950’s tips were commonly 10% of the bill. They now average around 18% in the United States and are expected to go higher.
As a 
former waitress, after reading the article I was curious about tipping – the history and reasons. Found more than I needed to know by clicking on Wikipedia.
In their detailed article on tipping, Wikipedia says that “a tip is a payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction.” The percentage given is in appreciation of good service.
Hourly, waiters and waitresses in the U.S. are paid less than minimum wage. Tips are expected to make up the difference. Our culture sees tips as a way of assuring good service. But the practice varies wildly worldwide. In some countries, such as Japan, it is an insult to leave a tip since it implies workers must be paid extra to do their jobs. In others, such as Iceland, a service charge is included in the bill.
Does tipping work? As mentioned above, in my younger years I worked briefly as a waitress in a coffee shop. I learned quickly who tipped generously and who didn’t. Since I depended on tips to pay my rent, I worked hard to give the best service possible to everyone. It made a difference to me and, I think, to those I served.
How much do you tip? Click “comments” at top of article to share.
Sara
Saturday morning shopping took my husband and me to Easton. On our way, we
decided to stop for breakfast at the Tic Toc Family Restaurant, located near the intersection of Highway 22 and 25th Street. It had been a while since we’d eaten at the Tic Toc, long before Pennsylvania’s restaurant smoking ban went into effect.
We arrived soon after 9:30 AM and were surprised to see that the parking lot was only about a quarter-filled. Unusual for a Saturday morning. Either the rainy weather or the economy seemed to be keeping people away.
Inside, the manager offered us a choice of booths in the now smoke-free restaurant. We chose one near the front window, looking out onto the damp 
and dreary day. But the day brightened some when our cordial waitress set two cups of steaming coffee in front of us then took our order. The Tic Toc’s breakfast menu is a typical diner menu, and includes an extensive assortment of omelettes and other egg offerings, French Toast, waffles, and side dishes. The Belgian Waffles caught my eye today, while my husband ordered steak and eggs.
As we waited for our food, two silver-haired ladies and their middle-aged sons and daughters were seated nearby. What a wonderful sight, seeing them talking, laughing, and eating together. There is something special about taking elderly parents out for breakfast, both in their enjoyment and your own.
Our food soon arrived. My husband’s steak was medium rare, as he’d requested. His home fries and toast were nicely browned, but he said the potatoes tasted of onions and his eggs were small. My Belgian Waffle was warm and tasty. The bacon, however, was greasy and overly chewy. Service was good. Although our waitress was busy with the large family and other new customers, she kept our coffee cups filled.
Our total bill came to just under $18 (plus tip) for steak, eggs, home fries, toast, a Belgian Waffle and side order of bacon, and two cups of coffee. The food ranged from fair to good. Our waitress was both pleasant and attentive.
The Tic Toc Family Restaurant is located at 2510 Northampton Street in Easton, PA. They are open 24 hours.
Sara
As our weather chills and leaves begin to fall, I always think of quick breads. Quick breads are quick to mix and usually take 45 minutes to an hour to bake, 
depending on the size of the loaf pan. While they are baking, the oven warms the kitchen and fragrant aromas fill the air.
Mom and Grandma often baked quick breads from November to March. Apple nut bread, banana bread, date nut bread, strawberry bread, zucchini bread, and pumpkin bread were favorites. They never made only one loaf. Two loaves (or more) meant one for a neighbor, or one to tuck into the freezer. A slice or two of moist quick bread made a delicious snack, or a tasty breakfast.
Here’s my mother’s recipe for Pumpkin Bread.
PUMPKIN BREAD
Sift in a large bowl:
- 3 cups flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 tsp. cloves
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
Add:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 beaten eggs
- 2 cups canned pumpkin (15 oz. can)
Mix until smooth. Grease and flour 2 large or 4 small loaf pans and fill 2/3 full. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool well before slicing.
Enjoy!
Sara
