Giving Thanks. A lo Cubano.

Our Thanksgiving was a simple and lovely affair where everyone pitched it to bring food and drinks and desserts.

There were only 28 of us for dinner and I wanted to keep everything simple, because as you know, my house is freakishly small. (As simple as is possible when those 28 people are Cubans.) So I pulled out my favorite Fiesta dishes and made some festive fall centerpieces. (Which I was quite proud of, but that's not important right now.)

For the centerpieces, I gathered sunflowers and gerbera daisies and dahlias. I added artichokes, tangerines, and peppers to the flower arrangements. It felt more "harvesty" to me that way.

I was happy to host because I love a well set table. I think it feels more inviting when you can find your name and your place.

The place cards I created in Photoshop on heavy white card stock using the Fiesta color palette to match my dishes.

It's always great to see the aunts and cousins that we don't get to see often enough during the rest of the year.

Our dinner was a wonderful semi-traditional feast with a few Cuban touches. We had one roasted turkey and one barbecued turkey and also a ham. The sides were mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, gravy with some arroz con maiz and sweet potatoes with guava sauce just to keep it Cuban. ;-)

And what is Thanksgiving without a kid eating a giant turkey drumstick?

After dinner, there was The Great Thanksgiving Photo Booth Event of 2011. (So grateful to our neighbor and photographer friend, Rafael for the cool set up.)

My nephew brought his dog named Lucy. So here's to Luza, Lucy, and Lucy.

My mom was really into it. Who else, she wondered wanted their picture taken with her?

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. As proud Cuban Americans, we embrace this beautiful tradition of setting aside a day to celebrate together and to give thanks to God for his graciousness and abundant provision for us throughout the year. Of course, we celebrate a lo Cubano, but isn't that what makes this country so great?

I *heart* my big, fat, Cuban family.