My parents both worked very hard, but they played hard, too. They loved fun, and we were doubly blessed because they not only educated us well, but also exposed us to all types of recreation.

We took dance, piano, music and art lessons, and we went horse-back riding and ice skating. Every Christmas was beautiful and we received exquisite gifts that I wish dearly that I’d held onto.

There were books and toys, and they bought each of my two sisters and me individual gifts to suit our interests. Mom bought me Madame Alexander dolls. My other favorites included ice skates, and they frequently took us to the  rink. As we got older, they gave us clothes and jewelry, and once Dad bought me an exquisite maxi-coat, which I kept for years and cut into a midi as the styles changed. It was navy blue and had a beautiful red plaid scarf, and I sure wish I had it now. (Photo at left by David Locket.)

And they’d always buy a game for the entire family.      

Over the years, there were several Monopoly sets, because no matter how hard we tried, the pieces always got lost. Sunday evenings after dinner, the five of us would spend hours playing Monopoly in front of the fireplace, sipping hot chocolate. (Photo at right by HouseLight.)

As we got older, Mom insisted that we save our allowances to buy or make other people’s gifts. And among my most cherished memories are the bookmarks that we made from felt and glitter.

Today, my mate Natu and I celebrate Kwanzaa and continue the tradition of making gifts and giving books, games and creative gifts to the children. (Photo below by bon _here.)

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My ancestors, like most African Americans’, did not arrive on the Mayflower. I’m well aware that the Thanksgiving feast, which every American child learns about in school, does not acknowledge that thousands of Native Americans who taught the new settlers from Europe how to survive harsh winters in New England were slaughtered and raped before the Pilgrims ever broke bread with the survivors.

So every year while I’m cooking my part of the family feast, I honor those ancestors by acknowledging their contribution to my lineage.

But on the up-side, Thanksgiving is a time for all Americans to gather with their loved ones,  to celebrate love and great food. Every family has its own tradition and ours is to get together in South Orange, NJ, at either my sister Diane and her husband Bill’s or my cousins Eric and Marguerite’s homes. Our family feast started at my parents home here in Philadelphia 50 years ago. We have pot-luck, and each of us bring our own traditional dish.

Like my mixed heritage, the palates around our feast vary. Some of us eat meat and some don’t, so all of us make our side dishes to accommodate either palate.

I always take my special meatless collard greens, stuffed mushrooms (two or three types) and fish, which is usually a nice broiled salmon.

What is your family tradition? Please share your recipes and thoughts about the Thanksgiving holiday.

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Having both of my parents together is rare, because they divorced two decades ago and  Dad immediately remarried. But just like in the old days, my parents gravitated to the front porch, eager  to discuss their  progeny. Thirteen grandkids between their three daughters,  so they had lots  to catch up on. Like his father, my dad loves to pontificate, and just as he did when I was a child  he held court with the  “youngins. ”

Growing up, our front porch was sacred and was one of my parents’ favorite sanctuaries. It was the one place where they could talk in private but still keep an ear on the house. With three active daughters, there was always something going on. Even though my  parents aren’t really in each other’s lives  much these days, when they do get together  they are friends, which is a good thing because our family has grown  so large.

With my southern- bred  grace,  I  thought  dad’s visit was the perfect  excuse to make a  small  feast.

My menu

Ripe sliced peaches and nectarines  ♥

Spring mix salad  with  blood-orange  tomatoes, mushrooms and peppers ♥

Asian coleslaw  ♥

Baby potatoes tossed with olive oil,  fresh garlic and parsley

Stir-fried zucchini and squash  ♥

Teriyaki  chicken  ♥

Sliced peach bread

Strawberries and cream ice cream

Raspberry ice cream

♥  indicates heart healthy

Seven of the grandkids, ages six to 18, crowded into my small dining room while the grown folks dined outside. I  realized just how blessed I am to be able to make people happy with my food, just like my late grandmother  Muddie, who passed her passion for cooking right down to me. Now if  only I had learned to make her rolls, which were  phenomenal.  I don’t have her recipe,  but someone in the family must and I just have to get on a mission find it.

My front porch is way smaller than the one I grew up with, and  my parents  are much wiser than they were 40 years ago. Today, my front porch remains a favorite gathering place for family and friends. It’s the one area where I can connect to the outside world and still enjoy the ambience of my home. It’ s  also a reminder of my  particular affinity for Southern Victorian mansions with their wrap-around porches lined with wicker rocking chairs and elders who wisely share their wisdom over glasses of  cold strawberry lemonade.

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