Giving Thanks Today and Every Day

Today is the day most Americans set aside to reflect on — and give thanks for — the many graces and gifts that bless our lives. For some, the day is simply a preliminary event to the day of shopping to come. That particular holiday tradition has never appealed to me, though I’ll admit I often take advantage of a good cigar sale online this time of year.

As for me, I’m thankful for my wonderful and loving family, for the freedom to worship as I choose, for true friends, for a roof over my head and food on the table, for this great country, and for so much more. These are things I’m grateful for every day, not just on the fourth Thursday of November. To be truly thankful is to stay aware of our blessings daily. I’ll also be praying for the protection of those freedoms and blessings as they continue to face persistent threats, both foreign and domestic.

Let’s also keep in mind the selfless Americans who are separated from their loved ones while serving to defend our freedoms.

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful day.

Cheers!

Thanksgiving Traditions: A Smoke, a Sip, and a Sweet Dilemma

It’s a tradition: after enjoying the Thanksgiving feast, I step outside for a cigar while the family gathers around the TV for football. This year was no different. I had initially set aside a robust smoke for the occasion, but when I noticed an unfinished bottle of Prosecco on the table, I decided it shouldn’t go to waste. To complement the fruity, sweet libation, I opted for a milder cigar. Enter the Rocky Patel Number 6.

The Rocky Patel Number 6 is a 6 x 52 Toro, featuring an oily Honduran Corojo wrapper over a Honduran binder and a filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. It’s an unusually mild offering from Rocky Patel and a departure from my typical preference for bolder cigars. I had these in my humidor mainly for friends who favor milder smokes. The flavor profile showcases a gentle sweetness, creamy coffee, and classic tobacco notes, accented by a hint of citrus and a touch of white pepper. As the cigar progresses, the mild pepper becomes slightly more prominent, leaving a subtle spice on the palate. Beyond that, the flavor remains consistent throughout. After three months of resting in my humidor, the cigar burned evenly and performed admirably, even in the cold evening air.

Paired with the Prosecco, the experience was a mixed bag. The sparkling wine’s sweetness and effervescence tended to overpower the cigar’s delicate flavors. I found myself abstaining from sips for long stretches to allow the Number 6’s subtle notes to shine through and linger. While both the cigar and the Prosecco were enjoyable in their own right, they didn’t shine as a pairing.

The evening was crisp and chilly, with gusty winds that added an extra bite to the air. I resorted to running the patio heaters and bundling up under my hooded sweatshirt to keep the experience comfortable. After a pleasant 90-minute smoke, I headed back inside, faced with one last decision for the night: pumpkin or apple pie? Or maybe both?

 
Cheers!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Have A Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you a day filled with family, friends, and fond memories. May God bless your life with His gifts today and everyday.

Lá Altaithe Sona Daoibh!

A Thanksgiving Tradition

I repost this just about every year. And it's still funny. 

They just don't do TV like that any more.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers!

Happy Thanksgiving

It just wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving if the holiday didn't kick off with this. It never gets old.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers!

Thanksgiving "Digestive": Blanton's and Crowned Heads

We ate our first Thanksgiving dinner early, around 1:00pm. This allowed a break before dessert, and then a second dinner later in the day. The Thanksgiving feast is too good to eat just once. (And of course, we enjoy turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce sandwiches the next day.) In between dinners, I retired to the back deck to enjoy a "digestive" while the family watched football inside. I was blessed with sun and a 60° temperature, making for a most pleasant time.

I didn't have any of the customary Wild Turkey on hand, so opted for what seems to be another popular Thanksgiving bourbon, Blanton's Single Barrel. Blanton's is an allocated bourbon under the government-comtrolled system of manipulated supply in Virginia, so I only break this one out occasionally.

Blanton's Single Barrel checks in at 93 proof, and has a mild, but pleasant aroma of sweet honey, vanilla, with a hint of spice. A moderately bold flavor profile with of caramel, honey, and vanilla as the major players. The finish lingers, adding a satisfying pepper hint to the game. I am surprised that I read so much cynicism online about this classic bourbon, as I find it a quite pleasant libation.

Given the balanced and nuanced flavor profile, I paired one of my favorite medium-bodied smokes, the Crowned Heads Le Carême Canonazo. The Le Carême sticks feature a shiny Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a Sumatra binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. This 5 ⅞ x 52 box pressed stick is medium bodied with creamy, sweet chocolate and nutty notes.  It is a favorite to pair with milder, sweet bourbons. 

As I finished the smoke, a received a text from Colleen asking if I was ready for dessert. Feeling refreshed and reenergized after the filling (first) dinner, I acquiesced and returned to the feasting inside.

A Bourbon and A Smoke to Kick Off the Holiday

The past week saw an abrupt change in the weather, with very cold temperatures coming in suddenly. While not bitterly cold, the quick switch from warmer temps made the change all the more jarring. Thankfully, the weather returned to more "seasonable" temperatures in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, at least for a short time. On Thanksgiving Eve, I took advantage of the weather to enjoy a cigar and bourbon on the deck — while running only one of the propane heaters!

I selected a Southern Draw Manzanita in the Robusto size. This is a cigar I've enjoyed in the past, and recently acquired a new supply. They'd been resting in the humidor for about a month, the minimal time before I'd consider lighting one. A reddish-brown Habano wrapper covers a Habano binder, with Corojo and Ligero fillers. The smoke has an earthy base with bold dark chocolate and cedar notes. A kick of peppers concludes the profile. Southern Draw cigars never disappoint and this is one of my favorites.

As an accompaniment, a grabbed a bottle of Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon. I've had this bottle for some time but hadn't revisited it in a while. The aroma on this is, well, bourbon. It's got classic notes of vanilla and caramel. Sipping brings on more of the expected notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. Like the kick at the end produced by the cigar, the bourbon has a nice, and lingering, rye kick in the finish. At just 90 proof, the Wild Turkey product is an easy sipper, that comes in bigger than its $40 price point. 

As a pairing, the combination was enjoyable. Frequently I'll pair higher proof bourbons with bold cigars. I did find that the boldness of the cigar subdued the bourbon flavors somewhat. I had started smoking the cigar before pouring the beverage, and noted the muted spice from the bourbon. However, I did enjoy a late night pour after the cigar, to appreciate the whole profile more.

Have a Very Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!

Thanksgiving Classic

Yeah, I know I post this every year. And you've seen it on other sites this week as well. But, admit it, this never gets old.

It just wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving if I didn't laugh at this again.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Five O'Clock Friday: Thanksgiving Dinner

 Choose wisely.

Post Turkey Smoke and Drink

After devouring a delicious Thanksgiving meal lovingly prepared by Colleen, while the family "rested" in the living room, I sought my solace on the back deck. The sun had not yet set, and the temperature still hovered in the upper 60's. 

Lighting a Rocky Patel LB1, I contemplated a beverage. I'd been looking forward to a glass of bourbon as a digestive. However, we had enjoyed some bubbly Prosecco with dinner, so I continued that with the cigar.

The Rocky Patel LB1 boasts a smooth Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, along with a Honduran binder and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. Coffee, cedar, and a subtle earthiness make for a satisfying flavor profile, come through first. The medium bodied smoke starts off with a touch of spice, transitioning to a muted sweetness in the background.

To my delight, and some surprise, the crisp flavor of the Prosecco paired well with the smoke. As the sun set and the cigar neared the its end, the call went out that pie was being served. That was my cue to join the family inside. 

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. 

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

Although President Washington proclaimed this day of thanksgiving and prayer in 1789, the Thanksgiving Day we celebrate today didn't become a national holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you a day filled with family, friends, and fond memories. May God bless your life with His gifts today and everyday.

Thanksgiving Classic

This never gets old. It just wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving if I didn't laugh at this again.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Happy Thanksgiving!

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. 

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

Although President Washington proclaimed this day of thanksgiving and prayer in 1789, the Thanksgiving Day we celebrate today didn't become a national holiday until1863 when President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you a day filled with family, friends, and fond memories. May God bless your life with His gifts today and everyday.

This Never Gets Old

It just wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving if I didn't laugh at this again.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Classic

I post this every year, and I still laugh at it every year.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy good food, good drink, and fun times with friends and family.

(Sorry for the sloppy embed. The original clip I used previously is no longer available.)

This Never Gets Old

It just wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving if I didn't laugh at this again.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Today, like every day, I am thankful for my loving family, my faith and the freedom to practice it, for my health, for my friends, and for the abundant blessings I enjoy as an American. In these perilous times we should be especially conscious of our freedom and never forget how tenuous it really is.

The following prayer was shared by Father Kevin Cusick on his blog "A Priest Life." I found it especially poignant.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks.

Thank you for all the graces and blessings. You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the loves we have for one another, our family and friends.

Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year.

This we ask through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord Who Lives and reigns with You in unity of the the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Thanksgiving Day Range Trip

In what's become an annual tradition, I was able to enjoy a trip to the range on Thanksgiving. This time was made even more special since my son, who was home from college, came along for the fun.

The early weather predictions were calling for cool weather with rain on during the day, but it turned out to be a beautiful day; sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60°. We couldn't have asked for much better on a November afternoon. Even with the good weather, we had the pistol range to ourselves.

A Thanksgiving Table

We spent a couple hours shooting and talking. What a great Thanksgiving treat to spend some time with him, doing something we both enjoy. It was a most enjoyable afternoon that left me with a smile the rest of the day — so much so I even volunteered to clean the guns afterwards.

We're already making shooting plans for Christmas break.

Classic Thanksgiving Humor

This one never gets old.

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is the day Americans set aside to give thanks for the many graces and gifts that bless our lives. Though deleting the dozens of emails this morning promoting "3 Day Black Friday Deals" makes me hope that people are still taking time to remember the reason for the holiday. (Though I did take advantage of some good ammo deals.)

For myself, I am thankful for my wonderful and loving family, for the freedom to worship as I choose, for true friends, and for a roof over my head, food on the table, for this great country, and much, much more. These are things I am thankful for every day, not just on the fourth Thursday of November. To be truly thankful is to be aware of our many blessings everyday. But today, I'll try to think about those gifts just a little more. Let's also keep in mind those selfless Americans who are separated from their loved ones while working to defend our freedoms.

I wish everyone a safe and peaceful day.

"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.'"

-- George Washington, National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation, October 3, 1789