I love the tradition of American Thanksgiving.  Even though I grew up in Canada we never celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving until this year (in Cambridge, MA USA).  In Canada Thanksgiving isn’t really a holiday.  We learn about the pioneers and we talk about the harvest, and maybe colour in a horn of plenty or two in our lifetime but that’s about it.

Here, in Massachusetts I’ve taken advantage of my heritage and use Canadian Thanksgiving as an excuse to gather with friends my fabulous party planning friend Alex and family as well as Megin and family of Labels are for Jars.  Plus it is the perfect warm up for Thanksgiving proper.  Our Thanksgiving is a gathering of friends and family at our house.  As you may have noticed, on the blog, I love to cook.  I think you always appreciate a meal even more if you’ve worked up an appetite, so for the past several years we have always had a family Thanksgiving “triathlon” being a little creative with our bike root accommodating tricycles and tag-a-long bikes, as well as longer bike routes for those who want a real ride.  Our swim is always replaced with: skipping, stretching, or something silly because Walden pond is a bit chilly this time of year.  This year I think we may be ready for a change.  I’m thinking Thanksgiving Tennis Tournament that can include everyone and the logistics are a bit more manageable.

Even though I love it, I know that not everyone loves to cook and yet year after year families go through the motions in the kitchen doing things they despise while others go through the motions of eating food no one enjoyed making and no one is enjoying eating.  There are so many ways to remedy this situation.  Today’s post is about getting away together, enjoying one anothers’ company and making Thanksgiving a restful vacation rather than a chore.

This spring we were lucky enough to spend a night at the newly renovated Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth.  The nice thing about the location of the resort is that the resort is right on the beach.  Falmouth is on the upper cape so it is a short drive for Boston.  It is a beautiful renovation.  The layout of the resort is great for any size family because there are teen play areas, little lounge areas near the cafe and the lobby.  The indoor pool is small but not too small with plenty of comfy lounge chairs and benches to relax with a book, the paper or a magazine while the little ones play.

I haven’t had a chance to see it yet, but what I’m most excited about for a family getaway like Thanksgiving is the Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s new cottage.  This is a three bedroom cottage.  It’s like home away from home.  Whether you just need the three bedrooms or other family members stay in their own rooms, you can gather in the living room for board games, beer and banter, or a pajama party because someone else is cooking and doing the dishes for Thanksgiving this year.  The Thanksgiving Day Buffet, on November 28th is served in the dining room with beautiful beach views.

Sea Crest Beach hotel’s Thanksgiving Day spread will feature a cold station with New England cheeses, dried fruits and nuts; grilled asparagus with shaved Parmesan and aged balsamic vinegar; farmers cheese and walnut stuffed dates; and mustard and cranberry crusted free-range chicken with a barley root vegetable salad. The hot station selections include local sugar pumpkin bisque; carved-to-order cider-glazed organic whole turkey with Cape cranberry sauce and giblet gravy; carved-to-order bone-in Virginia ham with raisin sauce; maple-scented butternut squash; and Colorado lamb stew with Cape beach plums, pearl onions, and button mushrooms.

The buffet will end the meal on a sweet note with a dessert station featuring made to order chocolate waffles with fresh berries and vanilla bean ice cream; apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies; warm cranberry pear crisp; double chocolate raspberry torte; and cinnamon apple cupcakes.  Chef Daniel Kenney has really put together an exception Thanksgiving menu.  I’m even tempted to let go of my own Thanksgiving menu and bring the whole family to the Cape…just not yet.

The Thanksgiving day buffet is $43 for adults and $19 for children 12 and under (taxes and gratuities not included). For more information or reservations visit http://www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call 1-800-225-3110.