Well, folks, before I start I want to say thank you to everyone who reached out to me during the hurricane. I appreciate you all. If anyone is interested, I wrote a piece for textdrivebys.com about it. And yet, as horrible as Mother Nature can be, she can also be so beautiful.

I know it seems like Halloween is only over for five minutes. If you’re anything like me you’re still digging into the tons of leftover candy you have. But it’s been over a week now, and I’m sure you’re already thinking about turkey day. Don’t lie. Visions of turkey sandwiches, cranberry sauce & sweet potatoes are bouncing around in your heads. Most of you probably already have seating charts & place settings done… mentally, that is. And yes, I know… it’s a holiday based on a lie, and it romanticizes the exploitation of the American Indians. I’m aware of that. And I don’t in any way glorify the pilgrims or the settlers & what they did, nor do I believe the first Thanksgiving was really the way it’s portrayed in schools & movies.

But I like turkey. I love my family, and I’m thankful for them & all the things I have in life (especially after some of my fellow New Yorkers have NOTHING right now). And, also? I like eating. A lot. And this holiday involves all of that. And if you refuse to celebrate the holiday because of the horrific truthful nature of what happened? Well. Okay. That’s your prerogative, and I understand. If that’s the case you’re a far better (wo)man than I am. But either way, here’s the Friday Fifteen: (pre-)Thanksgiving edition.

1. Well, as of Tuesday, November 6th, the American people (and Electoral College) re-elected Barack Obama as the President of the United States. For me, it’s a good thing because he was my candidate. I voted for him in 2008, and I voted for him without question again this year. I have confidence our country will continue on the upswing it’s been taking… and that we’ll recover 100% from all of the economic hardships we’ve been having. I have nothing but respect for our President & I think it was the right decision to make, especially since hearing that Mr. Romney wanted to get rid of FEMA. After Superstorm Sandy, was that really something anyone wanted? At any rate, the people have spoken. Save any nasty, negative or racist comments for someone who cares. I don’t tolerate that shit on my page.
2. Continuing on that note, I recently I’ve noticed the true kindness & humanity of people, after Sandy, & I think it’s amazing. We all have so much to be grateful for, and in times like these we have to remember that, & give to those who do not. So my number one LOVES so far this week? The Red Cross & FEMA, and everyone who has donated to the Red Cross to help us out up here. Also, much love to  Island Harvest, the Bowery Mission, Faith Community Church of Staten Island, Occupy Sandy and anyone else who’s been putting in time & money to help.
3. Homemade cranberry sauce molded in a can to mimic the canned stuff we all know (and sometimes, but not always, love). Super fun idea from Food in Jars. Make your Thanksgiving homemade & healthier, but keep traditions alive too. And cranberry sauce is stupid easy to make, I swear.
4. Jeffrey Campbell studded loafers in black. I want them SO BAD. So, so bad.
5. I’m already excited about the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day parade! When you’re a New Yorker, this stuff is more exciting, I think. Unless you’ve walked down 6th Avenue on an average day or tried to catch a bus on 77th Street during the morning rush & you’ve seen how things really are… you don’t fully comprehend how awesome it is to see a 25′ tall Snoopy balloon flying down the street. Plus, when Santa comes out at the end, it’s just the best. I might be 31 years old but it still gives me that Oh-my-god-Christmas-is-coming feeling in my stomach. Which is both scary & fun. Scary because OHMYGAWDITCOMESSOFAST. Only yesterday it seems I was taking pictures of my tomatoes! And it’s fun because, hello, who doesn’t like sparkly lights & presents?
6. Holy balls. Chocolate caramel tartlettes? Thanks Sophistimom. Beautiful photography there, too.
7. This adorable Le Creuset pumpkin casserole has my name written all over it. I really do need it. Seriously. Le Creuset, are you listening? I’m open to doing reviews & giveaways! *wink*
8. Well Preserved is one of my favorite blogs. I’m a horrible blog reader, you know, because I NEVER comment. But Joel & Dana have a beautiful blog & this post especially makes me happy. Turkey turkey turkey TURKEY! It’s almost turkey time. Gobble, gobble. How do you cook your turkey?
9. Speaking of turkeys, Godiva’s chocolate turkeys are a tradition in my family. I’ve gotten one for Thanksgiving every year ever since I can remember.
10. I love that Yoyo is doing 30 Days of Creativity & giving away 30 handmade/homemade items… for free. She’s got such a big heart. I ❤ her.
11. Lights. And power in general. After you lose it for a extended period of time, you begin to realize how much you depend on it, & love it even more.
12. My Thanksgiving category here at the blog has a lot of ideas for your turkey day festivities, or pre-turkey day festivities.
13. I’m loving that this time of year, all the baking supplies start to go on sale! Thank you, people who only bake once a year, for prompting excellent sales on sugar/baking powder/etc.
14. Oh, Martha. You’ve done it to me again. Adorable Thanksgiving cupcakes. And these are adorable, too. Great ideas if you’re just totally stumped. Although I did just give you MY ideas up there at #12. *frowns*
15. Homemade vanilla extract. So easy, so good. A great Christmas present for a baker, too. Check out the Cupcake Rehab Facebook page tomorrow (at around 10 a.m. EST) for instructions on how to make your own!

That concludes today’s Friday Fifteen. I’ll see you all on Monday with a brand new recipe! Until then, if you’re a blogger, please take a peek at the blog hop me & my friends started; it’s for the unique ones out here in the blogging world. Check it out- maybe you’ll want to join & Think Outside the Blog.