Thanksgiving is one of those times when you get to slow down and really think about all the good things in your life. Sure, you stress over what size turkey to get to feed all the people you're inviting over. How much time should I allot for the preparation of the meal? Who's bringing what? How am I going to stand having my crazy aunt at the table with me for an extended period of time? Yes, these are the great questions that come with the Thanksgiving holiday. However, another question arises: What am I thankful for?

An avid Facebook checker, I've noticed a lot of my friends have chosen to be thankful more than just Thursday, November 24 this year. Each day, many people post one thing they're thankful for. I decided to do the same. But not on Facebook. I keep it in the back of my mind to find something in each day that makes me thankful, and I jot it down. So far, I've been thankful for everything from finally choosing a florist for my wedding to noticing that my fiancé did the dishes before I got home from work. Last week, I was driving up to Heron Hill Winery, and it was snowing lightly. I rounded a bend, and there in front of me was the most gorgeous view of Keuka Lake I've probably ever seen. The road was deserted – mine was the only car in either direction for as far as I could see. That night, I decided I was thankful to have witnessed my own little bit of heaven on earth.

Of course, I've been thankful for silly things, too! Things like my cat Zebulon not stealing any of my makeup that day, and even that my Michael Bublé Christmas CD arrived early in the mail. Last night, I was thankful I lived so close to Wegmans, as I was in the middle of a baking project and ran out of Tic Tacs. Don't ask.

OK, fine. You can ask. Last week, I told you about the goodies I've been told to bring to the various Thanksgiving dinners I'll be attending. Confession. I'm not exactly Suzy Homemaker. People know this. They don't ask me to bring actual food. Therefore, I make cake balls! Right now, my refrigerator is overrun with a gaggle of gobblers!

This week, I want to talk about Thanksgiving memories. These festive cake balls I make for basically every occasion are quickly becoming a nightmare more than a pleasant memory, but what can you do!? I'm sure people feel that way about making the meal and all the fixings. There are so many standards to uphold. The turkey has always been stuffed this way, therefore the world would end if it wasn't exactly that way again. There has always been broccoli casserole to grace the table, and it'd be a crime to have Thanksgiving without it. Three pie options have always been available: pumpkin, apple, and Boston Cream – a little something for everyone. Why in the world would blueberry even be in the running this year?

Yes, Thanksgiving memories can be very particular. But some can be beautiful, helpful, and downright charming. For as long as I can remember, I have helped my grandmother set up the Thanksgiving dinner at Christ Episcopal Church in Corning. We were in charge of decorations, so we'd go in the day before and bathe the tables in autumn colors found in cornucopias, silk leaves, and scarecrows. One of my first years helping, a woman showed me how to fold napkins into crowns. To this day, each Thanksgiving, crowns can be found at every place setting. It's just a little something I can do – in the grand scheme of things, I doubt people take much notice of the napkins when they're up to their elbows in mashed potatoes and gravy, but I hope in some small way, it means something to someone. And I'm thankful I'm able to do it. The free community Thanksgiving meal will be served at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are required and may be made by phone at 607.937.5449.

Do you have any wonderful Thanksgiving memories? Do you spend the holiday in Corning & the Finger Lakes? Do you enjoy your meal with a bottle of Dr. Frank's finest? This year, I'll have my favorite Bully Hill wine, Ravat 51, on my table. And I'll probably be decadent and sip some Heron Hill 2008 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc with my pie and cake balls!

Why not make a new Thanksgiving memory this year? Even though most places are closed on the actual day, take Wednesday and go to The Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. See hot glass transform into amazing shapes, or explore galleries with paintings of cowboys and Indians. Do something new this year! Yes, still watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gorge yourself on all the delicious food, then fall into a turkey coma on the couch. But don't overlook the great opportunities you have here in Corning & the Finger Lakes.

Looking for fabulous Thanksgiving festivities and meals in Corning & the Finger Lakes?
· 18th annual Pie and Glove 5K Race, Denison Park, Corning – 9:30 a.m.
· Stockyard Grill, Painted Post, Dinner from 1-4 p.m.
· Heritage Restaurant & Meeting Place, Painted Post, Dinner from 2-5 p.m.
· Grill 1-2-5 at Radisson Hotel Corning, Dinner from 1-5 p.m.
· 4th Annual Feed the Need Thanksgiving Day Dinner, Holmes Plate, Corning. Reservations required: 607.377.5500

Share your Thanksgiving memories with us! We want to know if you experience something new, or even if you have a tried and true tradition and you're sticking to it! Comment below or enter a picture into our "Home for the Holidays" photo contest!

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends in Corning & the Finger Lakes!