Things To Do In Metro Atlanta At Thanksgiving Plus One of My Favorite Recipes!
Thanksgiving will be here before you know it and here are 10 things to do around town on Thanksgiving weekend, PLUS one of our family’s favorite SUPER EASY RECIPES that you can have in addition to your turkey (or anytime at all). It’s AMAZING!
Atlanta is full of fun things to do around town. If you’re adventurous, you can venture downtown or if you’re more of a homebody, there are plenty of things to do around Cobb and Paulding.
Here are a few of our families’ personal favorites (PLUS THAT RECIPE I PROMISED)
1. Document Time With Grandparents And Loved Ones
If you are lucky enough to have grandparents at your home this holiday season, this would be an awesome time to capture them on video.This is definitely something I will be doing this year.
The older I get, the more I realize that you just never know from year to year what changes will happen in your family. I never want to regret not capturing memories and documenting time together.
For us, my mother has started showing some pretty significant signs of dementia. We don’t know what next year will be like. Well, the fact of the matter is that none of us know what tomorrow will be like, much less next year.
Another thing that is happening in my family is that our soon to be 29 year old son, Chris, will be leaving in December to travel the world, solo for a year. He will be traveling with only himself and a backpack and for me, the thought of this is both exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Since he won’t be with us next year for Thanksgiving, his 30th birthday or for Christmas, I want to document the remainder of our time together before he leaves in six weeks, as best I can.
At any rate, here’s a list of ten questions you can ask a parent or grandparent to get the conversation going with them. Whether you record their answers on a camera or on your phone, having this memory will be priceless in the years to come.
Ten Questions
When and where were you born?
What’s the best thing that ever happened to you?
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
What games did you play growing up?
What was your first car?
What’s the one thing you most want people to remember about you?
What are the most important qualities to look for in a partner?
What are the most important things in life?
What is something a lot of people don’t know about you?
2. Volunteer
Thanksgiving is a great time to volunteer and it teaches kids and teens about the importance of not only being thankful, but also of giving back. There are many opportunities all around Atlanta for families to volunteer. Looking for something close to home? Must Ministries, right off the square in Marietta is always looking for help. Here’s a list of volunteer needs
3. GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH – Cobb Co Coats, Hats, Gloves and Scarf Drive
Did you know that The Cobb County Police Department is collecting coats for local children and adults this holiday season? Thanksgiving would be a great time to have each person in your family bring an extra gently used coat, hat, scarf, or pair of gloves to Thanksgiving Dinner to donate to this worthy cause.
Donations are being accepted and can be dropped off through Friday, December 1st at the Cobb County Police Precinct 5 located at the corner of Dallas Highway and Midway Road. The address is 4640 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs
COBB COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT - GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH COAT DRIVE
4. VISIT THE BATTERY AT THE BRAVES STADIUM
Have you been to the Battery At the Braves Stadium?It’s so close by and there’s lots of things to see and do.Great stores for shopping and delicious restaurants are awaiting you.Thanksgiving weekend would be a fun time to take it all in.
5. Take a Hike
The silver comet trail is right at our back door and the views can be spectacular this time of year.If you head east toward Mableton, you will see lots of gorgeous scenery including bridges, forests, wetlands, parks,
If you head west toward Rockmart, you will see more farmland and wide open spaces, bridges, tunnels and more.
If you want to venture out a bit more and do something really cool, go into Atlanta and visit The Atlanta Beltline.Similar to the silver comet trail, but more more populated with lots of interesting things to do and see along the way.You’ll find amazing graffiti walls, Ponce City Market, incredible views of the Atlanta skyline, restaurants, and of course great people watching.Take your dog along too – you’ll find lots of dogs on leashes getting exercise.
6. Take In A Movie
Something for Everyone!
The long awaited and family friendly Disney Pixar’s "Coco," accompanied by the short, "Olaf’s Frozen Adventure" opens just in time for Thanksgiving on Nov. 22nd.
7. Ice Skating At Marietta Square
Marietta Square’s Winter Wonderland Outdoor Ice Skating On The Square opens this year on November 20th, just in time for Thanksgiving and Santa arrives on the 30th!
http://www.winterwonderlandmarietta.com/
8. DELIVER A MEAL TO SOMEONE WHO IS SHUT IN - Cobb Meals On Wheels
Over 400 volunteers deliver meals to the homebound elderly every week and they always need more help during the holiday season. This is an ideal opportunity for your family or civic group to meet the needs of those in your own community. Call 770-528-5381 for more information about volunteering.
9. MACY’S PINK PIG at Lenox Square
An Atlanta tradition since 1953, the Pink Pig is a great way to ring in the holidays. It’s closed on Thanksgiving day, but it would be a great thing to do with kids either before Thanksgiving day or anytime after. It’s open now and goes through December 31st.
10. ATLANTIC STATION - Holiday Happenings
Atlantic Station is a great place to visiting during Thanksgiving weekend.You’ll find Santa’s Cottage, Ice Skating, The Christkindl Market (a festival/holiday shopping market), and Snow Shows!Plus, if you haven’t made a trip to IKEA, it’s right there!
http://www.atlanticstation.com/events
... And About That Recipe
Here’s a SUPER SIMPLE recipe for an amazing roast that is EASY and DELICIOUS. You can prepare it ahead of time, in order to free your oven up to cook other things. As simple as this recipe is, the meat is absolutely delicious.
Eye Of Round Roast
You Will Need:
Eye Of Round Roast
Salt and Pepper
Roasting Pan
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Salt and pepper the Eye Of Round Roast on both sides. Place Eye of Round on baking pan with dripping rack. Add some water to the bottom of the pan to keep it from scorching.
Place roast in the oven for 5 minutes per pound. Then turn the oven OFF and leave the Eye Of Round roast in the oven for three hours. Do not open the oven door until the three hours is up. When the three hours is up, the roast will be cooked to a medium/medium rare perfection. It is DELICIOUS – it is not a stringy type roast, and is super yummy. Let me know if you try it.
What things do you have planned for the holidays? Let us know in the comments.
Happy Holidays From Our Home To Yours!
Beverly
