Pumpkin! It's just not for pies anymore!

I love Thanksgiving! For our family it is about great food, stiff cocktails, and getting together and having a relaxed time. I always go to my Dad's for Thanksgiving because with him and my step-mom they always create this zen-foodie environment.

There is a tradition that my Step-mom started about 15 years ago with pumpkin soup. Ever since then it is demanded at Thanksgiving. It is the first course of the dinner and it isn't Thanksgiving unless we have it. Even when we are at other people homes, we force the pumpkin soup on them, they thank us later.

As I said, my step-mom serves the warm and creamy soup with a freshly baked garlic crouton in the shape of a star with a dallop of sour cream dancing on the top. She serves it in an elegant bowl with special spoons. Then once we have downed the soup, we end up being scolded for licking the bowl. I would like the pot it was made in if I could.

This soup is so great we look forward to it more than the turkey, the stuffing, or pumpkin pie. Don't get me wrong, the whole meal is amazing but the pumpkin soup is the shining star of the meal.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families! May you find a nice corner to nap in after the meal!