Thanksgiving activities 2024

I was able to tick off another thing on my bucket list………..5K Turkey Trot. Why was it on my list? Most ‘turkey’ runs are on the morning of Thanksgiving and I’m working. This 5K was scheduled the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving. Where?

Southern Hill Farms

This is a 120-acre family-owned and operated farm in Lake County. They offer u-pick and commercially harvested blueberries, strawberries, peaches and seasonal veggies. They first planted blueberries in 2010. In the Spring and Fall, sunflowers and zinnia fields are ready for cutting.

But on sunday, they were offering a 5K race and kids fun run! Florida was having a short cold spell and these were the temps as we drove to the location.

Brrrrrr – that’s cold for us. We checked in to get our running bibs, just as the sun was coming up.

One of their structures was a rooftop deck and great for a few photos.

I was able to capture a photo with the blueberry bushes and a bit of fog that had not burned off yet.

The race kicked off at 8am. The ‘Fasties’ were stationed under the start/finish line. Those of us walking & jogging were ‘MIddle of the Pack’ group, followed by the ‘Those Strolling’.

Starting right on time, the first part of the route was paved and went through the center of their u-pick fields.

I got to pass by the western side of a sunflower field.

But then, we ran into this substance………………sand. Ugh! It was NOT fun to run/jog/walk. A few of us were sticking to the edge to find vegetation. Or at least something that was more compact. There were a few runners with their baby strollers. They were having a VERY hard time in the sand.

I mentioned they started as a blueberry farm. Yep, we were going past the perimeter of blueberry fields!

Until we went through the middle of the field.

Got to take a shot on the eastern side of the sunflower field. Can’t wait until they get a bit taller, and we can stop by for fresh produce and cut sunflowers.

Part of the course was doubling-back from where we started. Yeah! on a solid surface again. I can see the finish line!

Finally made it. Now I need to find Adrienne. I was not going to let that little kid behind me reach the finish line first.

But wait……..one of the tastiest parts of this event………warm, fresh apple-cider donuts at the finish line. They were delicious!!!!

Before heading back to the house and a shower, one last photo. Adrienne placed 3rd in her age bracket and was awarded a wooden cutting board. Another ‘goodie’ we got for participating was the small, planted succulents.

How do you refuel after that? Go for sushi.

Hot tea and assorted plates for sharing was just the thing. Feeling full and tired…..a Nap was next on the agenda.

We had one more activity planned for Thanksgiving week. Dinner thursday night at Columbia’s Restaurant in Celebraton.

It’s become our tradition to eat dinner at this Cuban restaurant after getting off work for this holiday.

The first thing we always order………Sangria, concocted table side. Two glasses please, one for me and one for Adrienne. Sorry Eric.

Bring on the Spanish bean soup, Cuban bread and the 1905 salad. These were the precursor to our meal.

One of my top favorite entres is their La Completa Cubana. A feast of lechon asado, boliche criollo, empanada de Picadillo, platonos, yuca, black beans & yellow rice. Yum, Yum. Waaaaay too much for one meal but I always plan on the leftovers to take for lunches the remainder of the week.

Eric’s selection was the Red Snapper ‘Alicante’. Boneless fillet of red snapper baked in a casserole with sweet Spanish onions, green peppers, a rich gravy, olive oil, garlic, white wine topped with sliced roasted almonds. He was happy.

Adrienne selected their traditional 1905 salad, with a nod towards Thanksgiving. Their ‘legendary’ salad is tossed table-side with crisp iceberg lettuce as the base. But instead of the baked ham, turkey is the protein. Add in swiss cheese, tomato, olives, greated Romano cheese, worcestershire sauce and their ‘famous’ garlic dressing. It is indeed a meal.

One last thing is needed to finish the night – dessert.

That pretty much wrapped up our Thanksgiving week for 2024.

Ginny