Giving Thanks in Ohio

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I spent Thanksgiving in eastern Ohio. Despite being firmly planted in the Great Lakes snowbelt, this area of the country welcomed the holiday with sun and unseasonable warmth.

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We took advantage of the weather by hiking through nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Just minutes from busy towns and factories, the Cuyahoga River cuts through the state creating rocky hills and deep forests.

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A blanket of snow highlighted the vegetation and made the air head-clearing and crisp. (Which was welcome after a raucous night of Clue and Great Lakes beer.)

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Jerry and Christi, our hosts, made a delicious Thanksgiving feast for us.  I contributed two dishes from other food blogs: The Pioneer Woman's Whiskey Glazed Carrots and Orangette's Cream Braised Brussels Sprouts.

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Both dishes were delicious, but in hindsight, I should have paired one of these vegetable sides with a less-rich partner.  Though, what would the holidays be without a bit of decadence?