Huh, The Great Cranberry Debate? You know! There tends to be two kinds of Thanksgiving-ers.. and it stems from how you want that infamous side dish: the cranberries. Don’t you worry, we’ve gathered the ML Internal Team’s opinions… With it being a very warm Fall, it doesn’t quite feel like it’s Thanksgiving time yet! But, we are here nonetheless, and what better way to celebrate than to get some Thanksgiving bits and bobs from our Internal Team?!

First up: Jillian!

So, let’s get right to it…Cranberries…From the can or homemade? Do you even have them at all? (Careful, this is very vulnerable and exposing)

Canned cranberry is where it’s at. If you can’t slice it…I may not want it. I say, “may,” because I’ve had some delicious homemade cranberry sauce, but if I get to pick, get that can opener!!

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition and/or food?

For the past 5-10 years I have actually gone out to eat for Thanksgiving in NYC with friends! And then after, we hit up a bar – that is always likely pretty empty – so it’s like our own little party! Butttt if I’m cooking at home, my faves are always a green bean casserole and a creamy mashed potato.

Parade vs. Dog Show…what’s your vibe?

BOTH! I’ve been watching the Macy’s Parade since I was a little kid so it always brings such nostalgic joy. And now that I have a little pup, the dog show brings another kind of fluffy holiday joy.

Kelly!

Where do you stand on the Cranberry Debate?

I am an equal opportunist cranberry eater. I love slices from the can for the nostalgia but I also have a southern cranberry jello mold recipe from my mom that I love! You make it in a bundt pan and it looks beautiful when you unmold it. To serve, you cut it into slices like a cake! I’m sure a jello mold cranberry is controversial, but don’t knock it till you try it! 

Macy’s Parade or the Dog Show? ..or…both? ..neither?

Do you even KNOW ME??? The dog show of course! I will never forget years ago when a pug won. My heart soared! 

We all are thankful for friends, family etc…but what about an experience or lesson-learned that you’re grateful came your way this year?

We’ve been prioritizing seeing lots of concerts this year and every time I’m like, “no regrets!” Live music has become my therapy and I’m so thankful we get to experience so many shows. I just love seeing artists in their element. And bonding, dancing, and singing with all the other fans…there’s nothing like it! 

Deven!

The Great Cranberry Debate…Yay? Nay?

The only Cranberries that I truly feel invested in are the Irish Rock Band that brought us ‘Zombie’. 

Any favorite Thanksgiving traditions, Dev?

I don’t have traditions per se…but I have favorite moments – and one of my favorite moments at any Thanksgiving Dinner is seeing that ‘popular’ dish get destroyed and watching that one person who cooked it eat up that sweet sweet pride (‘Yeah that sh*t’s mine, sorry nobody touched your Green Bean Casserole Madison…’) and ALSO that other person at the table with insurmountable guilt asks, ‘Does anybody mind if I finish this off?’ It’s just fun to enjoy the exchange at the table when this happens, especially if it’s a dish made with pride. We all love it when our dish is a hit. 

What comes to mind in terms of reflecting on some gratitude over the year?

This has been a tough year for a lot of people, myself included. I let a bunch of people down this year, and pushed twice as many away, but have been working at it every day like you should. Often remiss to looking up in this beautiful city, there was one day that my chin managed to stay tilted high – and like comforting kismet – my eyes caught a quote plastered onto a NY window, ‘In all our searching, the only thing that made the emptiness bearable is each other.’

Courtney!

Ok, Court: Parade or Dog Show?

The Parade is a MUST and I am the person who actually watches it…it’s not on in the background. You better believe the eyes are tearing up when Santa arrives. Every. Year. Haha!

How about you…are Cranberries important for your Thanksgivings?

Cranberries weren’t a staple for my family as I grew up, but when my Uncle married my Aunt, she brought in her own cranberry tradition that is homemade and also includes some other fruit! It’s like a cranberry/orange sauce that is absolutely delicious, and I don’t think a can could compare. Someday I’ll ask her for the recipe 🙂

Anything you’re especially grateful for this season?

I’m thankful that I’m learning how to take care of myself better. Throughout this year of being on tour -which has been very physically taxing – and also experiencing a great amount of personal loss and grief, I have been learning, and having to put into practice, how to fuel my body in more routine ways and also recognize emotional boundaries; and also not feeling guilty for taking personal time when it is absolutely necessary for my mental health. Sometimes we don’t know what’s best for us until we are forced to recognize it, so I’m thankful to be in this place and hope to carry the lessons with me in the future!

Kristal!

Fave Thanksgiving food…go!

Creamy Jalapeno Corn has always been a staple in my family. I need/crave this corn on Thanksgiving.

Can you be found watching either the Parade or the Dog Show?

Both, but typically just on in the background while cooking or visiting with friends/family. Am I really paying attention you ask? Probably just during important moments. 

How do you take your Cranberries?

I don’t care how they come but definitely needed..at the very least to put in the leftover turkey sandwiches. 

Matty!

Where do you stand on the Great Cranberry Debate?

Ya know…admittedly, the sight of that red, gelatinous tube sliding out of the can and then being sliced …is…not a fond childhood memory. So, I enjoy the cranberry dish to be more on the relish/salad side of the spectrum. However! I do feel that the canned stuff is the best option for the rolls — gotta spread it like a lil’ jam.

What food item are you most looking forward to this year?

Oooo..I mean, I LOVE me some stuffing. And honestly, I’m not ashamed to say that Stovetop is my fave. BUT. To know me is to know that I love a sweet treat…I make a pretty mean pumpkin pie from scratch but my Aunt is in charge of this year’s meal and who knows what delectable dessert will be waiting for me!

Any thoughts of gratitude this Thanksgiving?

I’m grateful that I’m still grateful. Don’t get me wrong – I have many, many things to be thankful for – a beautiful, loving support group being one of them – but the past few months have been filled with immense personal loss and grief, as well as many friends experiencing the same..heavy times for sure. And so, I could easily be mad and bitter – and that would be totally valid – but I’m managing to choose softness. It’s not always easy, but it all continues to shape and teach me. And for that, I’m grateful.

And there ya have it, folks. Thanks for joining us as we got to the bottom of the Great Cranberry Debate. We, here at ML, hope you are able to enjoy your cranberries – and your loved ones – in whatever form brings you joy. Happy Thanksgiving!

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