【推荐1】You know how every November the cooking magazines are full of articles on how you should shake up the traditional Thanksgiving meal and make it new and exciting? Out with the boring mashed potatoes, in with the roasted smashed potatoes! And who wants to roast a whole turkey? Why not braise (焖烧) the turkey legs instead?

I used to think these ideas were great until this year when we tried some of them. In fact, we reinvented it so much that it wasn’t even Thanksgiving dinner anymore. We ate chicken with a Parmesan panko crust, roasted carrots, and a salad. For dessert (饭后甜点) we had bourbon pound cake with ice cream. In other words, it was like any other nice meal I’d have at my parents’ house.

We had to do this out of necessity. My family runs a wood-fired pizza company that usually shuts down at the beginning of September, but this fall, it stayed open until Thanksgiving. Its last day of operation (营业) was Saturday, and we had our traditional Thanksgiving meal on Sunday. My whole family were so tired from pizza-making that we had no energy left for a feast. Then our ‘lazy’ Thanksgiving dinner was made with what we already had.

As usual the meal was delicious and the company pleasant, but it wasn’t until after the weekend that I was left with a sense of loss, as if something were missing. That’s when I realized that, for me, Thanksgiving is very much about the food, and no just the lovely people who share the dinner with me. It’s my one chance to taste dishes that I don’t eat at any other time of year, and that is truly why it’s so special.

【推荐2】Hot air balloon festivals are held annually in many places throughout the year. Here are some of the best hot air balloon festivals around the world.

The Saga Balloon Festival

More than 100 balloons from about 20 countries took part in the annual five-day competition and celebration in Saga, Japan, in 2019.

The most beautiful sight at the Saga Balloon Festival happens in the evenings. The balloons all light up at once and an extraordinary glow is reflected in the river.

The balloon festival in Saga takes place in early November.

The Leon Balloon Festival

The first Leon International Balloon Festival took place in 2002 with just 25 balloons. It is now the biggest balloon festival in Latin America. Like at other festivals, the balloons come in different colors and shapes.

The yearly balloon celebration takes place from November 15 to November 18.

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival

The biggest hot air balloon festival in the world takes place in the American city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. There are about 600 balloons and pilots from around the world.

The festival also appeals to photographers and it has long included a competition for best pictures of the celebration.

This festival takes place from the first weekend of October to the second weekend, lasting 9 days every year.

The Chateau- d'Oex Balloon Festival

The Chateau- d'Oex Hot Air Balloon Festival got its start in 1979, when 12 balloons from five countries gathered to promote Chateau- d'Oex at the suggestion of Hans Brücker. The festival grew over the years, and in 1999，the first hot air balloon to fly around the globe without stopping left from Chateau- d'Oex. These days the festival hosts a number of special events and contests, drawing balloonists from all over the world. The festivities include a unique children 's themed night show with fireworks and music.

This festival takes place in the last week of January and lasts 5 days every year.

【推荐3】As a little girl, one of my favourite family traditions was held on the first day of May. Along with my sister, my mother and I would make simple rower baskets by making paper into cones (圆锥形). Then, we filled the bottom of the cone with small candies before putting some flowers into it

With our May Day baskets in hand, my sister and I became anonymous gift-givers. After hanging a basket on the front door of a neighbor or friend, we rang the doorbell and ran away. The goal was to remain secret givers.

Historically, the first day of May, often referred to as “May Day”, has been recognised as a celebration of spring, of life and growth. Parades (游行) and dances are ways that the day has been — and continues to be — celebrated in many parts of the world. Although formal May Day celebrations may be less common now, it is always worth celebrating. Here are some simple and lovely ways to celebrate May Day in our homes and with those we love:

Making a May Day basket is always a great choice. Although the May Day basket we made as children was simple, the making of the basket was a joy in itself. Consider making or buying some flowers for friends. Fill the basket with a few sweets and write a note thanking your friend or neighbour for their kindness, their presence, and their love.

On May Day, we also take flowers to a local hospital or nursing home. Flowers are always welcome in places that are too often full of sadness. Stopping to have a conversation with a patient and thanking a nurse would be an additional gift — to the receiver and to us!

Besides, we always give friends small gifts to celebrate May Day. A small book or magazine with a note, an art print celebrating spring — the choices are endless. When your friends are far away, an unexpected gift can reawaken friendship across the miles.