Welcome to My Black Friday

While most of the rest of America is probably in some state of crazy right about now with Black Friday, I’ve got to tell you that’s something we’ve never experienced. Growing up, I had never even heard the term “Black Friday” and with good reason.

The first ever Black Friday has nothing to do with the day after Thanksgiving or the holiday shopping rush. Black Friday originally referred to the gold market crash on Friday, September 24, 1869. There are a number of plausible theories as to why Black Friday is now associated with a massive Holiday Sale. When a company is operating at a loss, it’s in the red. When they turn a profit, they’re in the black. During difficult economic times, the Holiday Sales can make all the difference between operating in the red or black. That makes sense.

The term Black Friday as a reference to the day after Thanksgiving is also said to have been coined by the Philadelphia police in the 1950s to describe the chaos happening in the city immediately following Thanksgiving. Many people from the suburbs came to Philadelphia for two things – to do a bit of holiday shopping and to attend the annual Army-Navy Football Came played on Saturday. The two events created large crowds, traffic jams, thefts and all sorts of issues. While merchants tried to re-brand the shopping frenzy as Big Friday, their efforts were unsuccessful. By 1961 everyone in Philadelphia knew the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday. And yet it wouldn’t be until the 1980s that Black Friday became popular nationwide. Merchants and shoppers alike brace for the chaos, and some even relish it.

For us, the day after Thanksgiving was Family Day. Schools were closed, family was still in town, and there was no need to rush off anywhere. Often it was the day we picked out our Christmas Tree. It was quality time spent together. Personally, I’d much rather Deck the Halls than Shop till I Drop. Because things are so crazy, we don’t venture out to retail shops or restaurants on Black Friday. Really, who needs the stress?

Italian Tomato Noodle Soup
1 White Onion
5 Garlic Cloves
8 oz fresh Spinach
4 cups Chicken Stock
8 oz Linguine Pasta
3 (15 oz) cans Diced Tomatoes
3 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
1/2 tablespoon dried Basil
1/2 tablespoon dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes or to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Parmesan Cheese, garnish if desired
Garlic Toast for serving

Peel and dice onion, set aside. Peel and mince garlic, set aside. Wash spinach leaves, tear into bite-size pieces, set aside.

In a large Dutch Oven or Stock Pot, bring chicken stock to a boil over medium-high heat. Break Linguine Pasta in half, add to the chicken stock. Stir to get the pasta moving.

Add diced tomatoes with liquid. Season pot with Italian Seasoning, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes. Stir in onions and garlic, separating pasta as it cooks. Let soup continue to boil for about 12 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente.

Remove from heat, season with black pepper to taste. Add spinach, cover and let steep for about 3 minutes for the spinach to wilt.

Ladle into bowls. Garnish with Parmesan Cheese if desired. Serve with warm bread or garlic toast and enjoy.

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We praise Your glorious name, O mighty God