by Melissa Mellott

[Editor's Note: Our spa correspondent brings us another idyllic experience! We thought Thanksgiving Day would be an opportune time to bring you one of Melissa's relaxing and insightful articles. She has the gift of making us say, "aaaaah." Please know that on this Thanksgiving Day, we at GirlfriendCelebrations.com are very grateful for you, our readers and subscribers. We're humbled and honored that you continue to "tune in" to our site. We know it's because you share our belief that Girlfriends Make Life Better.™ Happy Thanksgiving. And remember, we love to hear from you!]

I admit it—I’m a spa addict. Relaxing in a spa, with a cup of tea, anticipating my facial, is one of my favorite pasttimes.  However, my best and most memorable spa health times have included simple solitude with girlfriends.

On a recent road trip to see one of my best girlfriends, Marjorie, on her walnut farm in Northern California, I was reminded of simple joys that bring gratitude.  Marjorie and I started the morning by gleaning (picking up walnuts that fell from the tree), then gathering tangerines and tomatoes.  After a day of glorious work in the sunshine, we relaxed in the porch swing, swaying … talking … laughing.  That night we made walnut fudge and roasted cinnamon walnuts.

This Thanksgiving weekend brings a time of rejuvenation and celebration with family.  In addition, consider simple ways to celebrate with girlfriends to relax and indulge.  Here are a few tips from my best gal pals…

~ If you’re baking pies this year, think of your best girlfriend’s favorite pie or one that reminds you of her. Exchange pies and enjoy for Thanksgiving dessert.

~ Plan a day trip; one of the best parts of my trip to see Marjorie was the beautiful drive itself.  Pack a lunch with turkey leftovers and take a road excursion!

~Talk with your girlfriends about what you are thankful and mindful about.

~Share a little Black Friday shopping. Bargain hunting can be a great bonding experience!

~Do nothing together. What a luxury!

Melissa Mellott (pictured at right) is a spa health writer and reviewer as well as a licensed esthetician. As adjunct faculty at Santa Barbara City College, she teaches and trains aspiring estheticians.  She is is founder of Spa Defined, www.spadefined.com,  a website featuring reviews of spas in places like Santa Barbara, California; the Napa Valley, and Italy.

Use the comment form below to share your Thanksgiving and Black Friday traditions involving girlfriends; or, simply give thanks for your girlfriends in this space. We’d love to hear from you!