Exciting news you guys – I’m FINALLY up-to-date on the blog. I realize I haven’t really talked a whole lot about my job (I do work, I promise) and where I live. Someday. But for now, let me tell you about my first Thanksgiving outside of the United States.
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday. It is all about food, and food is my favorite. My birthday is always close to Thanksgiving, so the delicious feast with my family is topped off with birthday cake (my grandma’s four layer chocolate cream cake — yum). I love watching the Macy’s Parade on TV while we cook everything (my mom and I also do kick lines in the living room when the Rockettes come on — WE’RE NORMAL) and watching football while we try to digest the massive amounts of turkey and dressing. So, I thought I’d be really depressed this year being away from home, but luckily I have lots of great friends who helped me not miss it all that much.
To first spread Thanksgiving cheer, I made pumpkin pie bars and pecan pie bars for the teachers at my school. Easier said than done, as I had to roast and puree the pumpkin myself (no canned pumpkin in Germany), and corn syrup for pecan pie is basically nonexistent. I spent an arm and a leg at Kaufland (Walmart-esque that stocks things like cheddar cheese), but it all turned out great and one of the teachers even asked for a recipe. ‘Merica!
The main event, however, was Thanksgiving on Saturday night. It was an international affair, hosted by a Swedish guy who did his undergrad at UNLV, and attended by two Germans, five British ETAs, and six Americans. Gabby came over and made pies at my place Friday, and Saturday I woke up at nine to start cooking, which Gabby and I did all day until it was time to eat. I loved cooking with Gabby, since she’s from Alabama we definitely bonded over southern comfort food!
Thomas downloaded the two Thanksgiving Day football games and was playing them on the TV. We made hand print turkeys and played charades. Our potluck had all the American favorites (turkey, dressing, gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie, buttermilk pie, apple pie), and some British dishes snuck in as well (Yorkshire puddings, pigs in a blanket – which in England means sausage wrapped in BACON, Victoria Sponge).
Football!
Our delicious spread — notice the decorative turkeys in the background
Sunday Susanna, her friend Christian, and Gabby came over to my place and we ate leftovers with my roommates. I was so glad they got to experience the leftovers, as those are almost as important as the holiday itself. I really thought that on Thanksgiving I would be really depressed about having currywurst for dinner instead of turkey and dressing (that currywurst was delicious #noregrets). It turns out I wasn’t depressed at all, because I have so, so much to be thankful for, and I was much too happy (and too full) to be sad.
Laufen mit Liz 