Ready for this? Thanksgiving, England style. Patrick and I managed to have 18-20 people over, which was more than we bargained for. Both apartments contributed chairs from rooms and dining rooms, their dining room tables, and our tiny ovens, to concoct wonderful Thanksgiving staples like sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cauliflower smothered in cheese, roasted vegetables, fried parsnip, and two giant roast chickens. It was cheaper than Turkey.
It was incredibly heartwarming to be surrounded by so many loving, wonderful people, brought together to stuff themselves silly. Our table was fantastically multi-cultural, with only four people out of the 20 or so ever having experienced a Thanksgiving before. Sam insisted it was much more British because 53 pint cans of Strongbow Hard Cider were consumed. For some reason, Sam measures British-ness in drunkenness. This is not a universal measurement.
My favorite bit was saying what we were thankful for. So many people thanked us for their first thanksgiving, others thanked families that could probably hear them with heartstring connections, (I partook in that. Did you, family, hear it?) I also tthanked everyone for coming together and being like family - Patrick and Joseph like brothers of mine. Alice like a mom. That's about where the family metaphor ends, but the family connection is a lot stronger. We are a fantastic group.
Oh yes. My contribution was coconut tea cake, which was like pound cake. I don't understand why, in these autumn/winter months, you can buy coconuts in every single market, but pumpkin is completely scarce. Still though. It was delicious. I took this picture in the middle of dessert, remembering I didn't take a picture before this.
I called the family on Thanksgiving. It was a lovely conversation, and bittersweetly, it was the last time that I talked to Bill Foster. Bill Foster passed away on Sunday, and he will be missed. Losing family is one of the most surreal and terribly sad things that can happen when you are away - or at any time, really. He was a wonderful man and my best wishes and thoughts are with Aunt Annette and my cousins. My thoughts are always with my family at any given time, but even more so now.
4 comments:
Your last couple of posts were terrific, Christopher (as is your entire blog, really). We (your family) hang on your every word and have been unduly disappointed on the days that you haven't been able to update. You were truly missed on Thanksgiving Day, and though we heard from you via telephone, it was a far cry from having you physically with us. It makes us look forward to next year's Thanksgiving Day all the more. However, through all the great Thanksgiving Day feast I couldn't stop thinking of that paiella. Thanks a lot...
I'd like to echo your sentiments about Bill Foster. His presence at our lively family gatherings will forever be missed...
i totally heard your thanks. Im glad your thanksgiving feast was so successful but I definitely missed you this time. I am looking forward to seeing you in 18 days! I made delicious paella for dad for his bday but maybe i will have to make it again and better. that paella you had will be hard to top.
I want to echo your sentiments about Bill, too. It was a memorable gathering of family even though it will have a bittersweet taste. He will be missed.
We thought of all the family who wasn't with us for one reason or another--you and Matt included.
We look forward to all the holiday shenanigans that are to come.
Love, Mom
I just wanted to say:
I heart you.
Post a Comment