Thanksgiving was last week. It was strange to be away from my family and my home, but to add to the quintessential Full House sentimentality, it made me even more thankful that I have a family and a home to love and miss. Kate made a scrumptious pot roast for Thanksgiving day, but our feast was on Saturday.
We passed the message by word of mouth and Kate posted a sign in the BUNAC office that the girls of 26/1 Gardner’s Crescent were throwing an American style Thanksgiving feast for anyone and everyone who wanted to join. I was, needless to say, very nervous about preparing my very first Thanksgiving meal sans my mother’s knowledge and guidance. One of my favorite parts of my experience here has been experimenting with cooking, but experimenting with T-giving when numerous hungry mouths are expecting to be fed is a completely different ball park. Expecting that 12 people would be in attendance and wanting to be prepared for a few unannounced, we cooked a chicken and a 7.2 kilo turkey. Yes, kilo. Remember…I’m in Europe.
Our schedule for the big day was as follows:
9am- Wake up. Kate and Anna go to the market on King Stables Road for fresh vegetables. Claire finishes cleaning the flat.
11am- Chicken goes in the oven.
1:30pm- Turkey goes in the oven
5:30pm- Dressing goes in the oven
6:30-6:45pm- Cook vegetables and make gravy
Our first guests arrived around 6pm, and our last guest walked out the door around 1am. I believe the official head count was 12 guests plus Kate, Anna, and me. Out of the guests, we had two Americans, one New Zealander, and nine Canadians. Have no fear; we taught the Canadians what dressing is and how to have a proper Pilgrim/Original American meal. (Further note: Out of the nine Canadians, eight speak French. I wish very strongly that I could speak another language. Maybe when I have time on my hands, I will take Spanish lessons.) We got nothing but sincere thanks for having people over and for cooking the food. It was, if I might say so, a successful Thanksgiving feast! The turkey could have used a bit more salt and the gravy could have used more of the turkey broth, but I am still damn proud of the outcome.
We are meeting more and more people every day, and our social calendars are becoming more and more booked. Last night, we all visited our friend Scott while he was bartending at T G I Fridays. (Yes, I know that’s an awfully American restaurant to visit whilst in Scotland, but we are loyal friends.) We got to benefit from two order mistakes, and I got a free milkshake. It’s great to have connections where it really counts.
Work is very incredibly totally busy. At all times. I get to work thirty minutes early, usually stay a bit late, and take the shortest lunch break the Scottish government permits, and I still can’t seem to keep up with my growing to-do list. I am really enjoying myself. I love the people I work with, and thanks to my sting-pulling, Kate will so be joining our ranks. I love seeing Thelma’s face light up when her husband comes for his daily afternoon visit and watching her wave goodbye until his car is completely out of sight. Whenever I need a five minute break, I know Peggy will always be willing to take a hand-holding stroll down the hall. I don’t think I have to admit that work isn’t always smooth sailing; the constant busyness and overload of tasks and a certain unfriendly employee can start to get to me by 5pm, but an evening with our new friends gives me the energy for another day.
My family gets here in 16 days!!!
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