Thanksgiving

*When the term “home” is used in this entry it refers to America and not the house I currently reside in.

I have to admit, I was kind of sad being in the Netherlands on Thanksgiving. While everyone I know and love in the States was travelling or cozy with their families, it was just a Thursday here. I asked Gearoid to play hooky and stay home with me to watch Christmas movies but being Irish and a responsible workaholic I was denied. I stayed in my pajamas longer than usual just as I would have if I was at home. If I was at home I would be at my mom’s house having slept in the spare room on the super squeaky bed. I would have run the Turkey Trot with her, my aunt, and my brother. I would have made pies- in an oven that works. I would have called my grandparents and thought about my other set of parents who were on their almost annual Thanksgiving cruise. I would have watched snippets of the parade, read while football was watched by others, and tried to avoid totally addictive reality tv marathons. I would have eaten too much, felt like I was going to die because I was so full, and then got a piece of pie with extra Cool Whip despite my lack of stomach space. I would have fallen asleep feeling disgusted but comforted by the fact that tomorrow would be another day off and I would be with my family.  I would have had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

It’s funny that I was so nostalgic for a holiday that revolves around a giant cooked bird. As a vegetarian, I don’t eat the traditional Turkey Day turkey. I do enjoy pie though. And of course, being with my family. Despite all of my travels, it was only my second Thanksgiving out of the country. The first time I missed Thankgiving, I was in Sierra Leone. I remember being sad then too and pretended to be sick so I didn’t have to work that day. I spent the day moping before I made a massive pot of mashed potatoes on our coal pot. We ended up having a lovely meal hosted by some American nuns who managed to make a real pumpkin pie. I felt much better (and disgustingly full) after having the traditional glutinous meal.

Being Thanksgiving, I really wanted to be in America. I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to people. I decided sitting at home and moping made me too sad though (this was also confirmed my mom who I cried like a baby to on Skype) so I decided to ride my bike and mope in Dutch class. I only felt slightly better.

Despite my moping all day, I did get some Thanksgiving. We had made arrangements with an American colleague of Gearoid’s to have Thanksgiving at her house. It was wonderful. I got to say Happy Thanksgiving and had a wonderful meal with great people.  Those of us who had experienced true American Thanksgivings gave insight to the others of what happens, what’s expected, and how full you should be at the end of the meal. My job was to provide dessert and I was happily successful. You’ve all read about my baking mishaps here in the Netherlands but with patience, love, and extensive research and forethought I was able to make an apple crisp and (drum roll please) pumpkin pie cupcakes (which only required the following: hunting for fresh pumpkins, peeling/boiling/mashing/pureeing fresh pumpkin, making test run cupcakes, etc.) * With a dollop of whipped cream, the pumpkin pie cupcakes tasted delicious (and the extras made a perfect breakfast treat the next morning). We left full, happy, and regretful about how full we were. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving substitute.

The turkey breast came after I took the picture. 

The food wasn't all American. We also had some delicious German red cabbage and chestnut dressing.

Scrumptious success!

Despite baking for over 2 hours and having the burnt bit scraped off, the apples were not completely tender. The delicious flavor made up for it though.

Don't be fooled by the tiny plate. I had seconds of dessert.

*I have discovered that I can successfully make cupcakes in my convection-micro-oven combination if I place the cupcakes just right, add 4 minutes to the baking time, and silently pray.