Friday, November 27, 2009

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

To me, Thanksgiving signals the arrival of the proper holiday season (regardless of what retailers in September or October would lead us to believe...), and even though I haven't always made a big meal-production out of it while living in the US-my ex-flatmate, Sarah & I decided to continue with the tradition we started last year and co-host a potluck at my flat this year.
We had 17 people lined up to come over, and I'm sure it would have been a blast-great food, flowing wine, fabulous people-American, Brit, and a few other nationalities I believe.

[Cue sound of the record needle scraping across the record]

That is until Simon came down with Swine Flu last weekend. I'm certainly not going to be one to put my friends in harm's way by still having them come to my virus-infected flat, so Sarah & I quickly tried to come up with a Plan B. Long story short, we ended up having drinks and dinner out (no turkey. no pumpkin pie.) at a local restaurant. And though the food was great, the drinks were flowing, and the people were fabulous, it really wasn't the same.

Especially now that I'm not living in the US, there's something about this day of the year in which I was *really, really* looking forward to a Thanksgiving, potluck meal. Poor me. This is all about me. Never mind the boyfriend who's already been out of work sick for a week. :)

So, I think I will have to rectify the situation this weekend: perhaps a small roasted turkey breast, pumpkin pie, stuffing, and a veg or two. No big production, no 17 people over or wine flowing by the gallon..but I do feel the need to make this meal. I guess there's a part of me that simply missed what the day's events would have meant-and, I don't just mean the caloric intake!

7 comments:

  1. When my American husband and I were dating and living in London, I couldn't really understand why we trekked all over the city in search of a good Thanksgiving meal. Now I know. If you want to read some truly hilarious Thanksgiving bitching, take a look at my other blog Pond Parleys (http://pondparleys.blogspot.com) and weigh in if you feel like it. It's coming down on Sunday and hopefully, peace will be restored!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My British friends here in the States all think Thanksgiving is "brilliant." I know if I ever make the move to London (fingers crossed) I will make a Thanksgiving dinner for my English friends. Fuss will be made. It just has to happen. Here's hoping your next year's Gobble Gobble goes off without a hitch!
    -Tracy
    Portland, Oregon

    ReplyDelete
  3. I definitely forced my English boyfriend into hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner for his friends last Friday in Birmingham--it means a lot to me, even though I have spent the holiday away from my family in the US before. Sorry you didn't get your big meal...we are still eating the leftovers here. If you end up cooking next week, check out my other blog for a couple of Thanksgiving recipes with a twist (http://intrepidchef.blogspot.com) - Lauren
    http://americangalexpat.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry to hear about your Thanksgiving plans. I'm sure it's hard being away from home around the holidays - especially the American ones. Make up it at Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kristina, I recommend doing a Thanksgiving potluck on another day. Just tell everyone what kinds of dishes you would like to have and let them choose (maybe a little more specific than potluck, actually). Bonnie and I sometimes do this when everybody else has already done a dinner. In your case, since many of your friends are from other places, you won't be repeating a meal they've had.

    I'm quite envious of your living in London.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Mr C,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your suggestion is indeed exactly what we're going to do in January. Though there won't be turkey, the point of the occasion is the comraderie and community of the event-the food will be secondary. Which, to me (though Turkey is great...) is what Thanksgiving is all about!

    ReplyDelete