Thanksgiving the Ex-Pat Way

Stephy (my roommate from AU) invaded Dublin for Thanksgiving last week.

Sarah, Stephy, and I made an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, considering it was the first time any of us had done anything besides say "Hey mom- that's smells great!" I had to special order a turkey from the butcher down the street. Apparently Irish people never eat turkey, except on Christmas. Stephy and I went to pick it up Thursday morning and had a lovely chat with the butcher and his wife. It all started when Stephy decided she needed a photo of the turkey, (who we decided to name Bob, because Stephy thought he needed a traditional American name) so the butcher pulled it out of it's bag and posed with it for her to photograph. His wife tod me the story of the Christmas their daughter spent in Australia when she cooked for all her friends. They wished us a happy Thanksgiving and we carried a giant turkey back down Pearse Street to my apartment amid many confused looks.

That was possibly the oddest thing about having Thanksgiving here. Everyone but us went about their regular routine. As we were walking back to my apartment we passed lots of people in suits headed for work and it struck me that everything in the states really does shut down for Thanksgiving, and it was odd the be the only people celebrating it while everyone else went on about their days.

We prepped the turkey and got it in the oven, then made a Tesco run to get the rest of what we needed to cook dinner. Stephy and I made the turkey and the stuffing. Sarah made apple pies, mashed potatoes and garlic corn. We invited Lauren, Maureen, and Steven for dinner as well. We charged them each a bottle of red wine for admission :-P

The six of us had an amazing time cooking and eating, and we all got a chance to talk to our parents- even Stephy. I think I spoke to my mom more than anyone else- including a frantic call to find out how to know what four quarts of cubed bread is supposed to look like when you don't have a measuring cup.

I missed being home for sure though. Stephy and I spent about an hour online trying to find a live webcast of the Macy's Parade, but to no avail. It was the first time I've ever not watched it. This was the first Thanksgiving we've had since my sister moved out. It was also the first time I can remember my mom not having Thanksgiving at our house. That was a bit saddening as well. These firsts make it all the more obvious that I really am growing up and my nuclear family is not nearly as nuclear as it once was.

However, it was definitely an experience to have Thanksgiving here. We did well for a group of cooking newbies I think!

Check out the photos below:

Thanksgiving the Ex-Pat Way