Happy Thanksgiving!

Obviously since Thanksgiving is a holiday based on American history it isn't celebrated in Germany. The kids are in school, DH is at work, and I have just as many meetings and events I have to go to and things to take care of. Not to mention a miniscule fridge and stove, both of which make cooking a real-sized turkey rather difficult. I figured maybe we'd have a normal dinner with maybe turkey out of a box, or (shh!) maybe even Turkish doner kebaps, which are like gyros, with spit-grilled meat that's often turkey here. (The original is lamb, but turkey is cheaper and easier to get, I guess.) Well, I had everything but the main course at the store and I went around the corner and passed bins and bins of goose and duck--typical German holiday fare. And then I came to the end, and there were real turkeys. With directions in English, in pounds and kilos. And suddenly I was completely overcome by the fact that I am indeed American, and I MUST HAVE TURKEY TODAY! First time the meat aisle has produced such a strong emotional reaction in me.

So, It's thawing as the pies are baking and the rolls are waiting their turn in the oven (you can only cook one thing at a time--it's kinda the size of a kid's toy oven). But we are eating turkey tonight.

I'm thankful for my family and friends (that includes you all, even though my husband, like many of yours, calls my internet friends my imaginary friends--but I know you're real!). Also for food, clothes, and a job. For the ability to learn other languages and meet other cultures. For the ability to read, because of all the skills I might have, the single fact that I can read changes basically everything in my whole life. For the knowledge I've been given in my life--vocational, academic, spiritual, practical.

And um, I'm REALLY thankful for the inventors of canned packed pumpkin and also American washers and dryers, and I can't wait until I get to use them again!!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!