Because we are in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving it was a very unique experience for us this year. First off, finding the so called "traditional Thanksgiving" foods was a bit of a trick. We've learned Kiwi's rarely eat turkey and many have never even cooked a turkey.
Lucky for us we found a frozen 5.5 kg turkey for a hefty $85.00. Yikes that was one expensive bird. Talk about upping the pressure on not burning that baby! I was not able to find pumpkin pie...you should have seen the look I got from the grocer when I asked for pumpkin in a can. It's spring here so I couldn't have even made one from scratch if I wanted to. No cranberry sauce either. So we made do with turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls and apple pie. Still a strong Thanksgiving feast if you ask me. However, a pretty hot menu considering it was 78 degrees the night we ate.
All in all it went well. The rolls weren't bricks, Todd claimed the turkey was just right and the rest was tasty. We had some friends over for their first "Thanksgiving" ever which was fun. (I learned that putting honey on my roll was very odd. Does anyone else do that?) It all seemed a bit surreal and out of place though. This whole southern hemisphere thing has really thrown me off. Not to mention cooking the entire thing myself. We've cooked a bird before but never all the fixins' to go with it. Talk about having to plan out your oven time. SHEESH!
I really wanted to do a gratitude list this year because there are some random things on it I would have never thought about if we hadn't moved out of the country. So, here it goes.
-My little people. Not that I haven't been grateful for them in the past, but it's been lifted to a whole new level. When they are all you have it really means everything. Those little babes are what have gotten me though some pretty rough days. They have brought smiles to my face more than I can count. Their love is perfect despite me being so imperfect.
-My husband. Being able to just talk when the kids are in bed. Knowing that with all the chaos the last few months he's there and our relationship is still full of love and strong.
-The gospel of Jesus Christ. It's my rock.
My family. They are awesome in oh so many ways.
-We are healthy.
-Todd has a job...a good job that isn't going anywhere.
I have an education that would provide me with a job should we ever need it.
-Music. It speaks to my soul. I can't wait to have piano again.
-Skype.
-Computers to use Skype and email.
-School.
-Photographs. I love preserving life. When I look through them it makes me so happy and reminds me how short this part of life is. I'm so glad I have something that allows me to keep a visual piece forever.
-America. Sure, it has plenty of problems, but wow it has a lot going for it. It's amazing how many people would love to live there.
-Friends. They are like air for a mother. Just to have someone who gets where you are at in life is such a gift.
***now onto the ridiculous little but big things.
-Holidays....like Thanksgiving and Halloween. They're fun to me and I look forward to doing them up right. And I was missing all the hype that goes with them this year.
-My car. Oh my car. I think I might just go sit in her on random occasions when we get back just because I can.
-Crafting supplies.
-American grocery stores. The variety might cause me to pass out when we return.
-Kraft mac n cheese.
-Cheap yummy restaurants like Cafe Rio, Zuppas, Noodles & Co and Pei Wei.
-Cheddar cheese and US milk.
-Frozen waffles and pancakes. (No I'm not that mother that can figure out how to make that from scratch on school mornings and get my kids to school on time.)
-That pharmacy items are sold in grocery stores in the US. Makes life so much easier.
-People who make me laugh!
-Stores are open for longer than 9-5 in the US. The grocery store closes here at 9pm. This wouldn't be such a big deal to a lot of people, but when you're a one car family and the hubs gets home at 7 then you eat and get kids to bed you are hard pressed to beat that 9 pm closing time at the grocery store.
-Snow. I miss it. It is just odd to not have it this time of year.
-The ocean. It's amazingly beautiful and refreshing.
-Owning a home that had a yard and more than two bedrooms. I was always grateful we had a house with a yard. I have been reminded of how much more of a challenge apartment living is with small children.
I think that will do for now....
The gratitude turkey! Some of the things the kids came up with were just priceless!
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