Thanksgiving

With three Thanksgivings in the UK under our belt I think we've figured out how to make it work. The first year here Thanksgiving was a huge downer. Of course it's not a holiday here, and regular work and school schedules carry on as normal. I was really taken off guard our first year with feelings of deep homesickness on that day. Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday. So our Thanksgiving success recipe includes three important ingredients. First, we postpone Thanksgiving until Saturday so we can spend the full day together as we would in the US on real Thanksgiving day. Second, I hunt down all the proper ingredients to make the proper full Thanksgiving spread (none of this UK food substitutions crap!) which has gotten a little easier each year as I get more acquainted with what is available where. And lastly, we share it with others who must have American ties. I'm happy to share any other meal with whomever, but on this very American holiday living abroad it is so wonderful to share it with people who really get it. And also wonderful to share it with people who bring really awesome stuffing (if you aren't American, you may not even know what stuffing is)!



Our friends Tim and Tanya and their adorable girls (and I mean ADORABLE) moved to London on a two-year assignment last spring. We knew them in OC before we moved to London in 2008. When they learned they were moving to London last year she contacted me to get the scoop on life in London. I've gotten to know her better here, and let's just say I kind of love her. She's her own girl, full of spirit and vibrancy inside and out. Tim is a kindred travel spirit, and a totally great guy. And what is not to love about their darling girls? Totally awesome family, and we're so happy to have an added dose of OC sunshine in this city!