Thanksgiving in Germany

 We've done it so many years now, but it still deserves a note. How many years?? I think we're on year 33, but I could be off one or so.  But A LOT.  And for all but one of those years, Klaus and Johanna, Ulli and Ilsemarie, and Ursel have been here.  Others come and go, some came for a while and faded away, but those core folks are my Thanksgiving have-to-be-here guests.

Except when they aren't.  This year, Ursel had a serious cold and opted out.  We are all in the "vulnerable" health category, so we appreciate it.  But we missed her!

So, just seven around the table. But it was done up as usual.

I love the little things Michelle gives me to enhance the table.  The pine cone turkey is so cute and, wouldn't you know, the friends asked if I'd done it myself!! No, I didn't. This year, the pumpkins became candle holders. 

Actually, it took a bit more work this time.  I hadn't got around to sending the very large tablecloth for the two- to the Heißmangel.  Maybe I've mentioned this service before, but maybe not. They have the hot press, the big round, padded roll that takes your flat linens and presses them with heat and steam and makes them pretty and stiff and shiny because you have already starched them to a fare-thee-well and delivered the linens still damp. There used to be three in my neighborhood; now there are none and I have to go to the next little town to get my table linens done.  I know; third-world problems.  And in the USofA, I would venture to say a problem you didn't even know existed. But here we are.  

I set up the ironing board at the end of the table and pulled the cloth along the table as I ironed it. No wonder we pay other peeps to do this.

Once again the turkey was spatchcocked, done to perfection and served with all the goodies - cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and black-eyed peas. We ate a lot, but not enough turkey.  

In the meantime we have had turkey pot pie, turkey soup, turkey fajitas (with home made flour tortillas!!) and cold turkey sandwiches, twice! There's more in the freezer....

We did take a little walk between the big meal and the desserts - the usual pecan pie and Key lime pie. There are some expectations you just don't mess with! I tried pecan squares one year.  OK, but not quite the same...

It took a bit, but we got the dishes all washed and put away again till the next big event, which may well be Thanksgiving 2024!!