I began to hate the holiday once we moved away from family. Then Thanksgiving became a one-woman-show and I was the star, director, make-up artist, costumes designer, props manager and audience.... Without others to contribute to the meal, it became so stressful for just me. And I always felt a weird disconnect between giving thanks by eating a huge meal. It doesn't feel like the appropriate way to show my graditude.
Two years ago, I ended up having a migraine 3 hours before all the guest were to arrive and the meal served. I am sure my sickness was because of the stress. Stephen took over while I went to bed. Luckily, my migraine worn off right when the last of the guests arrived. Stephen and my sister-in-law did a wonderful job of putting the meal together and we all enjoyed a delicious feast.
Last year, I just bagged the whole meal. Instead we went to Yosemite and arrived home Thanksgiving night. My sweet Pakistani neighbours noticed we had arrived late in the afternoon on Thanksgiving. Thinking we wouldn't have time to prepare a big traditional Thanksgiving meal, they surprised us with curried meatballs and rice. They were always too kind to us.
So, with the thought of moving out of the States, I thought, "Good I don't have to cook a Thanksgiving meal." Thanksgiving here is in springtime, so it's not a time of harvest anyway. But, about a month before the holiday the thought of skipping the feast didn't seem right. I went searching to see if I could even find a turkey to roast. I found one and it was $175.00!!! "Nope." I thought, "I'm not paying that price for one." Luckily the price went way down closer to the holiday.
Days before Thanksgiving I bought the turkey and a ham. While at the checkout the cashier said, "You're an early bird." It took me a moment to figure out what she was talking about. She assumed I was buying the turkey and ham for Christmas. Then I replied, "No, I'm just American and celebrating Thanksgiving." She very sweetly said, "That's a lovely feast." Then she gave me a weird look and said, "If you eat this for your feast what do you eat for Christmas?" I thought about it for a moment and said, "about the same stuff."
My Secret for the perfect Thanksgiving feast:
Since Thanksgiving is not a New Zealand holiday the kids and husband were all at school or work. I had the whole house to myself. That means no one was going bother me in the kitchen. With no one to bother me and stress me out I was able to cook in peace. Solitude is the secret. I cooked a delicious meal. We invited nearly all the Americans from church including the missionaries (also mostly all American). We used recyclable disposable silverware and plates (to eliminate some of the cleanup). And we had a wonderful stress free feast.
We ended the meal with pies of course. Stephen always makes his grandma's lemon meringue pie. No pumpkin pie. You can't get canned pumpkin here. But kumara (sweet potatoes) are a staple here and make a perfect substitute for pumpkin. After eating we did one of my favourite family traditions and sang Christmas carols. This year we jazzed it up with Penny on the drums and Eva on the flute.
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| Eva on the flute, Stephen on the keyboard and Pebbles doing vocals |
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| Mally and Pali with the missionaries |
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| Penny and Lucy on the Drums |
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| Christmas singers |
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