I hadn't intended on writing a blog post about American Thanksgiving. It's not that unsimilar to Canadian Thanksgiving, and I've cooked Thanksgiving-type dinners before. Sure there are some cultural differences, time of year being a big one, but it also seems that Thanksgiving is the holiday of the year. It's seems that if there's one holiday you go home for in the US, it's Thanksgiving, whereas in Canada, Christmas (I think) takes priority. There's also the Black Friday thing that happens afterward, but it seems to be creeping up into Canada as well.
Let me recount to you my Thanksgiving timeline for this year.
Earlier on in the fall, September, maybe.
Andrew lets me know that a friend of ours from Italy will be in the general area for a conference and want's to know if we can host him. The answer is yes.
Still earlier in the fall, maybe October.
Andrew lets me know that our friend will be travelling with another colleague from Italy and he's keen to experience an American Thanksgiving. I like to cook, so I say, sure, we can handle that.
The week before Thanksgiving.
The question arises that the colleague will be staying with some other friends (an Italian and a Frenchwoman), can we serve everyone? Of course. A large chicken is plenty for six, and making extra sides for two more people really doesn't make a difference.
Sunday, November 24th
Two pie crusts were made and placed into the freezer (two because that's what my recipe makes, not because I was planning to serve two).
Monday, November 25th
The chicken comes out of the freezer to thaw in the fridge.
Tuesday, November 26th
I make and bake the pumpkin pie (from scratch of course, no from-a-can pie filling for me).
Wednesday, November 27th
Andrew helps chop veggies (carrots and fennel), I put together the dressing (dressing rather than stuffing, since the chicken is too small to hold much), I make the cranberry sauce (again no from-a-can, gelatinous red goo for me).
Thursday, November 28th, Thanksgiving
I work until around noon (I am after all, still working for a Canadian employer) when I stop and have lunch.
1:00 pm
I put the carrots and fennel onto pre-roast; finish preparing the dressing and put it into the crockpot; dress the chicken (chopped garlic and herbs rubbed under the skin); and prepare the sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts.
Everything is going swimmingly.
3:35 pm
The power flickers off. I had only just turned the dishwasher (and was also watching a movie on Andrew's laptop) so I had a momentary concern that I was somehow running too many things and had cause the outage myself. It comes back on after a few minutes and I continue with my preparations.
4:00 pm
I start preparing for the guests I expect in an hour by clearing away clutter from our living room, getting out our folding table and extra chairs, finding napkins, etc.
4:30 pm
The power goes, again. It's getting dark so I find a battery operated light, but don't quite know what to do. I check outside my apartment, the rest of the building is dark and I confirm with another tenant that the power is out in the entire building. I start to search for our landlord's phone number, but as it's growing darker it's difficult. I then take a look outside and realize none of the buildings around me have lights on. It's now donning on me that everyone in my area is in the same position. I send a message to Andrew to give me a call so I can tell him what's going on then start searching for candles.
4:45 pm
While on the phone with Andrew the power comes back on. Woot. Everything seems good, so I preheat the oven, get the chicken out of the fridge and start putting away the candles.
5:20 pm
I put the chicken in the oven.
5:30 pm
The power goes out for the third time. I relight all my tea lights, distribute them around the apartment and wait for our guests to arrive so we can decide what to do.
5:45 pm
We decide it's best to pack up and go over to our guests' house. We scramble around in the pitch dark (since there are no lights on anywhere) packing up food, extra chairs and plates, everything we can think of that we'll need. Just as we're getting ready to leave, the power comes back on, but we decide it's not to be trusted.
6:00 pm
We arrive in Cambridge, unpack everything and continue with dinner preparations. Tables are arranged so that we can seat everyone.
6:30 pm
The first bottle of wine is opened, followed by an appetizer, and another bottle of wine.
8:00 pm
Dinner is served. Good thing everyone else is European and used to eating late. The chicken is completely devoured (all I had left was the bones). Everyone seems stuffed and happy. We head home around 11:00 pm and I'm very glad that my employers are in Edmonton, so I can sleep in a bit and will still be up before everyone else.
That was my first American Thanksgiving.
Ciao,
Andrea
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Saturday, January 30, 2010
How last night would have gone, if life was a movie
Last night I went to a perogie dinner with some friends (L, D and M). It was quite delicious and I (and probably everyone else) ate way too much--but that's what happens at all you can eat dinners and sometimes you have to accept it. We left the church where it was held around 8:30 p.m. with no definite plans for what to do with the rest of the night. One friend (D) needed to be home by 10:00 p.m. as her mother was in town for a visit. Earlier in the evening there had been some discussion around bubble tea, and where were good places to get it in Edmonton. This conversation sparked a craving for said refreshment and lead to a search after dinner for a place to pick some up. We stopped at the T & T Grocery store on our way back downtown in the hopes they might supply us with the needed fix, but alas, they did not. Once we were back in the car the four of us mused what might happen on our search for bubble tea if we were in a movie. Our adventure concluded rather uneventfully (but satisfactorily), which doesn't make for a very interesting blog post, so I thought I'd write the movie version instead.
T & T Grocery store
Disappointed by the lack of bubble tea at T & T, we inquire with the cashier to see if she knows of any good places to get the drink. After a few seconds of silence she responds that she'd been to this place...once...a long time ago. It had been the best bubble tea she'd ever tasted...but she wasn't sure if it was there anymore. The store had been in "that" part of town and it was hard to spot. It blended in with the rest of the buildings, you had to know where you were going to find it. The cashier gave us a vague set of directions and a description of the sign then wished us luck on our quest. We pile back into L's car and drive off into the night.
[cut scene]
Outside D's apartment
D's mother arrives and buzzes up to her daughter's apartment. She checks her watch, wondering where her daughter is, she digs her cell phone out from her purse.
[cut scene]
In L's car, "that" part of town
D's tells her mother that she's on her way, we're just going to pick up some bubble tea, and she'll be home in a couple of minutes. L slows the car and locks the doors; this part of town is not one of the more savoury areas. All of us press our faces to the car windows keeping our eyes peeled for the mystical bubble tea restaurant, but don't notice any lights on in any of the stores we pass. After a couple of minutes one of us shouts that she thinks she can see it. L pulls the car over at the indicated spot and we all stare out of the front windshield. There's a sign in the window, but none of us can read it from the car. I volunteer to get out and see what it says, then I grab my mittens and slip out of the car. The store has moved. The message gives the address for the new location in a much nicer part of town. I move to return to the car, but as I do, I notice four guys wearing huge parkas approach.
[cut scene]
Outside D's apartment
D's mother is still waiting. She checks her watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. People pass by her on the sidewalk, but none of them are her daughter. Apparently the bubble tea is taking a little longer than expected.
[cut scene]
In "that" part of town, where the bubble tea restaurant used to be
I'm stuck outside the car, as the guys approach me. "Are you David's substitute?" one of the guys says. David? I peer into the car and wonder what I should do. I have no idea. I'm a library student, I don't sub for David in the sketchy parts of town. All four guys tower over me, and there's no way I could make it to the car, and have L speed off before these guys pulled out the guns I was pretty sure they’re packing. A second, maybe two pass without me saying anything. "Here," says the guy closest to me. He shoves a brown paper package into my hands and the four guys disappear as quickly as they appeared. The package doesn't weigh much. I run the five steps to the car and jump in. Everyone is silent.
[cut scene]
Outside D's apartment
D's mother sips on her coffee bought from the shop down the street. It's not very good, but it's hot, which helps since the night is cold. She wraps both hands around the paper cup to help absorb the heat. Where on earth is her daughter?
[cut scene]
In L's car, driving out of "that" part of town
The package is still sitting on my lap, and there is now a great deal being said about it. We quickly agree that it would be better not to look and see what’s inside--in this case, ignorance seems the safest option. We also agree we shouldn't keep the package. What causes a great deal of consternation is what to do with it. L doesn't want to return to "that" part of town, while M thinks we should turn it into the police, and D wants to chuck the thing out the window as we drive through town. As we’re stopped at a light D takes matters into her own hands. She grabs the package off my lap opens her door and tosses it out onto the street. The light changes and L drives on.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
D’s mother grips her coffee cup extra hard as a man, who by look and smell appears to be homeless approaches her. D’s going to get a severe talking to when she finally returns home.
[cut scene]
In L’s car, in a better part of town, approaching the new bubble tea restaurant
We’re all silent again, but it’s safe to say that we’re still thinking about what was in the package. I am both relieved we don’t have it any more and terrified that someone will come looking for it. We turn down the street heading to where the new bubble tea establishment is supposed to be. It is far less scary than the other part of town. Some of the stores are still open and there’s no sign of four large men in parkas. I cross my fingers hoping we’ll be able to pick up our drinks without incident then get D home to her mother who must be wondering where we are. L slows and parks in front of the restaurant. We sigh in perfect synchronization.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
D’s mother smiles politely at the homeless man in front of her. He is explaining to her the importance of proper oral hygiene. He carries both a toothbrush and a roll of dental floss where ever he goes. She keeps an eye on the people that pass, trying to spot her daughter.
[cut scene]
Inside the bubble tea restaurant, waiting for their orders
We’re all smiling. We’re home free and we’re about to enjoy the treat we risked our lives to get, when four different guys wearing parkas walk in the restaurant. I look at the others. We all have the same, scared bug-eyed expression: what are we going to do now? The tallest of the guys scans the restaurant then walks over to us and says, “You subbing for David?” Suddenly I really don’t want bubble tea any more—more than anything in the world I want to get back into L’s car and get out of here. M manages to speak first, “David? We don’t know a David,” then she walks out the restaurant. I look at the remaining of my two friends, without a word or a nod we do the same. My heart is pounding.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
Somehow D’s mother finds herself lecturing the homeless man on proper nutrition. Sure, he takes care of his teeth and that’s important, but what about the rest of his body? He needs to get more fresh produce, something she realizes is probably difficult considering he is homeless.
[cut scene]
Back in L’s car, driving (fast) away from the bubble tea restaurant
Panic fills the car. L is weaving around traffic while D and I keep a watch out of the back window. It’s dark and we have no idea what kind of car the four men might be driving. We don’t think we’re being followed, but we don’t feel comfortable enough to sit back and relax the rest of the way home. After a little while, L turns on the radio to cut the silence. I can’t pay attention enough to understand what we’re listening too, it doesn’t matter, as long as we’re not being followed. We cross the bridge heading back to the downtown. We should reach D’s apartment soon. Her mother’s been waiting a while.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
The homeless man, Jack, thanks D’s mother for the pleasant talk and says goodnight. D’s mother looks at her watch, it’s almost 11:00 p.m. Where is her daughter? A car pulls up in front of her and her daughter pops out. She seems a little out of breath for having been riding around in a car. “So where’s the bubble tea?” D’s mother asks.
Ciao,
Andrea
T & T Grocery store
Disappointed by the lack of bubble tea at T & T, we inquire with the cashier to see if she knows of any good places to get the drink. After a few seconds of silence she responds that she'd been to this place...once...a long time ago. It had been the best bubble tea she'd ever tasted...but she wasn't sure if it was there anymore. The store had been in "that" part of town and it was hard to spot. It blended in with the rest of the buildings, you had to know where you were going to find it. The cashier gave us a vague set of directions and a description of the sign then wished us luck on our quest. We pile back into L's car and drive off into the night.
[cut scene]
Outside D's apartment
D's mother arrives and buzzes up to her daughter's apartment. She checks her watch, wondering where her daughter is, she digs her cell phone out from her purse.
[cut scene]
In L's car, "that" part of town
D's tells her mother that she's on her way, we're just going to pick up some bubble tea, and she'll be home in a couple of minutes. L slows the car and locks the doors; this part of town is not one of the more savoury areas. All of us press our faces to the car windows keeping our eyes peeled for the mystical bubble tea restaurant, but don't notice any lights on in any of the stores we pass. After a couple of minutes one of us shouts that she thinks she can see it. L pulls the car over at the indicated spot and we all stare out of the front windshield. There's a sign in the window, but none of us can read it from the car. I volunteer to get out and see what it says, then I grab my mittens and slip out of the car. The store has moved. The message gives the address for the new location in a much nicer part of town. I move to return to the car, but as I do, I notice four guys wearing huge parkas approach.
[cut scene]
Outside D's apartment
D's mother is still waiting. She checks her watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. People pass by her on the sidewalk, but none of them are her daughter. Apparently the bubble tea is taking a little longer than expected.
[cut scene]
In "that" part of town, where the bubble tea restaurant used to be
I'm stuck outside the car, as the guys approach me. "Are you David's substitute?" one of the guys says. David? I peer into the car and wonder what I should do. I have no idea. I'm a library student, I don't sub for David in the sketchy parts of town. All four guys tower over me, and there's no way I could make it to the car, and have L speed off before these guys pulled out the guns I was pretty sure they’re packing. A second, maybe two pass without me saying anything. "Here," says the guy closest to me. He shoves a brown paper package into my hands and the four guys disappear as quickly as they appeared. The package doesn't weigh much. I run the five steps to the car and jump in. Everyone is silent.
[cut scene]
Outside D's apartment
D's mother sips on her coffee bought from the shop down the street. It's not very good, but it's hot, which helps since the night is cold. She wraps both hands around the paper cup to help absorb the heat. Where on earth is her daughter?
[cut scene]
In L's car, driving out of "that" part of town
The package is still sitting on my lap, and there is now a great deal being said about it. We quickly agree that it would be better not to look and see what’s inside--in this case, ignorance seems the safest option. We also agree we shouldn't keep the package. What causes a great deal of consternation is what to do with it. L doesn't want to return to "that" part of town, while M thinks we should turn it into the police, and D wants to chuck the thing out the window as we drive through town. As we’re stopped at a light D takes matters into her own hands. She grabs the package off my lap opens her door and tosses it out onto the street. The light changes and L drives on.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
D’s mother grips her coffee cup extra hard as a man, who by look and smell appears to be homeless approaches her. D’s going to get a severe talking to when she finally returns home.
[cut scene]
In L’s car, in a better part of town, approaching the new bubble tea restaurant
We’re all silent again, but it’s safe to say that we’re still thinking about what was in the package. I am both relieved we don’t have it any more and terrified that someone will come looking for it. We turn down the street heading to where the new bubble tea establishment is supposed to be. It is far less scary than the other part of town. Some of the stores are still open and there’s no sign of four large men in parkas. I cross my fingers hoping we’ll be able to pick up our drinks without incident then get D home to her mother who must be wondering where we are. L slows and parks in front of the restaurant. We sigh in perfect synchronization.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
D’s mother smiles politely at the homeless man in front of her. He is explaining to her the importance of proper oral hygiene. He carries both a toothbrush and a roll of dental floss where ever he goes. She keeps an eye on the people that pass, trying to spot her daughter.
[cut scene]
Inside the bubble tea restaurant, waiting for their orders
We’re all smiling. We’re home free and we’re about to enjoy the treat we risked our lives to get, when four different guys wearing parkas walk in the restaurant. I look at the others. We all have the same, scared bug-eyed expression: what are we going to do now? The tallest of the guys scans the restaurant then walks over to us and says, “You subbing for David?” Suddenly I really don’t want bubble tea any more—more than anything in the world I want to get back into L’s car and get out of here. M manages to speak first, “David? We don’t know a David,” then she walks out the restaurant. I look at the remaining of my two friends, without a word or a nod we do the same. My heart is pounding.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
Somehow D’s mother finds herself lecturing the homeless man on proper nutrition. Sure, he takes care of his teeth and that’s important, but what about the rest of his body? He needs to get more fresh produce, something she realizes is probably difficult considering he is homeless.
[cut scene]
Back in L’s car, driving (fast) away from the bubble tea restaurant
Panic fills the car. L is weaving around traffic while D and I keep a watch out of the back window. It’s dark and we have no idea what kind of car the four men might be driving. We don’t think we’re being followed, but we don’t feel comfortable enough to sit back and relax the rest of the way home. After a little while, L turns on the radio to cut the silence. I can’t pay attention enough to understand what we’re listening too, it doesn’t matter, as long as we’re not being followed. We cross the bridge heading back to the downtown. We should reach D’s apartment soon. Her mother’s been waiting a while.
[cut scene]
Outside D’s apartment
The homeless man, Jack, thanks D’s mother for the pleasant talk and says goodnight. D’s mother looks at her watch, it’s almost 11:00 p.m. Where is her daughter? A car pulls up in front of her and her daughter pops out. She seems a little out of breath for having been riding around in a car. “So where’s the bubble tea?” D’s mother asks.
Ciao,
Andrea
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Three weeks in review
Somehow time becomes a void during the holidays. Andrew and I fly home to Ontario to spend the time with friends and family, and I lose track of the days of the week because my schedule and usual way of living is totally shot. I barely manage to check my email, facebook or twitter and I don't manage to sit down long enough to write a blog post. Therefore, here are my last three weeks, in review.
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
The Sunday prior to flying out Andrew and I attended the men's curling final at the Olympic trial at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great game. Kevin Martin (the eventual winner) was in control pretty much the whole time. Even when mistakes were made, team Howard seemed unable to capitalize. Oddly, the more Howard and his team struggled the more I wanted them to pull through, but unfortunately things didn't work out. The final score was 7-3 for Martin.
Friday, December 18th, 2009
On Friday evening Andrew and I got together with my university friends, as we always do at Christmas time. We met at Caroline's place as they have a new house in Oakville. We had a wonderful time, with lots of food and drink.
Saturday, December 19th, 2009
This afternoon we got together with Michelle and Mandy to play Bridge. Mandy and I had extremely bad luck with cards that day.
Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Sunday afternoon we got together with some of Andrew's high school friends. We had a delicious lunch (cooked by Cassandra) and played cards for much of the afternoon. All of us are married, none of us have children, but all of us have cats. What did much of our conversation centre around? Answer: Our cats.
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Andrew's grandmother died on the December 14th, 2009. The funeral was delayed until all of the grandchildren (since many of them now live out West) could return home. Here Andrew's dad, David, talks about his mom, Nancy.
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
For the last several years I've cooked a dinner for some of my family and friends at Christmas time. Since I can't hold holiday events at my own home (being in Edmonton) it's a nice way to get together (and I can show off my cooking skills). We played Wii for a while afterward and I got a chance to entertain with my nephew Alexander (14 months).
Saturday, December 25th, 2009
Christmas day, of course. We played lots of bridge in the afternoon and evening with John (brother-in-law) and his girlfriend Cindy, who he proposed to that evening.
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
The Olympic torch went through my hometown. The torch bearer waiting to receive the flame was very friendly and took pictures with several of the people in the crowd, including me.
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
Andrew and I split for a day and a bit so he could go to North Hatley, QC for our other nephew's baptism and I stayed in KW and got together with Michelle and Josh. We spent much of the night playing the new Mario game on Josh's big screen t.v.
Thrusday, December 31st, 2009
New Years. Some people care, some don't. I like to get together with friends, although I think this was the first night I went out somewhere to do it. We went to the Whale 'n Ale in Kitchener. They held a casino night (with fake money). I had a great time, although was quite happy to go to bed at the end of the night.
Now I'm home in Edmonton, ready to start normal life again.
Ciao,
Andrea
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
The Sunday prior to flying out Andrew and I attended the men's curling final at the Olympic trial at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great game. Kevin Martin (the eventual winner) was in control pretty much the whole time. Even when mistakes were made, team Howard seemed unable to capitalize. Oddly, the more Howard and his team struggled the more I wanted them to pull through, but unfortunately things didn't work out. The final score was 7-3 for Martin.
Friday, December 18th, 2009
On Friday evening Andrew and I got together with my university friends, as we always do at Christmas time. We met at Caroline's place as they have a new house in Oakville. We had a wonderful time, with lots of food and drink.
Saturday, December 19th, 2009
This afternoon we got together with Michelle and Mandy to play Bridge. Mandy and I had extremely bad luck with cards that day.
Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Sunday afternoon we got together with some of Andrew's high school friends. We had a delicious lunch (cooked by Cassandra) and played cards for much of the afternoon. All of us are married, none of us have children, but all of us have cats. What did much of our conversation centre around? Answer: Our cats.
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Andrew's grandmother died on the December 14th, 2009. The funeral was delayed until all of the grandchildren (since many of them now live out West) could return home. Here Andrew's dad, David, talks about his mom, Nancy.
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
For the last several years I've cooked a dinner for some of my family and friends at Christmas time. Since I can't hold holiday events at my own home (being in Edmonton) it's a nice way to get together (and I can show off my cooking skills). We played Wii for a while afterward and I got a chance to entertain with my nephew Alexander (14 months).
Saturday, December 25th, 2009
Christmas day, of course. We played lots of bridge in the afternoon and evening with John (brother-in-law) and his girlfriend Cindy, who he proposed to that evening.
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
The Olympic torch went through my hometown. The torch bearer waiting to receive the flame was very friendly and took pictures with several of the people in the crowd, including me.
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
Andrew and I split for a day and a bit so he could go to North Hatley, QC for our other nephew's baptism and I stayed in KW and got together with Michelle and Josh. We spent much of the night playing the new Mario game on Josh's big screen t.v.
Thrusday, December 31st, 2009
New Years. Some people care, some don't. I like to get together with friends, although I think this was the first night I went out somewhere to do it. We went to the Whale 'n Ale in Kitchener. They held a casino night (with fake money). I had a great time, although was quite happy to go to bed at the end of the night.
Now I'm home in Edmonton, ready to start normal life again.
Ciao,
Andrea
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