Before I can really start this post, I really have to say HOW BOUT 'DEM MOUNTAINEERS! Paybacks a bitch Pitt! Okay, that being said.. This past Thursday was obviously Thanksgiving back home. It was a weird feeling waking up in Germany and having it be just another day, but I was able to watch a quick 10 minutes of the Macy's Day Parade through the always amazing SlingBox--although it froze and the connection has been bad since. Hopefully Travis will be able to fix it when he returns to Austin from NY. Lisa had asked me on Wednesday when Thanksgiving was, because she knew it was coming up, and when I answered with "tomorrow" she seemed a little shocked (as if she couldn't believe I hadn't mentioned it sooner--oops). She said that Johanna would be back for the weekend on Friday night, and if I wanted to, we could have "Thanksgiving" then. I thought that sounded like a nice idea :) So Thursday we spent a few hours at the grocery store trying to figure out everything I would need. I have never made Thanksgiving dinner before--thats something left to Granny--but I figured, oh what the hell? Why not? We got a 5.5 kilo Pute (aka 12lb Turkey) and everything else I would need to make traditional Thanksgiving side dishes. Yesterday, (Friday), I immediately got to work in the kitchen at around 1 or so. Pretty sure I didn't walk out of that kitchen once until 7:30pm. I'm actually not a bad cook at all, but I have neve tackled cooking an entire Thanksgiving all from scratch by myself--but let me tell you, everything turned out perfect and delicious and I was really, really proud of mysef :) When all was said and done, I had made home-made stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, gravy, the TURKEY (which turned out awesome!) and a pumpkin pie from a REAL god-damn pumpkin... none of this easy pumpkin puree garbage ;) whoa. It was a lot of work, and I still can't believe I pulled it off, but it was excellent. Lisa's sister and her friend came as well, and so did Kai's father. So plus Johanna and myself, there were 7 of us total (8 if you count the little crumb). I was going to skip out on making the gravy, but Jared from home had Skyped me while I was still in the kitchen (I had my laptop there so I could cook to Christmas music--I know, I know, I'm adorable haha), and he made a good point, that with gravy it can "save the turkey if it's dry, or just be a really good enhancement". So I decided I would have to try and make gravy. I knew from the get go that to make it you use the drippings from the turkey and flour, but other than that I was a little clueless. (I wonder why I don't know how to make it? Oh now I remember, my mother is Sue Ellen Osgood and she doesn't know herself to teach me ;) oh, mom..) Jared was able to walk me through it using Skype (isn't technology cool?) from Ohio, and it turned out perfect. Jared, you're a life-saver :) Will write again soon! Miss/Love you all back home--hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)
Looks like you might be in charge of next year's Johnston / Osgood Turkey Day!
ReplyDeleteIt was really nice of your German family to celebrate with you. Don't you put your shoes out for the feast of St. Nick on Dec. 6 or something like that in Germany? Talk at you later!! Aline