"Happy Thanksgiving..."

So today is Thanksgiving, an American holiday to be thankful... well obviously. Its been almost a year ago when the plans for this day were originally made, although they have somewhat changed over that time, one thing still remained the same; I managed to save up enough money, pull myself out of my dark box of a room, away from my PC long enough to hop across the pond and visit a friend for this very day. I have to say, I wasnt disappointed... 

This day isnt something I guess too many Brits get to experience from the local perspective, the closest thing I can compare it to is Christmas, without the gifts and the decorations.


In the morning, we watched the New York Thanksgiving Parade on television. I kind of wished I could of been there but we cant be in two places at once. It was fantastic, huge floats all decorated out with themes and HUGE inflatable balloons of cartoon characters, mascots and the like. Ronald MacDonald was there, floating through Times Square. Even Picachoo the yellow Pokemon... thing. There were bands and dancers, it was quite the spectacle. 

Afterwards, We were to cook Pumpkin bread. This was going to be an edible gift for the people who's house we were 'invading' for thanksgiving, later that day. While the bread cooked, me and Sam sat at the same table and had a quick game of Warhammer. It was funny, having heard Sam on mic for so long while we played to now sitting opposite watching her play and her watching me. Although, on a laptop, things got 'interesting'. I dont think i'll ever roll my eyes again when Sam makes a boo boo. Its difficult on this small thing. So the bread cooked and the result was rather yummy looking...

Luckily, we had enough mix for 2 more loaves, so hopefully I get a taste of that later.

We arrived at Sam's friends' house, a little after three and my first impression of the place was I thought I had just waked onto the movie set of Home Alone or Uncle Buck, this so called 'average American suburban house' was huge. The estate it was on was wonderful, all wooded, just like you'd often seen in movies, it was EXACTLY like that.
There were four friends there and us made six. They were the friendliest people you'd ever wish to meet and Rocky, the friend Sam had known since she was 21 (i think she said) was hilarious. He 'claimed' to BE Italian, yet never been to Italy *chuckles*. Thats something Americans, especially Italian Americans do alot; they have 2 nationalities, American and then their heritage or linage, such as Italian or Irish or whatever. I like it, they have open pride about their ancestral roots. They are all very proud of who they are and where they come from.
I somehow think, also, I am a Met's fan now. I dont know how this happened, maybe something to do with when Rocky showed me his Memorabilia from the old stadium and we had quite the long conversation about his time watching the games. I almost feel compelled to become a fan too. *laughs*
When it came to the dinner I was reminded of the family christmas dinners, a lot of preparation and effort went into the creation of it. Rocky's wife really is an amazing cook. Although i was surprised to see  Mashed Potato on the table. Its traditional apparently and this was the fluffiest, whitest mash i had ever seen. The trick is, apparently, to boil the taters in small chunks, use a lot of milk and the beat them, not with a potato masher but a cake mixer, set on high and you get what can only be described as a cloud on a plate! There you go Mum, next time you cook some Bangers and mash, give it a go the Old American way.
The turkey is the traditional meat of the day, or one of them and a picture of it is required, so here you go..

Myself and Rocky with the delicious looking bird. Now, apparently, every year Sam has to 'reteach' Rocky how to carve such a creation, so for educational purposes, here is how to carve a turkey..

We also had Green Bean casserole and sweet potatoes, which of the like, i have never tasted but delicious none the less. Maybe something I can add to the Christmas dinner table back home. So here is me and Sam sat at the Thanksgiving dinner table, ready and waiting for the delicious spread laid out before us to pass over our taste buds and fill us...

Its traditional to say what you are thankful for while sat at the table, so with this picture in mind, I'd like to say I'm thankful for Sam for inviting me to the USA, Rocky, his wife, Lori and their son Chris for inviting me into their wonderful home for a wonderful thanksgiving dinner and Erica for entertaining me with a new game from Indonesia about beans and holes, I forget it's name but it was most entertaining. So I will end this post with a simple...

... Thankyou.