It started out just an idea a couple of months ago- that we have a Thanksgiving dinner, and that I would be the one to cook it. Then a week ago I spent a couple of hours collecting different recipes and making a shopping list and started to get an idea of what I had really gotten myself in to. I was to cook for 16-18 people in total. I was generally okay with that thought- that is until the 17 pound turkey arrived from the butcher shop. After that I was completely nervous and anxious and having dreams about dropping the turkey as it came out of the oven, which it barely fit in in reality. How was I supposed to make all of these things that I've never made by myself before?!
On Wednesday, the cooking began. I made an apple pie and cherry cheesecake, as well as prepared the bread for the stuffing. As soon as I got home from school the next day, yesterday, I started on the sweet potato casserole, then the glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, peas, rolls, and the stuffing. After I hauled the turkey in the oven and everything else ready to cook, I took one look at the kitchen and decided it was just best to sit down. There was food everywhere and so were my thoughts. Needless to say, I was exhausted from spending quite a few hours on cooking. Where was help, might you ask? Well, I forbid it, at least from my host mom.
My host mom couldn't keep out of the kitchen and asked me several times if she was allowed to help. Several meaning at least once per five mintues. However, I wanted the dinner to be a thank-you for my host parents from me. That wouldn't work if I let her help! However after a couple of hours I gave in and let her cut the onions, but only because my eyes would be watering for hours if I had done it. Okay, maybe not for hours, but I had cooking to do and couldn't afford to waste any time crying over cut onions!
In Germany, it's very polite to bring a little something for somebody who invites you over for an event, so as people arrived I gladly accepted several boxes of chocolate. One thing that made the night extra special was that my neighbor decided to print out some information on Thanksgiving as nobody really knew what it was, so she explained a little bit about it as a sort of speech, including how Black Friday is perfect for women. The she turned to me and asked me what I'm thankful for, and I proceeded to thank everybody for making me feel like I have a home here in Germany. I also thanked my host family for how kind they've been and for allowing me to live with such wonderful people. They thanked me as well and all of them gave me a hug. Sounds cheesy, but it was absolutely perfect.
Next came the eating. The turkey came out wonderfully and didn't, thankfully, end up on the ground. Everybody complimented freely and told me how they liked everything. They're all such fantastic people and I felt obliged to cook for everybody. When I was eating, everything hit me. I'm in Germany! I'm sharing my culture! I just cooked a dinner for 18 people pretty much by myself! I also had invited one of the girls over who I had been speaking with a lot in my classes and she came! Everything was perfect. (Not completely actually- I forgot the gravy...)
To top it all off, I skyped my family after my night was over and was reminded how loved I am, what with my sister-in-law crying and everybody looking so thrilled with everything I said. It was really, honestly, a perfect day. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
17-lb Turkey
Sweet-Potato-Casserole
Stuffing!
Apple Pie
Advents Craft I made!
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