Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving this year was again, different than any other.

a little looked over being that it's not a holiday over here but I think the extra efforts to make it feel different from just another pot luck dinner seem to work.

it was a beautiful (and surprisingly relaxing* evening)

*this may or may not be due to the fact that there were 3 housemaids all available to help with prep and cleanup.

John worked, kids went to school (maybe this was an upside as far as prep was concerned) and with all guests having normal work/school days, Thanksgiving dinner was served at "dinner time" (maybe even later- about 7). John was in Saudi Arabia all week and arrived home just minutes before our first guests arrived (5:30).

The turkey cooked all day at my house but I didn't buy or prep it, so I was a little uneasy about that. I also prepared, mashed potatoes, carrot souffle and a yummy spinach salad along with 3 pumpkin pies, some mini berry/ apple tarts and a new to me recipe for Becky's cranberry walnut torte (it was delish by the way).

our guests included 14 adults 14 kids (and 1 baby in high chair)

12 Americans

10* Australians

6* Canadians

*numbers vary when spousal nationalities differ. Offspring nationality is based upon country of prior residence :)

We sat at 3 different tables: Adults (14+ high chair), 7 big* kids, 7 little kids.

* 'big' is relative considering Asher (our 5 yr old) qualified as a "big" kid and he wasn't even the youngest.

We ate outside with candle light, tiki torches and fresh cut flowers and branches from our yard to decorate our table. I was so happy with how things turned out. (kids table got plastic vases, no candles and paper table cloth with lots of crayons- it was a hit)

Kids ate off paper with plastic. Adults got real dishes (paper napkins)

We had a great night with some great friends old and new. (I just didn't take a lot of pics unfortunately- next time I need to delegate that responsibility.)

We missed our families and "traditional" Thanksgivings of the past, but we're enjoying these unique opportunities with our Dubai extended family and the weather!!! (it's pretty unbeatable right now)