Thanksgiving in England

As many of you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, we are finishing up homework and getting ready for another regular day tomorrow.  School is open as usual, work calls, and it's just another Thursday here in England.

The funny thing is it doesn't seem like an ordinary day.  There's a feeling of excitement and anticipation, like before a snow storm when you can feel the moisture in the air.  You know it's coming.  I can almost see the turkey cooking and smell the pumpkin pie sitting on the counter - just waiting to be consumed.

But there's no such thing as Pumpkin Pie in England.  The kids really want me to make Pumpkin Chiffon Pie (a tradition in our family) but there is no cool whip in this country, no graham crackers to make a graham cracker crust, and pumpkin is hard to come by.

And guess what?  So are turkeys.  My friend bought one from a small speciality market; it cost her £103.  That's about $150.  She said she's hoping to find a bar of gold stuffed inside instead of the giblits!  Did I mention the turkey comes with the quills still attached?  At least here they tell you to cook the bird, quills and all.  I heard several families unknowingly added an extra step and spent hours plucking the quills. And you thought dressing the turkey was bad!

Tomorrow dinner will be at the local pub for a traditional Thanksgiving feast with other Americans from the American Women of Surrey (AWS). The president even passed along some of her favorite recipes so they get it right.  "Nothing fancy.  Just stick to the basics," she said.  It should be fun - not Thanksgivingy- but it's the best we can do.  Afterwards, we will go home, sit by the gas fireplace and reminisce about all the things for which we are thankful.  There are so many - family, friends, good health.

Here's to a wonderful Thanksgiving, home or abroad.  Have an extra helping, for us :)