giving thanks in london

I was away from home this Thanksgiving. I decided to spend it with old friends in London. It had been three years since my last trip to Europe and I couldn't wait any longer.

Within six hours of my arrival, my friend Sarah and I had the genius idea of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner party. We created a Facebook event and sent invites to no less than 26 people. Twenty-six people. What were we thinking?? It was only after the invitations were sent that we remembered our poor track record with the culinary arts.

Rewind seven or eight years. Sarah and I are high school students in Houston. We woke up one morning feeling particularly helpful and offer to make her mother a delicious omelet for breakfast. Her mother was delighted of course, but gently pointed out that the omelet we had made was really more like scrambled eggs.

So much for masters in the kitchen.

But we set off, only slightly deterred, scouring the local Sainsbury’s and Tesco for turkey, pumpkin, squash and cranberry sauce. Starting the night before and continuing into Thanksgiving Day we baked, chopped, roasted and stirred up a feast that we didn't know we were capable of.

In the end we had seven people, including ourselves – a much more manageable number than 26. I was the only American and, for several of the guests, it was their first Thanksgiving dinner. All in all, my first ever dinner party was a success. Yummy food (if I do say so myself) and old friends – so much to be thankful for!

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, too.