HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I started planning for Thanksgiving the first day of November. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and even though I would be in great company it did sadden me to think I would not be surrounded by my closest family and friends this year. Two weeks before Thanksgiving I went to the Mercadona grocery store to see if they had turkeys. When I asked for pavo entero (whole turkey) they looked at me like I was crazy and then said that the only have those the week before Christmas. I decided the best idea would be to talk to my bilingual coordinator at school about where I might be able to purchase a turkey for Thanksgiving. When I inquired, I was told there was a local market that I might be able to order one from. A week prior to the big day I requested a 6-7 kilogram turkey!! Besides the fact that they thought I was strange for my request I was  sooo happy that they said no problem. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving I made all my last minute purchases which included a trip to the local English store... where I saw they had frozen Butterball turkeys! Oh well, this was all part of the Spanish experience I thought, that was until I showed up on Wednesday to pick up my turkey and it had a HEAD on it! This was not what I expected at all and couldn't help but laugh. After asking them to take off the head and neck I headed home to start dressing the turkey.

I wasn't sure if this turkey would fit in the little oven that we have but I was hoping for the best. Only about half of the houses have ovens here and that was a must when I was house hunting originally.

It didn't take long for me to realize that there was a lot of cleaning that I would  need to do with this large bird. There were many feathers sticking out of the bird and all of his insides intact. I did the best I could but honestly there was plenty that I left behind as well. Usually the birds I purchase at home are cleaned with all the gizzards in a bag if you would like them, and no thanks! My roommates were not as interested and offered no help but I understood.

Finally it was time to dress and stuff the bird. After buttering him all up I covered him up and placed him in the refrigerator until the next morning. We all were cooking different items. My roommates were each contributing one dish and I was to assemble the rest which meant I had a long night ahead. I made the pumpkin pie and prepped as much as I could the night before. I only had to work three hours on Thanksgiving but wanted to make sure that I wasn't too swamped. I spent many hours alone in the kitchen that night and it made me miss home.

Finally the big day was here and it was time to cook!! Thankfully the turkey fit perfectly in the oven as you can see in this picture. My roommates finally came out of hiding and we blasted Christmas music to get the holiday cheer started. I know it is early but we just couldn't help it! It is so warm here still that sometimes I question if it is even the holiday season. We made entirely too much food but oh goodness was I excited!

My boyfriend was coming in on the late train so I made sure to make him a plate with all of the fixings! This would be his first Thanksgiving celebration.

Here is our happy family with the first round of turkey dinner at promptly 8pm. I couldn't finish my first plate but the ladies did me proud by having seconds and thirds!

Along with the pumpkin pie I made, I also cooked two apple pies, and whipped up homemade whipped cream. My roommate bought a box of brownie mix to join the desserts as well. We watched Home Alone as we dug into this delicious offering.

Finally with several glasses of wine we finished our very successful Thanksgiving. We created a bit of a disaster but the gentleman cleaned in which for we couldn't say thank you enough. I hope you all had a Thanksgiving that was just as wonderful!

Agradecido- Thankful

 There are so many incredible things for which I am grateful. I have always felt truly blessed in this life. Today I had a lot of time to really reflect on all of these wonderful things. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It is a time for family and friends to gather. The kitchen is one of my most favorite places to be and I always enjoy cooking for others. The fall is the most beautiful season of the year in my opinion. Combine all of this and you find yourself in complete bliss when it comes to Thanksgiving!! Today's post is going to be about some of the things that I am thankful for in life. I have included many pictures but honestly there is no way that I can include it all. Tomorrow I am hoping to post more on my Spanish Thanksgiving and you can also look forward to a post all about teaching and school here in Spain.

I am very thankful for my family. Dates with my cousin have always been a joy and I am grateful for the time we have spent together.

Although we haven't kept in touch as much as I would like over the past several years I am very thankful for my sisters and the support they have shown. My parents are wonderful and I could never say thank you enough for all that the have provided throughout my life.

I am thankful for the best of friends. No matter the ups and downs, there are always those that stick with you through it all. I am also thankful for the friendships that I build through the sisterhood of Alpha Xi Delta.

I am so thankful for the sweet smiling faces of my favorite little ladies. They have brought so much joy and smiles into my life and are such an amazing family.

 Life would not be the same with out CALABAZA!! I am soooo thankful for pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. I have quite the obsession with pumpkin.

I am thankful for smiles that can brighten any day. I have been blessed with great friends!

 I am thankful for the great outdoors and mother nature.

I am thankful for fresh air and wonderful hiking adventures with one of my loves!

I am thankful for the land I can roam freely and those that have sacrificed so I can do so. 

 I am thankful for the crazy adventures and opportunities I have been given in life.

 I am thankful for the beautiful children that we are blessed with in life. This sweet thing is going to lead an amazing life.

 I am thankful for the new friends I have made and the wonderful places in which I have traveled.

 I am thankful for the memories I have made. I am thankful for music and dancing! I am hoping to appreciate this more during my time in Spain as well.

 I am thankful for laughter and the sanity if gives me.

 I am thankful for purple and gold!! 

I am thankful for the opportunities and experiences I have been given by my wonderful Aunt and Uncle. I am also grateful for my two degrees from a top rated University. This list is only a short few things in which I am thankful, more to come soon!

LONDRES!!!

I finally received a new stamp in my passport!!! I never got my passport stamped or even looked at when I entered the EU and again not when I crossed the Portugal border. We only stayed three short nights... well it became four nights... in London and it was amazing! Our first day in London we started right away with our checklist!

First on the list was to take a picture in a phone booth of course!! This one was very close to where we were staying. My roommates have a friend who was staying with her boyfriend in London and so we all joined in on the fun. They were so nice and accommodating, probably the best hosts I have experienced!

After getting a Starbucks holiday drink, it was no pumpkin spice but I settled with a gingerbread latte, we headed to St. Paul's Cathedral. There were a lot of protesters that were camped out front in tents.

We purchased Oyster cards for the weekend and took advantage of the public transportation. One of the lines on the tube I had my very own stop, Bond Street!!

Although I may not have seen or read all of Harry Potter I still needed to stop by Hogwarts to say hello so I stopped by platform 9 3/4. 

Our weekend was full of fabulous food. I love Spanish food but it was a nice change to have something new. My roommate stopped by a pub for some fish and chips. I devoured every last bit.

Our last stop for our first day in London was at Harrods. It was pretty spectacular. I loved all of the Christmas lights everywhere. I did make a small purchase but enjoyed at looking at everything there was to offer.

Our second morning began with a wonderful full fried English breakfast that was prepared by our hosts! It included eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, mushrooms, and beans!

Charles Dickens lived above this pub when he wrote Great Expectations!

Everyday we walked by Thames River and, the weather reminded me of Seattle which made me smile. 

We took advantage of every picture opportunity.

It still feels like summer during the day at my home in Spain. I miss the fall leaves and everything that autumn has to offer! We walked through Green Park and played with the leaves.

Buckingham Palace!!

All of us used to be cheerleaders and for some reason thought we would take a step back in time for a picture opportunity.

Westminster Abbey!

This reminds me of one of my most favorite movies, V for Vendetta. The parliament building was gorgeous at night.

We ended what was supposed to be our last night by taking a ride on the London Eye, which is a very large ferris wheel type ride. After a long journey home, we missed our flight due to several reasons and stayed 17 hours in the Heathrow Airport, I am finally rested. and ready for the next journey!

A weekend with the roomies.

This weekend I stayed home with the roomies and was able to explore more locally. We have had some crazy weather lately, including a flash flood that I got caught in last weekend. Even though there has been some rain, it is still in the seventies during the day. This weekend was gorgeous and windy. While I was walking home from the Mercadona, the local grocery store, I saw a poster advertising a medieval market this weekend in Garrucha. I told my roommates about it and we decided it would be a great idea to check it out.

They market was a nice change from the usual stands that accompany the produce at the farmer's market. There were plenty of treats that of course I had to try!! While looking around I came across a table of local natural beauty products. The woman was originally from Canada but has been living here for the past eight years. Her daughter attends the school in which two of my friends teach. Not only to I love to support local but I also am a lover of chapstick, especially with the all natural ingredients used in "Naturalmente Mediterraneo". She was kind enough to give us samples. I made a purchase but will definitely be back. She also gave us a list of other markets that she will be at which sparked the conversation of Christmas markets. I learned that there are several Christmas markets in November and December. I am excited!!!

Overall, it was a great relaxing weekend. I made some wonderful soup with chorizo and black beans, as well as some carrot muffins. Earlier in the week I made pumpkin scones and they were soooo delicious! I am trying to save the little bit of pumpkin that I have and can't quite decide what is to come next. As the holiday season gets closer I am sure there will be much more baking and cooking going on. I have already made two batches of applesauce which always makes the house smell wonderful. I am still on the hunt for a turkey for Thanksgiving! I am hoping to find where I can get one this week before I take off to London on Thursday. Wish me luck!!