The road to get Thanksgiving prepared was full of ups and downs. Here is a play-by-play as per the menu:
Turkey- turkeys are hard to come by here until Christmas. The ones I did find were the size of chickens. Since we had 19 (10 adults, 9 kids) coming that would mean buying at least 4 and not being able to fit anything else in the oven. Loverly! After searching all over Hillcrest grocery stores and then all the local butchers, I finally found some turkeys I could get away with only buying 2 to feed the masses. And just saying, we cleaned one completely to the bones and most of the second one on the evening.
Stuffing- gave the recipe to a friend who was attending Thanksgiving. She was very concerned about the ratio of cornbread to sausage and called to make sure she was actually doing it right. She was and it was wonderful.
Funeral potatoes- another recipe I gave to a guest to make. They were so nervous they googled more variations and accidentally mixed in too much soup and ended with a soupy potato casserole. It tasted good and was well received given it's un-appealing name.
Smash Potatoes- can't get russet potatoes here. We used the baking potatoes we could find. Can't mess up smash, well WE CAN! They came out a bit sticky. And yes they were cooked completely. We just found that once we began the mixing process it flopped. People kindly chewed through it and did make funny sounds while doing so. Made me feel better.
Salad- boring but needed.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce- I only like fresh cranberry sauce. The canned stuff freaks me out. Alas, can't get fresh cranberries here and our table was decorated with the canned stuff. Not as good, but do-able.
Gravy- non-detail it was bisto since it is all my kids will eat and Wayne about died when I mentioned using the neck and giblets.
Pumpkin Pie- What would Thanksgiving be without pumpkin pie? We almost had to find out. It was nerve racking. Canned pumpkin is laughed about here. My friends had never heard of such a disgusting thing. Butternut is found everywhere which is frequently called pumpkin. They sell some 'american pumpkins' but they are the bluish-white ones, not pie pumpkins and with all the stress leading up to the day I couldn't find the time to use a butternut recipe and adapt it. It wasn't looking good. Luckily, an American friend who lives here had gone to Australia and picked up some canned pumpkin, made two pies and generously offered us one on the day. We were saved and I could show my face again in America when we return!!
Pecan Pie- Gave that recipe to guest and came out with a very different rendition of pecan pie. It was good, but definitely not southern cooking.
All in all the evening went well. The kids went to school that day. It gave me time to cook in peace. Wayne and I did so many last minute things I was afraid nothing would be ready when the guests arrived. Fortunately it was and was enjoyed. No one had ever had a Thanksgiving before and didn't know why it was celebrated. It was fun to talk about a holiday and really explain why we do it. The kids had a blast, the adults had more fun than the kids and the party rocked on until well after 10pm. And for those who know me, I don't do evenings. Next time, I have to remember to pull out the camera. I was such a great evening.
Lots of Love!

This will be short and sweet with a much NEEDED update later this evening. My Mommy came for a visit. Honestly never thought that would happen. Bethia turned 8 and was baptised on her birthday in South Africa. It was a beautiful and amazing day. (also explains the reason for Nana's visit!) Thanksgiving went off amazingly. We had 19 people here. Adjusts had to be made because of the inability to find all the food items I really wanted for the feast. But 5 hours later, friends were still here enjoying the evening and the kids were wild. unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of anything that evening. I know I suck! But are we really surprised, I think not. That's all for now, Santa has been slacking and needs to get his big 'ole but in gear. Love to you all!!!

Living in South Africa has required some adjustments. Holidays are big deals in our house and Halloween is not done here. So what is a bummed American girl suppose to do????... Have a big-o-American Thanksgiving. Oh yeah, and it is going to be a mesh of Swedish, Irish, Afrikaans, English and Americans. I have invited 3 families, none of which have ever done Thanksgiving before. I am so excited. I am going to go as traditional as I can and see how it goes. To start the festivities right, I made invites to the bash. I was having fun with my cricut and now can't wait for the 25th of November. I will post the decor and the festivities as they go down! Lots of love to my American peeps!!!

I don't know why, but making banana bread makes a house feel like a home to me. I have now made four loaves in our beautiful new home. And every time I make it I feel more and more like South Africa is becomg home too. Happy Mother's day to all my family and friends. I miss you all dearly and can't wait for a visit!!

We went to Bloemfontein in central SA over the Easter Weekend. Wayne has a new contract there and we went to meet the families and hang out. It his a really pretty area, 61/2 hours from where we live in Hillcrest. The drive was long and painful with 3 whiny kids. But once there it was amazing. The famlies we visited were delightful. It was interesting, the younger kids only spoke Affrikanns. But luckily kids and play in any language. As a group we went to the coolest place called 'Cheetah Experience". In there you get to play with young Cheetahs. Not something you hear about everyday.

This is what I have had to look at for weeks! She would not let anyone touch it. She wanted it to fall out all by it's self. I finally had enough and told her she could pull it herself or I was going to pin her down and pull it out. She decided to try to pull it.

We were so close to these huge crocs The wall was only about 3.5 feet tall and in some points you walk over this bridge and you can see the crocs following you beneath. We couldn't get past the huge size of these monster!

I finally have internet for a few minutes and wanted to let you all know that we are here, we are safe and so far so good. I have only been emotional and crying in the mornings. I am such a cry baby. The kids have a couple friends we have been hanging with . They will start school this week and hopefully they will have lots of friends and lots of playdates scheduled. Brad asks daily if he can call Spencer for a playdate. He just can't get his sweet little head around the distance thing. Luke misses Carson more than I can even explain! And Bethia needs all her girl pals she things life will never be the same without them. Granted, it probably wont be, but that is a different email for another time!

I have met a couple people, they are very kind but they have nothing on my friends back home. Church was the hardest day so far. I just bawled! I am sure it will get better soon but the differences felt daunting.

The weather is awesome. It is so hot. The air smells amazing. It reminds me of my childhood in the south. The monkeys on the church grounds thrilled my kids. I'll write again soon. I want to try and update my blog later today and share some of the pictures I have taken. None are as great as Jane's, but still I try. Miss you all, love you all!!

Here it is, a Saturday night, my house is finally quiet and the reality of change is sinking in. In less than 2 weeks my baby will be four, my house will be empty and my family will be on a plane to South Africa. Huh, who'da thunk that this would be my family's adventure in the new year. I am looking forward to it. I am also scared beyond words. I love my family in CA and I love my friends in the 'hood. I will miss everyone terribly. Thank goodness for email, skype, facebook and blogging.

So Bethia is 7. Are you kidding me! I remember driving home from the hospital with her not knowing what I was going to do. I didn't want anyone or anything to hurt her ever and now this 7 year old is one tough cookie.