Thankful for family

There are two major aspects of the American Thanksgiving holiday.  One is the traditional feast usually involving a huge whole roasted turkey and autumn side dishes and desserts.  The other is the gathering together of family members whenever possible.

While we've managed to present the requisite turkey almost every year despite the difficulties of acquiring one in a foreign environment, we've usually had to forgo the family aspect.  However, our celebration this year involved a number of family units, including very small members, which gave our evening a whole different aspect.

So inviting

As Thanksgiving is not a local holiday in France, I've tried to develop a lot of decorating ambiance over the years to set the tone, primarily from an adult standpoint.  But as we've now reverted back to a younger guest list, I decided to keep my decorations safely tucked away in their boxes and just concentrated on my table. 

I made my fall tablecloth and napkins back in Paris, but I still think they make a pretty setting.  I can match up to 12 seats, although we had 13 this year.  As we had three not yet at the table, future years might become more complicated!

Making a new friend

Little ones add to the fun

My dinners in Paris mostly involved non-Americans in our same age group, figuring other Americans could do their own dinners.

However, as life has moved on, our circle of friends includes a wide-spread age group, and our few American friends are not part of an American community. 

Spanning generations

All ages invited

This year, our adult guests spanned half a century and included other Americans, French, and British, including several mixed families.  The kid contingency spanned under half a year into the teens.

Toddler photography

Aladdin's Cave

What really made the evening unusual over past years was the small people aspect.

As we are not normally set up to host this age group, their entertainment included borrowed items as well as their own individual favorites. 

It really added a different dimension to my typical household décor!

Early dinner time

New friends

Our most seasoned guest enjoyed taking care of our youngest guest, whom she had never met before, while the toddlers only nine days apart in age had a fun time playing together. 

They all were of an age to really disrupt the formal meal, but I didn't have to worry about it.  Did my turn years ago.  Probably with as much aplomb as the current parents had. 

The teenage sister

The younger brother

Our two older minors have become annual guests, and it's been interesting to watch them as they've really grown up over the years. 

Neither have American roots, but they certainly know our most popular holiday!  I don't think they are always so enthralled with some of the side dishes, but they do like the turkey and dressing.

Sharing mom talk?

Probably not sharing dad talk

When you have children, you have parents.  I really enjoyed just sitting back and watching the parents of the toddlers being able to let loose of parenthood and just be adults sharing an evening with other adults. 

Being a mom

Being a dad

Even the parents of the older kids still had to play mom and dad. 

Having gone through all of these parental stages myself, although now way too many years in the past, it was really interesting as an outsider to watch younger generations going through all the same aspects of life I once did. 

It's not something generally available in my current lifestyle.

The next Leader of the Pack

When it was time to start the meal after the introductory warm-up, we ended up having a new unplanned head of the table. 

The parents of this toddler may possibly be in for a ride as to who the boss really is!

We started off with our traditional candle salad, from Doc Leo's childhood, and now we have a whole new generation learning this tradition.

Anticipating . . .

. . . another feast

As a hostess, it was quite rewarding to see this very eclectic mix of guests seeming to have a great time socializing as they dined together.

Presenting . . . the bird!

And then it was time for the traditional turkey presentation.  We have to order one in advance, and we don't always end up with what we order.  Too many times we've requested something in the 15-20 pound (7-9 kilo) range and ended up with a 30 pounder (13 kilos).  This time, it was a quite reasonable 13.5 pounds (6.5 kilos)!

For the sides, I found some totally new recipes using traditional ingredients.  I served Beautiful Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots, Spicy Lemon Cauliflower, and Sesame Ginger Green Beans.  Not only were they all lovely combinations, but they were really easy to fix!

Pumpkin pie with whipped cream!

My guests offered to bring a variety of desserts, saving me from that stress.  One brought a pumpkin pie, one brought an apple cake, and one brought a fruit crumble.

Dessert time

As one of our guests is both lactose and wheat intolerant, I managed to make the whole meal fit into her needs. I made a small rice stuffing, she brought the crumble, and she was only deprived of the other two desserts.  I was so pleased that I was able to accommodate her needs so she didn't miss out.

Engaged in serious conversation

A final bedtime hug

When the meal was over, the guests of all ages continued to enjoy socializing with each other.

The Doc with his guests

So once again, I think we managed to pull off another very successful traditional Thanksgiving dinner in a foreign country with guests of multiple nationalities in a wide range of age categories.  That's always so much fun!

Blocked by the kitchen door

The Doc and I were also part of this family celebration, as our son and his family were able to come from out of town.

While the rest of the family relaxed at the airport waiting for their flight, this grandmother chased around with the very active mobile grandson through the airport restaurants.

A beautiful sunset on a beautiful weekend

And then the sun set on a very rewarding family
based Thanksgiving weekend.