Happy Thanksgiving

It is a little strange actually being home for Thanksgiving.  I haven't been home in years.  Twelve years to be precise.

In 1999, I had just moved to Houston and wasn't sure I could swing a plane ticket home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  My mom made the rule that I had to be home for Christmas.  I'm actually not sure what I did for Thanksgiving itself.  Probably nothing.

In 2000, I was in London on rotation and I went with a few other ex-pats to Simpson's in the Strand for a very interesting dinner.  All the right ingredients were there (turkey, potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin) but it wasn't the same.

In 2001 and 2002, I went to Michelle and Jason's.

In 2003, I took my first overseas Thanksgiving trip to London.  I didn't have to take as many vacation days due to the holiday and it wasn't as crowded!  And a tradition was born.

In 2004, I went with my friend Laura to Rome, Dublin, and London.

In 2005, it was the first Thanksgiving (and first Europe trip) for me and Jana.  We went to Prague and London.

In 2006, Jana and I went to Paris and Rome. 

In 2007, Diane and I went to Rome, Venice, Florence and London.

In 2008, Jana and I went to Vienna and Budapest.

In 2009, I went to Dublin and London with my brother.

In 2010, Jessica, Nilufer & I went to Italy.

And in 2011 I am home (having gone on my Europe trip the week before Thanksgiving).  It was a small gathering this year - just my parents, me and my brother.  None of us are big on cooking (well except my brother) so we got a turkey and stuffing from Whole Foods (brilliant!) and I was in charge of the mashed sweet potatoes (via fANNEtastic food) and helped with the regular mashed potatoes.  It was a nice little Thanksgiving.  We also had our staple of olives.  My brother loves olives!  In fact, we would always bring olives to Thanksgiving (and other holidays) but we would have to bring two cans.  One for my brother and one for everyone else.  Things really haven't changed! :)

My contribution - Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Thanksgiving Dinner