Thanksgiving Times Three

 Thanksgiving #1

Living out of the country has been great, but when the holiday season began, I got a little worried how Thanksgiving would be without any family. I have never had Thanksgiving without them. Would it be sad seeing pictures of everyone with family while Rusty and I ate alone in our apartment? I was even more worried about Christmas, but Rusty and I just booked a trip to Rome over Christmas, so I am not too worried anymore! I actually could not be more excited! But back to Thanksgiving...as I am sure most of you saw on Facebook or Instagram, I thought Thanksgiving was a week before it actually was! I can't believe I didn't realize I was off by a week...I just looked at a calendar and assumed it was on November 21st and not the 28th. I didn't even find out I had the date wrong until I was factimeing with my sister Kirsten the night before what I thought was Thanksgiving. If it weren't for that call, I probably would have posted a picture of our dinner with the caption "Happy Thanksgiving" and really made a fool of myself! haha But, it does make for a good story in the future. 

So, the night before the Thursday I thought was Thanksgiving, Rusty and I chopped onion and celery, diced bread, made mashed potatoes, and put the turkey breast in a brine. We searched for a whole turkey at two different grocery stores, a butcher shop, and asked some of our friends where we could find one, but after having no luck, we settled on just a turkey breast.

Since we had already prepared so much food, we decided to continue with our Thanksgiving dinner one week early. Volleyball practice went from about 5-8pm and we planned to do dinner after, so we didn't end up eating until about 9:30pm! I am not much of a cook, plus I am spoiled because Rusty enjoys cooking, but now that I have so much free time, I am starting to learn! Usually for Thanksgiving I make one dessert to add to my parents full table. This Thanksgiving I made mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing from scratch. I also cooked the turkey and made apple crisp. Everything came out great and I was so proud of myself! Just ignore the fact that it wasn't very decorative and we served the food in silver disposable tins, we just worked with what we had! 

I set up our little table with an orange checkered table cloth that they gave us when we moved in. We had invited Jay for Thanksgiving dinner, so he came down once the food was ready and we all ate, pretending it was Thanksgiving haha. Actually, it really did feel like Thanksgiving, I mean how could it not when you are eating turkey and stuffing?!

And after dinner we...

Reenacting the first Thanksgiving dinner 

Too  much turkey causes Rusty to turn into "Igoooorr"...

Thankful for this great hubby of mine

Thanksgiving #2

When actual Thanksgiving came around, we couldn't not celebrate! So we made turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes,  and gravy again! I didn't make a dessert the first time, so I made an apple crisp. We skyped with my family and chatted with Rusty's. Surprisingly, I wasn't too sad. I mean of course I wished we could all be together for the holidays, but I got through Thanksgiving without shedding one tear, which is surprising for me- I recently cried when I saw a giant lizard getting snatched up and killed by a bird on a show Rusty was watching. But anyways, I felt happy that we were able to have such a traditional Thanksgiving, twice! 

Thanksgiving #3

Last weekend I got to travel with Rusty to a game again! The game was in Thessaloniki. The president of the volleyball team said I could travel on the bus, but that I could not stay at the hotel. Fortunately, my friend Melanie from elementary school and high school, lives in Thessaloniki because her husband is playing basketball there. They were nice enough to let me stay the night and even fed me a Thanksgiving dinner! They hadn't had theirs yet, so I lucked out. 

This Thanksgiving time turned out great! It's nice that Rusty and I have each other because it makes it a lot easier to be away from home. I am so thankful for everything and everyone in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity we have to live here in Greece. I am thankful that Greek people are so friendly and willing to help. Living abroad has given me a greater appreciation for things back at home, so I am thankful for things I normally take for granted. In particular, clothes dryers. I miss warm clothes that have come straight out of the dryer, they smell good and feel soft. I also miss automatic cars and houses with yards, but all the things I miss is a whole different story, so back to what I am thankful for...I am especially thankful for my family, the Whittaker's and the Lavaja's, they are there for me whenever I need them. And of course, I am grateful for Rusty, my best friend and the sweetest husband ever. There is never a dull moment with him!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed cooking full turkeys! Bring on Christmas!!