Thanksgiving

Audun messaged me on Thursday: Anja (his girlfriend) was free on Sunday (nobody has Thursday off in Norway!), if it wasn't too short notice. So I called the others, and they all said they'd come. Tormod wasn't sure about the friend he'd invited, but he'd know by 8 pm.

On Friday I had the day off. I made a list, gathered my shopping bags, got in the car, backed out of the carport and - slammed right into the side of my husbands car parked in front of the garage. Smashed the door on the drivers side clear into the frame so that now he has to climb in and out of the passenger side.

I was able to get everything I needed at the local grocery, except for pumpkin. Had to go all the way into town to an ethnic supermarket, where they gave me a 1/2 pumpkin of a kind I hadn't seen before. It had very dark orange meat, but stringy, like spaghetti squash. I baked it in the oven, got 2 cups for the pumpkin chiffon pie, 4 cups which I froze, and about a cup and a half of which I made pumpkin soup on Saturday, which was surprisingly delicious. Even Ingvild liked it!

Saturday I made the pies (apple and pumpkin) and the cranberry relish. You can get cranberries in Norway now. You didn't used to. Then on Sunday I stuffed the turkey with bread stuffing with onions, peppers, celery, sage and savory, and put it in the oven to roast. On the side we had gravy, corn-on-the-cob, steamed Brussels sprouts and broccoli, and baked potatoes, sweet, and regular. Oddly enough, after 2 hrs in the oven they were only barely done - quite hard actually. The turkey too took longer than anticipated - 3 hrs instead of the expected 2. Just as well that they all came on the 4:15 pm train, instead of 3:10 pm as originally planned.Audun had overslept and missed the first train.

I originally expected 9 to dinner. However, Tormod called on Friday to say that his friend couldn't make it; but by that time I'd done the shopping and it was too late to postpone. Saturday night at 1:30 am a message ticked in from Audun: Anya had a toothache and couldn't make it either. I started to worry that Irene and her boyfriend would cancel as well, but when I met the train at 4:15 all 4 were there: Audun, Tormod, Irene and her boyfriend. What a relief.

Except for the potatoes I believe the dinner was a success. Though I found the explanation for the potatoes when I was taking the meat off the bones after dinner. The turkey was completely uncooked underneath. It turns out that the bottom element of the oven wasn't working at all. No wonder I've been having trouble baking. I've had to give up baking bread, but hadn't been able to figure out what was wrong. Anyway, we've ordered a new stove to arrive before Christmas baking begins.

What do I have to be thankful for this year?
1. The insurance will pay for the repair on the Land Rover.
2. I figured out what was wrong with the stove, and I can afford a new one.
3. I have a plan to pay off my private debts in 13 months
4. The family has agreed on a plan to celebrate Mother and Father's 50th anniversary.
5. I'm happy and comfortable in my job in the ER
6. (and most important), the whole family together for thanksgiving!