This was my first experience of Thanksgiving and it felt so familiar – no doubt all the American movies I have watched. The gathering of friends and family to give thanks for what we have is a tradition going back to the arrival of Pilgrims, having survived harsh conditions and been blessed with good harvests.
The various people gathered at our table all agreed that Thanksgiving was indeed an important celebration, some going so far as to state it was more of a big deal than Christmas, primarily because there was no gifting involved, just good socialising and merriment.
This turkey's in serious trouble...
I was pleased to be involved with the cooking process, taking charge of making the gravy, which included porcini mushrooms and Tawny Port – yummy indeed. As this point I should point out that the average caloric intake for the day is calculated to be between 3000 – 5000 calories!
Traditional courses included creamed potato, brussel sprouts with pecan & avocado, cranberry sauce.
Pecan chocolate pie and pumpkin pie
For dessert, traditional pumpkin pie, apple cake, pecan chocolate pie followed by an assortment of delicious chesse and a choice of three Washington State Ice wines. By 5pm jet-lag set in so bad that I had no option but to head upstairs to the comfort of my bed. Suffice to say I did not surface till the next morning and after a brisk walk in 0 deg temp, I was ready to take on the wine of Red Mountain and Yakima Valley.