Thanksgiving

A successful thanksgiving was had and a few lessons learned. I ended up hosting 7 people and 2 hound dogs for dinner. The menu consisted of pumpkin soup, salad, chicken, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes with plantains, stuffing and pie. Dinner didn't actually start until 9pm as we were trying to wait for the late comers. Peple ended up eating in shifts which was a bit odd but we made do. Everyone ate and had a good time.

Lesson #1: Pumpkin pie filling made from real pumpkins is way better than from the can. I am never going back to the can.

Lesson #2: Irish time. You want the Irish to show up on time, tell them the start is an hour earlier than it really is.

Lesson #3: Don't assume anything. I asssumed that everyone knew that Thanksgiving is a sit down dinner (hence be on time). I didn't occur to me that no one had celebrated Thanksgiving before so they wouldn't know this.

Lesson #4: Puppies need to go outside frequently. Kunigunde (the little brown hound) had 2 accidents in the house.

I am thankful to be surrounded by my friends for Thanksgiving. It hasn't been the easiest year of my life and I am not sure I would have made it without them. Hope everyone had good Thankgivings as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am planning on having a few friends over for dinner tonight. Everyone is bringing a dish to pass so it will be like home. Well, minus the turkey. We are going to make chickens as turkey is not easy to come across here. I looked and found goose but it was 45 euro for a bird! I have been up early this morning baking pies. I have already had one failure. I bought crust from the store and it stuck to the pie plate and was destroyed while I tried to get it free. Right now, pie 2 is in the oven. I hope it goes better than the first. If not, there will be pie 3. If that fails, I am making apple crisp! Wish me luck. :)

1st Snow!

Last night we had our first snow in Karlsruhe! It was very pretty to look at but not fun to be outside in. It started snowing while I was at the gym so I ended up walking home in it. In a 15 minute walk, I was completely covered in snow. It must have looked pretty ridiculous as I got a few snickers from strangers on the street. All in all I think there was about 1/2" - 1" of snow. When I woke up this morning it was already gone.

Saturday Afternoon Debrauchery

How do I get myself into these situations, I just don't know. It always starts with the best of intentions. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon when I met up with Don and Eoin. We met in the biergarten for just 1 bier (well, at least that was my plan). I recall enjoying the afternoon in the biergarten, before meeting Judith at another bar and then there was another after that.

Picture 1, start of the day
Picture 2, end of the night

It isn't pretty is it, folks? It was fun though a bit out of control. I spent Sunday on the sofa recovering. Rehab may be necessary after my time here in Karlsruhe.