Thanksgiving was exhausting. I baked two apple pies and au gratin potatoes and a 8 kg turkey with orange glaze (fresh-pressed orange juice, sauteed chopped onions, grated orange peel, grated ginger, honey, red currant jelly). Alpha made good corn soup. I baked biscuits. My mother-in-law made some tasty pumpkin/vegetable concoction. We had steamed broccoli and carrot sticks. Beta invited girls and they brought mashed potatoes and potato salad. Another guest brought a bunch of wine.

We cooked from 6 AM until 5 PM on Saturday, I with a sore back. Then we were up until midnight washing dishes afterwards. I only stabbed myself in the hand with the paring knife once, and only broke one pane of glass in the kitchen door, slamming it in anger. By the time the guests arrived at 5 PM I was in no shape to be witty and charming, but my hand had been bandaged and the window glass repaired.

The food was very, very good. Oh, and Alpha also made corn bread stuffing for the turkey. It as all very delicious. Apple pie ala mode.

The only frustrating thing is Austrians do not know that you’re supposed to eat until it hurts on Thanksgiving. Otherwise it went well. The children were well-behaved and stayed in the kitchen where they belonged.

And we all lived happily ever after.