Thanksgiving (Observed)

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. This year, with a gang of pilgrims here in Kassel and the prospect of showing other uninitiated citizens of the world how joyful it is to eat Big Bird and stuffing, the choice was not if, but when. Turns out the best time for all involved was a little earlier than the American version, so last night was Thanksgiving auf Deutsch.

Step 1 - order a fresh-killed turkey at the MarktHalle

note: when you order a 5 kilo bird, don't show up expecting anything smaller than 7+ kilos. I was afraid it wasn't gonna fit in the oven.

Step 2 - hire Security staff...

The ladies sometimes have a hard time at parties. Last night they were exceptionally well behaved after Lisa bribed them with tuna.

Step 3 - start cooking on Friday...

I was So Focused that I finally, after 10 years, made the perfect bird... Not okay... Not fine... PER-FECT!


Step 4 - seating for 17...




Szu-Wei was pulling double duty, having had a wisdom tooth removed on Friday and being deathly afraid of cats...

Here, Mats and Cesar defend her from a lurking Juju...



Kristin and Ben...


Dawn, Jens and Chris...


YeahSon, Dawn and Julian...


Step 5 - pass out instruments to aid digestion...

Szu-Wei, Ben, Brea and Kristin...


Julian and Lisa...


Step 5.5 - BEER RUN!



Step 6 - Hold a Thanksgiving pagent...


with an audience...


pilgrims...

(in hats made by Brea)

Jason as Squanto ...


...with blue balls...


...pagent package...


...indians dancing...


...and Brea narrating the story of Thanksgiving.


for a complete script of the thanksvinging pagent:

http://chrisandbrea.wordpress.com/2007/11/19/thanks/#more-290


Step 7 - set up a Photo Booth in the closet...






The photo booth function includes fun effects...



(Stay tuned for a slick movie from the 200(!) photo booth photos - Chris A. is going to help us get that cracking this week.)


Step 8 - Burn the lamp til 2:30 a.m. with YeahSon and Julian...



So, from yr happy leftover pushers...

THANKS