Another Down-Under Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in Australia again. The original plan was to be in America with my side of the family but we couldn't make it because of the new baby (and flying with a 2 year old is the exact opposite of fun). But that didn't stop us from celebrating and having a really good time. 

Knowing that Thanksgiving dinner usually takes nearly all day to prepare - without two small children to look after - I started making dinner early in the morning and Brett's lovely sister and her partner came over very early to help look after the girls! (Thank you!) 

Basically the day went well, making dinner, hanging out and ended with a lovely apple pie (a la mode of course) 

Our Thanksgiving dinner menu:

• Mom's Seitan Roast -Which was amazing, Mom! Even all of the meat lovers enjoyed it! (I'll hopefully post the recipe soon after I ask for permission)
• Brett's mashed potatoes with gravy - they're different every time and always delicious
• Amazing green bean casserole - From FatFreeVegan, this is actually my most favorite holiday dish
• Stuffing
• and jellied cranberry sauce!
• Apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert

Super tasty Seitan Roast

Yummy apple pie

C ready to eat!

Brett was attempting to hold E up without being seen...

Everything was extremely tasty and we have hardly any left-overs, which is a good thing (I didn't have to put anything away last night) and bad thing (I want more this morning).

Happy Thanksgiving!!

And so, on to Christmasy things! We're getting out the tree and decorations this weekend! Yippee! Hello hardcore Christmas baking and crafts!

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving with lots of loved ones!

XOXO

 

Happy Australian-Fusion Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, I celebrated Thanksgiving in Australia for the second time. But really this time felt like the first because it had so many more friends and family present.

We had about 10 people on the patio for dinner and it was wonderful. We ate nibblies of wasabi peas, olives, cheese and crackers, brought by Kahlee and Jess. For dinner we had stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegan green bean casserole, jellied cranberry sauce (not beet root haha!)-sent from America by my Mom :)- wombok salad, made by the lovely Kahlee, and everyone else ate Turkey. For dessert we had apple pie with (melted) vanilla soy ice cream, sugar free mango crepes made by Kahlee and Woody/Aaron and cookies and cupcakes decorated in a USA theme by Kat, Rachel and George.

 The gang before eating (missing Jess and myself)

 Another of the gang (missing Jess and Rachel)

C sharing her turkey with Dad

She really didn't want to share...

She's definitely part American, she LOVED her cranberry sauce

after dinner

sucking the cranberry off her thumb -- cute!

Yummy, festive cupcakes!

the end of the night

The turnout of friends and family was wonderful and we all ate way too much. I cannot wait to do it all again next year with everyone and hope that even more family and friends can join in on the festivies! Thank you to all who came and helped me celebrate my very favorite holiday! I have the best friends and family and that's what I'm thankful for this year.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!