A Scottish Thanksgiving Fit For A King

Semeli, Claire, Sara, and I after a fufilling Turkey Day feast!

It was a meal fit for kings. Or rather, four wonderful queens. It was scrumptious and for being miles away from home, it was a pleasant Turkey Day! I haven't written in ions (partially because there is nothing enticing to make an entry, but a succulent chicken roast named Ed, deserves one!) I made a roast chicken! And if it I do say so myself, it was delectable (I am after all, shamefully modest!) Papa Chew sent me the recipe, a simple, and do-able alternative to a 15 pound turkey. I smothered Ed (I dubbed it that) with butter and lemon juice. Then stuck lemon thyme, tarragon, lemon and crushed garlic in his cavity. Yum. He simmered in his own fatty juices for a good hour or so, and was yummilicious. His white meat was even juicy! Way to go Ed the chicken! Though carving him proved to be difficult. Despite watching four youtube videos on "how to carve a chicken, 5 easy steps!"I had some issues. 5 easy steps? All lies. But once the legs were off, the breast slid off with the help of my knife. Good stuff.

Prepping Ed the Chicken

Ed the Chicken. YUM.

The Attempts at Carving!

No Thanksgiving meal would have been complete without the mash. The mash potatoes are critical to the overall enjoyment of a Turkey Day meal. Claire the ever-so-helpful, peeled tatters and it was brilliant. They were AMAZING. They're so easy to make, which is very dangerous...Sara made two FANTASTICAL apple pies, a solid way to round out a very fulfilling meal (salad, mushrooms, mash, chicken). As we ate, we listened to Christmas songs (as it now officially the Holiday season!) It was Semeli's and Claire's first Thanksgiving and it was adorable.

MASH!!

We were going to go to Princes street for the opening of the Christmas fair and the Ferris Wheel, but it was raining cats and dogs. I heard later that it was not only wet but unbelievably crowded. Maybe it was a good thing that it didn't pan out. This weekend Sara is going to Dublin to see Papa Leatherbarrow, so Claire and I plan to go to Princes. Yay!

After Turkey Day feast. We all four sat around, lazying clutching our tummies. We reached full capacity. Sara and I had to inform Claire and Semeli the technique of Thanksgiving eating. It is an art form, and they made us proud! I have never seen either of them eat so much before. Overall, I believe it was a rousing success!

Then I skyped with the family and the 60 people at my house. It was extremely nice just to see their faces. Though they couldn't hear me, it just made me happy. The usual suspects are there and I miss that. Next year is another Thanksgiving! I'll be home in 2 weeks anywho! Oh but Black Friday shopping, how tempting you are...

I've been doing pretty swell. Minus the flatmate drama (but more on that later, that'll take a whole entry in itself!) More on my life here later. I'm wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving from Edinburgh. Hope you fill your stomach to capacity and beyond some. Lots of love.