Life in Costa Rica: Happy Thanksgiving Costa Rica!

I am the queen of Thanksgiving dinners!

This year went much better I think. I didn't prepare near as many foods but what I made was in bigger quantity and had to be prepared and reheated. Part of the reason is I have accumulated more things so I didn't need to borrow. Also, I did use plastic plates and bowls and glasses and cups so everyone didn't have to do tons of dishes. I brought all the serving things and silverware to my house and will do it little by little.

Thursday I did cranberry sauce, pickles and 2 pans of bars. Yesterday I did 2 turkeys, a crockpot of dressing and set up the tables. Colors were a combination of red and orange. Napkins were a really large white with a regular size orange on it with a decorative candy on it. Yesterday I took all the meat off the bones of two turkeys and refrigerated it overnight as well as the dressing.

Today I was up at 5:00am to put the third turkey in the oven. I made another crockpot of dressing and when it was cooked down I was able to add most of the first batch to heat it up. I put the turkey in pans and added a little water and covered them and put them in the oven for the last hour. It was really good and no reheated taste. I made a humongous pot of potatoes for mashed potatoes and made the biggest batch of gravy I have ever made.

I knew I was getting 1 container of ice cream and I didn't know if I was getting tortillas - Ticos really like their tortillas, so I made a quick trip to the store for ice cream and tortillas. Well, I didn't need to worry. With mine there were 5 containers of ice cream and someone did bring tortillas. We started preparing mine but they are still sitting on the counter. So, I have tortillas, a little turkey that didn't fit on the tray, the dressing that didn't fit in the crockpot, gravy and ice cream. I did give Dora one and we used 2 so I am down to 2.

Emilio came mid morning and put together the center pieces. They were made up from my garden and planters and also included flowers, candles, red and green apples, tangerines and sweet peppers.

And the food! I love potluck and we had quite an assortment. The only rice was in the dressing and arroz con leche for dessert. There were salads. Iliana had the best dressing. Various types of salads, beans, picadillos which are mixtures of tiny chopped up vegetables or potatoes, chips and dips, two cakes, my bars, a basket that was part flowers and part grapes, papaya lemonade, sangria, fruit bread, Bailey's and a mashed potato dish. It was so fun to go around and have each person offer me what they brought. I filled up a plate but I only managed to eat and drink a little. Several of the things I make I have to explain what it is for, like cranberry sauce and gravy. The people who were there last year helped to explain things like dressing.

I brought the third turkey out whole and placed it at Gerardo's place and said it was for him. He said no, no, no but had lots of fun having his picture taken with it. Marta couldn't get over it was 9 kilo. 2.2 pounds per kilo and I had 3. Remember for most of them it was the first time for turkey. At the end I carved the turkey - ok so I chopped it up and even used my hands to get all the meat off. Then I told people - well Emilio did - that they could have the fruits and vegetables and jars of guayaba jelly I had brought out and turkey. They were all talking about tortillas with turkey later. That is why the only thing left was gravy. And even some of that went. When I was finishing Gerardo and Tia were there. I gave her chips and grapes and Gerardo used a spoon to taste the gravy. I explained what it is used on - yes I did it- and he got a container to take some. I had given him a turkey leg as his to go portion.

I also got some gifts from the craft ladies. A beautiful bracelet and a quilted Christmas potholder.

Even with everything to do, I think we were closer to schedule this year. I knew I had to be in case people were bringing hot food. I should have started the potatoes earlier. I forget how long it takes for such a large pot.

Once everyone was seated I had them hold hands and I read the blessing in Spanish. I think I did ok. I said next year there would be no iPad. I ended with thanking God for Gerardo and my new stove and the big oven. Everyone laughed at that. I still have to figure out how many were actually there. Otto and Jose and his family weren't there. I think Aura and I miscommunicated and 2 of the craft ladies didn't get invited. Gerardo invited someone, Michael invited someone, Dora brought her family and there was an extra lady with the sewing ladies. We still all managed to fit.

This is a far cry from Thanksgiving by myself in Hutchinson because I worked the next day. I love it.

At the end the crochet ladies visited with Ziomara and I brought out their latest things to show her. She has invited us to join her for Christmas on the 24th. I will have to see when Gerardo's family celebrates.

I am glad it is over. I am tired. I had a wonderful time and love doing it and sharing something new with these wonderful people who are such an important part of my life.