Gobble! Gobble!

For the first time in my 32 years, I will not be having Thanksgiving with my Parker family and I am terrified. Year after year, I waltzed in at noon, occasionally with dessert in hand and enjoyed my Thanksgiving meal. Even though we're a long way from our families, I refuse to let this day come and go just like any other. I have been seriously obsessing. Searching the internet, scouring my cookbooks and brainstorming with Brent on what would make this Thanksgiving our own.

Being a part of the Parker clan, I have grown accustomed to being surround by 60 of my closest relatives in a super laid back environment with an overabundance of food and plenty of stories to come out of the day. Coming from a family that normally eats BBQ with turkey on the side and a ridiculous amount of nontraditional desserts, I would be completely happy to abandon the typical Thanksgiving menu. The truth is that I really don't care for Thanksgiving food. I am fine to eat turkey, but it isn't something that I necessarily look forward to. And you will never find stuffing, anything pumpkin or a side of cranberries on my plate. Brent on the other hand was raised on a very traditional meal, so there will have to be some compromises.

Our Thanksgiving in Canada has been met with a few obstacles. First of all, Brent will be working. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October aka America's Columbus Day. So I'll be spending much of the day alone. This is probably better since I will likely need complete silence to pull this meal off.

Also, I am cooking for two people. How is it possible to cook a feast fit for THIS day for only two people? Especially when you are married to a man who has his own list of Turkey Day must haves. For instance, it has always been a joke between us on the variety of different mac & cheese dishes that make their way to the Parker side. Because of this, Brent is insisting that I make two different macaroni & cheese sides. Seriously? He is also wanting his grandmother's stuffing. Ask me later how that turns out. At this point, I am not fighting it anymore and have completely surrendered to the realization that we will be eating leftovers for weeks to come!

Once I come out of my food coma, I will post pictures of what exactly makes a traditional/nontraditional Thanksgiving meal.

Oh Canada!

Greetings from our new home! St John's is a beautiful city and is known throughout Brent's industry as a "garden" location. I believe that might just mean that we aren't living in Africa. There are some adjustments and definitely things that we are missing and/or can't find (I'll save that for a later post), but this has been a very easy move! Of course, I say that without having lived through the winter. Check back in with me in a couple months.

After 2 weeks of hotel living, we had reached our breaking point. We decided to go ahead and move in to the house. After all, how bad could it possibly be? I can report that after 10 days of air mattresses, reclining lawn chairs and only eating things that can be baked on a cookie sheet, we have yet again reached our limit. Please GOD let our belongings get on that ferry tomorrow! Oh the joys of island living...

Here's proof that we are living like refugees

Just this morning Brent pointed out that the only person not suffering with our current living conditions is Isabel. She has the nicest bed, is eating her normal food and has three times the amount of space to roam. She is a pretty happy kitty...with the exception of any instance where the door bell rings or the garage door opens. The other surprising turn of events is that she and Brent are bonding. Who knew that he could go weeks without cussing at her?!?!?! Miracles do happen.

Izzy enjoying her new bed by the heater

Despite my trivial complaints, we are very blessed! We are living together full time for the first time! We are in a beautiful city where the people are friendly and fun! And every day I can look out of my bedroom to this fantastic view!