Eat Twice- London, England

This very lucky year, we gave thanks three times (and ate delectable Thanksgiving meals) in three cities and two countries.

DINNER #2- LONDON
I don't have a single picture of this adventure, but I'll do my best to describe the company and the setting.

The Hosts: Adam's friend from Hillsdale College and his wife and two beautiful girls (Keira and Emery) hosted in their amazing apartment in the Notting Hill neighbourhood where we also spent the night (which was great considering they have heated marble floors throughout the apartment; we were in love).

The Company: Another American couple (one of whom is a movie producer turned Securities Lawyer) and their two beautiful children, and a Dutch Couple and their two beautiful kids who were experiencing Thanksgiving for the first time.

It was a great dinner (delicious food) and fun company.
Overall, an A+ of an evening.

ALL SOULS
We accompanied the family to church on Sunday morning at All Souls  Langham Place in downtown London. It was great. The Rector was thoughtful and challenging. He follows in the footsteps of John Stott, a former Rector at All Souls and a famous Christian Theologian. The message was titled: "How to Disagree with Christians Part II." He addressed the divided opinions within the church about women leadership. Feel free to give a listen: http://www.allsouls.org/

All in all, it was a pleasure to be there. The musicians were great (all professional) and the congregation was involved. It is also a large church-- people of every age and race.
Also, if you listen to BBC radio on Christmas, you will hear a service from All Souls; in case you're interested.

Weihnachtsmarkt- Stuttgart, Germany

The Weinhachtsmarkt, or Christmas Market, in Stuttgart, Germany was just the thing to put us in the Christmas Spirit. Pan in on us wandering around the streets of beautiful Stuttgart, bundled up with too many layers, drinking Gluhwein (hot spiced wine; there should be an umlaut over the "u"), eating brats, drinking some German beer, watching Christmas Carollers, surrounded by beautiful ornaments, nutcrackers, etc. that say "Christmas" by their mere existence. We would have had to be Grinches not to be in the Christmas spirit, even if we were human icicles by the end of the night.

The Antique Stall(s)

Ornaments galore. Nice hat, Adam. Um Ya Ya.

I mean, who wouldn't want to buy a life sized statue of a Bishop? Right, Josher?

A Nativity Scene

Which thing is not like the other? Adorable(live) hund.

German Christmas Pyramid

Nutcrackers

Trains

Jaclyn & Julia- yes, I was underprepared for weather and was playing the layering game.

Prost!

The Market

Each stall is decorated to the max. In this case, the Reindeer sings. In German. I have video, unfortunately it did not download, which is a real shame.

German Houses

Nativity Scene atop a market stall

Taxidermy. Why not?

German Pyramid atop a market stall. It was gorgeous.

Is that a kantele on the left, Carol? :)

All the stalls were lit after sundown.

A brat and Gluhwein. So German.

Real German Potatoe Salad. It was delish.

Maultaschen, a delicious soup with a sort of meat ravioli.

Live animals to be used in a Nativity Scene. Can it get better?

Eat Once- Stuttgart, Germany

This very lucky year, we gave thanks three times (and ate delectable Thanksgiving meals) in three cities and two countries. For this person who loves Thanksgiving more than any other holiday, it was glorious!

DINNER #1- GERMANY
We flew to Stuttgart, Germany to be with great friends and their new baby, Hunter William Chainsaw. He's adorable. It's hard not to eat him up.

Our Hosts

Zuki

Thanksgiving Table

We had Thanksgiving with three of our hosts good friends and it was really fun. Dinner was delicious, and the conversation was enlightening. It's not very often you get a chance to hear all about American foreign policy from the people who are making it all a reality.

The Bird (one of them, anyway)

The sides

Uncle Adam

Aunt Jaclyn

Hunter

We Gather to Give Thanks- Ely Cathedral

American Air Force personnel and British friends gathered at the Ely Cathedral at 7:30 p.m. on November 23, 2011 (the night before Thanksgiving, an American holiday) to worship and give thanks. 

Ely Cathedral is breathtaking. It has been filmed by Hollywood (think "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The King's Speech") and stands as one of the most gorgeous buildings in East Anglia. At night, the Cathedral had an ethereal feeling, and a rather cold draft was felt throughout.

The choir for the service was comprised of Lakenheath RAF members and the chaplains who presided over the service were those from the United States Air Force. It was a special time to hear about experiences others have had over the years being stationed in the UK, to give thanks, and to be reminded to be hospitable to strangers as we enjoy living abroad and become the living body of Christ.
After the service concluded, per tradition, we gathered at the back of to have pie, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Did I ever mention that I love Thanksgiving?

Inside Ely Cathedral

The altar and the Lakenheath RAF Choir

The beautiful ceiling that seemed to have light shining through it on this dark Thanksgiving Eve

Friends

After perusing an antique shop in Ely and having a bite to eat at a local pub called "The Lamb," we headed to the Cathedral, all bundled up, to enjoy the service.

So handsome

To learn more about (and see more pictures of) the Ely Cathedral: http://www.elycathedral.org/

Turkey Trot

It is an American tradition, and very necessary when you are planning on eating three Thanksgiving Dinners complete with pumpkin pie for dessert.

I completed the Turkey Trot at Mildenhall RAF with two girlfriends and about 150 Airmen in Physical Training (PT) gear. We ran along the flight line, and it was great.

The Best of British Telly (according to me)

Here are a few shows that we (but mostly I) have enjoyed since we have been here in England. If you get a chance to watch (try Netflix), I highly recommend them:

FOYLE'S WAR
This is a period drama that takes place during World War II. Detective Chief Superintendent (DCS) Foyle is busy solving crime in the Town of Hastings while the war rages on. It gives amazing insight into life during the war in Europe, including the role of the American troops, the existence of Nazi sympathizers, the existence of the black market, and more. And you will love the main characters. DCS Foyle is hard not to love.
http://www.foyleswar.com/

COME DINE WITH ME
This is reality television at its best (and has kept me-- not necessarily Adam) entertained for hours. The show is shot in a different city/town in the UK as it engages four to five strangers in a cooking competition. All of the participants host a dinner party at their house throughout one week and are rated by the other participants. The host with the highest score wins 1,000 GBP. It's so entertaining.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/come-dine-with-me (Unfortunately, I don't think online viewing will work in the States, but you can at least check it out).

DOWNTON ABBEY
This is another period drama that takes place at the end of World War I. It exposes what life was life for a wealthy British family who live in Downton Abbey, an estate complete with many acres of land and lots of servants, during the Great War. The interplay between the master/servant worlds is great to watch, especially seeing how they change due to the war. I highly recommend.
http://www.itv.com/downtonabbey/ (Again, it is unlikely online viewing will work in the States, but it will at least give you an idea. A friend just finished watching Season 1 via Netflix. Season 2 just finished here.)

Armistice Day

Today, in the spirit of Veteran's Day in the United States, is Armistice Day. Armistice Day is set aside to honor the veterans who have lost their lives protecting democracy. We are all so thankful for those who have laid their lives down in the past, and those who sacrifice in the present, to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.

Here is pictured a poppy (the picture was taken this weekend at Castle Acre Castle). Poppies grow on former battle fields, most famously on Flanders Fields, bringing life back to a place of death.

The famous first chapter of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae follows, the best inspiration for today.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.