O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We had a magical Christmas Experience (OK, this may be a bit over the top, but it was rather delightful) at Elveden Estate Cafe and Farm Shop, picking a Christmas Tree and enjoying the general splendour.

Along with picking a Christmas Tree (pictures to explain that experience in greater detail to come), the famous Carousel from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was available for rides, and a food tent was set up serving hot drinks and food. (The Farm Shop & Restaurant and other the Lifestyle Shops-- ladies, they are great-- were also open for business).

The Carousel from the movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"

OK, onto choosing a Christmas Tree.
First, we walked along to see the Christmas Tree stock.

The Christmas Trees

 We picked up a few, trying them on for size.

A Potential Tree

 But, because we live in England, we decided it was best to do a Christmas Tree (like everything else)  a little bit smaller....

Potential Tree #2

 So we chose our Perfect Tree

It looks a bit taller next to me...

 Then we had it wrapped,

A perfect system

 So it would be in ready to be delivered to our car by the working Newfoundlands.

At the risk of looking a bit creepy, I couldn't resist taking a picture of this adorable little girl next to the Newfoundland

Working Dog

Aren't they perfect?

After purchasing a Christmas Tree Star from one of the Lifestyle Shops, we headed home, getting a view of the Elveden Church,

Elveden Church

 and getting beautiful views along the country road home.

The Road Home. We actually take this road all the time, carefully watching for Skip Jacks, or very small deer the size of large dogs, and - insane- bikers.

Note: Elveden is just four miles from our house and is all owned and managed by Lord and Lady Iveagh. They just opened a new Inn as well. We tried it for drinks and dessert this weekend, and it was fantastic. I have a feeling we'll be frequenting it often.

Cure for a Cold

When you have a cold, drink a Hot Tottie of course!
I'm not sure it worked (Truth: it didn't work at all), but it was worth the try.

Birthday Flowers

Too beautiful not to share. Thank you, hubby.

Eat Thrice- Bury St. Edmunds, England

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

DINNER #3- BURY ST. EDMUNDS
I unfortunately don't have any pictures of this beautiful dinner either, but we had another delicious meal at a friend's house from our home church. Her husband was back in the States on business, so it was a perfect excuse for her to cook up a turkey and a great chance for us to holiday hop without having to worry about hosting. It was perfect.

The Hostess: As mentioned,a woman from our church and her two beautiful children (who were all dressed up with Indian feathers on their heads) opened their home to new and old friends. They live in a very small town (their address is: The Red House) outside of Bury St. Edmunds making it a perfect get away in the real countryside. The table was beautiful!

The Guests: We were joined by a British couple who had the pleasure of enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner at one time in the past, and who were seriously lovely. I hope we get a chance to see them again in the future. In addition, two of our favourite couples from base joined us to make a really varied group of wonderful people.

Why is Thanksgiving the best holiday? Not only do we get a chance to eat delicious food, but it is an excuse to gather around a table with new and old friends, taking time out of our busy schedules to really sit and have a dinner, just to recall our blessings. Lovely, darling. Just lovely.

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