A Thanksgiving Feast

Prep Time

Eggses

Ommings and Nommings in here somewhere

About half the crowd

20 of my students came over yesterday...tried to go for a Southern Thanksgiving, although I did skip the grits and collards and sweet tea and banana pudding and a few other things...the one I really wanted to try but didn't was Fried Green Tomatoes.

3 Grilled Chickens, from the Bazaar.  With Barbecue sauce, for a little taste of America.
A Cajun Boil.   Complete with the traditional pouring it right onto the table.  At least 5 people tried Shrimp for the first time.  Unfortunately many were afraid of Shrimp heads and potato skins and couldn't imagine eating onions.  Corn was out of season and nowhere to be found, which is probably a good thing cuz it's very expensive here.
A Huge Pot of Macaroni and Cheese.
40 Deviled Eggs.  And no survivors.
Honey-butter Carrots. They were late to the party cuz there weren't enough burners on the stove.
Mashed Potatoes.  Didn't really get them right, which is a shame cuz I made some amazing ones last year.  Cream was a mistake, stick with straight up milk.
Fried Pickles.  Not as good as the ones I got the last time I was in Milton, but they were tasty, and a hit.
Fruit salad.  So fruit + a little gelatin and yogurt...it's amazing.  So good.
Bread and Cinammon Honey Butter.  So as far as very easy-to-make AMAZINGLY tasty things go...add honey butter to the list.
Lemonade.  Not enough sugar, but I was barely involved.
Two apple pies.  First one was devoured. 
Three pumpkin pies.  Hardly touched due to full stomachs and closed minds.  Took one to the Ark of Hope this morning though and they invited me to turn their pile of pumpkins into pies next week.
And a few cookies/cakes my students brought.

The idea/purpose of the event mostly was to pour love in the form of tasty food on my students, and of course we did the little "I am thankful for" thing and went around the circle, and I prayed a couple times...I was kinda amused and disappointed most of the students thanked me instead of talking about their families and things like that, but...oh wells.  Two of the girls from Sv. Put came and they had a really good time, and I invited a handful of former students who had come last year, they were also very appreciative. 

It was crazy putting all this together, I was at the Bazaar almost every spare moment over the last week, but I had tons of support and lots of friends pitched in and my students who came early as helpers were awesome. 

I'll have to think a bit before doing this again.  It was expensive (I spent somewhere close to $100 I think); it was tons of work.  But for the first time in my life...I saw the real purpose of a feast...creating community, sharing culture, sharing space.  As I looked at the price tag and the purpose, I felt foolish.  I don't have money for this!   I thought.  Also, I had to check my feelings on some of the people who didn't come, realizing that what was for me, weeks of work, the most important holiday of the year and opening up my heart was for many just a Friday night event among many to choose from, and not everyone checked their dramas and egos at the door...almost like a real family.  :P   

But as I looked at the piles of food arrayed last night, I was very thankful for the very visual reminder that what I have is more than enough, and that God has blessed me bountifully, not only with rich experiences (I've gotten to eat shrimp many times before, and I'm blessed to know what fried pickles and Cajun boil are.), and not only with enough money to overflow and bless others (even when I think This ISN'T enough!), but also with rich relationships and a unique opportunity to speak into the lives of my students.  It was also a little bittersweet; I realize that most of my students will remember me, but I probably won't be a part of their lives beyond this year (besides a lot of prayers and a little wisdom, English and angst that I have passed along).  It makes me feel like a workaholic, because I'm already three weeks behind on grades, school sucks up most of life, and these students have most of my time and affection, and they'll be gone soon.  However, I am very thankful for the opportunity I have to speak into their lives and share my life with them.

Thanks God.  You've made a wonderful tasty world.  I was thousands of miles from family this Thanksgiving, but you filled my home to overflowing.  I was thinking I was poor, but you showed me how in You I always have more than enough.  I am poured out, I don't know what I'll have to show or say when this life is done.  I'm tired.  I don't want to be a model of a burned-out or unhealthy life for You.  Teach me to slow down, and to do everything in your peace.  Guide me on as I walk into this new year.  Guard my heart and set my feet on your ways.  Lead me home. 

"Let me know that you hear me.  Let me know Your touch.  Let me know that You love me.  Let that be enough."  Thanks for not leaving me alone, even when I ask you to.  Amen.

Also, special thanks to my aunt for the financial support that made this shindig possible.