Thanksgiving in Metz

Q: What do you get when 7 Americans, 3 Frenchies and 1 Australian celebrate Thanksgiving together?
A: Lots of really good food, big laughs, great company and it looks something like this:

Michelle, our lovely hostess, serves some vin chaud, hot mulled wine, prepared by one of the Frenchies, of course!

Starting with both the mashed potatoes and the gravy next to my place was a good sign!

Elli, the Australian, Thierry, one of the Frenchies, and Brett, an American, eagerly await the carving of the turkey

Jackie, who, with Michelle, whipped up most of the meal, carves the turkey

The dessert committee: Jackie with an apple pie/tart/crumble, Michelle with a huge bowl of whipped cream, and Kathy with completely-from-scratch pumpkin pie

Needless to say, much fun was had by all, and all the food was thoroughly enjoyed. There were a lot of "firsts" at this Thanksgiving: first Thanksgiving for some, first turkey for others, first sweet potatoes (with marshmellows!), first Brussels sprouts, first stuffing (real American Stove Top brand!)...

And of course it was quite the learning experience:

Non-American A: "The sauce is for the potatoes?"

American A: "Yes, the gravy goes on the potatoes."

American B: "And on the turkey!"

American C: "And on the stuffing!"

Non-Americans: "What about the cranberries?"

Americans: "That goes on the turkey too!"

And tomorrow it's back to the French world. Only three more weeks until Christmas break!