How do you say “I need a turkey roaster” in German? That was one of many questions I asked myself during the days prior to our American Thanksgiving in Hamburg. The turkey-roaster store helpfully pointed me in the direction of the local “Fleischmarkt” to order my whole “Truthahn” (turkey)… “Ja, Frau Crawford, how many kilos would you like?” Gulp, sounds like a drug deal! (in America the only things measured in ‘kilos’ are illegal drugs!). I hoped for the best in ordering 6 kilos - the butcherette was in good humor helping me with my apparently unconventional order – while I tried to avert my eyes from some of the more gross-looking German meat products sold there! The father-son owners at the local grocery store cheerfully accommodated me with specially-ordered fresh “Preiselbeeren” (cranberries) and extra-jumbo “Sußkartoffeln” (sweet potatoes). I worked two simultaneous calls on my cellphone plus one helpful shopper in trying to determine the closest thing to a gravy mix.

To round out our menu, Sally imported some Stove Top stuffing, turkey bags, and canned pumpkin in her luggage. Together we managed a typical feast of roasted turkey with all the trimmings: mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, cranberry sauce, stuffing, homemade Bisquick rolls, and a salad. Knut brought zee wine, Mehmet & Klaudia brought zee sodas, Soenke carried around the big bird for me, and the culinary chaos began!

Before dinner could be served, we of course needed a good Thanksgiving arts & crafts activity. How about whipping up some turkey hats…pilgrim hats… Indian hats, even?! Yup, I provided the colored paper, feathers, googly-eyes, scissors, and tape….. our fine guests provided their own Picasso instincts. The idea was first met with some dismay, but the spirit of competition soon took over, creativity blossomed, and each hat grew ever more complicated and wild. Malik won the Thanksgiving hat contest with a freestyle concoction that was something of a Peter-Pan-Meets-Squanto look. Antje (Soenke’s mom) came in a close second with her fire-engine red, I’m-A-Chanel-Pilgrim creation.

We adorned the huge dining table with autumn-themed tablecloths, an expandable paper accordion turkey (thanks Mom for sending!), turkey placecards…..but wait! NO turkey napkins! We made up for the omission with some colorful paper pilgrim & Indian pictures taped to the wall (again, thanks Mom), and shiny autumn leaf garlands on the staircase. My non-American guests observed the décor with no small amounts of amusement.

When everyone was finally seated at the table in their outlandish Thanksgiving headgear, Soenke’s dad began the turkey carving and I explained a little about the history of the American Thanksgiving. I observed that this was a holiday which everyone, everywhere could agree upon (everyone is thankful for something!), and hence it reigns as my favorite American holiday. I was reminded of our international turkey bash one year ago in Paris, another fabulous event and also the night of Soenke & my first kiss. This year, we had an international lineup yet once again…. 5 Germans, 1 Turkish-German, 1 Moroccan, and 2 Americans!

Following the dinner I presented the Thanksgiving Quiz: 10 tricky turkey questions … with English and Deutsch versions. Malik the Moroccan was victor yet again, with 8 correct answers (more than…ahem…our other American quiz-taker!).

This year’s pumpkin pie dessert, served with whipped cream and sprinkled nutmeg, met with FAR more enthusiastic response than last year in Paris (note: foreigners generally do NOT have the same nostalgic appreciation for pumpkin pie as Americans do…i.e., they think it’s WEIRD!). However, Sally’s apple crisp seemed to be the preferred post-dinner sweet!

Photos of the night follow:

Tom the Turkey & the butcherette:

Stuffing Herr Tom:

Headgear on, ready to eat!

Me with my Isaac Mizrahi design…..

The cleanup Pilgrims step in to help: