an italian thanksgiving.

this year was my 2nd thanksgiving outside of the states, so i kind of forgot that it was quickly approaching.  as always, i had skipped to christmas and was already eagerly preparing for my favorite holiday of the year.  

since we had school on thanksgiving and the friday after, we postponed our staff thanksgiving gathering to friday night (for obvious reasons).  AND THEN it snowed on friday!!! the first snow of the year, it was totally unexpected and SO exciting!!! it started after we were all up in opicina at school so none of us were quite sure about the weather down in the city but we heard it was actually quite warm, which is funny.  here are some pics from the snowy day of school (we didn't get much work done, i was as even worse than the students at just staring out the windows).

me, L, and S

against-the-rules snowball fights broke out as students were dismissed

SNOW!

we actually had a half-day of school and the afternoon was a staff INSET day.  so after the students left, our meetings commenced, people trickled out as the weather got worse and again, we weren't incredibly productive as we all stared longingly out the windows. 

and finally, the time came when we could leave, head to A and M's house nearby and get to the preparations.  people arrived slowly, some bringing dishes that were already prepared and others making their way into the kitchen to find some counter space for the finishing touches.  all the chaos in getting the fixins' ready resulted in numerous power outages (these italian kitchens just aren't prepared to handle all of our american appetites on thanksgiving) which meant M had to hop the electronic gate to reach the fuse box which was conveniently placed outside the fence-lined yard.  this was just all too entertaining.  

those of us not cooking were keeping warm by the fire, watching slingbox-ed football games and the macy's day parade, and sipping on mulled wine and hot toddies. 

and right before dinner time, i got a ride down into the city to meet my ladybird and her man. YAY for visitors! 

ladybirds reunited

after dinner, it was time to play in the snow (obviously). A and i put on our snow clothes (i wore her husband's clothes, they fit perfectly, and put plastic bags over my feet as "boots") and we went out to make snow angels!!!

ready to go

it was the best idea ever

and then it was time for the basement dance party (again, obviously).

a non-traditional way to spend the thanksgiving holiday, yes, but that's ok.  although i was missing my family while they were at OIB having a grand time (and not hesitating to brag about it), i had a fabulous time. 

x!