Costa Tican Thanksgiving!

Last Saturday, TJ and I hosted a Thanksgiving meal for all the gringos and many of the Ticos we know in La Rivera.  We set it up as a potluck with each gringo bringing a dish and sharing all around.  TJ and I cooked from the time we woke up on Saturday until after the last guest arrived, subbing in Costa Rican ingredients and measurements with lots of nervous shrugs but surprising success.

The Menu:

• 2 roasted chickens (both mine and TJ´s first time - they were beyond delicious.)
• Gravy (made from said chicken drippings...yum!)
• Stuffing
• Sweet potato casserole
• Angel biscuits
• Potatoes au gratin
• Squash soufflé
• Green bean casserole
• Apple pie
• Blackberry pie
• Ice cream

and of course, beans and rice. I made the stuffing, angel biscuits, and sweet potato casserole, and (thinking the whole time of you, Bek!) nameplaces!

Everything was going exactly to plan, food bopping out of the oven every time I turned around.  Guests began to arrive.  And arrive.  And arrive. 

The spread, along with a few guests.

We ended up with 9 more people than we planned for! Chairs were pulled from all sides, tabled pushed together, amounts fretted over, and nameplaces shoved in a drawer.  I was nervous about how this new party would turn out, but as I wandered out the front door to take my place at the table, I left a countertop still full of food and faced 21 guests - mostly silent, mostly grinning, mouths too full to talk.  Strangers, friends, and family mixed freely as the first Thanksgiving came to La Rivera.  How blessed am I?