A dramatic Thanksgiving

I returned from Madeira with less than a week to go until Thanksgiving. I had already invited three friends, two of whom I was eager to have meet, given a common interest in working with asylum seekers. Then I invited two neighbours, one of who is new to the street.

I spent three days cooking, cleaning and decorating (while doing very little work for PRI) and was pretty organised by the time guests arrived. My guests included an Italian lawyer, a local barrister, an actor, a BBC procurement expert, and a retired social services administrator. It's great when you have such interesting guests as you have no work to do to keep them entertained.

I didn't take any group photos as I was wary of the actor feeling put upon – surely they get a lot of that? Said actor is Richard Dormer, who is currently in Day of the Jackal but has also been in Game of Thrones and NI p0lice drama Blue Lights. He was charming and seems to be settling in nicely to his home down the street.

I have a small oven and a large oven. I never use the large one because, why would I? So I had to get the instructions out to help me understand the SIX symbols on the dial for the large oven (top right corner in manual). Dinner was lentil loaf, roasties, sweet potato casserole, cranberry mold, green bean casserole and three pies! I didn't make the pies or the green beans.

My friend Elisa made the pie – it was a big hit.

I sent Eddis home with the blackcurrent and apple pie and I kept the chocolate torte she brought, which I split with a neighbour. Trying to not turn into a whale until after Christmas!

Highlight of the weekend was going to Derry to see/exchange presents with Julie and Mary. I missed Mary's birthday while in Madeira so it was good to have a catch up with her. I never listen to music in my house, only BBC Radio 2, so I thoroughly enjoyed driving while listening to Joni, k.d. and Aretha. What a treat.

28 Nov - 1 Dec