Memories from our first Caribbean Thanksgiving

the Thanksgiving sunset

one of the sailboats we see sailing by every evening

one of the many cruise ships we see cruising by,

but this one was different from the rest with its black bottom

Ezra helping prepare the vegan pumpkin pie

the final result

cranberry sauce from scratch . . . so easy and so tasty!

arugula salad with beets and toasted almonds and a balsamic vinaigrette

my plate of leftovers

This was our first Thanksgiving on an island as well as our first Thanksgiving without at least one set of our parents there. It was also our first Thanksgiving as vegans - not just vegetarians. I wanted to make it special and by making everything we ate that day, I felt I had created a special culinary tradition for our family. It was a lot of work getting ready and Ezra was quite patient with me by playing alone for the majority of the day before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving day, while I worked in the kitchen. But, Ezra likes to be my helper, true to the meaning of his name which is "strong helper," and he helped me pour the pie ingredients into the blender. It came out perfectly and I can't wait to make another one soon. I made everything that we ate from scratch, except for the stuffing. We had an entirely vegan meal with an arugula salad, vegan meatloaf, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. I also made cornmeal muffins, a maple syrup tart, and the pumpkin pie. Everything was delicious and even our non-vegan guests enjoyed their meal. It was a day to remember with lots to be grateful for here and now on this beautiful island.

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm grateful for so many things...

my little family

Ezra's happiness

Michael's decision, determination, and hard work to go back to school to become a doctor

where I live

that I get to watch Ezra grow up on an island

all of the beautiful beaches

spending time together as a family

my marriage and relationship with Michael for the last 16 years that has brought us to where we are today. I am thankful for the love we have for each other and the support we have given to each other. From going off to college and creating our dreams together, starting careers in the work force, the trials and tribulations that come with life, miracles and tragedies both, creating our family, home, redefining who we are and our dream for our future, and the all important endeavor of raising Ezra together, I am thankful for the patience, understanding, compassion, and great love that we have for one another.

Happy St. Maarten's Day

the new landscape of our beach

from the rocks to the whitewash is all new beach for us to lay on and for Ezra to play on

these rocks used to be covered by the sea

you can walk to the villas next door now

the new view from the entrance

November 11th is St. Martin's Day, a holiday here in St. Maarten and also in many other European countries. It is also know as Martinmas or Martinstag. It is the celebration of St. Martin of Tours, a kind and simple man who led a quiet life. One of the more famous stories about his life is one of him cutting his cloak in half to save the life of a beggar from dying in the cold. Agriculturally, it marks the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. It couldn't be more apparent here today that the season is changing. Two nights ago we had a heavy windstorm and as of yesterday we have a new beachfront at our hotel. Whereas before we had only a postage size stamp patch of sand to sit on, we can now lay our towels out and build sand castles while Michael goes snorkeling in the sea. Not only has our beach changed, but the weather is taking a turn for the milder, cooler breezes of the high season. It is truly a day to celebrate change.

Back home in the United States, my fellow Americans are celebrating our heroes of war for Veteran's Day. I am also remembering this important day in my country while celebrating a new custom in this foreign country where I am a lucky visitor for two years. Although I will embrace my time on this beautiful Caribbean island, I love my country and am grateful for those who made it what it is. Today I am thankful for this beautiful world we live in!