Our Neighbourhood Thanksgiving

Every year we enjoy gathering with fellow Americans and their families for a Thanksgiving lunch down in Geelong. We always have a great time together and are thankful that the Nelson family opens their home to all of us.

This year we decided to extend our Thanksgiving holiday by having a second feast the following Saturday for our neighbours. We wanted to provide an opportunity to get to know some of the families we didn't already know as well as provide a house/meal where neighbours could get together.

Two weeks prior we printed out invitations and walked up and down our street handing them out. This act in of itself was valuable. We were able to meet four residents that we hadn't previously known. The reactions of people were interesting. Some were genuinely surprised that we were doing something like this. We tend to live in a society now days that guards our homes and we do not often invite each other in. Sadly, the high fences in the Australian suburbs lend to this fortress mentality.

A week before the event our oven broke. We called the realestate agent our landlord uses and they promised to get someone out there soon.

As the day drew near we had a few neighbours RSVP. Due to a small number of neighbours who said they would come we decided to invite one of Brandon's workmates and wife who were really eager to celebrate a Thanksgiving, "like the ones in the movies", they said. We also decided to invite an Indian fellow we met Target and another lady who I have become friends with through the local grocery store.  This was a bit difficult in that I really had no idea how many people would show up. I have learned since moving here that Australians are not  big fans of the RSVP, so who knew how many would really show up.  Was the turkey big enough? Should we set up three tables instead of three? Should we invite others outside the neighbourhood?

Brandon met the Indian while shopping in Target a few weeks ago. He saw Brandon's moustache and started telling him about a village in Indiana where all the men grow similar moustaches. He asked Brandon to send him a few updates about the 'stache which then eventuated into an invitation to Thanksgiving.

My friend from the grocery store works as a cashier there. I try to go through her line whenever I'm there so that we can talk. She and her husband are from India. We talk from time to time about missing home, being away from family and life in general. She asked me about Thanksgiving last year and so I invited her to this year's meal.

Two days before the event our oven was still not in working order. I planned our menu so that everything but the Turkey, stuffing and pies could be eaten cold. So for instance instead of mashed potatoes we might have potato salad. Instead of green bean casserole we might have a cold green bean salad. I was planning on driving all the food over to the church for cooking until our neighbour, volunteered her oven. This was very kind of her and took her up on the offer. A bit humbling for me. Invite the neighbours over for Thanksgiving but then use their oven to cook everything!

The day of, still no oven. Brandon and I started running food over to the neighbours for cooking.

The girls decorated the tables for me with paper leaves in autumn colours.

Brandon set up a curtain outside for our play.

In the end we had three neighbour houses come, one family and two widows. We also had the workmate and wife and the man from Target along with his friend. Sadly the lady from the grocery store was called in to work late at the last minute and she and her daughter could not come. The countries represented were Greece, England, Indian, Australia and American.

Before having dessert our kids and the neighbour boys put on a play explaining why we celebrate Thanksgiving.  I think the Thanksgiving story should fit under the category of a drama but it turned out to be more of a comedy. Gideon was slipping down the Mayflower gangplank, the pilgrims' guns were plastic machine guns, Gideon forgot his one line of "land ho!" and other confusions. It was enjoyed by all and perhaps even educational.

During dessert Brandon read part of Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving day proclamation to our guests. You can read the excerpts below.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God...

...No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. 

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth. 

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

We really enjoyed our neighbourhood Thanksgiving meal. I don't know if you could say it was like the ones in the movies...maybe in 'A Christmas Story' sort of way? When you open your home to people you never know what will happen. An oven may break, guest numbers may be uncertain making the food difficult to plan, the entertainment may not go as smoothly as some would hope and your grocery budget may be blown to bits.  Hospitality is not easy or cheap but as Christians we are called to open our homes to others.

When we open our homes we make ourselves vulnerable to others. Through this we learn to rely on Him for our needs (even how the food will get cooked), we learn to care for those who society forgets (widows, orphans and migrants) and we are reminded that Jesus made himself completely vulnerable on the cross, giving up his rights and ultimately his life, so that we might have forgiveness and eternal life through his sacrifice on the cross.

We also are provided with the opportunity to show Christ's love to others. Something we desire to do on a daily basis.

Poor us

I just read this article on the Age and found it refreshing. Finally someone in the country is telling the average consumer to stop their whinging.

Article

I particularly thought these paragraphs were insightful into of the attitudes currently here in Oz.

"Retailers whine about lower retail spending, rather than diverting their energy into making stores that people want to shop in with sales assistants that are friendly and knowledgeable about their product. Manufacturers bemoan a higher dollar without thinking how they can move up the value chain to high-end goods that foreigners actually want to buy. 

Government is acting like the weak-willed parent who, in its thirst for affection, has failed to draw any boundaries and stick to them.

Consumers have become rentseekers too, complaining about the cost of living and wailing about any attempts to wind back a bloated welfare system. Meanwhile we refuse to acknowledge all the things government has done for us, like stopping us from going into recession. 

Government is left desperately trying to figure out what it is that we want to keep us quiet. But any attempts to assuage our complaints - such as petrol price inquiries, grocery price inquiries - only lead us to wail even louder."

It seems to me that people here have forgotten about the rule that says "whoever pays the bills makes the rules".

You know the government is giving you money because of an
upcoming election....right? It is because they have all this extra lying
and decided to hand it out. 

People here feel that they are entitled to so many days to the hospital for free after having a baby. They seem to forget that all the other bills were completely free* and that many people elsewhere in the world do not even have access to healthcare like this, let alone for free.

Some say they are going to be hard up financially if/when the government reduces family tax benefits or carers leave or the myriad of other social handouts we get. These people seem to have forgotten that they get so many hand outs that they can live comfortably only working part time. Not many other people in the world could say such a thing. Gasp and horror if they should actually have to look for full-time work! In Greece right now there are people who have worked for an entire year without getting paid because their country is flat broke. At least here you would get paid. And don't forget minimum wage is at a lovely $15.51/hr for anyone older than 20. And I wonder why it costs so much to go see a movie or eat at Mc Donalds?

Sadly this lazy attitude is within the Christian circles as it is in the secular ones. Half the people I have heard whinging over the past several weeks have been Christians. They expect the handouts just as much as anyone else. They don't think work is a good. They don't think about taking responsibility for their family. They don't consider that they may have to tighten their belts a little, tell their kids no more Fox Tel and take out every week. 

And here lies a few dangers when living in a welfare-socialist country. The church (or I should say its individuals) forgets its responsibility to care for the poor and down-trodden, individuals forget how to work hard and people forget that everything comes for a price. 

Even those 'free' nights at the hospital.

When the government is in the red those luxuries are thrown in the rubbish bin.  We can carry on as we are and pass on the pain to our children or we could shoulder the burden ourselves and teach our children some valuable lessons so that they don't make the same mistakes.

I'd rather teach than hope that the next generation figures it out for themselves.

*People seem to have also forgotten that nothing is for free and that when the hard times come those nice little 'freebies' tend to disappear.

Made in the AUS

I was listening to talk radio today on the way home from Anglesea. They were talking about Australian industry and whether or not there should be laws regulating the purchase of goods/materials outside of Australia. I do not know much on this issue. It was interesting listening to the host state a few facts concerning Australian laws. 

1. 55% of all TV shows shown by stations must be Australian between the hours of 6pm and 12am. This explains why there are so many horrible shows on TV. Home and Away anyone?

2. 20% of all songs played by radio stations must be Australian. Thank goodness the indie and folk scenes are doing so well over here.

So the radio host was saying we already have restrictions on TV and radio why not on industry as well? He did say that quality should not be sacrificed when choosing Australian.

I suppose having grown up in the States we are not used to these sorts of rules. We are the ones that everyone else is trying to reign in. I suppose if the States stopped making shows/songs/movies people liked it wouldn't be such a problem. Not that I agree with everyone's taste.

Lentils as anything

We have once again come to the season in our budgetary lives when we begin to save up for a trip back to the States. When the decision is made the budget gets a thorough look over. Only a few categories in the budget escape the chopping block. The grocery bill is not one of them.

So due to our decision to start saving for a trip home and also because of living in an expensive city, we eat lentils. I would say several times a month. We tend to not eat much red meat, mostly for the reason above but also because lentils are a bit healthier.

Here are four lentil foods we tend to eat a lot of.

1. Moroccan Stew and Couscous

2. Lentil Enchiladas

3. Lentil & Vegetable Lasagna

4. Pumpkin and Lentil Soup

5. Dahl ( I haven't made it for ages so it doesn't fit with the above criteria )

I need to find some more recipes.

Since this post is about lentils I thought I would mention one of our favorite places to eat in Melbourne. The restaurant (there are two now) is called Lentil as Anything. The following is a mission statement from their website:

Lentils provides unique training and educational opportunities for many people who are struggling to find a place in mainstream institutions. Currently, it provides a place for the long term unemployed, new migrants, refugees, and people with disabilities to build confidence, gain skills and receive assistance with access to legal, health, housing and education services.

Besides being unique in how they serve the community they are also unique in how they price their meals. They simply don't. If you take a look on their menu you won't see any prices. Its based on a honesty policy. They have a tin on the front bench top where you place your "tips" based on what you feel like you should give.  Again a statement from their site that sums it all up:

We would love to welcome you as part of our community. We extend our hospitality offering you vegetarian cuisine cooked with love and gratitude. Our unique financial model functions independent of any government funding and we rely on your generosity in order to pay our rent, utilities, wages and stock.
Make an agreement with your conscience on what is reasonable, how much you enjoyed your food, our philosophy and our community. Be part of a unique financial model that is centred on the values of trust, generosity and respect that gives people the opportunity to eat out and be social regardless of their financial situation.

I know it sounds a bit hippie like but their food is great. I think it is interesting that they are trying to survive without government help when so much of the population expects the handout. I also like the fact that these establishments are stepping stones for some of the many refugees and immigrants we have in the area.

If you come visit we will take you there and you can try the Japanese pancakes. Warning though, they are heavy on the onions.

Sloppy joes, slop sloppy joes.

This past Saturday our church and another church got together for an international dinner. We get together with this church once a month for family fun nights. The churches see it as an outreach opportunity. Something to invite friends to who may not be interested in coming to church.

For our food contribution I decided to go with our American heritage and brought along sloppy joes, homemade mac N' cheese, and chocolate chip cookies.

Three women asked me what the minced meat was and how you were supposed to eat it.

When I said that it was called sloppy joes one lady looked at me confused.
Lady: "Sloppy joes?"
Me:"Yes, we call them sloppy joes."
Lady:"Oh, a sloppy joe is like a windcheater."
Me:"Windcheater?"
Lady:"Yeah, you know like a jumper?"
Me: "Oh right. I have never heard anyone say sloppy joe before."
Lady: "yes, well thats what some would say. That is why I was confused when you told me what you brought."

Sloppy Joe

So there you have it. Confusion over sloppy joes. Just so we can all be clear, here are the names for a warm, long-sleeved garment that you tend to wear in the autumn or winter.

Sloppy Joe = Windcheater = Jumper = Sweater

Or so I am told