A Taste of Home

It isn't easy to move to another country, and I'll admit I have some low days when I feel outraged, frustrated, and homesick.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am missing my family a lot.  For an expat potluck tomorrow I am preparing my dad's caramelized onion, chestnut, and dried apricot stuffing along with the obligatory, yet delicious, green bean casserole. To my surprise, I found all of the ingredients (if a bit modified).  Even panko to make the fried onions for the casserole! No French's here.  (I love the thrill of searching for ingredients I want and having to adapt, improvise, or make things from scratch I normally wouldn't). 

Anyway, I know tomorrow will give me a nourishing dose of "home"  that I need to sustain me.  When you're far from family, like we usually are, your friends become kin, and a special bond ensues.  So I am thankful for my wonderful new "family" in Chile along with all the people we love and have shared such memorable times with!

Thanks Sara at A Dose of Pretty for the inspiration to show my place-setting pic!


Last weekend we took a trip up the coast to a quaint little town of Zapallar.   The place was amazing!  Speaking of home, it felt like a mix between northern California and Europe, with a Latin twist, of course!

We went with good friends and spent the day exploring dramatic rock formations and playing on an immaculate beach surrounded by stunning villas.  There are a couple of beautiful restaurants that serve fresh (like from the bay while you eat, fresh) seafood.  A thoroughly enjoyable day and another charming Chilean locale.

 

Pebble Beach?

 

Peach at the beach

Restaurant

Ladybug

And finally, a grateful and heartfelt  Happy Thanksgiving wish to all of our deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are away from home.  Thank you!
On that note,  here is an  essay  I recently read which reminded me of the waiting families
at home.