Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I love unpacking the sweaters for those chilly evenings. I love the brillant colors of the trees and I love the excitement of the upcoming holidays. Over the last week, I have felt that there is something missing this fall season but I have not been able to put my finger on it until now. There are no pumpkins here! I have not seen a single pumpkin! How can you have Autumn without pumkins patches, toasted pumpkin seeds, and homemade pumkin pie? Have British children ever even heard of pumpkin carving? I cannot imagine a childhood without spending a Saturday afternoon picking out the the perfect pumpkin, lugging it home, cleaning it of those messy seeds, and then finally attempting to create the perfect jack o' lantern. I have to admit that I really miss my pumpkins! It is amazing how something as simple as a pumpkin can make you miss home. I have heard rumblings that Whole Foods in London does have some pumpkins that have recently been shipped from the States. With the goal of staying away from stores that cater to American expats (and the outrageous prices they charge for American products), I have avoided Whole Foods like the plague. I can live without Betty Crocker cake mix and Wheat Thins but I am not sure I can go through Autumn without adorning my door with a pumpkin. So, I might head off to Whole Foods tomorrow to pick out the perfect pumpkin, lug it home, clean out those messy seeds, and then attempt to create the perfect jack o' lantern!Cheers.
2 comments:
Since I've never lived in another country, I still can't always remember that some US holidays are not celebrated abroad. How do they celebrate Halloween over there? And how weird for Jiggy to be working on Thanksgiving for like the first time, ever.
By the way, I think it's an old British tradition to send some gifts to your friends during every American holiday that you miss over here ;)
Hi Kat,
Message from Rachel (we met at Tamara's birthday BBQ). I'm English born and bred and we always had a pumpkin at Halloween when I was younger (carved a silly face and sat it on the window sill with a candle inside). We do celebrate Halloween but no where near as much as you guys do in the States! When I lived in Texas I couldn't believe how much candy gets dished out!!!!
Anyway, pop down to your local supermarket and they'll be sure to have pumpkins for carving (my local Sainsburys has loads of them)!
Rach :-) x
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