We hosted our friends for a Friendsgiving potluck - an afternoon filled with homemade dishes dripping in nostalgia, wine, cookie decorating and an abundance of laughter.

And while the Vegducken was an flavorless time consuming flop, gathering with our new friends celebrating my favorite holiday felt like a slice of home - from afar.

Menu:

Epic Cheeseboard w/ Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie 

Smoked Turkey

Ham

Mashed Potatoes (Silver Palate’s Thanksgiving Potatoes via Food52)

Gravy

Homemade Rolls

Stuffing

Cranberry Sauce

Vegducken (Epicurious)

Pumpkin Pie

Pretzel Salad

Mulled Wine Fruit Bars (Joy the Baker)

Assorted Chocolates/Pumpkin Gummy Bears

The next evening, we doubled down on our home country tradition walking to our new friends home for a quiet (is anything quiet with toddlers in tow?) Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings. Her baked brie + jam was so incredible I still dream about it. Mark’s pumpkin creme brulee with Chantilly cream was top notch - no surprise as he is our family brulee expert.