Thanksgiving Week is one of my favorite weeks of the whole year! So many emotions and feelings to try and express. For so many years Thanksgiving was the week the work of the Nativity Display would begin. It is the Start of the Christmas Season in so many ways. There is not a better way to begin than by being grateful for life, my family, friends, good food and I mean really good food and all of the smells that go with it. I love the day before Thanksgiving when all of the pies are made - pumpkin, apple, pecan and sometimes mincemeat and cherry.
The fresh orange taste of sweet potato casserole and onion and celery cooking in butter getting ready for the stuffing. On Thanksgiving day the smell of the turkey cooking and then just in time, the wonderful smell of hot rolls coming out of the oven.
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| Rolls ready for the oven |
The very best part is sharing all of this with family and anyone else who wants to come and join the feast. I have fond memories of my kids taking a plate full of food to the nice man who runs the corner convenience store next to our home who always was open on Thanksgiving. We moved into our current home on the day before Thanksgiving 25 years ago and the special memory of friends bringing the turkey and all of the side dishes and pies to our family on Thanksgiving day.
And so this day is a labor of love and of gratitude for having enough and to share. I think my children thought it was the last good meal they would get for the next two weeks as we would spend those days building and setting up The Nativity Display. I think it is fitting that we have this wonderful Holiday to give thanks to our Father in Heaven for the blessings we have received that also helps us to draw closer to Him as we ponder and reflect on the year and what those blessings are.
Then, we have the opportunity to spend the next 30 days Being a Light to the World as we serve our neighbors near and far. Just sending Christmas cards to friends and family is a great service. We anxiously wait for Thanksgiving day to end so that on Friday we can put up the Christmas lights on the house and get the house clean and ready for the Tree and decorations in the house. We knew if we did not get it up then, we would be too busy and tired that we would never get it done. So, things have not changed much even with us being away. We patiently waited for Thanksgiving to be over (even though it is not a holiday here) and Friday we pulled out the decorations and started playing the Christmas music CD's. Advent starts Dec. 1 here so the Christmas season is well on its way and very festive.
After a very busy Saturday and Sunday morning, we decided to go for a walk down the street to Schloss Belvedere and see the lights and Market. It was lit up with lots of lights and lots of people were enjoying the evening. Most people enjoy the markets for the abundance of hot wine and kinder punch (non alcohol) for the kids and non-drinkers like us. The focal point of their display is the tree made out of wooden sleighs. It is their ecological contribution to the city. It is unique and it was beautiful from a distance with the lights on it.
We start most weeks with our District Council and this week we added more apartment inspections to the day as well. We actually enjoy going and visiting with the missionaries in their apartments and helping them with any needs they have. There is something about talking in your own home that breaks down barriers and relationships can be built. We also can fix and help with things they do not always think about when we ask in an email or text. We were asked to give a presentation on the Gospel Topic Essay -
Mother in Heaven. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. In the early days of the Church a poem was written by Eliza R. Snow entitled "My Father in Heaven" and now is known as the hymn,
"O My Father", that expresses the most notable expression of this belief. This text states: "In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare; Truth is reason - truth eternal - Tells me I've a mother there." In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," issued in 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared, "Each person is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny." President Harold B. Lee stated, "We forget that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who are even more concerned, probably, than our earthly father and mother, and that influences from beyond are constantly working to try to help us when we do all we can." I know this doctrine to be Truth as I have witnessed the love of Heavenly Parents in my life. Latter-day Saints believe that this pattern is reflected in Paul's statement in the Bible that "neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." Men and women cannot be exalted without each other. We direct our worship to Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ, and do not pray to Heavenly Mother. In this, we follow the pattern set by Jesus Christ, who taught His disciples to "always pray unto the Father in my name."
We were able to share our testimonies of this wondrous doctrine with the Elders and Sister Missionaries. It is important that they understand this as they teach people about The Plan of Salvation and that our theology begins with heavenly parents. This is a teaching they all know, but Russ' testimony of it really touched them and it changed the whole spirit in the meeting. They said they want us to have an assignment every week and teach them. Oh how we love our missionaries and learning together!
Tuesday was their P-Day and we were able to spend part of the day with them. They had a street finding activity in the morning and so we joined them in the city square that they go to. We did this in Germany with the missionaries but had not participated since we have been in Vienna. It was a great experience to talk with people and to be out with this group of missionaries. We then went to a local favorite Schnitzel Restaurant and yes, we all had schnitzel in a variety of flavors. We had a wonderful time with them and were grateful they invited us. We had to then go to the Institute for our work there and they went to Prater, the local amusement park for a fun afternoon and evening together. It was a quiet evening at the Institute and so we slipped away for about an hour and enjoyed the Market at the University of Wien that is just two blocks from the Institute.
This was an interesting Nativity carved from wood, not really set up completely with Mary turned and Baby Jesus not yet in the manger, but it was nice to see. The focal point of this particular Market is the life size Nativity that is on display.
It was absolutely beautiful. This first picture is from the backside with the Shepherd looking in from the back with the sheep around him. I had never seen a life size with so much dimension and detail. This set was displayed in 2016 at Petersplatz in Rome and in 2017 it was displayed in Bethlehem at Krippenplatz. It came to this location in 2018 and is displayed this year as well.
Off to the side was this display of a shepherd among the sheep sound asleep on a bale of hay. There is actually a lot of symbolism in that scene. Think about it.
We were so glad we took the time to walk over and see this. We hope to take some of the YSA in the coming weeks so that they can see it. I am so grateful that they can so freely display The Nativity in city venues all over the city.
So, as shone above, Wednesday was baking day. The magic of the season was beginning. The YSA had planned a Thanksgiving Day Dinner. They asked if I would cook the turkey for my assignment. I was glad to do that. They had 15 attend the year before and they said they really enjoyed the American dinner. We had 20 originally sign up to attend and then it just exploded. I gave Monday as the final day to sign-up (foreign concept to everyone) so that I could have enough meet for everyone. We ended going back and buying more turkey and added 2 ham. We were up to 50 planning to come.
It costs about $9 Euro a kilo for a Turkey and so a 10 pound turkey would cost about $45 Euro. Feeding that many and with one small oven, I said I would cook just the breast. They are readily available and cost $8 Euro a Kilo. I had two 5 pound breasts and 2 (2 pound) ones. I told them a turkey carved at the table was just in the movies. They were the largest Turkey breasts I have every cooked and really good. OK, back to the Wednesday activities. I invited any missionaries to come and help that wanted to and 4 Elders arrived for just a few minutes just in time to smell them coming out of the oven and wetting their appetite for what was to come.
There was a great learning curve for me. Austria is the land of Sacher Torte and Apple Strudel. They do not do PIE and so pie tins are not readily available. What they do have are tart pans and spring form cake pans. So, I had to improvise and make deep dish pies and one double recipe Dutch apple pie to fit in the pan. I was not sure how they would turn out, but I was blessed and it worked.
The hardest one was making an apple pie in the spring form pan. The main problem was the juices from the filling oozing out the bottom of the pan, but that is what tin foil is for, right?
So, at the end of the evening, we were still getting people who wanted to come. I was not sure how many we really would have, but I knew I had cooked all that I was capable of doing. The two favorite pies from the group were the Dutch Apple and the Pecan. I thought I would share the Dutch Apple recipe.
DUTCH APPLE PIE
Crust:
1 1/2 cup flour 1 tsp. salt Combine flour, salt,
1 1/2 tsp. sugar and sugar.
1/2 cup oil 2 Tbl. cold milk Add: oil & milk
Form in pie pan filling
bottom and sides. Flute
Filling: edge. Place in fridge
5 cups apples to cool.
1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar lemon juice
Sprinkle lemon over apples. Combine sugar and spices. Mix
with apples. Pour into cooled shell.
Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
Combine topping with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling.
Place pie in a large brown paper bag. Staple or secure ends.
Bake in 350* oven for 1 hr. and 45 min. Yes, this is correct.
NO PEEKING in the BAG. This is the secret to the pie.
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| Dutch Apple Pie |
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There were 4 of us from Texas and the Pecan pie was a little piece of home comfort.
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| Our Missionaries |
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| Jeremy cleaned his plate! |
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| Friends and missionaries |
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| BYU Students |
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| More of the group |
By the end of the evening we had over 70 people come through the serving line and eat with us. We added 3 tables and filled every empty space in the building. Everyone got as much as they wanted and some even came back for more. When everyone was served, Russ and I filled our plates (I had already filled my plate with sweet potatoes, stuffing, and a roll with a piece of pecan pie - that is all I really cared about eating) and found the only available place to sit - at our desk in the front foyer - and I gave a sigh of relief and before I could take a bite, the guests came and wanted to thank us and talk. That is when you know it has been a successful evening. I know that miracles happen today just as they did as Jesus walked the roads of Palestine. He lives and continues to bless our lives every day. I know I had extra angels with me as well. Three dear friends, Julia, Fay and Melissa have passed away in the past three weeks. They all had an influence in my life and will continue to bless my life as they minister in Heaven. I am so thankful for my mother and her wonderful example to me and mentor in all my learning.
Needless to say, it was a very late night, especially when we had to walk and then ride the underground and tram home. We drove back on Friday to load the car with all of the pans and crock pots - just no food to load up. So glad to at least have a car that we can drop off and deliver the things that we need - we just can't park long term near the Institute.
I was not sure I would be able to get our of bed on Friday, but it was a new day and who can stay in bed when it is BLACK FRIDAY!
We had a meeting at the Institute in the afternoon and then we left about 7:30 and went to the Christmas Market at the Rathaus to spend some time and take it all in.
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| Main fairway |
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| Rathaus (City Building) |
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| Snowman |
This was at the skating rink. It was the cutest thing ever. It is a little rink for children and adults to learn how to skate with these penguins on skies. Where were these when I was learning?
The red tree is filled with large red hearts with the ferris wheel in the background. It was very festive.
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| Advent wreath |
The Advent wreath will be lit on Sunday and every day a new candle will be lit until Christmas.
These are needlepoint ornaments with lace and they are so beautiful. I have never seen anything like them. They are quite expensive - photos will just have to do for me.
It was a nice way to end the work week. Russ topped it off with a frankfurter - not just a hot dog as you now it. He said it was very good. We treated ourselves to a chocolate covered apple to share - we enjoyed it as soon as we got home. So, we close out November and welcome in December. This year has gone by so fast and it is almost surreal that we are hear and able to enjoy a little glimpse of the Holiday Splendor that takes place here. People come from all over the world to be here during the market times. We are lucky to see a small part of it in our comings and goings.
There is never a slow day. Just when we think we will have a day to catch up, something comes along. Today, one of the missionary apartments had the sewer back up into their bathroom.
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| Needlepoint Ornament |
Today was also Transfer call day. It is a sad day for many as we will be saying goodbye to 9 of our missionaries on Wednesday. Elder Kuttler and Sister Daynes are completing their missions and returning home just in time for Christmas. They have been incredible missionaries and we have truly been blessed serving with them. Transfers are just part of the mission, but it doesn't make it any easier to say good bye. We all grow from each experience and gain a lot of new associations and friends.
We also say good bye to the BYU Study Abroad students who have been here this semester. They have truly added and wonderful, vibrant spirit to the Institute. They will be missed. Nice to have Facebook to stay in touch.
Almost done with the week. We took about an hour on Saturday and went to the Austrian Museum of Military History. It is located on an old military installation. It is about a block from our apartment. We did not go into the museum, but they were having a midivial market just this weekend so we went and checked it out.
The Museum states that since 1945 Wars belong in museums. Direct strikes from Allied bombing raids destroyed large parts of the Museum, but it was rebuilt and reopened in 1955. The Museum's work is now focused on historical contests and studying war and the military from the perspective of cultural history. The Museum examines the correlations between the military and its political, social and technological developments since the 16th century. It is one of the most important museums of military history anywhere in the world. Since 1951 this Arsenal has been used as a research and residential quarter.
It is humbling to walk in these areas and read and see the history. We are blessed that our home land has not been devastated by modern war fare as they countries have been.
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| handmade bows and arrows |
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| meat cooking on a large spit |
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There were some fun booths, but mostly food and drinks - lots of alcohol. Made it easy for us, we just kept walking - hence a quick visit to the market.
I started the day at a Stake Relief Society activity at the Institute. We made Advent Wreaths. Advent starts on Sunday, Dec. 1. It is a really big deal in Austria. I made one in Freiburg last year, but everyone has one here. You light a candle each Sunday in December. You spend time together as a family and share a Christmas story together and then light the candle. I love this tradition and we look forward to starting on Sunday.
We got a little Nostalgic and had our very first Domino's Pizza in 16 months. We even had it delivered (the driver comes on a bike) and we ate it as we put up the Christmas tree, lights and Nativities. One of my favorite events for Christmas. We are ready to begin the countdown. The only hard part about today was that I was too tired to really enjoy it. It has been a busy week. I hope we can enjoy Sunday and rest from the daily tasks and regroup for the coming week. Christmas tree is up and all decorated. It is very simple, but our home is looking very festive. Happy December!
Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's
