My Thanksgiving day did not go as planned! I woke up with a headache and knew that I was going to need to take it easy if I didn’t want it to turn into a full blown migraine. So, I skipped our planned trip to Bahrain and let my dad and Cody have all the fun.
While I feasted on this…
They got to eat at Anand Bhavan, my favorite restaurant in the world.
All that glorious food! They had dosas, potato vada, and channa masala with puri. And they were being very restrained, we usually order twice that amount. This food is GOOD.
If you want to see more of my favorite restaurant be sure to check out my two part tour of the Bahrain souq and Anand Bhavan.
But their trip to Bahrain wasn’t all for fun, they had to go pick up one very special item: a Christmas tree! We couldn’t get one here because Christmas decorations are illegal in Saudi Arabia. So smuggle we did!
Once they got home we got started with the decorating! Christmas is my very favorite time of year. I’ve been known to listen to Christmas music in July and I usually start my decorating in the beginning of November. We only waited so long this year because we needed to get a tree!
Cody began putting up the lights…
…while Jack used them as a staging ground for chewing on his rope toy.
I thought Polly would look cute all wrapped up in the lights, and since she is the best dog ever she sat through the ordeal patiently, but couldn’t wipe the worried look off of her cute little mug.
Thank you for putting up with me Polly!
While Lobi dozed…
…Polly helped us choose the perfect ornaments for our tiny tree!
While we ‘worked’ we had a delicious dinner of sushi, my favorite. Cody always makes the sushi in this house because he is so darn good at it! Look at those pretty rolls!
And we enjoyed this amazing wasabi, a gift from Robyn from Girl on Raw. It was so much better than the standard wasabi, it had a floral, complex and very spicy flavor. We loved it! Thanks Robyn!
Decorating and feasting done! We are finally ready for Christmas. Okay, I’ve been ready for ages, but now our house matches my perpetual state of Christmas Cheer! Happy Holidays!
Subscribe to RSS Feed!
christmas decorations are illegal?! that makes me so sad! You won't be able to walk down the street and see all the lights and stuff!
Great photos! That is super lame Christmas is illegal!!! Your tree looks fabulous though. THanks for sharing!
Aw, the pups wanted to help decorate! Cute pictures. I am sorry your Thanksgiving did not go as planned, but I am glad you had fun decorating the Christmas tree. I am glad you found a way to smuggle in some decorations!
OMG that restaurant looks kinda like heaven. Im sorry you had a headache, though!! blah
Your tree looks fabulous.. what a great way to start off the holiday season
Awwwwwwww!!
Between family (including animals!), good food, decorations, and the opening of your vegan bakery (Congrats!), looks like 2009 is wrapping up very nicely.
im sorry things didn't go quite as planned but it still looks like fun! that restaurant looks amaazing
xoox
shelley
as always… that food looks sooooo amazing. my mouth is watering!!
Cute Christmas Tree!!
Sorry you won't feeling well. That restaurant looks fab!
You are such a law breaker. lol!
Looks like some great Indian Food! Yum! It is one of my favorite types of food. Those pictures of samosas make me sooo hungry.
That restaurant's food looks SO good.
Your dogs are SO cute. Sorry your day didn't go as planned, but it looks like you had a good time rolling with the changes
Gorgeous tree (legal or not)! And your dogs are just adorable. Hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving, anyway, and feel better!
I just discovered your blog thru Ange's OSG!! i am an Indian muslim….i was born in India…brought up in Kuwait….moved to Canada for my undergrad and am now pursuing my masters in PA, USA….i have now become vegetarian since i only eat halal meat and the lil town (in US) that I currently live in does not carry the specific kind of meat products.
I do share your sentiments on Indian food *drool* as well as Arabic/mediterranean food!!
Thank you so much! Gosh your dogs are cute. It looks like you had a very happy Thanksgiving.
I would love to try some authentic shawarma that also happens to be vegan, but no such luck in Los Angeles. I bet you get to eat really amazing ethnic dishes over there.
Thanks again for the lovely comment
Hey I bought that from New Zealand where I spoke to the guy whose dad ran the WASABI farm would you believe. All they added was WASABI plant, oil and lemon juice, is that right? Man I cannot wait to get home and have some of my own. I miss you!!!!! I get home next Wednesday. I feel for you and your headache, oh man I have so much to talk to you about. Are you feeling better???xxxxxx
Thanks for your awesome comments on my blog re my gratitude post. I loved them
As for your sushi…dang. I have never tried to make sushi, I have always been a little worried it would just be a huge mess. Your rolls look so tight and glued together like you really have mastered the art of getting everything tucked in well. I will come to you for tips when I embark on the mission!
Wasabi from Robyn=love the looks!
So sorry you didn't feel well on Thanksgiving. But I love your Christmas spirit! The sushi looks perfect and the pups are so cute.
Aw, you're not alone though, my Thanksgiving didn't go as planned either… I was so sick, I just stayed in bed all day and my festive "meal" consisted of a plain baked potato! No matter, at least it won't be hard to top the experience for the winter holidays.
Your Lobi looks like my dearly departed beagle-mix Morty. He was a Thanksgiving dog–we had a naming contest amongst the family that year–many years ago.
Headache aside, your Thanksgiving looked rich and full. I, too, decorated for Xmas and Thanksgiving simultaneously, but I didn't have to smuggle in a tree. I'm even more impressed with you than ever before!
Happy Everything!
Dear friend,
Â
In order to spread and disseminate the information contained in the latest report from the the World Watch Institute, "the 51% campaign" has been launched by an animal and environmental protection organization.
The organizers wish to inform those attending Copenhagen that 51% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from the livestock sector, it is for this goal that they have created the website http://www.51percent.org
If you visit the solutions page there are various actions you can take, for example the 2nd solution allows you to send a letter to a number of the EPA officials and environment minister worldwide. You can also add a 51% banner to your blog or website.
Â
So in the run up to Copenhagen, please visit http://www.51percent.org
Â
and send a letter to those attending COP15 and spread this website to your friends and Family!
i'm sorry you woke up with a headache & couldn't participate in the yummiest at your favorite place – they all look so good! that's so cool that you got a christmas tree to decorate! wahooooo! i didn't know christmas decorations are illegal there, but i'm glad Cody & your dad smuggled one in for you to decorate & enjoy! Jack, Polly, & Lobi are the cutest helpers, and your sushis look perfect! yum!
Sorry about that headache! Christmas decorations sounds like quite an adventure. I am glad you had everything you needed. Oh, the food at that restaurant looks so good! I can totally understand that it's your favourite restaurant.
Aww, sorry you had a headache, but it sounds like more than made up for it with the Xmas decorating party! Decorating is definitely my favorite part of the whole season.
Aww, Polly! She's trying really hard to please you, but you can tell she hates being decorated!
So what if someone rats you out for having a Christmas tree? Will you get in trouble? Is it seriously enforced? Craziness!
Anand Bhavan is your fav restaurant? Cool
Anand means 'happy' 
I guess thats how you feel when you enter it 
Happy thanksgiving to you to
Is there the American equivalent of a black friday there in Saudi 
?