A Chalet Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, which is distinguished among my French friends and family as falling the week after the Beaujolais Nouveau arrives, means takeout for us. I know, how terrible! But it's not what it seems. Thanksgiving is not a national holiday here, so we hold off and invite people to come feast and celebrate a good old full style Thanksgiving two days later, on the weekend. That way those who have to travel to get to the party can come.

Many of you know already that I refurbished a wood burning fourneau that was in our little place in the Alps. This year, after having learned to cook in it, we have decided to do Thanksgiving in the mountains and cook everything by wood fire. The following day, I plan to stuff a Savoy cabbage in this way with the leftovers, a great way, being in the Savoie where this cabbage grows in just about every garden, to express how thankful we are for chalet and wood fired cooking.

We got a little video camera for sharing special moments in the baby's life with relatives at home, and I started a youtube account yesterday. With that, I leave you a video of the window at La Minaudiere, one of my favorite takeout places in Lyon. In addition to being grateful for the abundance we have found in this wonderful city, I'm giving thanks for you tonight, and hoping that those of you that celebrate Thanksgiving have a fabulous holiday.