Thanksgiving in France

 This is the fifth Thanksgiving I've spent in France in the past 23 years. The first, I was a student. The second, Frédéric and I had just gotten married in October, so didn't return in November. The third, Jordan and Kacey got married that summer and we didn't go back that fall. The fourth, I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Benjamin. 

And now, we're still trying to get through a pandemic. So while legally we could have gone home and come back to France, and we've already had covid, we decided to forgo our trip this year in the interest of public health more generally, and not risking a second bout and carrying it to family, specifically.

So Thanksgiving is a "normal day" this year. Noah went off to school this morning, Benjamin is doing virtual school this week at home, and we took a car to the shop and will pick it up later. 

But Frédéric made cheesecake and pecan pie, and turkey and all the fixings for dinner. 

Not as good as a Pettijohn Thanksgiving, but we're happy and healthy and together. 

Lockdown Updates

As of November 16th, the high school split the kids into half classes. They're doing hybrid school now, one week in school, one week at home. Benjamin is at home this week.

President Macron spoke tonight to lay out the next steps. As of this weekend, shops can open, with one person per eight square meters, and children's outdoor sports can re-open.

December 15th, if things keep going the right direction, children's indoor sports can open - but the pool closes over the Christmas holidays so we don't have much hope for swimming before January. 

We still need passes to go out, but should be able to gather with family for the holidays. There will be a curfew from 9 pm to 7 am except Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but public gatherings won't be allowed in any event. 

 January 20th, if things are going the right way, high schools can go back to 100% in person.  

Frédéric is on vacation at the moment and only works three days in December. 

I'm still working, and also keeping busy updating random bits of furniture. We turned the old kitchen cabinets into a shoe cabinet in the entryway a while back, and painting Benjamin's old desk inspired me to paint the cabinet as well. 

before

and after!

I'm not thrilled to be spending Thanksgiving in France, but we'll manage, and hope to get to see everyone by next summer if all goes well. Our dodo has dressed up in turkey feathers to decorate our table and Frédéric is looking forward to cooking Thanksgiving dinner (which will be really at dinnertime, since it will be a normal school day for the boys this year).

Beaujolais Nouveau

Well, on the downside, we're stuck in France for Thanksgiving. On the bright side, we're here for one of the first times ever for the Beaujolais Nouveau. 

Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine from Beaujolais region. It's called a vin de primeur, meaning it is fermented for only a few weeks. It's sold starting the third Thursday of November, which explains why we're usually not here for it. As it's a primeur or vin de table (table wine), it's meant to be drunk immediately, and not stored in your wine cellar for years.

Frédéric made us a charcuterie board to go with our wine tasting.