For the first time in seven years of living in France, i flew to Smerica this year for Thanksgiving. It was the lack of cranberries that broke my will to live in a land without MAGA. Specifically that Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce one eats at no other time of year and without apology on Thanksgiving day. We had two cans this year: One for me, the other for everyone else. And you are dead right about French butter.,From God’s churn.
Dear Theresa - I adore every word that you wrote. Reading your ex-pat view of Thanksgiving in France caused a smile to plant itself on my face and stay. Thank you for your posts. Makes me wish I were younger and spoke fluent Italian and moved to Lucca to live a different life!
You made me cry. If 15 yrs. In Italy only celebrated it 3x with American friends there. Yesterday alone like the other 12 in Italy. The heartbreak and nostalgia, the smells , the joy, the traditions m….and college football on TV on full stomachs….will be in our hearts and minds forever.
It sounds like your meal was delicious. I think I need the asparagus/white bean/avocado/red pepper in a mustard-dill vinaigrette recipe. The French seem a bit confounded by the idea of Thanksgiving. Your British friends sound fab
I was wondering what you might (and for a while also wondering what I might do!--but then Tom's sister-in-law invited me to join them, and we had a wonderful time).
I am glad you rekindle the festivities in Rennes--and the description of the mashed potatoes has my mouth watering (European dairy always far surpasses that of the US in my book). And root vegetables!!! (Roots have long been the heart of my ideas of Thanksgiving, and like California fruit, I do no doubt that yours there take these vegetables to a new level. In fact, I brought roasted acorn squash and Tom made a homemade squash soap). The asparagus/white bean/avocado/red pepper in a mustard-dill vinaigrette I prepared might pass as something your French neighbors might warm to--but perhaps not my cranberry/edamame/chick pea salad
That your American friend could come was so good because as yous ay it brought the deeper purpose of the gathering literally home. My British friend, Charlotte, married an American (also a friend) whom she met at Univ. of Maryland, and she loved the concept... and for twenty-plus years they have held a Thanksgiving feast for up to twenty on that Thursday evening--despite it and the next been a work day. While the twenty have a few American expats--she has converted many a British friend to the celebration (perhaps easier to do than with your French neighbors).
When Charlotte first started the tradition, I sent her some of Gurley vintage candles (quite kitschy) of turkeys and pilgrims that I found on ebay and that my mother had used when I was little to decorate our table.
I know on Thanksgiving that I am always so grateful for my friends--and you and Don are certainly in the center of those whom I count as among my closest.
I love this so much! The winter coat under the princess costume--same!!!
OMG. Chubbiest princess ever!
The things our mothers did to us!
My mother would have me put OVER the costume--which of course made the costume take backstage.
My mom tried that and I refused. I shoulda kept my mouth shut.
I share your love of French butter. Steve & I enjoyed a non-turkey dinner up at Saint-Samson-sur-Rance.
For the first time in seven years of living in France, i flew to Smerica this year for Thanksgiving. It was the lack of cranberries that broke my will to live in a land without MAGA. Specifically that Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce one eats at no other time of year and without apology on Thanksgiving day. We had two cans this year: One for me, the other for everyone else. And you are dead right about French butter.,From God’s churn.
Well put!
Dear Theresa - I adore every word that you wrote. Reading your ex-pat view of Thanksgiving in France caused a smile to plant itself on my face and stay. Thank you for your posts. Makes me wish I were younger and spoke fluent Italian and moved to Lucca to live a different life!
Thank you Jeri. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I hope your Thanksgiving was lovely.
You made me cry. If 15 yrs. In Italy only celebrated it 3x with American friends there. Yesterday alone like the other 12 in Italy. The heartbreak and nostalgia, the smells , the joy, the traditions m….and college football on TV on full stomachs….will be in our hearts and minds forever.
Next year, come to Rennes!!!
I’ll never pull the French butter out of the frig again without thinking about those cherubs!!
If we ever get down to a dinner if fewer than 20, we’ll switch to the fois gras and oysters, brioche, good cheese and wine. Happy Thanksgiving!!
I hope you had a great day! We miss you.
It sounds like your meal was delicious. I think I need the asparagus/white bean/avocado/red pepper in a mustard-dill vinaigrette recipe. The French seem a bit confounded by the idea of Thanksgiving. Your British friends sound fab
I was wondering what you might (and for a while also wondering what I might do!--but then Tom's sister-in-law invited me to join them, and we had a wonderful time).
I am glad you rekindle the festivities in Rennes--and the description of the mashed potatoes has my mouth watering (European dairy always far surpasses that of the US in my book). And root vegetables!!! (Roots have long been the heart of my ideas of Thanksgiving, and like California fruit, I do no doubt that yours there take these vegetables to a new level. In fact, I brought roasted acorn squash and Tom made a homemade squash soap). The asparagus/white bean/avocado/red pepper in a mustard-dill vinaigrette I prepared might pass as something your French neighbors might warm to--but perhaps not my cranberry/edamame/chick pea salad
That your American friend could come was so good because as yous ay it brought the deeper purpose of the gathering literally home. My British friend, Charlotte, married an American (also a friend) whom she met at Univ. of Maryland, and she loved the concept... and for twenty-plus years they have held a Thanksgiving feast for up to twenty on that Thursday evening--despite it and the next been a work day. While the twenty have a few American expats--she has converted many a British friend to the celebration (perhaps easier to do than with your French neighbors).
When Charlotte first started the tradition, I sent her some of Gurley vintage candles (quite kitschy) of turkeys and pilgrims that I found on ebay and that my mother had used when I was little to decorate our table.
I know on Thanksgiving that I am always so grateful for my friends--and you and Don are certainly in the center of those whom I count as among my closest.