-: Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank goodness for having American friends....

Last night the group of us language assistants celebrated American Thanksgiving, which was nice, because the Canadian one came and went for us like a regular Monday in October. It was a huge potluck feast, hosted by the fabulous Katie and Natalee, at their actually-the-size-of-a-real-apartment-with-an-oven-in-the-kitchen home. The food was incredible and our celebration truly did feel like a piece of home (without any of those awkward family issues.) We even did the traditional sharing of what we're thankful for, and introduced our British, Italian and Scottish friends to all of the usual fare. Finding the French equivalent to each recipe ingredient was tricky in itself.

We had: sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, green bean casserole, spinach and cheese dip, creamy peas, cauliflower cheese, parsnips, escargot, 2 chickens and homemade gravy. With apple apricot pie, banana caramel cream pie, marshmallow cherry "15's," chocolate krispies and vanilla ice cream for dessert and wine and cider. Phew. The pie says "Thanks give" because Lucy is British ;)

5 Things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1. the internet, for keeping me in touch with my family and friends in Canada

2. it's silly but the dress i bought yesterday, that fits perfectly!! (for the christmas party)

3. the opportunity to live in the south of France (t-shirt weather yesterday!)

4. my new group of fantastic friends over here. its always a blast.

5. for having Steve here with me. Even though we've had some tough days these past couple months, we're on this crazy adventure together and that means a lot. and kudos to him for surviving the night with all of the girls. he's the only male assistant around. so cute...