...it's that time of year!

This week will be a rush of getting ready for the holidays and getting grades in. People, especially teachers, understand very well the chaos that comes with the end of the semester and the approach of a very welcomed Christmas break. Luckily, though, I stayed organized this semester, and it shouldn't be too complicated getting all of turning in everything before the end of next week.

My Thanksgivings were amazing, and the change of pace was certainly needed. On Wednesday night, I went to have dinner at the home of one of my students. Her name is Benoite, and she is interested in being the French assistant at Meredith College next year. I think she would be a great teacher! Below is a picture of her and her mother and brothers. They were all there for the dinner.



We had a fairly nontraditional Thanksgiving at her house. Her mom made two delicious quiches and a fruit salad for dessert. Below is a picture of one of the quiches. Benoite's family was so welcoming, and they've already invited me back again!



The Thanksgiving I celebrated on Thanksgiving day was absolutely splendid. Debra, a professor at the Catho who is a Meredith alumna and was a lectrice (like me!) 7 years ago, is living here in France with her family. She met and married a British man named Charles, and they have two small kids: Kaylee is 2 years old, and Jaden is 6 months. They are here initially to do mission work, but they teach English to pay the bills. They are a young and energetic family.



Debra made an EXCELLENT Thanksgiving meal. She had ingredients shipped from the U.S., courtesy of her mother, so we were able to have real stuffing! As a whole turkey is difficult to find in France, Debra bought turkey breasts, stuffed them with stuffing, and baked them. It was so delicious! She also made a white gravy for the turkey, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin and pecan pies. Below is the pumpkin pie! It was just what I needed to get me through missing my family over the holiday.



I helped her set the table for the party of 20 she invited (all of which were first year students at the university - I have many of them in my classes too!), cut and empty the pumpkin, and watch the kids while she ran a few last minute errands. The atmosphere around the meal was also enjoyable. The students brought her flowers to thank her for hosting the event. In France, the relationship between professor and student is more distant than in the U.S., and I believe it was the first time they had ever been invited to a professor's house. They seemed to really enjoy it.

I still have one Thanksgiving to celebrate! That is coming up on Sunday. Catherine is hosting a Thanksgiving party for me and Trevor, the American that is staying with her. It should be great fun, and the food should be scrumptious (and authentic, thanks to Peter!). I'll be sure to let you know how that goes.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that the Christmas season brings you joy! Until next time!