I ventured to Lyon from the 10th-12th of December to see the Fête des Lumières.  This light festival is put on by the city once a year and was originally started with intentions to honor Mother Mary.  Candles and other amazing light installations illuminated the city.

Au centre ville

it was hard to capture with my camera but there were images projected onto the mist (above the lime green lights on the water)

 

 

 

cool lights on a fountain

lights projected onto a church

cold weather called for lots of vin chaud : ) My friend Alex is on the left.  The others are her friends and other language assistants in Paris.

 I had a blast in Lyon!  Alex, her boyfriend Danny, and I couchsurfed on this trip so we had a lovely (and did i mention free!) apartment to sleep in : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my life. . .

One of my new years resolutions is to "get organized," whatever that may mean.  I decided that keeping up with my blog falls into this category, so with out further ado...

I volunteered to host Thanksgiving chez moi, mostly out of practicality and of course I always love to share the beautiful view from my balcony!  A few of my girlfriends came over early in the day to prepare various dishes and it was funny to hear all of us explain at some point, "ok guys, no guarantees on this.  At home I usually make this with other ingredients."  Needless to say it was def an improvised Thanksgiving with a french twist.  

Salad, candied carrots, green bean casserole, garlic broccoli, rotisserie chicken, french bread (obviously!), stuffing, and my aligot for dinner, and chocolate pecan pie, apple tarts, chocolate and icecream for dessert ... clearly no one went home hungry!!

Everything turned out great, including my aligot dish.

Basically this is garlicy mashed potatoes with lots of melted cheese!! YUMMMMM!!!

The boys : )

  I ate until it hurt (as usual), and enjoyed everyone's company!! 

The thanksgiving crew (minus my lovely roommate Olga who took the pic!)

So thankful for friends and my dear family!!

xoxo