Summer's Over?!?

When the real-feel is just below freezing, but you're not ready for Summer to be over...

Beach Supplies still in the trunk!

PS - I wore my stadium coat (the warm one that I got for Iowa snow) today, for my walk downtown.

Fifth Wave of Coronavirus in France

We've been watch the coronavirus roar back, for a fifth wave - the increase in new cases is incredible! 

We knew the government was going to announce new measures, but what was left to do? Well, scheduled just after noon on Thanksgiving day, the Health Minister told us.

The US embassy sent a good summary of the new French covid rules. To quote...

The French government announced a number of changes to French COVID-19 measures, including changes to rules regarding vaccination and the health pass:

- Booster vaccinations will open for all adults (ages 18 and above) on November 27. The booster shot will be available five (5) months after receiving the second dose. France will reopen 300 vaccination centers to assist with the booster shot campaign.

- People age 65 and older must receive a booster dose by December 15, or their health pass will expire.

- People age 18-64 must receive a booster within seven (7) months after their second dose or their health pass will expire beginning on January 15, 2022. 

- Temporary health passes based on a negative COVID test will be reduced to 24 hours, rather than the current 72 hours, beginning on November 29. 

- Wearing a face mask indoors is again mandatory in all public indoor spaces as of November 25, regardless of vaccination status. Local authorities have the authority to require face masks outside in certain areas, such as Christmas markets.

- Vaccines for children will not begin before the end of the year, after the French health authority has had time to examine the issue, including the European Medicines Agency's November 25 approval of the vaccine for this age group.

- School rules for elementary schools will change November 29. Under the new rules, when a student in an elementary class tests positive, all the students will be tested, but those who test negative will be allowed to return to class.

Thanksgiving in Sète

Yesterday, we went to a real Thanksgiving dinner, hosted by another American couple - it was amazing (of course)!

I can't remember the last time we had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner!  I had to look back at my blogs, and even then, I couldn't really find a post about it - it's more that Thanksgiving day is a marker for what was happening around us. I do remember getting together with friends in Costa Rica, and gasping at the price of a turkey there, but I guess I didn't post anything 🙄.

Well, here we are! An actual Thanksgiving day post! Here's the groaning buffet, desserts not included...

Here's the view from the other side of the island. It was a stormy day, with some sun poking through just in time for appetizers on the terrace - nice, eh?

Dinner and...

These look a little sad, don't they? So... Empty!

But, oh my, they sure were good with dinner!

We had the Pouilly Fuissé with our starter of mussels - it was a perfect combination!

We moved on to the Mas des Étoiles for the main meal. This is from the Cahors, of 100% Malbec grapes. It was incredibly smooth and rich. With it, we had my cherry chocolate chipotle glazed pork tenderloin, mushrooms, roasted potatoes, garlic pecan green beans, and (of course) baguette from La Pétrisane. Our next course was chili con carne, façon Marie-Sylvie, and green salad. The wine extended the spice in the spicy 🙂.

After a short break, we had a cheese plate - reblochon, comté, and chavignol. 

Then! Brownies! With little "November-birthday-girls" candles 🙂. Fantastic with the Veuve Clicquot champagne that we had been saving for what seemed like forever...

Four and a half hours after our appetizers, we said goodbye to our friends, and laid to rest our poor, brave, empty bottles - it was a very good evening 🙂

Moonrise and Sunset

Sunsets are getting earlier - 5:30pm, in the middle of November!

Tonight's coincided with a moonrise!

Later Today

Later today...

Then it cleared up again, so I stopped taking pictures 🙂

Today

We're back to having interesting skies!

It may look threatening, but the weather was lovely today - I walked downtown to pick up some Thai takeout for later, and it was sunny, breezy, and just a tad nippy; I was warm enough part way through to open my jacket and unwind my scarf 🙂.

All we need now is a little bit of bubbly!

Basque Fish

I bought a nice "pavé" of "lieu noir" yesterday... If you're like me, you read that, and think - what are we talking about here?!? So... a pavé translates to a cobblestone 🙄 but like many menu terms in France, it means a thick piece of meat or fish. And lieu noir is a type of mild white fish (yeah, noir translates to black...) - known as pollock in the US.

Now that we know what it is, what do I do with it? Inspiration struck! I used my modified recipe for Basque Rabbit, and modified it even more (of course)! It became a quick soup for two.

It was FANTASTIC!!

Basque Fish

In a hot pan, add
olive oil
2 small sliced onions
1/4 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped

Cook and stir till lightly browned.
Deglaze with
1/2 cup white or rose wine
Add
1 tsp paprika fumé
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/2 - 1 cup chicken stock

Add chunks of fish, simmer till done, ~5 minutes

Stir in
1 TBS port
1 handful chopped cherry tomatoes

Serve with brown rice and green beans.

 

Autumn Already?!

It's Autumn already?!? 

Huh, Autumn is even halfway over!

We had our share of interesting skies

I showed some new friends around Sète - we met at the train station, but I completely forgot about the bridges opening up for boat traffic (and so, of course, closing the routes for cars and pedestrians) - well, we waited about 10 minutes, and watched the boats from opposite sides of the canal 🙂

More skies...

I finally made it back to the Bio store, and stocked up on interesting grains - I like a handful or two in my stews. And I found molasses! I'm still waiting for cookie weather though!

More skies...

And birds!

I fired up the oven, but it's not a regular occurrence yet. A few weeks ago, I switched my indoor shorts to indoor sweatpants, and we moved on to blankets and radiators. I had another battle with the mold, brought on by a week of humidity, but most of the time now it's dry, cold, windy, and sunny.

My English conversation workshop started up again, and I've been walking to it most times (so you know the weather hasn't been bad at all!).

We're getting caught up with doctor appointments and check-ups - September and October seem to be the time for those in France, as everyone comes back from vacation.

Life is pretty good here, although we are commiserating with friends over the lack of colorful trees here...