New Year's Eve 2005

Snowy weather kept several friends away, but those who braved the drive had plenty to eat! Rachel and Mike visited for the first time from Waldmor and Jerome came in from Frankfurt for the fun.

Jerome also delighted us by bringing fresh foie gras from his holiday visit home to Toulouse and home made (his mother) canapes for a starter. I then tried my hand at French cuisine. First course was escargot. I ran out of shells to stuff them into, so several of those little buggers were double occupant houses! (Rachel looks rather doubtful in the picture, right.) Next on the menu was rack of lamb and ratatouille. Yummy! We paused mid-meal as the witching hour approached, grabbed champagne glasses, bottle, sparklers and coats to join the revelers in the streets. It was like a war zone with smoke, shots and rockets wizzing by! But, oh how fun! My neighborhood had arranged for a countdown at the local park.

We continued the meal after pulling the New Year's "crackers" which revealed our fortune and toy for the New Year. Salad and cheese was followed by chocolate fondue and more champagne. Everyone of us left something swimming in the chocolate pot! Though Arnaud almost had Rachel convinced that if she dropped something in the pot she would have to do the chicken dance in the street or sing to a neighbor! Needless to say, she anchored everything well on her fork! Despite the sugar rush, we finally turned in for the first snooze of the New Year and caught some rest before parting ways the "next" day.

Wishing you all the best for 2006!

- Tiffany