Lucas' First Christmas in Burgundy, France

This year was quite special as we had an extra special invitation to join our friend Cynthia at her beautiful mill in Burgundy. We left Thursday morning with Marie, my sister in tow and god love her carrying my feeding cushion formerly known as "My Brest Friend" and the best thing that ever happened to breast feeding. We boarded the train and set ourselves up for the 3 hour ride...and lucy for us there was a darling baby sleeping all the way through. Love this child!!!

We arrived and the limo Passat arrived with Cynthia at the wheel to carry us to our magical mill where we would be spending the next 2 days. We settled in and proceeded to dine on magnificent local fare including gougeres (the ultimate cheesepuff, and specialty of the region) chapon (a castrated chicken), chestnuts, cheese, fabulous Burgundy wines, etc. It would have made Gourmet proud, may that magazine rest in peace...We watched a White Christmas, we laugh, we cried.

Opening presents on Christmas was a joy, we decided upon sticking stuffers for everyone so we each took turns opening up our gifst one by one and of course Cynthia added a few extra surprises for both Lucas and I. We sat by the fire reading and Cleber and Marie took a walk in the dewey countryside in the winter sun - only to come back with Mickey (Cynthia's Corgie) covered in "excrement". But apparently, according to Cleber, "Mickey looked like he was having the time of this life rolling about on the ground..." Needless to say Mickey was sent off to the bath. Christmas dinner we were joined by Pierre and Anne, a lovely couple and fellow Burgundians, who lived in another mill not far away. The topics numerous, the dinner sublime (prepared by Christian), the decor warm and festive and the company devine.

It was a magnificent Christmas, and although my parents weren't able to join us ut was as close to perfect as I've ever come.

Thanks Cynthia for your gracious hospitality and your invitation to join you in your beautiful home. I hope to return the favor someday ( meaning an invitation to large and stunning property owned by yours truly).

Happy holidays to all of you!

Lucie-Anne, Cleber and Lucas