Hallowgiving

Hi Charlie,
Now, you can tell me,  was that you hiding under that ghost sheet?
I know Thelma was hiding under it, at least she was at some point,  I can't help  but wonder if she was  replaced at some point or another by others, including you....
I'm pretty sure you couldn't resist making an incognito appearance at last night's party, organized once again by the  devoted Apeevim with the help of  dedicated  student and parent volunteers
Knowing you, I'm sure you've not failed to notice the title of this article.
Due to several reasons,  the party took place last night. So, it's  actually placed closer to Thanksgiving than  Halloween, thus Hallowgiving.
As a linguist and literature teacher, I of course love this play-on-words coined by the Apeevim so I had to share it and use it. Besides, as a guest of the party, I can vouch that the party was indeed true to both influences.
As usual on Halloween, I was spooked and entertained at the same time. Numerous thought-inspiring visions strolled by: Zombies and mad people galore with empty and haunted/haunting eyes (the OIB effect?) and to name but a few the mysterious ghost that was the star of the party, a vicious doctor, a bearded lady,  a walking tribute to sparkly water, a human Christmas tree, Little Red-Riding Hood, John Snow and an animal squad led by Alvin & the Chipmunks  etc...
I ate well and a lot which was excellent preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner next week.
Fond mentions to the delicious cilantro pumpkin soup, the melting leeks quiche, the criminal chocolate coffins and the two spicy-sweet pecan pies (different recipes but equally good)
To make it short, it was a perfect combination of both
Many thanks to all of you who showed up in spite of the impossible transport situation and (for some of you) even with exams  looming the next day.
Special thanks to the former OIB students who came and showed once again that once in the OIB, always in the OIB, and to the parents who dressed-up and joined in the fun and who prepared those delicious dishes and desserts. The students often claim that they cook and bake everything themselves, but it's not necessarily systematic....
Now on to our next event, one of my favorites, the OIB family Christmas party.
I can't wait.
Mrs. C

Happy Halloween

Dear Charlie

A belated happy Halloween! (Although, technically it is still Halloween night in the US ;p)
On topic , here are an article and a few cartoons that  could make you grin.
http://www.nasa.gov/feature/halloween-skies-to-include-dead-comet-flyby






 Hope you had a frightful good time


Mrs. C.

Happy Thanksgiving !

Dear Charlie,

I didn't have time to write on Halloween,  so I'm making it up on Thanksgiving with some  spooky pumpkin corn bread. They were frightfully delicious and easy to bake

Care for the recipe?

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow, white or blue cornmeal 
2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup cooking oil or shortening, melted

In a mixing bowl stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl beat together eggs, milk and oil or melted shortening. Add to flour mixture and stir just till batter is smooth ( do not overbeat)
Pour into a greased baking pan. Bake in 425 °F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or till golden brown.
For Corny Corn bread, add a drained can of whole kernel corn.

Taken from  Better Homes New Cookbook 


I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I did.

Even if it is not a holiday here in France and I'll have to wait for the weekend to get together with family and friends and properly tuck in,  it was nice to get into a Thanksgiving mood/mode,  sharing cornbread, pumpkin pie and potato chips (our version of the traditional mashed potatoes)   with the OIB students and colleagues.
Turkey proved to be too big a challenge for this year but who knows what we can achieve next year ?Finally, I'd like to thank Gaëtan for his lovely pumpkin pie (BTW, I'd love to get the recipe)

Take care,
Mrs. C

http://www.freegreatimages.com/thanksgiving-canada-cartoon/


http://www.glasbergen.com/?s=thanksgiving

and even if it's late, I cannot resist sharing this cartoon...


http://onemanadreaming.blogspot.fr/