My first experience with a French New Year’s celebration was when I was studying abroad in Avignon my junior year in college. Somehow I had a connection to a bonafide French guy living in a posh area of Paris and I went there for New Year’s Eve. I think his name was Laurent. That seems like it should be his name, doesn’t it?
I have no idea how I knew the guy, but I spent the night at his family’s apartment (no love interest there on either side). And I remember he and his friends wore scarves, drank champagne and ate smoked salmon on toast. I just thought that was the most elegant thing I had ever seen.
I think it’s safe to say that rather standard fare for the New Year’s Eve dinner – or at least appetiser – is smoked salmon toast, along with foie gras (served with fig jam or onion confit) and caviar (or the lesser fish eggs) on blinis (mini pancakes).
This year we decided to stay home as a family and have a calm New Year’s celebration. We saved the smoked salmon for the next day, but this is what we did serve:
Alcohol-free raspberry champagne (which is much better than sparkling apple cider), foie gras with fig jam, plus fish eggs and cream cheese over toast. A feast for kings, right?
These were the reactions.
“Come on William, it’s not that bad.”
“Mais j’aime pas ça!” (But I don’t like this!)
“Is that all?”
There was some interest in Matthieu’s explanation of how champagne should be poured.
Bottle tilted to the side to avoid bubbles.
Kids enraptured.
But that was short-lived.
“Okay kids, so what are your dreams for the coming year? What do you hope will happen? What would you like to do differently?”
“Look I’m a duck.”
“Kids, come on.”
“I like the toast part. See? I ate around the other stuff”
It’s never how you imagine it in your head, is it?
“Quack.”
Too funny! Kids liven things up, don’t they? I like how your NYE turned from something I could never picture myself at (I’m not glamorous enough, clearly) to something I feel like I’m attending daily.
Laura at Mommy Miracles recently posted…Start Organized, Stay Organized: Email
Kids are the common denominator. That and happy new years. 🙂
Oh my goodness. The first reaction made me laugh so hard! I can just imagine what my kids would do. Well, one of them, anyway. In fact, she is right here. I shared this with her and she said: “My body would throw up.”
But her mother would LOVE it. I would even wear a scarf.
Happy 2014!
Andrea recently posted…Merry Christmas, Darlings
How are these kids even related to us anyway?
That first picture? I thought that was my son for a second… that’s the face he usually makes at my special food… Sigh.
Raspberry Champagne sounds delicious!
Happy New Year, my friend.
Kerstin @ Auer Life recently posted…2014 – The year to experience
Hopefully your son is not crying anymore. 😀 I need something to look forward to!
I might be able to convert you to foie gras in tiny quantities. It’s really good with jam. xoxo
That’s what my kids would think! I love champagne so much. And scarves. I think I would just adore a French New Year celebration and pretty much any celebration in France. Except I don’t like foie gras so I can just eat bread and cheese and jam.
Happy New Year!
Brittany recently posted…Just a Boy and His Robot
You seem like you would fit right in over here! (even without the foie gras)
The last “quack” got me rolling on the floor!
Happy New Year, y’all!
Alison recently posted…Through The Lens Thursday #1
I know – me too!
Happy New Year, Jennie! Your son’s reaction could have been either one of my sons’. They are not be fans of new food, generally. I hope they will be one day.
I love the duck photos – that is also something that could very well happen here. 🙂
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted…Family Film Fest – Our New Year’s Eve Celebration
I hope my kids change too in that regard. I think we were pretty open minded about food growing up so I’m always surprised by their reaction.
LOVE this post – oh, look how the children have grown!!! What a wonderful New Years celebration, my friend. I would take a thousand of them, exactly as this! Wishing you a most wonderful 2014, dear!!
(Just ordered your book this morning!!I. Am so excited, I can hardly contain myself. It should arrive on Monday . . . Perfect time for the children to return to school and for me to devour it.) i should send it to you after I read it, so you can autograph it for me!!! 🙂
Leanne recently posted…New Year . . . New Word!
Hahaha! It never goes the way we think it will. Your kids are beautiful. very French looking, whatever that means. 😉
Leigh Ann recently posted…2013 in favorite posts and photos
You’re not alone. Even my parents think they look French. Thanks for the compliment on my kids’ behalf. 🙂
Hee Hee! They are so mignon! 😉
I would have eaten and drank all of that!
Happy New Year, my friend!
Elaine A. recently posted…Lucky Number Thirteen
I know! Whassup with these kids?
Quack, yep Quack really is the finishing touch.
And we ate smoked salmon and foi gras on toast too as an appetizers. In fact I still have left over… but ssshhh, it is my secret…
Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions, involving cake and pinterest.
I crack up every time I look at that last photo. I think I’ll end up making a rillette with the rest of the smoked salmon (plus the fresh I bought). And then it will be all mine (mwah ha ha ha).
AHHH, so elegant. Scarves & Salmon!!
The first photo is Priceless, Jennie.
Xxxx
My Inner Chick recently posted…21 Things I’ve Learned in 2013 & Other Stuff
You mean the one where my kid is bawling on the floor because he has to eat caviar? 😉
Happy new year!
I love the fancy-ness of your dinner! I’m afraid my boys would have reacted similarly 🙂 So nice to enjoy a calm evening. I’m with you.
sarah reinhart recently posted…anxiety, toys, squabbling, and the holidays aside
That is awesome. And probably would have been my kids’ reactions too. LOL
Tsoniki Crazy Bull recently posted…Four Things to Know Before Moving To France
Oh yes! Kids are kids are kids. There is just more of a chance for them to find things they don’t like when they’re eating holiday foods, I think.
PS Hi! And welcome!