We start our journey with this shining Lumiere de Noel quilt kit. In French, Lumiere de Noel means "light of Christmas". The light radiates from the rows of eight-pointed stars, like the Star that shone over Bethlehem on that holiest of nights. Most French families celebrate the light of Christmas by putting up an elaborate Nativity scene called a creche.
Lumiere de Noel is the first Christmas fabric made by French General. It has the look of antique 18th century fabric, in authentic period colors, with lush prints and elegant toiles.
In France, children don't hang their stockings on Christmas Eve. Instead, they leave their shoes out, with hay and carrots for Pere Noel's donkey. If the children have been good, Pere Noel accepts their offerings and fills their shoes with candy and presents. If you want to leave a snack for Pere Noel, we suggest this easy French recipe from glamorous Hollywood star Marlene Dietrich.
Caviar d'Aubergine
Bake an eggplant in the oven until the skin is black. Let cool. Chop half of a medium-sized onion very fine. Fry it golden brown in 4 tablespoons oil. Peel eggplant and cut in small pieces. Add to the onions and fry for a few minutes while mixing constantly with a wooden spoon. Add one small can of tomato sauce and keep on mixing. Transfer to chopping board and chop very fine. (Marlene didn't say so, but you could probably put it in your blender or food processor.) Serve cold as an appetizer. Pere Noel would probably like this with plenty of whole wheat crackers and some sparkling water.
For our Trip Around the World, Suzanne has designed an original tree skirt in bright Hoffman fabrics. It will look beautiful under your tree this year and it's easy to make. It's just one of the tree skirts featured in our class that starts November 2.
We hope you've enjoyed our trip to France. Joyeux Noel!
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