Happy Thanksgiving to those of you on the north side of the world. 

While I am and always have been a great promoter of the turkey-laden holiday, today we are not celebrating nor is it likely that we will be doing so on fourth-Thursdays-in-November to come. Do not get me wrong, I am a stickler for traditions what with their obscure dates and at times ridiculous rules. In essence, holidays and traditions are nothing more than repeating firmly established protocols. This repetition, in turn, gives us solace and time for reflection. When one knows the hardship of winter, there is nothing more comforting than sharing a filling meal whose menu has been predetermined. 

But, alas, today marks the day that I and my household break from tradition, not to forsake it, but rather to establish a new one. From this year forth and those that come hereafter, as long as we live in the southern hemisphere, we will celebrate a Day of Thanks in May, as it should be, according to the seasons. Because, I must tell you that 14 hours of sunlight, spring greens, strawberries, and miniskirts do not a Thanksgiving make. In fact, Thanksgiving is perhaps my favorite holiday due precisely to the fact that it is a reflection of the season's bounties. A coming together in appreciation before times get tougher. It is thus, just not possible, to celebrate such a day at the end of Spring when it seems that the world can hardly get more beautiful, the days are ever longer, and pumpkins and apples won't be ripe for months.

Therefore, friends and family, do not pity me when I tell you that this Thursday was like any other beautiful Spring day. There was no pie, there was no turkey, there was no celebration, but those things will come. Perhaps, like this past Day of Thanks in May we, with close friends, will feast on rabbit in addition to stuffing and potatoes and all of the other goodies. Perhaps we will create a song, or choose not the fourth, but the third week of the month. That is the beauty. At this point, while we are still cultivating our routines, traditions, and protocols, anything is possible. 

Here are some final photos from the weekend in Rupanco. 

After constant rain all day on Saturday, we woke up Sunday morning to clear blue skies. Southern Chile is so strange in that way, one moment its bleak and gray as Medieval England, the next moment its a sparkling emerald. The sun seemed to motivate everyone out of their slumber, and soon the kitchen was full of bodies bustling about to prepare all sorts of goodies for breakfast. Following the southern tradition, we had a full spread complete with farm-fresh eggs, bread, cheese, toppings of all sorts, and even a tropical-inspired smoothie. With bellies full, we embarked upon the day like one big family, ready to take a peak into the lake and awe at the surrounding volcanoes. 

Thanks everyone for such a great time!

Christian, ever with a net!

Maryse finding treasures...

Happy Lobo!

baby nalca sprouting this Spring!

girls having fun!

Thank you Erwan for your photos (9,15,16)!!

 While Pablo is in Iguazu, Argentina this week for a conference, I went on a weekend get-a-way with friends! 

On Saturday, we headed out to Lago Rupanco to celebrate Chilean Independence Day at the lake. With it being early spring, Saturday was chilly and rainy, but that didn't stop us from exploring, having a barbecue, and enjoying the time together. We made choripans and admired native trees, we heated up the wood-burning hot tub, and threw rocks into the lake for the dogs. Though I missed Pablo, I had a wonderful weekend with friends!

there's a wolf in the water!!

stir that hot tub!

Spring has sprung!

The weather is now nice more often than not. We still have days or even weeks of rain and cold temperatures, but we also have more and more sunny warm days. From now until March, the frequency of nice days will just keep increasing... and with that, so will the number of social gatherings! 

Last weekend we took advantage of a particularly spectacular Sunday and hosted our first ever Sancocho. While the typical nice-weather food in Chile is barbecue, we thought that we would make homage to Pablo's culture by serving this typical colombian soup. We borrowed an industrial sized pot from some friends, scoured Valdivia for yucca and fresh corn, and made a wood-burning fire while we enjoyed the warm spring sunshine. The soup was delicious, though I will admit, no Sancocho will beat the one we enjoyed the day after our wedding. The day was wonderful, though. I can't wait for more to come!

neighborhood we are hoping to move to!

dogs are also loving the sun!

belly is getting bigger!

que cocinero tan hermoso!

Sancocho trimmings

 practicing with baby Vigo!

 another recent gathering at Erwan and Vale's house

 who knew a two year old could be so skeptical

above the clouds in Chavelita

We celebrated the survival of another year of marriage at the Termas de Puyehue!

We decided to treat ourselves and get away for the weekend. We indulged without guilt, warmed our bodies in the hot springs, and enjoyed the beautiful property of Puyehue.

view from the room, not too shabby!

chilean wine? pisco sour? why not both!

the old enclosure of one of the springs, the modern pools that are now visited by guests might be more convenient but they lack the rustic charm of old

horses! you know how I feel about horses :)

te amo mamor!