I'm giving thanks today that all's well, and that two dozen of the most beautiful oysters available on the East Coast came to our house for Thanksgiving Day. Briny and plump, brought in fresh from Chincoteague on the southernmost ocean side of our peninsula.

A couple of days ago, on a trip over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, I glanced to see that the second (or third?) nor'easter in this busy season had churned the gray water into rolling breakers from the north. White waves, not whitecaps. Early winter colors. Perhaps that's the easiest way to tell it's oyster season. When the water and the sky are gray and rough like oyster shells.

The kind gentleman who shared his bounty told us that he won't give Chincoteagues to his family anymore. They kept glopping up the oysters with sauce. Didn't deserve them. So we accepted them with gratitude. Did we keep them pristine? None of your business. What happens in the kitchen, stays in the kitchen.

Last Thursday, the much anticipated Beaujolais Nouveau day arrived. The faithful, in the face of pounding rain, tornado warnings and school closings, trooped with great forbearance to our favorite wine store. A cask had been ordered from France and tastings would be featured all day in celebration. And yes, there was a cozy little corner where a store representative was pouring...from bottles?

It seems that the cask had been held up in customs in New York for more than a week. Probably those French terrorists in the gentle rolling hills and vineyards of the Beaujolais region. One can't be too careful these days. 

Next Thursday is a pretty big day around these parts.

It's Beaujolais Nouveau Day. When the first young wine of the harvest is tapped. A sort of a national holiday in France. Some of us will be heading to celebrate the arrival of the new wine at the Winecellars of Annapolis. They're bringing in a cask to tap on Thursday, and serving it throughout the day.

It's also the first day of Canada Goose season. The Hunt Issue of the Tidewater Trader is out. The coffeeshops, the hunting supply stores and camps are geared up. The camo is out of the closet. The Black-eyed Susan restaurant has offered to cook your game for you in delicious style. 

It's a great time of year. 

Well, it finally happened. My daughter read "Fast Food Nation" and is horrified by how we treat — and feed — the animals we eat. So at the grocery store this afternoon....let's see...Wild Harvest Angus ground beef, fortunately on sale...Fed a 100% vegetarian diet, verified to match ranch of origin. Then we have Lancaster Brand 100% natural boneless skinless chicken thighs. No hormones, no steroids, but no comment about how they live. These were reduced for quick sale, no one apparently wanted it, for just $1.99. Fine as long as I use them by tomorrow. That's a good deal, but we'll see if they pass muster. They also have a sticker on them that lets you save $1 if when you buy Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes (excluding Potato Buds), which seems to defeat the purpose a bit.