I believe it was Anonymous who once said, “Turkey Schmurkey. Bring on the Beaujolais!” Truer words were never spoken. Let’s shelve the inevitable holiday mania for just a moment before the madness begins next week.

Open Eye keeps me both caffeinated and inspired, such a powerful combination in the right hands. Props to Scott Conary and Beth Justus for creating a shop that sells a mix of my favorite products, including the dreamiest baked goods from Chapel Hill’s own Sweet Little Something that always pair perfectly with my house roasted black coffee, no sugar, no cream.

But sometimes Momma wants a different pairing. Thankfully Open Eye sells delicious beer and wine as well. In fact, Le Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived in Carrboro. Be sure to check out the Beaujolais wine tasting event at Open Eye Friday, November 18th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, the $25 admission fee includes at least five wine tastings, French cheese and sausages. This fundraiser for the Institut Francais d’Amerique (missing so many squiggles and accents, I know) should be a total blast, a great combination of real French people and real Carrboro sassiness. Sounds like a party to me. 

Pause. Clarifying side note. 

I’m not a Thanksgiving hater. In fact, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. I absolutely adore the idea of a side called stuffing (aka dressing). I love the fact that no one thinks either name for this beloved dish is weird and that there are tens of thousands of ways to prepare it. So awesome! You can totally screw around with the recipe, put on your free thinkers of the world UNITE t-shirt and make a Puerto Rican inspired Mofongo stuffing, turn it into a pizza, or add Pear, Toasted Walnut and Blue Cheese. Or just add whatever leftover bits of this and that you have in the fridge, man! It’s stuffing. Whatever zany ingredient ends up in your final product, you totally meant to do that. Just tell guests you were inspired by an obscure blog you read once. That will really shut them up. 

But maybe you are one of the wise ones who has decided to avoid the brining and gratinee-ing and actually spend time enjoying your family this year by treating them to a Thanksgiving feast at a local restaurant. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the options at Carolina Crossroads and Acme. I do hope you’ll report back. And please let me know if any of you spot the elusive White Castle Stuffing on a dinner table this year.

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