Vianne and Anouk arrive in Lansquenet and open a chocolaterie.

Single mom Vianne brings her six-year-old daughter to move into a small French just before the beginning of Lent.  They set up shop across the street from the local church in this deeply religious town, selling the one thing that categorically makes all of life better--chocolate! But the townspeople are told to give up chocolate for Lent! Tragedy ensues! (Did I mention the forbidden chocolate?)

Ok, despite the epic loss of chocolate (well, really, its epic victory), this movie is a terrific testimony to the power of embrace over exclusion, and creating a community that makes a home for outsiders whether they choose to stay or not.

How to Commemorate

• Eat chocolate.
• Make chocolate.
• Chocolate!!

**This movie is also great for Easter. Just saying. It gets Lent coming and going.

Works Cited   

Chocolat (movie)

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Public Libraries

*See also the original novel by Joanne Harris.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

What if the Civil War wasn’t just about North and South but about… vampires!  Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter tells the tale of our 16th president’s life with an additional interwoven element of the living dead. It’s a very fun read, and if you enjoy it, you’ll also enjoy Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.

How to Commemorate

• Read aloud Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address. Because everyone should.
• Find aspects of your town or its history that could be due to vampire involvement.
• Make plans with your loved ones about what you would do if attacked by vampires. And if becoming one would be preferable to death.  Your call.

Works Cited   

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Public Libraries

Max Skinner inherits a bad winery in Provence. (National Drink Wine Day: Feb 18)

Author Peter Mayle has a thing for southern France, but I can’t say I blame him.  Several of his novels are set there, and the place is so gorgeous and full of charm and personality, that I always, always commit to visiting after I finish one of his books.  In A Good Year, Max is a trader in London who gets weaseled out of his job just as he inherits a run-down vineyard in Provence.  The wine produced at Le Griffon is of a somewhat poor quality (cat piss is mentioned), but Max tries to make some improvements, eventually getting caught up in an elaborate scheme to sell extremely rare wines.  The story is fun, the characters endearing, and it shows the tight-assed bunch of us Westerners how we just need to relax and sit in the sun and have some good food and wine once in a while.

Of course, National Drink Wine Day is February 18th, and I thought this would be a good time to mention this book.  So, you’re welcome. Go read this book and drink some wine.  Or drink some wine while reading this book.

How to Commemorate

• Drink wine.
• Drink wine.
• Drink wine.

*Share photos of your favorite wines on our Facebook or twitter pages.

Works Cited   

A Good Year

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Public Libraries

Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day! (Feb 14)

Yeah, yeah, love is in the air and all that other stuff. Romantic love is fleeting, but you know what isn’t? Being able to vote! And that was one of the things that Anna Howard Shaw helped accomplish.  (Also, Liz Lemon celebrates Anna’s birthday instead of Valentine’s Day because ...Liz.)

How to Commemorate

• Go to the dentist.
• Learn about Anna Howard Shaw (women’s civil rights leader, born 1847).
• Flirt with someone while debating politics. (That’s what Jack does during this episode.)

*Share your photos and celebrations on our Facebook or twitter pages.

Works Cited   

30 Rock (Season 4, Episode 13)

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Public Libraries