I don’t know if you are like me but I was sure happy to see 2010 go on its merry way – even though, as happens every New Year’s Day, I get to turn a year older.  I thought that the following photo signifies our joy – what could be better than oysters and champagne to salute the year gone and the year to come?  The oyster pictured comes from Mickey, my eldest son.  It is his version of a pickled oyster dish from Thomas Keller’s much-lauded The French Laundry Cookbook.  I think that Mick might be the only home cook that regularly uses Chef Keller’s inspirational tome and we certainly benefit.  Along with the marvelous oyster/caviar treat we had both a Henriot Brut NV as well as a Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé.  Not too shabby, eh?  I send this along to all of you with our deepest wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2011 filled much joy and all the things that you wish for.