August 2008

August 31, 2008

August is over. It has not been a typical August here however. It is usually our hottest month and somewhat dry. This year the temp has rarely been over 75 degrees, and it was not dry at all the first half. So cool and damp. Ah but this last week has been beautiful. Sunny and not too warm, just perfect.

I started a new regime a few weeks ago. I am riding my bike to the Super U (grocery store). It is about 2km to the store. Last Saturday I started out at 9:00am (store opens at 9:00am), and there I was going down the Avenue la Gare with two other mamies (slang for grandmother or any woman of a certain age). We all pedaled our way to the store. I know 4km is not much, but it better than nothing. This morning I did a bit longer tour. There is little traffic early on a Sunday morning. I had in mind to ride through the vineyard on this side of the highway, but it was already closed early this morning for some event (the road I wanted to use also passes the stade (stadium), so I assume that the event was there at the stadium. So I pedaled the other direction over to the Super U, across the highway into Brochon, and I returned to Gevrey on the old "Route de Tacot" .

What is that? Tacot was/ is the name generic name given to the small railroad that went between the small villages. It was not part of the government rail system. It existed the latter half of the 19th century to the 1930’s. There was one that went from Dijon to Beaune. Le "Tacot" fait 2 aller-retour par jour entre Dijon et Beaune. Le voyage dure près de 4 h. The Tacot made two round trips each day between Dijon and Beaune. The trip took near 4 hours.

Some of the routes have been paved (like the one I used this morning), others are paths through the woods, such as the one from Gevrey to Curley. This route went through pine woods, through one tunnel (combe Grisard between Gevrey-Chambertin and Curley) and climbed to the plateau (474 m altitude – Gevrey is about 220 m). It is now a walking trail.

The tunnel in the Combe Grisard

Old station in Dijon

This month I have been taking photos. That is where I have spent most of my time. This would be for the Photo Club, the "jeu de ete" (summer game) that I explained last month. I do have some photos that I really like. Also I have taken photos of churches for the same reason.

Street in Village

Alesia History 101 - Julius Ceasar defeated the Gauls here in 52 BC

Salmaise

Argilly Note: both are small villages

Keith took another camping trip this last week. He camped up in the Champagne region. He was gone for 3 days and did a total of 300km. This will probably be the last trip of the season. Then he did another ride yesterday for a total of over 400km this last week. He loves that new bike too.

Speaking of Champagne, I went with Marie Therese to the champagne region. She needed some champagne for a customer. Keith and I have a "carte de fidelité" at this champagne house, so we get a discount of 22%. We tasted a little (just a little, really) and then both of us purchased some champagne (you have to realize that a bottle of good quality champagne cost about 14.50 euros). I bought a few half bottles this time. Last night it was warm and we had dinner on the patio. About 9:30 we opened the half-bottle and had a wonderful glass of champagne for our dessert. As the sky went from twilight to dark, we sipped on our glasses and enjoyed the rest of the evening . Ahhh....

Since the weather has been nice we have had a few picnics. We pack up a nice lunch and head off in some direction, find or table or spread the blanket and enjoy a lunch in the country. A couple of weeks ago we went to Alesia. Keith had the bike on top of the car, so he road back. I went on to Flavigny and walked around taking photos and then returned home. A very pleasant Sunday.

I think I have talked about Clemencey before. That is where Marie Therese keeps her horse Ohtar. On Sept 7th, Christophe is having a small fete. The horses will do some dresage and jumping. So I will have some photos from there for next month. But here are a couple of shots.

Ohtar

Icelandic horse

Oh so french....

This week with the dry weather, I thought it time to start to harvest some of the lavendar. The bees were not in total agreement however. That aside, I got out the electric trimmer and cut away. I cut about half and then had a change of heart towards the bees and left the rest for them for another week. My neighbor was outside, so I stopped and talked to her for a awhile. It was getting late and it was time to clean up. I grabbed the trimmer..not by the regular handle, but the handle that when grsped turns on the trimmer...and the cord fell and I cut the cord. I knew the consequence of this. Oh dear, and Keith out camping somewhere. I looked at the fuse box (yes a fuse box) and thought I had better clean up and get fuses before the stores close at 7pm. Took a shower and reached for the hair dryer... oops that is not going to work. So with wet hair I went out and bought a parcel of fuses in varying sizes. Then I set to work to try to identify what fuse I had blown. Eureka, some turn red and there it was. I replaced two actually. Then I turned the breaker and NOTHING !!! Went over everything once more and nothing again. Finally broke down and went to the neigbors house and asked for help. I take it that Jacques may have been in the shower, he was not available. However, Marion showed me there box and that the one swithed had to be turned to the right -Yep did that - and the other pushed up so it showed RED. Showed red, not green?!? That was the problem. I had it on green -green for GO. Went home and pushed up the little switch to red, and VIOLA, I had electricity once more. Whew.

Later in the month of September, we are going to Ireland for a few days. I found a deal that I could not pass up, so booked a trip. Of course you will see photos and I will write all about it next month. Right now we have no real plans. We fly into Dublin. That is as far as I have gone on making any plans. We have talked about going south of Dublin along the coast to Wexford and Waterford. We will see what we do.

Recipe for the month

Picnic Loaf (must make 24 hours in advance)

Ingredients

To grill-

§ 1 small eggplant)

§ 1 zucchini)

§ Sweet onion large)

§ 1 jar grilled red pepper (drained))

§ 1 small jar of tapenade)

§ Basil pesto)

§ Cheese ( I have used pre-sliced Port Salut with herbs)-Sliced fairly thin)

Vinaigrette

§ 3 TBS olive oil)

§ 1 TBS vinegar)

§ 1 large tsp of mustard)

§ 1 finely chopped shallot)

§ 1 minced garlic)

§ 1 round or oblong loaf of bread (NOT SLICED)

Procedure

1. 1. Cut off top of bread, put aside the top
2. 2. Remove inside of bread making a hollow bowl.
3. 3. Brush inside with vinaigrette
4. 4. Add a layer of tapenade and pesto to the bottom of the bowl and the inside of the cap
5. 5. Peel and slice (1/4 inch thick) onion, zucchini and egg plant
6. 6. Brush with vinaigrette and place on grill
7. 7. watch carefully and turn when slightly browned
8. 8. If excess oil, place on paper towel when finished.
9. 9. While all the vegetables are still hot, put a layer of eggplant, then cheese, red pepper, zucchini, onion. Repeat is possible. You put this together when the vegetables are hot to warm, to slightly warm or melt the cheese-just a little.
10. 10. Put on top, wrap and put in the refrigerator for 24 hours with a heavy weight on top(I use full wine bottles).

To serve: with round bread, cut into wedges like you would a pie. With an oblong, cut off end and then serve in slices.

Makes a great picnic sandwich or use for an outdoor BBQ.

JULY 2008

July 23 2008

I went to look for my July letter in my file, I was sure I had started one. But alas, there was nothing to be found. Couldn’t be that I just forgot, could it? Or maybe the computer ate my journal (we do not have a dog).

We have been enjoying the summer so far.

My photo club has a summer game. A theme or rather a project has been presented to us: a method to make us take photos over the summer break. As if that were a problem. It is called “Jeu de Ete” (summer game). This year we are to take photos of anything we want, and then make a diporama (slide-show) to be presented this fall at club meetings. I thought and thought ....and thought some more. Since we do not go anywhere in the summer, how could I compete with some grand vacations to exotic places with beautiful photos. So I finally came up with my idea. It is not earth shaking; it is just “Vacation in the Cote D’Or”. It will be presented by a garden gnome (nain de jardin) I have given him a temporary name of Herman. I want a non-french name, so any ideas? Send them to me. It is NAME that gnome time! ( sue.klein@gmail.com )

HERMAN	Herman in Beaune

It was not easy to find Herman. I finally found him in a place called Cadeau-rama. He was cheap. Keith and I went into a couple of garden centers and looked, but neither of us wanted to ask if they had any {“you want what? “ –OK so I think it would be a little embarrassing to ask for a garden gnome. Sorry if I offend any garden gnome lovers *). The problem will be what to do with him after his movie career. I have included a photo of Herman on the Blog site. All the photos have to be taken this summer. Makes the project a little harder. Better get out there and take some photos. * there is a group in France called “Free the Garden Gnomes” [Liberation de Nains de Jardin]

Ah yes, the gas prices. The pinch is felt here too. I guess I do not have great sympathy for my fellow Americans who are shocked at $4.00 per gallon. Looking at my gas log, we hit that in 2005. Most of the cars here have always been on the small side due to prices of gas. However, the appearance of the gas-guzzler arrived about 2 years ago; the large 4x4 that get about 6 miles to the gallon. Our prices are up here too, so not sure what these people will do with these cars as we go forward.

The biggest complainers are the truckers and agricultures. Their livelihoods depend on gas. Through the month of June there have been many protests. They had blocked the refiners so no gas could be delivered. Luckily it did not affect us here. There was also operation called “Le Escargot” (the snail). One day I went to northeast Dijon to shop and used the Rocade (a 4 lane highway that goes around the east side of the city). Going south there were about 20 semi trucks going about 20 kilometers per hour blocking both lanes of traffic. Very slow. Traffic was backed-upped for miles. Escargot!!

Keith finished a second trip the first week in July. All went well again. He does not want another trip this summer. They have offered one the end of Oct, I am not sure he is going to take it. It is up to him.

The good news about this job, he bought himself a new bike (the total reason for taking this job). For those that are into bikes, it is a Orbea. It is a road bike and he has taken little forays around the Cote D’Or since he got it a couple weeks ago.

July 6th was once again the Ralleye de Charmes, in Gevrey. Keith, Robert and I played the game this year (Wendy was in the states). There are 22 villages in the canton de Gevrey and it is within these villages.

This Ralleye involves;

Step one: identifying the 5 photos from the list of 8 villages

Step two: in 3 villages there is the Master of the Game (Maitre de Jeu). You stop in the village and find the Maitre and then answer 2 questions. This year it was a taste test, how fun.

First was to identify the two fruits in the pain d’epice (kind of a spice cake here in Burgundy) – this was in the village of Chambolle-Musigny.(the fruits were zest of lemon and black currents[cassis]).

Second was to identify 3 cheeses - this was in Gevrey, [Ami de Chambertin, Epoisse, and Soumartin]

Third to identify 3 wines- in Brochon..We new the names of the 3 wines (Bourgogne, Gevrey Chambertin and Cote de Nuits), but we had to decide which was which.

Step three: to solve 3 enigmas and therefore find the blue stake with the number for the combination lock.

We did fairly well, but did not win this year. We did get a bottle of wine, but not a big prize.

The ralleye really takes most of the day. I think Robert said we drove about 100km. This year (unlike last year) there were lots of people in the contest. The weather was not the best, it rained off and on all day. We had a good time however, but we really wanted to win (whine). It is a great way to learn more about the immediate area. Did you know the pain d’epice came from China (we didn’t)!

Keith went out on his touring bike for a couple days of biking and camping. Can’t imagine what his bike weighs fully loaded with all his gear!! Some hills, no mountains this time.

I have out hunting for mushrooms with Marie Therese. We have found chanterelles both times we have been out. They are good mushrooms It has not rained now for several days, so no point looking for them this week.

I love the garden here. Roses grow like weeds. It is so easy when you do not have to dig and hole and bury them like we did in Minnesota. And the lavender, it is a little out of control. I had no idea it would get that big. As for my potager (vegetable garden), the tomatoes are coming along nicely. I do not think I will get much zucchini (courgettes) this year, they have some blue spots on the leaves...probably not a good sign. Planted green beans and squash also, and have had some beans already. And the cucumber (just one so far) was great. I think I use some of my herbs almost every day.

Our House	Bee: Where is the honey

We had to get a new refrigerator last week. The old one just gave up. When the wine is warm, something is wrong (it was at 55 degrees). So we went to look for a new one. We have a space that it had to fit into, so we were very limited in our choices by size. But the refrigerators here in France come with a wine rack. What a civilized idea. Isn’t much of surprise I suppose. The rack hangs from a shelf and holds 4 bottles of wine. I kind of like the idea. Here in France the big side by side refrigerator/ freezer is called “frigo American”.

We have taken advantage of the weather lately. Last week we went to La Montagne de Trois Croix for a picnic, and today we set off north west with a picnic. I wanted to take photos of the source of the river Seine. It is not far from here. It was originally a Roman temple site to the diety Sequana. Under Napolean III, the statue that is there now was put in place.

"sculpteur dijonnais Auban qui réalisa cette nouvelle statue, immaculée, qui évoque la déesse Sequana." [Scuplture of Dijon, Auban, created the new statue, which evoques the goddess Sequana] . Aren't you glad you stick around for these little pieces of information.

Picnic Site	Source of the River Seine

We have also made a few tours of the craft shows that are all around right now. I have a couple of photos, but I have added this one of tatting.

Tatting- Can you imagine!

Of course it is the TOUR DE FRANCE right now. Still some riders caught doping again this year. It is too bad. How will it end this year. A lot will be determined on Saturday when the riders have the Time Trial. Saestre is in yellow, can he stay there? He is usually good in a time trial, but anything can happen. It did not come close to us this year, so we did not go to view any stages. Maybe next year.

On to the last item. I complained about the bathroom, wrote about redecorating, and also whined about the work involved. But it is almost finished. For those that have any interest, I have added the photos to the Internet –the before and after photos. http://sites.google.com/site/suespage/

Never in my life did I think I would use the color orange.

I think I have run out of things to say for this month.

Recipe for the month

Dijon Pain d’Epice, or spiced honey cake. This variation on a northern European gingerbread recipe first came to Burgundy in 1369 with the court of Margaret, Countess of Flanders, when she married Philip the Bold. The original Flemish recipe was modified to Burgundy tastes by using only wheat flour instead of rye, and adding anise seed to the honey-sweetened batter.Pain d’épice is a common snack for children as well as a trendy ingredient in Burgundy menus. The spicy cake can serve as a base for desserts, with poached pears or in charlottes. Thinly sliced and toasted, it’s good layered with cherries or cassis berries and pastry cream.

PAIN D'EPICE AU MIEL has many variations - here are 2)

PAIN D'EPICE AU MIEL #1

( Pour les doses, utiliser un pot de yaourt) to measure , use the yogurt container Butter and flour bread pans

Mélanger: (MIX)

• 2 pots de lait tiède (2 containers of warm milk )
• + 2 pots de miel liquide (2 containers of liquid honey )
• + 2 pots de sucre en poudre (2 containers of powder sugar )
• + 5 pots de farine (2 containers of flour )
• + 2 oeufs (2 eggs )
• + 1 cuillère a café de bicarbonate de soude (1 tsp baking soda )

Parfum au choix (choice of flavors ) zeste d'orange ou 1 cuillère a café d'anis vert ou 1 cuillère a café de cannelle ou fruit confits

(zest of orange or 1 tsp of green anis or 1 tsp of cinnamon or candied fruit )

Bien battre au fouet et cuire au four préchauffe a 150° : (mix well cook in a preheated oven at 150 Celsius (about 300F )

1. 15 minutes pour les petits sujets ( 15 minutes for small pans - banana bread type pans)
2. ou 20 minutes pour les grand ( 20 minutes for medium pans) ou
3. 1 h a 1h30 pour les gros pains ( 1 hour to 1h 30 min for Large pans)

PAIN D'EPICE AU MIEL # 2

Ingredients

• 25 cl de lait ( milk )
• 100 gr de beurre ( butter)
• 500 gr de miel de bonne qualité ( honey )
• 500 gr de farine ( flour )
• 30 gr de cassonade ( natural sugar )
• 1 c. café de bicarbonate. ( 1 tsp baking soda )
• 60 gr d'écorces d'orange confite.( candied zest of orange )
• 1 c. café de cannelle ( 1 tsp cinnamon )
• ½ c. café de grains d'anis ( ½ tsp anis )
• 2 pincées d'épices type cumin et gingembre ( 2 pinches of cumin or ginger )
• 30 gr d'amandes effilées (sliced almonds )
• ½ c. café de gingembre en poudre. ( 1/2 tsp ginger )
• 1c. soupe d'eau de fleur d'oranger.( 1 tbs orange water )
• ½ c. café de sel ( 1/2 tsp salt )

Préchauffer le four th. 5 ( 150°C) Preheat the oven abt 300 degrees

PREPARATION

1. Chauffer le lait. ( warm the milk )
2. Faire dissoudre le miel liquide hors feu. ( take off the heat and dissolve the honey in the milk )
3. Remettre à feu doux et ajouter le beurre pour le faire fondre. ( put back on the heat and add the butter until it melts)
4. Dans un saladier, mélanger la farine, le bicarbonate, les épices, les écorces d'oranges. ( in a bowl mix the flour, soda , spices and candied orange )
5. Ajouter le mélange lait, miel et beurre. Eviter les grumeaux. ( combine with milk, stir until no lumps )
6. Mettre dans un moule à cake beurré et fariné. Saupoudrer d'amandes effilées.( butter and flour a pan... add the mixture and sprinkle in the almonds )
7. Faire un sillon dans le sens de la longueur. ( make a groove the length of the batter )
8. Mettre 1h15 au moins au four. ( cook for less than 1h 15minutes )Vérifier la cuisson avec la pointe d'un couteau ( test if done with a knife )

BON APPETIT

June 2008

June 26th 2008

Chateau Rochepot

Ah, the month of June. Summer arrives at last in the Cote D’Or.

This month has been busy. My friends from Minnesota arrived the last day of May. That week was not to be one of our finest (weather that is). A cold front came through and it was chilly. And it rained on and off too!!! Not what I had ordered.

They stayed at the Gite that is about 7 km from Gevrey. They had been on a tour of France for 16 days prior to coming to Burgundy, so the 3 bedroom Gite gave them a little space to spread out. I really wanted to show them everything, but that is impossible in a week. And since the weather was not at its best, picnics were right out of the question. We did see some of the highlights of this area and tasted some wine. We had a nice visit at Domaine Breliere in Rully (and tasted wine too). I have included a couple of photos. But I have to say for me, it was also a good week just to catch up with friends I had not seen in a few years. I certainly enjoyed the time with them.

While I visited with my friends, Keith took 3 days in the Vosges (northeast corner of France). Unfortunately it did rained for 2 of his days, but he soldiered on anyway. He had a mountain to climb and he did not let the rain stop him.

After my friends left, summer arrived. It has been quiet hot and humid too. Along with hot humid weather, there have been some violent storms(storm = orage). One friend in Chenove said that they had some hard rain, but the neighbors across the street had a lot of hail (grele) and some damage to the shutters. In front of the door of their tuck-under garage (the neighbor’s tuck-under garage) there was about 2 feet of hail. Lots of homes were flooded in the hard hit areas. Another friend lost everything electrical in his house! We have escaped damage so far, just wind and rain here in Gevrey.

Speaking of weather, I have to add another little note. At the end of May we had a few days of strong winds. After this, everything was covered with a fine dust. I was surprised to learn that this dust was sand from the Saraha dessert. When the strong wind blows north out of the Saraha, it can carry sand across parts of Europe. Learn something new all the time.

On Sunday the 8th of June, the photo club had an outing at the citadel in Besançon (it is about 1 hour north east of Gevrey). The citadel was built by Vauban in 1711( Vauban was the war minister of Louis XIV and famous for fortifications here in France). The citadel is spread out on 11 acres on top of the hill over looking Besançon. It was a hazy day or more fog than haze at times, so it did not turn out to be the best photo day.

Citadel

What else did we do this month. Still working on the bathroom. The wallpaper came while my friends were here, so of course I did not work on it that week. Then there were a few rest days after they left. I did finally start and finish the wallpaper. Now for all of the other things that need to be done. I wanted to paint the little three-drawer chest that I have had in the bathroom. Well the can of paint-1 did not dry, stripped the chest of all the paint. Test paint 2 did not work (but tried only one corner) so did not proceed with that can. Test paint-3, I thought dried, and painted the entire chest. It did not dry. Stripped the chest once again. Went and bought some expensive paint (!!) and it arrived today. Test patched dried and I have painted the entire chest. I am not rushing to do the second coat until tomorrow. But all appears well this time. Guess the expensive paint does work.

This last Saturday night, the 21st of June is the Fete de Musique in France. Many cities and villages put on some music event on the night of June 21st. We went to see the chorale group I had belonged to a few years ago. It was in the old church in Epernay-sous-Gevrey on Saturday evening. It was good to see some of those friends too. The church was cool (that is a relative statement – as compared to the humid hot temperature outside in the sun). They sang a variety of songs and we both enjoyed the small concert. Then as usual, there is a glass of wine at the salle de fete after the concert. One can not refuse, it would not be polite.

The same weekend my genealogie group had an Exposition in Gevrey. One man has done an enormous amount of work researching what is called lieu-dit (place called). These are all in the area of Gevrey Chambertin, many of them are the names attached to vineyards [ex: we live on the street called Craite Paille, because the vineyard in back is Craite Paille] . He has done a write up on over 100 of these lieu-dit. The president of the club(Joelle) chose about 36 to exhibit. I had volunteered to take photos, and Joelle picked about 10 places for photos- I had 17 photos in all. I had helped with the set up on Friday the 20th of June. In our club there is a man who is a descendant of Maurice Grey (the mustard entrepreneur). So there was a small exhibit on the Grey family. Even had cloths from Maurice Grey. Dapper outfit of deep plum velvet. At 6pm on Sunday evening, there was a film that one local man had made about the 16 “sources de Gevrey” [ springs of Gevrey]. 16 different springs in the area, no wonder the vines find water even in dry years.

Clos St. Jacques

Costume de M. Grey

Keith was asked about 10 days ago to guide another trip on the canal. He left on Monday morning for Lyon. He will not return home until Friday the 4th of July.

The paper has announced the "SOLDES" (sales) of summer. France has two sale periods a year, one in winter and one in summer. This is the only time stores are able to have sales (not like Daytons, huh). However, stores do have "promotions" now and again.

School will be over this next week on Thursday, so I have my last french class next Tuesday. Genealogie Club is done for the summer, and after tonight, the Photo club will not meet again until September. After next week, everybody will start preparing for vacation (vacance). There are places I simply would not go here in France during the summer. Too many people! The roads will be crowded, and even some traffic jams on the main freeways as throngs of people head for the beaches. So we will stay here and enjoy our Burgundian summer.

On Monday evening the group called Burgundy Friends got together at Nancy's in Dijon. She has a beautiful place with a small garden, and covered terrace. She lives on a street called Petit Potet. If anyone has ever read "The Years In Dijon" (Destinations) by M.F.K. Fisher , she lived on the same street.

A french couple told me they had visited New York. He had bought a pair of good leather shoes. When they returned to France, she took them to the cobbler to add a sole. Here in France, with good leather shoes, they always add a protective sole to the shoe. The cobbler could not do this because the shoes were made in the US and the soles have had an oil added. So, one I did not know that the US added anything to the leather shoe soles, and two, I did not know the French added a protective sole to their shoes. The cobbler did not know why the Americans do not add the extra layer. Just thought I wold toss in this little morsel of information.

The evening was warm, and we were all outside. This time there were more french than english speakers. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Recipe for the month

{Although it is rabbit [lapin], I usually make it with chicken}

RABBIT WITH TOMATO, SHALLOTS, and MUSHROOMS: (5 Servings)

Ingredients:

Rabbit Cut into 5 pieces- or 5 chicken breast filets (no skin)

3 Cloves Garlic, Cut into Thin Slices

1/4 c. Huile Tournesol

2 Tbsp Butter (non salted –or limit salt below)

4 Tbsp Flour

2 c. White Wine (such as an Aligote- dry and light )

1 c. Water

5 Shallots Peeled, Finely Sliced

1 c. Loose Packed Leaves of Flat Leaf Parsley (about 1/2 bunch)

4 Tomatoes Cut into quarters

1 tsp. Salt

1 Tbsp Pepper

Optional: Thyme, Bay leaf , Olive

300 Gr. Mushroom Cleaned, Sliced

1/4 C Butter

2 Tbsp Persillade (garlic & parsley finely chopped together)

Preparation:Cook on Stove Top in Deep Covered Pot

Make 2-3 slices in each piece of rabbit, and insert sliver of garlic in each slice [I skip this with chicken and just add the garlic slices with the parsley]

Heat Oil and Butter over Medium to Medium High Temperature

Add Rabbit, and Cook, Turning, until nicely golden on all sides.

When Rabbit is nicely golden, sprinkle flour

Add shallots, and cook till softened and golden

Towards end of cooking*, finely chop parsley & garlic together, and add to Rabbit

Add Wine. NOTE: Aligote is better than a Sauvignon, as Aligote has less parfum

Add Water. NOTE: If later need more liquid, add water, not wine, as there will not be enough cooking time for alcohol to dissipate

Add Tomatoes, Pulp side down in the liquid

Add salt, pepper. Thyme and Bay leaf (optional)

Cook: Simmer on low for about 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally

Cook mushrooms in Butter, with salt, pepper and add to Rabbit in last half hour

*Add 2Tbsp Persillade in last 15 minutes

BON APPETIT

My "Late" MAY POST

May 25, 2008

It is almost June. We had a couple of very warm sunny days at the start of May. It was wonderful. Since about the 18th of May, the temperature cooled, and the days have been partly cloudy to cloudy. I really do not mind the cooler weather.

As I stated in my April notes, Keith had his first trip as a guide May 5th to May 17th. He really did enjoy the trip. The weather was perfect and all went well. He said the guests seemed to really enjoy the trip. At this point he is not scheduled for another trip. I guess it is wait and see when he gets called up for another trip. He really does not want to do more than 2 a year. He came home very tired.

While he was gone, the tourist train in Bligny (the narrow train where Keith volunteers his time) had their 30th anniversary. Unfortunately Keith had to miss the big celebration. This last winter they had extended the track about 1km, to reach Pont d’Ouche. The opening of this line was part of the grand inauguration day. Keith had built the shelter at Pont d’Ouche. I ( as a very dutiful wife) went over and took some photos of the celebration.

Then also on the same day, a friend had a grand opening of his horse stables. Of course I know him through Marie Therese. The new stable is in a small village called Clemancey. The village sits in the valley of several hills. I have a few photos from there too.

On the 14th of May the work on the bathroom started. All the old tile was taken off (it was pink and white), the bathtub was removed (it was pink) as was the sink (yep it was pink) and the sink cabinet and bidet. Then the tile man came and put in the new tile (floor and walls-same tile), and the plumbers came back and installed the new shower and connected everything else. We have ordered wallpaper, and Keith has skimmed the walls (where tile was removed and we did not put in new tile) so it is ready to finish. Keith also went out and ordered a mirror that would just fit between the tile behind the sink and light fixture. They cut it 2 cm too large, so it has to be re cut.

We will really get down to work next week.

This week however is play time. I have friends here and we are touring. There are four friends and they are staying at the Gite (it is about 5 miles away and the owners speak English). A gite is basically an apartment or house that is rented. Keith decided to take some time on his bike, and packed up his tenting equipment loaded the bike and headed for the Vosges mountains.

This month’s recipe. Better make it an easy one.

Asparagus

INGREDIENTS

Bundle of asparagus ( I usually think about 5 stalks per person if this is a started or a side dish for a large meal…or increase to about 8 stalks per person). Wash, break off woody bottom and cut into 3 inch pieces (or leave whole if you wish).

Mild onion chopped

Grilled red pepper cut in strips

1 cup fresh peas (or if necessary use frozen)

1 cup (loose) of basil

1 tbsp of butter

2 tsbp parmesan cheese grated (optional)

Salt and pepper

PREPARATION

Heat large skillet pan that has a good cover

Add butter and sauté the onion until soft

with heat on low medium add peas and asparagus

Cover and cook about 10 minutes. Watch carefully, or rather listen. If possible to not remove the lid. Let it cook. Shake pan to move around.

In the meantime, tear or cut the basil leaves

When the asparagus is finished, add the basil and red pepper, season with salt and fresh ground pepper, and toss.

Sprinkle a little parmesan over the top .

Serve

Bon Appetit