June 2011

The month has passed so swiftly. The longest day has come and gone. Living in a northern area means that it is still light at 10pm. How I love these long summer days.

I have had a cold these last two weeks, so I missed a few things I really wanted to do. And alas, that means I did not get a chance to take photos. I missed American day here in Gevrey!! I wanted to see what that was about. There will always be next year.

This month you may notice that I have blurred faces in some images. France has strict laws on publishing peoples visages. Public events are different though and therefore no problems,  those I could leave untouched. It is a difficult line to follow, so the best course is to be cautious.

One late afternoon at the beginning of the month, we had a little excitement in our neighborhood. Marie Therese was here and just getting ready to leave when we noticed a police car in front of our house.  Some people were gathering  too. Of course we all have to get up and check what was going on. The police car ( actually gendarme voiture) is not only in front of the house, but it was sideways in the street, blocking the road. As a neighbor passed by, Keith asked what had happened.
Now to give the full picture of this I must mention that a new housing development is going in just north of our neighborhood. It had been a wheat field, and it will now be full of houses. Well on this fine afternoon, they were digging a trench and VOILA...there was a gas leak. So the houses closer to the leak were all evacuated. Gas company people arrived, fire trucks arrived, and more police. In the midst of all this, a woman who lived behind this barrier arrives in her car. Seeing the road totally blocked, she decides to drive up on the walkway to drive pass all the vehicles. Ah, but the gendarme catches her and of course stops her. What was she thinking!!!
Marie Thesere could not leave, her car was blocked in and behind the barrier. So we watched for about 30 minutes before going back into the house. Now was this the most prudent course of action? Our house does not have gas... so the interior is/was probably safer than standing in front of the house. But we out in front for about 30 minutes, if the house down the street had exploded, it may have been a problem...so how stupid was it to stand and watch...WHAT WERE WE THINKING!!!

Gendarme arrives

And now the fire truck

Bees are much more interesting!! Look there's one now

After about an hour, the leaked had been stopped and the experts were checking the houses closest to the leak. The gas company was here late into the evening, I assume trying to get everything fixed and reconnected. During this process I have had the water cut off 'without notice) and a foul smell in the house another day ( presume they hooked up the sanitation lines). And so it goes.

The second weekend of the month, Saulieu had its' annual gourmet weekend. It was Pentecôte week-end, and that Monday was a holiday, a three day week-end. On Friday (before the weekend crowd), I went with Marie Therese to Saulieu. There is everything a foody could ask for...bread, spice, pastries, meats, cheeses, chocolate, cookies and of course wine. We were going to meet Wendy and Robert there for lunch.
 Now one is able to buy a plate of foie gras, magret and rillettes for lunch here and it is excellent (I had it two years ago). This year I thought I would have a salad . There are several booths that sell a lunch plate, plus a couple more restaurant type places, your choice.
The three others went for the sinful plate (MT, Wendy and Robert), and it really is sinful but good. I was happy with my choice, really..the other was just a little too much for me!! We did taste some of the other delights ' they give out samples), a little chocolate here and little fromage there..mmmm, what a feast. Just regard these photos, and I hope the scratch and sniff works so you can enjoy the aroma too ( ah just kidding-maybe someday).

He rode around on this bike ! Interesting?

All of these glorious fruits

Can you smell them? Spices of the world

Ham, sausage, cheese?

And the desserts!

A little Cremant on the side

Cheese ....love the choices, all sooo good

This same weekend was the wine tasting of the Independent Winegrowers in the Côte D'Or. These independents had an open house ( Portes Ouvertes) for Saturday and Sunday. My pottery instructor always has a Pottery Expo at the same time, her husband is a Independent Winegrower. So pottery and wine, works for me. We, as students, were invited to come and work on our projects as live demonstrations.
On Sunday I went over and worked on my pottery project with a few others. I had done my roof finial, the cat. He was in last months Blog. Now two others started Gargoyle finials. So here are a few photos of the Expo and of some work in progress. It was a very pleasant way to spend my Sunday afternoon.

Some of Fred's work.

Babette's whimsical pots, cups and bowls

Look at the display

Closer look...

Working on our projects on Sunday...two big gargoyles

On Saturday, I took a friend around to a couple of the places for wine tasting. I was driving, so very limited tasting on my part. She however wants to learn more about wine. We had a nice afternoon, stopping at three different places.

On the 15th Keith and I went up to Paris to see the Manet exposition at the D'Orsay. Although my cold had started, I enjoyed the exhibit. Keith had hoped for a few more pieces, less known. It was great to have the tickets in advance and walk right in to the museum. However, inside there was an additional line for the special Manet Expo. Even with the reserved time ( 11am), we had to wait about 20 minutes in this line. Oh well, it was worth it.
After the museum, we found a nice little restaurant and had lunch.  Later we walked around the area in search of the Roman baths (which we found at the Cluny museum- Musée de Cluny - Musée National du Moyen Âge ...), and we spent some time at the garden of Luxembourg ( wonderful place to stroll or just sit and enjoy). It was a beautiful day.
 At the end of the day, a bit tired and still time before the train left, we stopped at another garden just to sit and enjoy. And where is this garden near the Gare Lyon (train station)? It is built on top of a place called the Arches, not far from the train station. Lovely and surprising little corner in Paris.

Musée D'Orsay à Paris

Luxembourg gardens

Children playing with the boats...he has a stick to push the boat

A boat on its own...

Cluny museum 13th century

Door to the Cluny museum

Metro crossing over the river ...most go under

Garden over the Arches

The Arches of the viaduc -rue Daumesnil

In and around I have been taking photos of monuments for the history club. This is a seies on the Monuments to the Dead ( Monument aux Morts), those who died in military during one of the wars. There is always something. I need to get out more and get some photos taken.

Messagnes sits on the side of a hill. This hill is called Mont Myon. This month there was a Fête de Mont Myon, at Messanges, that included a 15km race. I was on the spot to take a couple of photos.

And they are off...note the smokey gun at the left!

And not everyone is totally serious, some have fun.

Keith had cut down on trips this year, he had the one in May and one in June so far. In the meantime, he has found another old bike to restore. Oh I have lost count of the bikes now in the garage!!!!!!!!!!!
Also he is slowly working at sanding the outside woodwork and re varnishing.

Although we have had some rain here this last month, we are still in extreme dry conditions. And to top it off, the last few days have been in the 90,s ( we do not have air conditioning). Today, the 29th is cooler, and the next few days should be great.
June 21st is always the Fête de Musique throughout France. This year was no exception. Dijon has about 10 bands located throughout the city. It is a night ( sometimes day) to get out and enjoy misic. Here in Gevrey we had a few chorale concerts and some music in the village also. Enjoyment of the long summers night.

So that about wraps up the month of June. July will be here and the TOUR de FRANCE..it starts this Saturday. Just a couple more of my nature photos should do it.

Recipe of the Month
THAI SHRIMP 
This is a recipe I found on the internet with a fat free Thai dressing.  It is not french....but give it a try anyway.
I have modified it to my tastes and changed some of the ingredients. It is a great summer dish.

INGRÉDIENTS

• Noodles -use Asian or Wheat or even Italian. I use angle hair noodles.
• about 2 cups of shrimp, cooked and peeled and tail removed -ready to eat
• 1 cup calamari -(optional) I buy fresh calamari rings, all cleaned and ready to go
• 1 cup diced mango ( cut  near 1/4 inch)
• 1 red chili - type of chili and the degree of HOT that you want depends on your chili choice. Asian chili or Habenero for a nice hot dish. This dish does need a hot chili, so do not avoid completely. It needs some perkiness
• 1 red bell pepper diced small ( same size as mango)
• 3 spring onions sliced
• 1 cup fresh coriander, then chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, then chopped
• 1/4 cup mint, then chopped

    DRESSING

• 1/3 cup lime juice (2-3 fresh limes)*
• 4 TBL fish sauce (nouc man)
• 2 TBL soy sauce
• 2-3 tsp sugar*
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or crushed chilis*
• 2 cloves garlic minced

    * adjust to your taste, I use a little more sugar. TASTE and decide

PREPARATIONS

1. First chop all the indredients and dice the mango and bell pepper. Set aside
2. Blend the dressing ingredients and set aside
3. If using calamari, cook in a little water (less than 1/4 cup) for about 3 minutes
4. Start noodles according to package directions
5. Drain noodles and add dressing. Toss untill well covered
6. Add the red peppers, mango, herbs and onions
7. Toss again and put in serving bowl
8. Top with shrimp and calamari 

What a beautiful, colorful summer dish.

This can be eaten warm or refrigerated as a cold salad later. Also good with cashews or chopped peanuts on top, added just before serving. Give me some feedback if you try this dish.

May 2011

I love poppies- such an brillant red

Bonjour..
May is almost at its end. It has been a hot month, more like July but with cool nights ( "good sleeping weather" as we used to say in Minnesota). Here in Gevrey we have had "a little" rain, but drought conditions still are high this year over a large part of France. Most of crops, flowers..are early this year, by a few weeks.

I mentioned last month that I had planted my garden. There are flowers on all of the tomato plants and I have a couple very small zuchinnis already. Beans have sprouted, and the cucumbers too:  all is looking good. Can not wait to harvest some of the good fresh vegetables.

This again has been a busy month, and I have lots of photos. If I prattle too much and you get bored, just scroll down and at least look at the photos!!

Keith took off at the beginning of the month for some biking and camping. He went north. Note- above I said the nights were cool !... well, he froze the first night out ( it was about 38 degrees in the north that week) .Wisely he  found a small hotel for the next night. Surprisingly he did not stay out camping for as long as he had planned!





In the meantime, I had a tour with my history group of Fort de Beauregard on May the 7th. The fort is not  old, it was built in 1887. After the defeat of 1870, it was decided to build a ring of Forts as protection against another invasion. I will not bore you with lots of details, just a couple of photos. The small village of Fenay bought the Fort in 2003, and it was listed as an historical site in 2006.
After that tour of the fort, we went over to Noiron-sous-Gevrey to see the canal. The canal was built by the monks of Citeaux around the 1212-1221. The monks needed more water at the Abbey of Citeaux. The canal runs about 10km  from Fenay to Citeaux. In Noiron the canal passes over the river below via a bridge -Pont des Arvaux ( bridge of Arvaux). Photos of the Fort and the Pont.

Tower at the Fort

A look at the fort standing next to the tower

Entrance to the Fort

Pont des Arvaux- Canal on top where  Herve is standing

The canal - I am on the bridge

On Thursday night (12th of May), we were invited to Savigny-les-Beaune. Keith was working during the week with 2 new employees, going through the Burgundy trip and introducing them to everyone-wineries, restaurants, hotels... ( pre-trip). In Savigny there is a Domaine that makes wonderful Crémant ( better than some champagnes). So in the course of events, it was decided to have a dinner party there; casual. Keith of course knows Greg and Caroline ( from the Domaine), and I am not going explain the other connections...too long. Anyway, there were 7 of us for dinner. We had a nice evening with hors d'oeuvres and Crémant to start, bubbling red Burgundy with the pizza and a nice Côte de Nuits (red wine) with the cheese course. We did not get home until after midnight. Late night for these 2 old f___s.

Caveau de Chambertin- place for our EXPO

My Photoclub had our annual photo Expo on the 14th and 15th of May. Friday afternoon we set up the Expo in the caveau of Gevrey-Chambertin. The "vernisage" was scheduled for 6:30pm ( vernisage is the opening of an Expo where, of course wine and snacks are served. The mayor or adjunct mayor comes to say a few words. It literally means to varnish. I think it comes from the 19th cnetury when a last touch of varnish was put on a painting before the doors are opened ).
 As soon as everyone (invited guests) had enough free Cremant, Kir and snacks and left; we cleared up everything and prepared for our party. We have an annual pizza party ( ah yes pizza 2 nights in a row). But this is a pizza party with a french flair. There are hors d'oeuvres, and this year grace de Lionel, we started with Champagne ( his 40th birthday was near).
Then on to the pizza with a choice of wines, red or white. One choice happened to be Clos Vougeot Premier Cru 1995. Hmmm not bad with pizza.
 It was sort of a pot luck too, so there was a variety of salads to choose from, and still a few left-over hors d'oeuvres. And then desserts...so many desserts!!
Two nights in a row with wine and pizza! Really tried to focus on small tastings, 1 piece of pizza and lots of salad! Really I did!

Then on Saturday morning I had to be up, dressed and outside waiting for a ride at 5:45am!! This was our planned trip to Lyon (with my history group- Keith slept in, he did not go to Lyon-remember he had guided tours there a few years ago).
Our group had arranged to have a tour of Lyon. One member of our club had lived there many years and took on the job as guide. We had been invited to see the museum of tissue ( cloth) by a woman who had lived in Gevrey when she was young. She now managed the restoration of old cloth for the museum. Lyon was at one time the silk "capital".
We arrived, 21 of us and were met by our fellow member "guide " for the day. She handed out bus tickets and we were off.

Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay 11th century

On the way to the museum we passed the oldest church in Lyon. We took a brief tour, and the priest came and added some information. He wanted to show us a few more things, but our guide wanted to keep us on track. We had a 10am appointment at the museum.
The museum may be interesting if you are into old cloth and lace, and period costumes. However what made our tour special was our guide at the museum. Since she worked in restoration, she told us what state the piece had arrived ( one in an old garbage bag) and what she had to do to restore it. Something you would not get walking through there.
Tick tock, tick tock....we had lunch reservations at a Lyon Bouchon for noon. Hurry up and finish the museum tour, and off to lunch we go.

A Bouchon de Lyon is a restaurant  that serves traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. They are often small, and it is "plain" food, or family food. Often it is hard to get into one, because the regulars eat there every day and have "priority". Our guide had made the reservation well in advance. We had picked  our meal out in advance so all went smoothly. There were 23 in number now ( the 20 on the train, our guide, her friend who was guiding half the group in the afternoon, and our museum guide).

Bouchon

Part of the our group

I had ordered ( as did 5 others at our table for 6) a salad to start. Then we had chicken in a cream sauce. This was brought out in a large pot and set on the table, as was the large bowl of rice. More than enough - 2 pieces of chicken per person. And that rich cream sauce, so good on the rice!!!And for dessert, Ile Floatant
More than a little full. And of course water, wine and coffee are all included in the price of the meal.








After lunch our group was split into two. One group toured the district called "Croix Rousse" and I went with the group that toured "Renaissance Lyon". I have included here a gallery of photos. Note the tromp-d'oeil below, Lyon is know for this also. Several building side have been painted. This is just one example. One other note is the traboules of Lyon. Alley ways made in the 14th century as "short-cuts" to the river, probably for the silk makers.  After the photos, there is MORE...

Basilica from below

Basilica -close up with telephoto

Tree with ceramic flowers- it was raining when I snapped this

Inside the Basilica - a little too much 

OVER THE TOP!! Everywhere you look!

The ride down on the Funicula

Corridor of a Traboule

In a traboule you sometimes arrive at these amazing courtyards

Another Traboule

Tromp-d'oeil - Building painted with famous persons of Lyon

This is at street level -Paul Bocuse Famous Chef in Lyon and France

We finished our day and arrived back in Dijon at 9pm. A long but enjoyable day.


Up and at it on Sunday morning, I had my shift at the Photo Expo at 10am. Drank lots of coffee. Went home for a short rest in the afternoon and returned in the late afternoon. The votes are counted in the afternoon and the winners announced ( if at all interested you can see the top photos here). I did not win, however I did come in 2nd in the votes casted by my fellow club members. It was for my Sedona, AZ. tree. Felt good about that.


I have continued to take walks in the woods. This month there are no cliff hangers! whew! More just some nice strolls in search of flowers. Although it is dry, a few flowers have managed to poke through. It is the month for wild orchids. With the little rain we had last week, some have popped up. Here are a few of my forest photos...and then there is still MORE...

Loved the light, sort of a fairy land effect

It gets hot sometimes and a drink is good too...just let me cool my feet

Pretty wild flower

Another wild flower

Now it is our turn to stop and have a snack..oh so good!

wild orchid

Butterflies in spring ---X rated photo

wild orchid

Wild Orchid

Insect on dandelion...called a Gendarme

look at all the colors of green...so pretty

History club will keep me busy this summer. I need to start taking photos of the villages too. Here I have a couple of photos; one from Messagnes, Croix de Chevaliers at the old mill, and one from above of Chevanne. In addition, I have to start taking photos of the monuments in the canton (32 villages). These are Monuments de Mort, or War monuments to the soldiers of the wars. Then to, I need to continue to take the flora and fauna photos for the club.

The Cross at the Moulin Chevalier

Historic Flour mill( Moulin) of Messanges

Looking down over the vines to Chevanne

And pottery...have to show you the photo of my latest work. Roof or garden ornament.

My little kitty on a roof tile....of course I made the roof tile too.
This is sort of a copy of an old finial

Keith worked last week. It was a special private tour. You can ask Duvine Adventures for almost any bike tour you want, and it will be designed and priced just for you. This one was to have more riding and Michelin starred restaurants. So it went from Beaune to Macon, and with several one and two stars and one three starred restaurant. Of course it included lots of wine tasting. It was a good trip, but I had one exhausted husband when he returned last Wednesday.
This coming week he plans on taking off for a ride and some camping. He loves to go off with a tent and climb those mountains.
That is all the news from Gevrey-Chambertin. Hope I did not loose all of you with this months Blog. Now for the recipe of the Month.


Recipe of the Month

This month I am taking a step back. A few months ago I had a recipe for beets and blue cheese. This is a variation of that recipe, but a little "gussied up".

Although I took some short cuts so I could take the photo, it can turn out to look very nice on a plate as an starter.

Depending on the beets size, I think it is about 1 beet per 2 persons. Hope you enjoy it, let me know if you try it. Really would like recipe feed-back (good or bad).

INGREDIENTS

• Large fresh roasted beet-about 4 inches in diameter
• 3 oz. Blue cheese
• 1-2 TBS of creme fraiche or sour cream
• Plastic wrap
• Lettuce and vinegarette to add on the plate

PREPARATION

1. Peel the beet and cut off the bottom end
2. Cut into 1/4 inch slices -from the bottom
3. place slices on paper towel
4. Mix blue cheese with creme fraiche to a "spreadable" consistensy
5. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on a plate
6. Put down first slice of the beet
7. Spread with blue cheese mixture
8. Continue untill all the layers are done
9. Wrap in plastic and put the refrigerator for about 1 hour
10. TO SERVE remove from refrigerator

• Cut off sides to square up ( or rectangle up depending the shape of the beet)
• Save cuts for your salad tomorrow, or go ahead and nibble now!
• Then with a good knife cut beet into 3/8 inch (approx) slices
• Hopefully you should have 2 slices per plate
• Add salad and a squiggle of balsamic vinegar and serve

Banks and such....

This is a note to my Blog in between my monthly posts.

I just need to whine! complain! get on my soap box for a minute! get rid of my frustration!!

I know very well that we chose to live in France. However, I did not think it would be so difficult to get my money at times.

I decided to finally have a monthly check from my 401k.

What a problem! It is with AXA-Equatible (AXA is a FRENCH company and AXA has banks here in France !also?!). And although I have sited AXA-Equitable, other companies are the same. I did do some research looking into other companies to see if I could transfer my money.

The only way I can get my monthly check is for them to mail me a paper check in dollars!

No euros-they do not want to do that- no electonic transfer-they do not want to do that! I was finally given an honest response, they have looked into this and they do not want to do it.

I had checked with several other companies, and unless I had a US address, they would not accept 

my account. So much for that. Yes, I could use an address of family or friend, but I really like to be honest. I live here now. Open a post box, yeah that is possible, but then you pay a fee for the box each month. And it has to be forwarded. So are you ahead...and they accept a box number... hmmm

But I guess I thought in this day and age with a global economy it would not be that difficult. Think of the number of transactions that occur every day. Must have to have lots of money for it to go smoothly and not just a small  little check to an individual. 

And YIKES, the dollar to the Euro right now. But that we knew could happen, so we live with that.

Keith's check comes in euros ( of course there is a charge, but not a big charge). But for me, paper check arrives, I go to the bank. They have to fill out a special form, and it then takes about 3 weeks for clearance ( they do not accept foreign checks without suspicion ) and a large charge! 

Be interesting when I start my Soc Sec check next year. After this experience I presume that the Social Sec check will be the same.

OK I have vented. Thanks for listening.