April 2010

April 30, 2010

This month was taken up by my trip to the good old USA. Getting ready, going to the USA and coming home occupied much of the month. It was so good to see family. Marie Therese came on this family voyage with me. Because of my trip,this is going to be a short note this month and really not about our french life at all.

Unfortunatley when planning a trip, there is only so much time (and money), and we had to make some choices. I did not stay that long in Phoenix, nor get to Minnesota this time to see friends or to other US cities to see other family members.

First, it was Phoenix for a couple of days, have lots of family living there. The orange blossoms were in bloom while we were there, and the sweet smell of orange blossoms is everywhere. Wow, how wonderful. And I did enjoy having time with everyone, it was just too short.

One day while in Arizona,we all piled into the car and we took a trip to Sedona. Sedona itself is now very commercial, however the scenery from the “Vortex” was stunning. Had to stop and soak up some of the positive energy there (and take a few photos).

We also went to San Francisco. My sister Vicki came with us, so we had a few more days of visit time. San Francisco is a interesting and charming city. We stayed down on Fisherman’s Wharf, so we walked to the seafood market for dinner and sat on the bay to eat each night (vendors there sell salads, sandwiches, seafood plates....). Shrimp and crab, and crab and shrimp. Soooo ooo good.

One afternoon, Marie Therese and I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. I stayed in the inside with Marie Therese next to the railing, but I made it across. While in San Francisco, we did a city tour on an open deck bus, rode the cable cars, visited and lunched in China Town, and did a boat tour of the bay. Whew, we were moving fast and trying to see as much as possible.

This Thursday our club had its monthly photo presentation. The theme was “Pub” ( publicity shot). I did not have time to do a photo and have it printed, however, I tossed this one together (and did not get it printed for presentation at the club meeting- it was not finished). Just thought I would put it here anyway.

San Francisco to Nebraska. My in-laws live in Chadron Nebraska. It is in the western panhandle just below the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our trip took us through Denver and then a small prop plane flies into Chadron (and what a bouncing ride that was). Our flight from Denver was late, and we did not make it to Chadron that evening as planned (flight was 3 hours late). We spent the night at an airport hotel and flew out the next morning. While visiting in Chadron, my in-laws took us up to the Black Hills to visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse (will it ever be finished -I've included a 1966 photo as a comparison). In addition to the great monuments, we saw a herd of buffalo (at a distance), antelope, deer, wild turkeys and wild goats and of course prairie dogs. Great visit and great day and also too short.

From Chadron to Chicago via Denver. I wanted to visit Chicago, a city that I love. Fortunately for us, my cousin still lives there (they are in the process of moving to Cleveland). Valerie invited her twin Tom and wife to come up to Chicago also, so it was a great reunion. And while in Chicago, we toured the downtown area and saw some of the architecture wonders of downtown Chicago. I really love art deco, and Chicago has it. Even the building that my cousin lives in is art deco. WOW! We went that evening to Second City and had lots of laughs. We also saw the University of Chicago and the F. L. Wright house.(ave you seen the "bean" in Millennium Park? Photo below..) And of course, a few nice walks along Lake Michigan.

It was a fun visit filled with many memories and a toast to grandma (for her date bar recipe).

Although there were four extra days, a large amount of time was spent trying to re-book our flight back to France [that is a whole story in itself and I will not whine here today..). But, as a bonus during one of our extra days, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. That was very interesting and even went on the submarine tour. (U-505).

So that ends a great trip (OK it had a few hitches in it).

Poor Keith stayed home. He did guide a trip for the Paris-Roubaix (this is a one day bike race). He also went to the Alsace to check the new route for a bike tour there. While there, he broke a tooth. So he has been going to the dentist to get a cap for that tooth. My poor husband, left behind to work while I toured the US and then he broke a tooth.

This week he is at the annual meeting that is in the south of France. He will be home tomorrow (April 30th). He has two tours for the month of May, here in the Cote D’Or. So the summer tourist season has started.

Busy May coming up.

There is no recipe this month. I am following a low fat diet and experimenting with recipes. Will have a low fat recipe for next month (I hope). It is May and a great time for vegetables. Asparagas is in the stores and I am eating a lot of it. Just put in boiling water for about 4 minutes (thin stalks), and eat plain or with a little lemon. Got to love it...so goooood.

March 2010

March 2010

 

I started this out with the March 2009... hmm, guess the year has passed faster than I thought. It is 2010.

We have spring. Oh it has been wonderful this week. Temperatures near 70 degrees, birds singing, and flowers starting to bloom. It seems late this year after the early start we had last year.

 

 

I took some flower photos to add to the spring ambience.

I worked in the garden too this week. Had to clean out all the debris and get at some of the weeds that were already coming up. We have trimmed all the roses, actually Keith trimmed all the roses. He then got out the boyer (electric chopper) and made shavings of all of the debris.

Because of the cold winter, some of my plants may not have survived. I am waiting to see if they will bud. My rosemary turned totally brown, as did my bay leaf bush. Also not sure if all of my thyme will do well. The old plant does not look good, but I am hopeful. These are my herbs and an important part of my garden.

Also busy with the yard. Now that spring has come there is work to be done. Turned all the soil in my vegetable garden. Cleaned up around the irises. Raked some of the other gardens, moved some of the coreopsis (Keith was worried that it was pushing out the roses, but those pretty yellow flowers), and pulled some the weeds that have already shown up. It is so great to be outside in the warm sun.

At the end of February, we had visitors. My sisters neighbor (and friend) from Phoenix was over in France, and she and her french friend came down for the weekend. We went out for a nice dinner on Friday night and enjoyed a night here at our house on Saturday night. They toured Dijon on Saturday. Luckily it was a nice weekend. Sunday when they left was the day the wind started.

That Sunday there were horrible winds. The west side of France had some major damage. Here the wind blew the entire week. Keith tried to bike at the end of the week, and came back after one kilometer. The wind was too strong .

Trying to think of what I did doing this month. Ah yes, I must brag about the wine tasting. Marsonnay la Cote, just a few miles from Gevrey has a Journee Gourmand each year(Day of Eating one might say.....or tasting is actually a better concept). Marie Therese and I have gone for the last few years together. We had our wine glasses ready, and started off to taste the different wines that were offered. We could of tasted food too, but we had our priorities.

 

Each year we also go to the corner where the Club Bacchus is located. For one Euro, you do a blind tasting. If you get the right answer, you win a bottle of wine. I asked to taste the white wine and Marie Therese tasted the red. My white had a very fruity nose... and very dry/tart in the mouth. I picked Pouilly Fume.... and I was right!! I won a bottle of Rose.

And the WINNER is... Sue (yeah)

 

 

Autre chose (other things), Keith bought some potatoes from a door salesman. He was eliminating the middle man. I said sure a few kilos of potatoes. But what ended up in the garage was 25 kilos of potatoes and about $0.10 per kilo more than I would pay at the local store..I guess the word here is SUCKER....live and learn. Don't let Keith know I told on him.

There is a custom here, not sure if it is French, European, or just here in Burgundy. Each day, however, you hang your blankets out the window to air them out. I even read an article that said even in winter, 10 minutes of fresh air is good for the house. So if it is not storming or raining or too far below freezing, I open the bedroom window to let the fresh air in. Maybe someday I will make a poster with the windows of the Cote D'Or.

Keith is getting ready to start his tours. This April an American couple wanted a special tour for the Paris-Roubaix bike race (Roubaix is a suburb of Lille). So the company Keith works for said yes, and Keith gets to be the guide. The race itself is just a one day race, then they will have a couple days of riding the route. The route that is followed for the Paris-Roubaix race is rough. There are narrow roads and a lot of pave (cobblestone) roads. But Keith is happy, it is one of his favorite spring races to follow, and this year he gets to see it in person.

In addition to his tours here in Burgundy and in the Loire Valley, he also will have a new tour in the Alsace later in the season. So he will be busy for the next few months.

All winter he has gone to Bligny to work on trains. This last Saturday they tightened track bolts. From lifting the equipment and the wrench, and squatting to tighten bolts, he had some sore muscles on Sunday. As fit as he is, these were different muscles.

He has profited by the warm weather too. He has been out on his bike and logging in the Kilometers. He had a few days over 100 km already.

I have volunteered to do more work for the Genealogy /History Club. We have the big Cluny exhibit in late August and there is lots of work to be done. Research in the archives ( probably will not do this), and transcription of the information found (this is where I come in).

It is so interesting to find information that is hundreds of years old. The information will center around the chateau here in Gevrey and the involvement of Cluny in this area.

I took some photos for the Genealogy/History club this month at a house in Fixin. A famous person (Noisot) who worked with Napoleon built the house. It was an interesting afternoon, and of course there was tea after the work was done.

Also I am still puttering around with the pottery. Some grand ideas, we will see what happens. Still working on mid size bowls on the wheel. Can only handle about 1 to 1 1/2 kilo of clay. Got to strengthen the arms!!

And of course there is my Photo Club too. The Photo Club also has a exhibit on Cluny. It will be in black and white, I think in November. I took some photos of the church in Arcenant, if interested they are here.

CLUNY PHOTOS

Not much else for this last month. Usually think of something after I have sent out my letter.

 

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Verrrine with Avocado and Salmon

Have to confess here, I have not made this. We had a monthly photo presentation at my Photo club (art culinaire), and a member had made this and had taken a photo for presentation. I thought the photo was great and the recipe appealing.

Ah the word Verrine...it translates from french as a " glass pot" (roughly).

It is simple and makes a wonderful starter (entre) for a dinner.

  INGREDIENTS :

• 2 avocados
• 4 slices of smoked salmon
• 4 tablespoons of sour cream
• 2 tablespoons of ricotta
• 1 tablespoon of chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon of chopped dill
• Juice of a lemon
• Salt and Pepper

　PREPARATION :

1. Peel and cut up the avocados. Smash with a fork slightly. Add some lemon juice, salt and pepper (if daring a dash of Tabasco too)
2. Cut up the salmon into small bite size strips (small bite size), coat with a lemon juice.
3. Stir the sour cream, ricotta and herbs together. Add salt.
4. Layer carefully in your glasses, starting with the avocado, then the cream mixture and top with the salmon. Top with a small sprig of dill.
5. Refrigerate until served.

Caution, do not make to far in advance...

February 2010

Feb 2010

 

The month has passed by ....

I took the opening photo one morning. I was up early and there was the moon shining into the kitchen. I just picked up the small camera and took the shot. Not the best photo in the world, but it was so bright and pretty that morning (and also cold).

 

I am told that this winter is more normal, however it is the coldest winter we have had since we have moved here. The last few years have been warmer than normal. So what is normal? The winter you remember when you were a child? An average of the last 3-5 years? I am not sure, but I do know that I like the milder winter. And this February I could count the number of sunny days on one hand.

Since it has been cold and gray and raining (or snowing) we have not done very much. We have stayed in the house with a huge fire in the fireplace, puttering around the house.

Once in a while we have had a house guest... it is our neighbors cat. He is well cared for, so we let him come in a say hi, but we do refuse to feed him. He has tried to ask for a handout or two. He is small for a male and is very sweet. Loves to be petted and caressed.  I just wonder what it will be like this summer when the doors are open all the time? Since I am allergic to cats, he gets most of his attention from Keith.

 

Our visitor

 

We had a wine tasting with Marie Therese recently. A place in Saint Aubin where she buys wine told her to come and taste this year’s wine (this years bottled wine, not harvest). So off we went. They had opened a new tasting room, a typical cave. He had all these bottles lined up for us to taste. He explained that he wanted us to taste the 2007 against the 2008. St Aubin in my opinion is a very good white wine. But hey, 15 bottles of wine later (amid our protests not to open another). I was not driving, however Marie Therese and Keith had to toss a lot of wine (MT drove to St Aubin, but Keith had driven to Messanges and would need to drive home). But even I, with all that wine, had to toss some of it.

 

We have had a couple of nice warm days. One just has to go out for a walk when that happens. I went out one day and took a few photos. I walked on the road between Brochon and Gevrey. It is called the Tacot road. It is the old train road, a train that ran from Dijon.

In Brochon there is a chateau. It is not old, about 100 years. It is the Château Stephen Liégeard, It was built by poet/writer Stephen Liégeard in 1895 to 1902.

 

Chateau Stephen Liegeard

Brochon

Old barrel used to burn Vines

Burning the old vines

 

It is the time to trim and then burn the vine branches. They use an old barrel to burn.

 

 

Still going to pottery. I have several projects going on right now. Trying another lamp and also did some pieces for a garden mosaic stone.

 

The Genealogie/Histoire club is in full swing. I am again adjunct treasurer, but this year I am keeping the computer program up to date. Have to learn all the terms of accounting in french. I am used to Quicken (no french version on my copy), so it is a little challenge to use this one in french.

We (genealogie club) have several projects this year. We now are publishing a Gazette (I think 3 per year). So articles must be written, photos taken... and a Gazette published. Our first was a huge success. Now on to the next one, all items due by March 15th. We also have an exhibit on Cluny and the chateau here in Gevrey in August, and several outings planned.

Photo club too is busy. We have our Cluny exhibit in September. I just found out that the photos are going to be in black and white, so all my fall photos of Arcenant are for not :( ... I have to rethink this and see what I can do in black and white. I can go back to Arcenant and take some of the church.

Colored photo of Arcenant Church

 

Keith is also busy. He will be working for DuVine again this summer. This year they may be adding a tour in the Alsace (where Strasbourg is located), and Beaujolais (around Macon). He went this last week to look over the Beaujolais tour (it is south of us). So he took the train to Macon along with his bike. To his surprise they had snow down there (we had none). He made it as far as Cluny, but said it was hard going in the snow. So he will need to go back and ride through that tour another day.  He also has one or two tours here in the Cote D’Or for Smithsonian Journeys. DuVine is working with Smithsonian Journeys for some European bike tours.

 

On Saturday the 20th, I was home alone (Keith at Bligny with the train), when the drier stopped. I thought that was strange, then tried the light. No light either. So we blew a fuse. We still have a fuse box here at this house (I prefer circuit breakers). I flipped the one switch back, nothing. So I opened each and every little fuse compartment to see if one of the fuses blew (and actually did it 3 times to be sure)... could not find the problem. Continued with the housework, and started the fire in the chimney (our heat is electric). Went back and looked at the fuse box. Flipped the switch again, nothing. Put more wood on the fire. At about 6pm, found the flashlights and lit some candles. Keith got home about 7pm. There was another dial that had to be turned! Oops. So we had electricity. Discovered that the dryer element must have gone and caused the power outage. So Monday Keith start to fixed the dryer.

 

We will see how February ends. There is a fuel refinery strike right now, and there were serveral trucks at the gas pump today filling up containers in case there will be a gas shortage. Always something.

 

Feb 24th, my garden

 

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

I was looking an alternate to mayonnaise for a sandwich. I made an humus without any oil. I did not find it half bad.

It is very easy to make too.

 

INGREDIENTS

v     One can of garbanzos beans

v     One grilled red pepper (I grilled my own, so no oil)

v     1- 2 cloves garlic

v     1 TBS water

v     Dash lemon juice

v     Salt and pepper

 

PREPARATION

1. Put everything in a blender
2. Mix thoroughly

Note: Garlic, I used 2 large cloves and the garlic is rather strong. Start with one, taste and you can always add another.

 

Use as a spread for any sandwich.

January 2010

Wow, can you believe it, another year has passed. It is 2010 !

Went for a walk on Jan 17, our first sunny day in a long time. It was about 48 degrees... just absolutely beautiful. The swans were over at the ponds behind Gevrey, so I took a few photos (opening photo).

We spent our New Year's Eve here at home. We opened a great bottle of Cremant (Like champagne, but can not be called Champange) for a late afternoon toast. For dinner a nice bottle of red wine (burgundy of course) and duck for dinner. Nothing real exciting, but a nice evening near the fireplace.

It was a cold start to the year, and I for one am hoping that means an early spring. One can always hope. Our temperatures have dipped down to -10 C. And snow too, all of 3 inches.

The Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) is always a big celebration here. It is the Fete de Galette des Rois.

All of my clubs (photo club and Genealogy/History) have a night for the Galette during the first part of January. And what is the Galette? It is a pastry with almond paste inside. A small trinket (called the "feve") is hidden inside the pastry. Now the trinkets are often after popular cartoon characters- to appeal to the children, such as Franklin the Turtle. The one who finds the feve gets to wear the crown. For the month of January I have put a recipe for the Galette des Rois below. I know that January 6th has come and gone, but go ahead and make it and enjoy.

Have to say that January 11th is a day I will remember. Here is my story....

Oh it was a quiet day here in Gevrey. My photos for the next expo were to be ready by 4pm in Dijon (by the way, the photos are below). I pulled out the train schedule, and ah yes a train at 3:27pm. One further check and there was a train that would get me home at 5:29pm. I could look around the stores in Dijon and then pick up my photos. I thought this was a good plan for a nice afternoon. I went over to the Station (gare) here in Gevrey at about 3:15. There is a ticket machine in a little glass shelter, and a shelter (abri) on each side where one can sit and wait for the train. I put my credit card in the machine and bought a round trip ticket (aller/retour). It was a 5 minute wait until the train would arrive. Another couple came in addtion to the 4 young people who were also waiting for the train. Hmm 3:27 no train, 3:28, 3:29..hmm 3:30pm. 3:31pm...3:32. I mutter something to the couple that the train is late (en retard). Another look south, nothing...The man steps out to look... Oh yes, look here comes the train. So we all march over the platform (quai) to wait for the train to stop. Zzzzzip.... this train is not stopping.. it is passing a very high speed... and oh NO , rocks flying through the air. And the rocks continue to fly through the air. ouch, ouch ouch... what is happening!! It seems that there were flying rocks for minutes, but in reality it was seconds.Finally they stop. Everyone stands there stunned. Then we all start to take our personal inventories. My leg hurts, my back hurts, my arm....One young teenager examines the calf of his leg. The man goes over to use the railroad phone (direct connection to the SNCF - the railroad) to tell them we have been pummeled with rocks flying through the air. He returns and his wife states she is really hurt, she is leaning on the fence holding her back. She has a pained expression on her face. So he goes back to the phone and tells them to send the paramedics (SAMU). Me, I am cold, hurt and furious and want to go home. We do not live that far (couple blocks), so I limp off home. Keith is there, and I blubber my story to him, and he goes back over to the station and takes some photos. The gendarmes (police) are there and so are the fireman (paramedics). He adds my name to the list of the walking wounded.

I ended up going to the doctor on Tuesday to document my injuries (inventory of all the black and blue areas). The gendarmes wanted the paper work from the doctor. After the doctor we went to the Gendarmerie (police headquarters) to file a report.

The gendarme tells us (Keith is with me) that the SNCF thinks there was ice under the one car of the train (last car), and it dropped as it passed. When it dropped, it was onto the rocks that are between the rails -the ballast. If the train was going 160km per hour, the ice drops and sends rocks into the air at a fairly high speed (anyone who wants may get out their calculators and take a stab at this ;) ). So for the first time since we have moved here, I had to visit the gendarmes. A new experience for us.

I do not know what will happen from here. But I will let you know.

All other things do not seem very interesting. I am back in french class after the holiday break, and back in Pottery, and Photo Club. In my Genealogie/Histoire and Patrimoine Club, I am again Adjunct Tresor (treasurer)...not as if there was anyone else was running for the position. The man who is treasurer and does not like computers. So I will keep the accounts up to date on the computer this year (for 2009 all the data had to be added at one time -the 5th of January- for the annual report).

Keith continues to ride his bike when weather permits, and goes to Bligny on Saturdays to repair trains and what ever else needs to be done. Tourist season for the train does not start until May. There is a Blog for his train group, it is in french however. If you read french or want to look at the photos here is the link: http://cfvo.blogspot.com/

Frost at the Pond, Gevrey

Wind Mill near Santenay

Recipe of the Month

GALETTE DES ROIS (by Dominique Malet)

Note : It is in french with English in BLUE

It really is not hard, just make the almond paste and spread between two layers of puffed pastry - store bought pastry of course.

Ingrédients pour 4-6 personnes:

1. 2 pâtes feuilletées pur beurre 2 puffed pastries made with butter -one for the bottom and one for the top]
2. 125 g de poudre d'amandes 125 grams of Almond flour [or 1.4 cups or 1 cup 4 TBS]... (powdered almonds)
3. 80 g de sucre en poudre 80 grams of sugar [ .4 cup or 6 TBS and 2 teaspoons ]
4. 1 œuf battu 1 beaten egg
5. 1 c.s de crème fraîche épaisse 1 tablespoon of thick crème fraîche
6. 50 g de beurre mou coupé en morceaux 50 grams of Butter cut into small cubes [3.5 Tablespoons]
7. 1/2 petite cuillère d'extrait d'amande amère 1/2 teaspoon of Almond extract
8. 1 jaune d'oeuf 1 egg yellow
9. 1 c.s de lait 1 Tablespoon of milk
10. 1 fève 1 bean (trinket)
11. 1 couronne 1 crown

Préparation de la recette (preparation of the recipe)

1. 1. Préchauffez le four à 190°C. Preheat over to 190°C
2. 2. Battez l'œuf en omelette dans un bol. Beat egg in a bowl
3. 3. Dans un saladier, mélangez la poudre d'amandes, le sucre en poudre, l'oeuf battu, la crème fraîche, le beurre et l'extrait d'amande amère. In large bowl, mix the almond flour, sugar, beaten egg, crème fraîche, butter and extract.
4. 4. Déroulez une pâte feuilletée sur la grille du four en laissant le papier sulfurisé dessous. Roll out the pastry, leaving it on the pastry paper.(Prepackaged puffed pastry comes with pastry paper, and it is circular)
5. 5. Piquez la pâte avec une fourchette et recouvrez-la de la préparation aux amandes jusqu'à 3 cm du bord. With fork, makes some holes in the pastry, then spread on the almond mix, leaving 1/2 inch on the outside edge.
6. 6. Posez une fève dans la crème, où vous voulez vers le bord. Put the bean (trinket ) towards the outside edge.
7. 7. A l'aide d'un pinceau de cuisine ou de vos doigts, mouillez la bordure de pâte non recouverte de crème. Wet the border (1/2 inch that was left without the almond mixture) with a brush.
8. 8. Recouvrez avec la deuxième pâte feuilletée. Cover with the second puffed pastry. Take a fork and crimp the edges together.
Avec la fourchette, appuyez bien tout autour du bord pour coller les 2 pâtes ensemble.
9. 9. Avec un couteau pointu, faites un petit trou au milieu de la galette puis tracez des lignes pour la décorer. With a knife, make a small vent in the center, then trace a design on top (cutting only lightly, not all the way through top pastry layer)
10. 10. Dans un bol, mélangez un jaune d'œuf avec 1 c.s de lait et étalez ce mélange sur la galette pour qu'elle dore à la cuisson. In a bowl, mix the egg yolk with milk and brush the entire top of pastry so it will turn gold when baking
11. 11. Enfournez et laissez cuire 30-35 mn. Dégustez tiède, c'est encore meilleur ! Put into the oven for 30-35 minutes. Eat warm, it is the best