On Friday, the three of us drove to Nancy (about an hour from Granges) to pick up Patrick's almost 85 year old aunt and godmother Gladys (Ida's sister), who is coming to visit for a couple of weeks. Shortly after we got back to the house, the doorbell rang, and there stood Camille, 88-year-old WWII resistance fighter, photographer, Patrick's basketball coach, and our friend, offering us fresh-caught trout. Of course, one good turn deserves another, so we invited him for beer. (Truth be told, it is tradition when someone drops by to offer them a beverage, but we were thrilled to see him!) I hope I am as active and energetic as he is when I'm 88.
He had come by twice already to give us the fish, and since we weren't there earlier, he went ahead and cleaned them for us--something I consider to be quite a blessing, in addition to the gift of the fish! Cooked in a little butter with almonds--delicious!
The weather was beautiful, so of course we ate outside...
Patrick caught this telling shot of Ren (who did eat a trout), following up his meal with, quelle surprise, pasta.
Later, we went for a walk. Ren took this picture of Patrick and I walking in front of Ida's house (on the right) and Philippe's (on the left) with the moon rising over the mountain behind. It was close to 10:00pm but we are so far north that the sun sets late.
He had come by twice already to give us the fish, and since we weren't there earlier, he went ahead and cleaned them for us--something I consider to be quite a blessing, in addition to the gift of the fish! Cooked in a little butter with almonds--delicious!
The weather was beautiful, so of course we ate outside...
Patrick caught this telling shot of Ren (who did eat a trout), following up his meal with, quelle surprise, pasta.
Later, we went for a walk. Ren took this picture of Patrick and I walking in front of Ida's house (on the right) and Philippe's (on the left) with the moon rising over the mountain behind. It was close to 10:00pm but we are so far north that the sun sets late.
Saturday was Patrick's birthday, and I invited the inlaws over for dinner to celebrate. We started with the traditional "appero" outside, then had bruschetta as our entree (inside--it was getting chilly), then for the main meal we had American meatloaf (a favorite of Patrick's) with zucchini from Ida's garden steamed and served with lemon-parsley butter. Then a cheese and salad course, and finally, these two delicious cakes. (No, I didn't make them--are you kidding?!) The one on the left is a fruit-type cake with layers of pistachio mousse and apricot mousse. There was a lovely "flower" on the top made of vanilla sticks, apricots, and pineapple slices. The chocolate one was layers of different chocolates and a layer of cream filling. It was my favorite. I know you are shocked!
Les truites, c'est moyen pour moi, par contre les gâteaux, huuuuuum! Bye nous on file déjeuner au Golden!
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