A gorgeous dinner with Louis & Lillians' family

Our friends, Louis and Lillian have a wonderful family.  We had met their daughter, Clarisse, and son-in-law, Gilbert,  3 years ago at Louis and Lillian's birthday party.  Clarisse and Gilbert have raised two wonderful boys.  When we met them the boys were teenagers, one mid-teens, and one, late-teens.  Now, three years later, Louis' older grandson, Nichola,  has gone into the Gendarmarie, a branch of service in France, that is a cross between NCIS and the national police.  His corps has maritime-related duties, and he is a medic.    The younger grandson, Benjamin, is in high school, and is just learning how to fly.  If you have read the previous blog about Louis' family, Benjamin is the one who made the entire family Tarte Flambe when we first got here.

Yesterday we were invited to a family dinner, because Nichola, is home from duty in the Gendarms.  We assembled for lunch (which went on for 4 hours)...then, the boys went to see motorcycle races.  Afterwards we got together for a glass of crémant, snacks, and to see Nichola's collection of military caps....extensive and impressive, to say the least!

The mid-day dinner was delicious!  Two long grills were laid on the table, with a fabulous German potato salad an assortment of raw sliced meats and different veggies to grill.  It was fun because it was active, with everyone grilling their own dinners, and because the boys interacted beautifully with their parents, grandparents, and us!  Just a treasure to see such a nice family, and to be invited to participate in their joy!  We hope they come to visit us in the US!

Check out the wonderful family, including the handsome Gendarme in his uniform, (He wore it just for us!).......then, the dinner picture, and a picture from the motor cycle side car races!

Our new walking path! September, 2015

The weather has turned, and we are now experiencing days, generally in the 70's...and nights in the 40's!  I am still healing from my rib and subsequent leg problem, but continue to gain strength.  I have begun to walk for exercise again, and we found the most bucolic walking path! It is along a canal of a small river that flows into the Rhine.  I managed to walk a full 3 miles the other day, and although my leg gave me some pain, I felt accomplished!  The path is amidst farms and corn fields.  The canal has swans, ducks and swallows and an occasional giant egret to keep you entertained.  To my surprise, and pleasure, I found a boat house.  Quite infrequently we see rowers on the canal, but they are there!

Our 1st Petanque Tournment, and a surprise dinner!

Our friend, Louis, and his friend, Francois, entered us into a pétanque tournament!  It was held in a small village, about 15 minutes from here.  We knew Francoise and his wife, Bette 3 years ago at Louis' birthday party.  We joined a group of people, men, women, and children in a day-long series of games.  It was just wonderful.  Of course, we were the only unknowns in the tournament, in that these people were all from the village of Matzenheim, and surrounding villages.  The town people had put up 4 tents and set out about 25 picnic tables and a few benches.  The day started out cool, but was slated to be a hot one, with sunny skies and the temperatures rising into the 90's!  

   Bruce and I were paired up and matched against older couples, young men in their late teens and little boys, none of whom speak English, but all of whom were rather interested in the people from California!  Fortunately, the game speaks for itself, but unfortunately, we are new to the game, and not very good players!  All of the players seemed pleased that we were interested in their favorite past-time, and, combined with the fact that we had the grace to loose, we felt welcomed as semi-special guests!  

   Lunch was prepared by the town butcher and several lovely young ladies.  (Ham or grilled sausages, German style potato salad, and sliced tomato salad).  Beer, wine, coffee and German pretzels were for sale the entire day.  Toddlers ran around the area, adding a lovely spectacle for all.  The day did get hot, with sun burns and sun tans appearing on every piece of exposed skin!  Hot! From 9:30 to 6:00, we played 5 games at a leisurely, French pace....a civilized break for beer or wine or water, in between games!  

  Trophies were presented and everyone celebrated the winners.  Nothing marred the day...not even a bee sting!  Everyone called our Auto Revoir to us when we left! ......So French...a day of inclusive sport, with babies, children, mamas, papas, and grandparents (into their 80's),  sunshine, food, and drink!  Humm....I think they are doing something RIGHT! 

    At the end of the day, as we sat down to have a glass of Rosé, Francois announced that he would like all of us, and Lillian,  Louis' wife, to join him and his wife, Bette, for a glass of Crémant (a fine,  Alsacian sparkling wine) at his home.  Of course, we said yes!  We thought it was only for a drink!   But no, we arrived to find that Bette must have been in on this wonderful surprise!  Their lovely apartment had a smell of fresh-baked something...Hum?   Well..... from the the Crémant we moved into a very special dinner of Raclette...a Swiss specially of cheese, sliced meats and sausages, shallots and lardon (little chunks of Canadian bacon), that you bake on the table, in individual little trays.  The melted cheese, shallots and lardon are poured over boiled potatoes.  Delicious!  More Alsacian white wine was served.  And just when you thought you were done...Bette brought out the lightest, most delicious cheesecake that we have ever tasted!  Licquors were introduced, but by that time no one was interested!  The night ended at about 11:00, with our new friends telling us that this lovely dinner in their home, came from their heart!  

The entire day was fun, and the dinner was really touching, and just plain delicious and special!  What a great experience!

Here are the trophies (that we didn't win!) .......the players.....Bruce staring down the cheese cake, and our friends, Francois and Bette, with the wonderful cheese cake!