This afternoon Coco Channel,  the mascot of On rue tatin,  decided to keep me company as she curled up on my blanket and gently snored. Class started this morning at 10:30 sharp.

I made the honey  vinaigrette dressing, another student chopped chocolate, and another washed spinach as Susan sliced zucchini on the mandolin.  Soon I had the rabbit livers simmering and we all helped make a quick sweet pastry for the tart.

Our rich lunch of  foie  gras, duck breast with a creamy apple brandy sauce, steamed spinach, grilled endive,  a Roquefort and blue cheese platter with a deep chocolate tart for desert made me question if I would ever be hungry again.

After a nice stroll through Louviers watching the swans negotiate  the swift ,small river that runs through the village, a nap with Coco is just what I needed.

Tomorrow,  after  a trip to the farmer’s market, I’ll head back home to Aix to join my friends at the Zone Rosa Writer’s Retreat.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linker

www.DeborahCLinker.com

As I retreated to my bedroom at 11 p.m. my hands are filled with the odors of garlic, onions, goat cheese,  and fresh herbs. I have prepared and eaten mackerel,lemon meringue tarte, roasted nuts with cocoa, braised rabbit,
and rhubarb in vanilla syrup.  (I forgot to mention the red pepper chutney that I overcooked.,Oops)

Susan Loomis  has succeeded in presenting a variety of foods and the techniques to cook them. Today, I learned about sorrel, how to use a mandolin, how to filet a rabbit, the secret to making a quick pastry and how to layer flavors while braising.

The evening meal ended  with fresh goat cheeses made with raw milk from a local producer, who explained about his goats and his process of cheese making. They were delicious. 

I am so pleased that at the end of a day of chopping,  eating and drinking, with tired feet and sore wrists I can just climb the two flights of stairs to my room.

Last night I slept better than I have in weeks. Could it be an ambiance hovering from the nuns who lived and slept in this very room years ago? Or effects of a new moon?

Whatever, I can’t wait for tomorrow’s lunch of magret de canard au calvados.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

I am changed forever.  Daily fresh baked bread, shopping in open markets, grand cafe crème, two hour lunches, and aperitif at six, not happy hour at four will be forever be ingrained in my mind.  Immersing yourself in a foreign land, really integrating with the culture has been life changing for me. Someone said “Where ever you are, you aren’t.”  I suppose that is so true.  When I am in Florida, I will always miss parts of France, specifically Aix en Provence.  Likewise, when I am in Aix I always miss the sunny warm weather and the water in Florida.

            Yes, I have whined about the rain, the mistral winds, and the cold winters in Provence, but when the sun shines and the cloudless blue skies appear and I stroll along the tree lined Cours Mirabeau, with its ancient moss covered fountains, it is so wonderful. How did I know a year ago, that my life would be so influenced by the food, wine, and people of France? I have such good friends in both places.  I am inspired in both continents.

            How can I choose?  Must I choose?.  As long as my body and my mind are fit, I will travel between my two cherished homes? The best of both worlds-a dream come true.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

 I arrived at the VAL de Reuil train station, which was nearly empty. Checked my ticket to see if I was in the right place. Too late anyway. The train stops and in seconds it has faded from view. Finally,  I see one taxi. Whew! It’s Pascal, my driver to take me on the 15 minute ride to the village of Louviers, where I will be staying with chef and author, Susan Loomis as I take cooking classes from her.

Susan,  an American, who has lived over 20 years in France refurbished and converted an old convent into her home and cooking school called On Rue tatin,  with a fabulous kitchen.  I knew I was going to feel at home, when her cat,Coco Channel, rushed in my room to greet me.

Her huge rustic  house sits in the center of town with the shadow of a twelve century  church, which is right across the street, looming high above her roof top and garden.

Tonight I met the two other students as we had dinner at Susan’s in  front of a  fire in her living room to warm this damp cold Normandy air. (It actually hailed here today.)

Tomorrow is a busy day in the kitchen as we whisk, roast,
confit and learn to work in Bain Marie. Susan says we will have Mackerel for lunch, which we will fillet and prepare with a red pepper chutney and pesto. I am skeptical about  the mackerel!

Till then, I’m snuggled  under my down duvet hoping Coco will visit to keep me warm. 

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

 This is the France I came to visit, the one I saw in movies, books and art work.  Fields of wild flowers, red poppies, yellow colza, purple irises, dandelions, olive trees,  and the smell of lilac lingering in the air all set against  Montagne Sainte-Victoire in the horizon. A farmer plows the edge of his vineyard, a lady trims her rose bush and waves as we pass by, dogs bark in the distance. Birds chirping, doves cooing and I thought I heard a whipporwill. At times, giant oak trees formed a canopy over the narrow path.  A wonderful country walk on the perimeter of the village of Puyricard. 

   The yellow flowers are colza, which is akin to the rapeseed. It is harvested for bio-fuel and animal feed.  In some places canola oil is produced from this beautiful yellow flower.

  If you look closely clinging to the plants are the limaçon snails. Yes, they do eat these. But these poppies are purely ornamental, not the ones that produce opium. Magical moments in a wonderful environment.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

 

 Each morning my mother would set me in front of the television with a cold glass of milk, a tall spoon, and my very own can of  Hershey’s syrup precariously placed on a popular new item, a flimsy TV tray. Lucky for me, the TV tray became popular the same year as I was born, one year before Swanson introduced the first TV dinner in 1953.

 ”Stir it up with a smile”, the commercial said. With joy I watched the white fluid turn darker and darker as I poured and mixed  precisely as a scientist to create my very own chocolate milk.  I savored every drop as I continued to stir the  thick syrup that settled on the bottom of the glass. I lingered over my liquid breakfast making it last until the very end of the daily children’s show, Captain Kangaroo, my baby-sitter in those days.  When he jingled his giant ring of keys, stood with  Mr. Green Jeans and waved good bye to all the boys and girls as a last treat, I dug out any of the gooey scrumptious mess left in the glass and licked my spoon.

 Naturally fat free, though one hundred calories in two tablespoons of  this fructose corn syrup concoction, I still add it to my brownie recipe for extra chocolate flavor or swirl a bit on top of  ice cream to satisfy my sugar cravings. And yes, I still think  of my friend the  mustached, bushy eye-browed Captain Kangaroo with his jolly, gentle smile whenever I have a delicious glass of chocolate milk.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

 Books -our escape, an adventure to a new land, a different era, or  an entirely new universe. Since I have been in France I’ve re-discovered the joy of reading.  In the beginning it was out of necessity, perhaps due to discouage boredom or loneliness in a foreign country.  Now, it is a passion, an addiction.   When I am almost finished with my current book, I’ve already got the next one lined up – like a junkie with his next fix. The more I read, the more I want it.

            This year I have read some amazing books some by new authors others by seasoned writers.  The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey, her first novel, which was among the finalists for the 2013 Pulitzer prize in fiction, was one of my all time favorite books. Stoner, a classic novel by John Williams originally published in 1965, is a beautiful piece of literature with a story I could easily relate to.  The Seamstress, by Maria Duenas took me to Morocco, Tangiers and Spain with vivid descriptions of fashion, espionage and adventures.  Congratulations to my good friend, E.R. Warner’s first Kindle publication with her novella, Perdita, the Lost One.  It  was an inspiring story that unfolded secrets and mysteries set in a tropical island.

            I just finished, Light Between the Oceans, by M. L. Stedman, her first novel.  I cried as I finished the last chapter of this marvelous tale set among the sea in a small town of Western Australia and I said goodbye to the characters I had grown to love. If you are a pet owner, you will probably love the moving, light read of Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology by Caroline Paul.

             Finishing a good book is bittersweet.  You are eager to know what happens, but don’t want it to end.    Thanks to three great book clubs I belong to in Aix en Provence, my appetite for reading has been nourished. 

            Of course whenever I think I have made a dent in my reading list, my friend and avid reader, Claire McAlpine emails me with a couple of more recommendations.  Check out her wonderful blog Word by Word where she reviews books on:  http://clairemca.wordpress.com/

            Another great site for tracing books you have read and want to read and their reviews is Goodeads at: www.goodreads.com.

            So, what’s next on my list:  Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, Red Dust Road by Jackie Kay, Butcher’s Crossing by John Williams,  Shadows and Wings by Niki Tulk and the several books  by Joanne Harris, Chocolat, The Girl with No Shadow, Peaches for Father Francis,  The Lollipop Shoes and Five Quarters of the Orange.

            I love bookstores and turning the pages of a book, but I don’t know what I would do without my kindle during these travels.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

 Window boxes are filled with color.  Purple, pink and white flowers are budding from trees. I tucked my winter sweaters in the back of the closet along with my boots and gloves.  I had my toes painted for the first time in weeks since I was finally wearing sandals.

Then mother nature laughed and said, “Not yet.”  A cold windy rain hit our streets for the past 5 days and brought temperatures back in the forty degree range at night.  I’m thankful I still have my electric blanket to tuck my cold feet in as I go to bed.  At least the rain washed away the pollen that caused so much sneezing and coughing.  Change of seasons – another new adjustment for me.  At times like this I click my heels and say, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like sandy beaches and Florida sunshine.”

OR

I say,”What a good day to play mah jongg on a gloomy day with good friends, a complex game to stimulate your mind, and a champagne apero.”

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

1.  How to sleep without a light on, cause I don’t want to change a strange light bulb.

2.  How important it is have your slippers by your bed so when you get up your feet do not freeze.

3.  How to order a grand Café Crème. 

4.  How to look outside and observe people passing by to see how many layers to wear that day.

5.  How to sleep through the garbage pick-up almost every morning.

6.  How to lower the shutters every night to keep out the cold and the light.

7.  How to plug in my electric blanket at least an hour and a half before bedtime.

8.  How to tie a scarf many different ways.

9.  How to always carry a cloth bag.

10.  How to take out the garbage every day in a small bag, since there is no garbage disposal.

11.  How to avoid doggy doo when walking.

12.  How to write a French check.

13.  How to move quickly in the Mono-Prix line.

14.  How to keep your head up, your bag close to your body and walk fast so it looks like you belong.

15.  How to look disgusted when standing on a curb and young people jaywalk against the red light in front of passing cars.  (Roll your eyes)

16.  How to rent a movie at the movie store.  Don’t pick up the cassette, pick up the tab with the movie name and take to register.

17.  How to ride the buses, read the schedules, and most importantly say “Bonjour” and “Merci,au revoir” each time to the bus driver.

18.  How to wear boots in the rain.

19.  How to appreciate a cloudless sunny day.

20.  How much I miss walking along the Ocean’s edge.

.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE Deborah C Linker www.DeborahCLinker.com

French Keyboard Wins (This time)

A day of errands – first stop the Post Office to conquer the copy machine.  Had the right coins, put the paper in correctly.  Yes it worked.  Then off to find an employee that speaks English .  Luckily, at this main branch they have workers wandering the floor assisting, since it is so busy and all the lines are quite long.  I asked, “how is the quickest way to mail these documents to the United States?”  “Oui Madame, this envelope is what you need.  It will cost fifty-two Euros.”  After I closed my mouth, I said, “Well, how soon would it get there?”  After looking in his little book behind the counter, he replied, “Four to five days.” 

“So, is there a less expensive way, maybe priorite?”  “Ah, Oui that will be 1.6 Euros.”  ”And how long will priorite take?”  He looks in another book and replied, “Four to Five days Madame”  “Really, I believe Priorite will be tres bon , merci beaucoup.”

One mission accomplished, I stepped out into the pouring rain and the wind turned my tumi umbrella inside out as I dodged puddles on my way to the internet cafe.  It’s not a cafe at all.  It is a printing business with a little room with about four laptops that they charge you to use.  As I stepped in the door, the gentlemen behind the desk, speaking no English, says deux, as he holds up two fingers.  Since I never got around to buying a printer in France, I needed to print a document from my g-mail, sign it, have it scanned and returned by email. 

I took off my wet coat, took a deep breath as I cautiously approached the French keyboard. I watched every stroke as I knew my habitual keystrokes would not get me where I wanted.  I connected to the internet, then to G-mail, uh-oh, where is the @ sign?   I found it, but it shares a key with three other characters.  I tried several different combination of keys and finally got it holding down three keys simultaneously.  Now it was time for the dot “.” in “.com.”  Really, every time you type a period, you must use two keys.  In doing so, I turned on the permanent caps so when I typed my password, which is case sensitive it was not accepted.  GEEEEEZ!!

I disconnected and started the routine again with the same results.  Finally,  against my usual personality trait, I gave up. 

THE FRENCH KEYBOARD DEFEATED ME!

None of the workers spoke English, but they were nice enough not to charge me as I left the store spouting my frustrations in French the best I could.  Later that night I found a friend who had a scanner and completed my mission while we shared a bottle of  rosé  Where’s a Kinko’s when you need one?

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE Deborah C Linker www.DeborahCLinker.com