COMING HOME!

We are leaving for the U.S. today on a train to Paris and then we fly Delta to Cincinnati on Friday arriving around 3 p.m. Of course we are very excited to come home for two weeks!!! Eating familiar foods, watching American T.V., being able to turn right on red, sleeping in our bed, being able to hear the Sunday sermon in our own language and BEST of all visiting with family and friends are all things we are looking forward to.

This picture was taken on our trip to southern France this fall at the city of Carcassonne. I still hope to blog on the last two days of that trip some day soon. Maybe in January when we get back! We will be back to France for three months until early April so Dave can finish his assignment.

JOHN 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

OUR EATING AND SOCIALIZING MARATHON CONTINUES

After our leisurely walk on Saturday we arrived home in time to rest before our next invitation to dinner. We feel so blessed to have met so many wonderful French friends that speak English as well as French. I believe that is an answered prayer!

Our friend, Anne-Elisabeth organized a raclette dinner, one often eaten after a full day of skiing in the Alps. We just pretended we had skied all day! She was the interpreter during the evening going back and forth between English and French so everyone could understand. I asked her later if the evening was tiring and she said, "No, it's like a game for me." The difficult part is remembering who she is talking to and which language she needs to use.

Cheese and plenty of it...
The name "raclette" (pronounced ruck-lett in English or rah-klett in its native French) refers to a meal and to a type of cheese with the same name. The traditional dish can be described as melted cheese eaten with boiled (or roasted) potatoes with small gherkins and pickled onions.
For more insight into this famous winter meal, go to http://www.raclette.com/

The girls had as much fun as we did eating, laughing and discussing traditions common in France and the U.S.A.

Now that is a beautiful bowl of fruit! A heavy dessert would have put us all into a stupor that we may not have come out of so we were happy to see the fresh fruit being served as our dessert.

Francois-Michel was our host for the evening and his sense of humor made us all feel so comfortable. His dog wanted in on a little of the action so .......

On Sunday, Sophie and her husband Olivier invited us to their lovely home for a meal and an afternnon of sharing with other church friends. Meghan was not feeling well so she stayed home and slept most of the day. She had a little stomach flu but luckily it only lasted 24 hours as did mine the week before. Meghan was sorry to have missed this outing since she has become friends with the girls, Noeme, Sarah, and Manon.

As we were relaxing and having our aperitif, one of the fellow church members, Dominique, who is a policeman, started a story with "Susie, I saw you on your bike." To my deep embarrassment and as my face got redder, I realized the story he was about to tell was my previously untold story of a close encounter with a police car. I had been returning from riding Meghan to school and decided to take a short cut home which included riding the wrong way on a one way street. To my surprise, I looked ahead and what did I see coming around the bend but a police car with it's lights flashing. My first thought was, I'm in big trouble now!! I am not only going the wrong way but I didn't take time to put my lights on the bike which is required in France. Dominique told the story of his fellow officer who was driving the car, emphatically motioned me to turn around and ride in the correct direction. Dominique remarked to the driver, "I know that woman, she's an American, just keep going." Fortunately they were on there way somewhere else and I was saved from a 130 euro fine and 2 points off my driver's license. It sure is good to have a friend who is a policeman, even in France. Not sure how I would have explained that one to Dave since he had told me as we were out biking one day that he follows all the rules because he doesn't want to try to explain in French why he was doing something wrong.

MATHEW 18: 3-4 " I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

THE START OF OUR MARATHON EATING AND SOCIALIZING WEEKEND

Before heading out for our dinner invitation on Friday, we did a little shopping in the old city of Vannes. It was so much fun watching Dave and Meghan trying on hats and trying to decide on just the right one. If I must say so, I think they both are looking quite fashionable in their new chapeaus. We think the owner was trying to tell us with his limited English that the store was named (translated in English) "Cat in the Hat" as a take off of the children's tale, "Puss and Boots." We wondered later if he knew of the Dr. Seuss character. After Christmas we are going to take the book to him, so we'll find out.

Marie-Helene, our neighbor and friend across the street, invited us to her flat on Friday night for an Italian Christmas dinner. She cares for her mother who is 94 and has Alzheimer's. My favorite part of the evening, besides the wonderful food, was when her mom reached over and held Dave's hand and recited her prayers by memory. Goes to show Alzheimer's can't take away your relationship with God.
The festive red and white put us all in the Christmas mood! Meghan is counting the hours until she will be back in Indy and enjoying time with her American friends, getting her ears pierced, and watching AMERICAN T.V.!!!! Continuing on our "Eating and Socializing Marathon", on Saturday at noon we headed to Arradon, a village on the gulf, to be entertained by Anna Marie and Daniel, a couple we met early on at our church. Our first course or "aperitif " in French, included salmon, smoked trout and fish eggs. Dave and I really loved the smoked trout. Then on to the next course or "entree", which was oysters and salmon. The main course or "plat" was guenne fowl, dressing, green beans and potatoes. Delicious!!! We opted to wait on dessert until after our walk.One of the traditions we love here is walking along the gulf or ocean after a meal to walk off those calories. It must be why the French are able to eat so much and not gain weight.
One of the lovely homes we passed along the road to the gulf. The grass is so green and it's DECEMBER. We loved seeing the green grass and shared with Daniel and Anna Marie how our grass at home is looking pretty brown this time of year.

Just wishing we had a sail boat about right now! Anna Marie and Daniel met during sailing lessons in Brittany. Daniel used to work in the European air space program before retiring to this beautiful area from Paris. They said they love the peacefulness of this community and still often go to Paris to visit with friends. They both contiue to sail and enjoy it.

More of the beauty we experienced along our afternoon walk. The Siberian ducks fly here to stay for the winter. I agree with their choice.

Notice the high stone walls on the left which represents the French culture to enclose their property.

MATHEW 5:16 Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

AN ENGLISH SPEAKING AFTERNOON

Yesterday, Heidi and I joined our French friends that meet biweekly to practice their English for an afternoon discussion of Christmas traditions both of France and the United States. Our host Ghislaine, who is French, lived in the Midwestern United States for five years and loves the American Christmas decorations. Her home was decorated as you would see in the states, inside and out. Very lovely!! Few French people decorate the outside of their homes because they are very conscious of saving energy.

We had a great time speaking English and also learning some new French vocabulary as well. Ghislaine served her homemade macarons and they were the best!! Better than ones I have had at the local French bakery. It was interesting to compare our American traditions with the French ones. Here is a link where you can read about some of the French traditions. The tradition that both Heidi and I decided to adopt is the one from the Provence region of France where our family and Linda vacationed this fall. You are treated to 13 different desserts on Christmas day made with fruit, nuts, chocolates, etc. I just wouldn't want to have to make all those desserts but Heidi likes to bake so I'll let her be the boulanger.

Of course what would Christmas be without the little village that includes a Starbucks? Now if that isn't American I don't know what is! In order for their American decorations to be lit they must use a transformer since it is not the same voltage used in France. Remember the curling iron story when we first arrived?One of the traditions in France is to display your santons along with the crèche. Santons are little figures of villagers and peasants dressed in the traditional south of France attire from the beginning of the 20th century. Ghislaine shared that she does all the outside decorating and her husband is in charge of the inside, probably not typical of what you would see in the U.S.

This is the time of the year to be joyful as we await Christ's birth. God must also want us to be joyful because the word "JOY" or a form of the word is used over 200 times in the Holy Bible. Today ponder what your are joyful for in your life.

JOHN 15:10-11 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

DECORATING OUR CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS

This afternoon two of the women from church and I spent a couple of hours decorating the church for Chirstmas. On Sunday at five we will have a service that involves the children. Plans have been made for a candle lit exit from the church. This is similar to our Illuminary Sunday in Irvington which we will be home to see this year.

Anna Marie is one of the first women I met at church the first Sunday we attended. She speaks French and English so I am able to communicate with her quite well. I told her today how I love the fact that the greenery was just cut fresh from one of the parishioners bushes and how simply the decorations came together. No large committee, no large budget, ect...

Christine also speaks English and she enjoys teaching me new French words too. She and Anna Maire had me laughing today as they taught me how to pronounce laurier, the greenery being used in the pictures. Christine was trying to show me how to do the "r" sound but I told her I couldn't do it 36 years ago either in Spanish class.

I really enjoyed my part of the "hanging of the greens."

Tonight Meghan and I did a little shopping as we waited for Dave to get home from work. The city is really looking festive.

Just one of the many quaint little shops in the old part of Vannes. Meghan saw a little jewelry box she has put on her Christmas wish list. Today was her full day off, so she spent the day doing homework, swim team practice, French tutoring and trumpet lessons. Now time for lights out!!

AND DAVE WENT TO WORK.......

PSALM 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

WE THOUGHT OUR HOUSE WAS OLD!

Sunday was enjoyed with new friends from church, Marie-Noele and her husband Jean Pierre. They live in the small village of Crucuno about 3 kilometers from the ocean. Marie-Noele is an excellent cook and we ate until we could eat no more!! She served a pork and carrot dish, pumpkin puree, chestnuts, cheeses, bread, dessert, and apples with cinnamon. After a leisurely lunch, we all changed into our walking clothes to spend the afternoon walking and talking on the beach.

Jean Pierre told us the ocean gets as high as you can see to the left when the tide is at it's highest. He said in October the waves get very dangerous and come crashing on the shore. So glad it wasn't October so we could enjoy our peaceful walk. Since everything is closed on Sundays, you see families out walking and enjoying time together. Growing up, I remember taking those Sunday afternoon rides in the car after lunch. If everything was closed in the states, I think we may see the reintroduction of this past Sunday afternoon tradition.

Walking along the beach we came upon this man in the ocean and then later on with this large wire basket on wheels. Jean Pierre and I ventured over to talk to the man. Actually Jean Pierre spoke in French to this gentleman and we learned they are harvesting tellines also known as Les donax. Researching it later, I have learned they are well liked in Spain, Italy and southern France but not in other parts of France. What one eats in one area may not be what they like in another. Just like at home, how many of you like fried green tomatoes??

Let's see did I hear you had snow in Indy on Sunday or sometime last week? Then this picture is to warm you up a little. One of my French friends said this looked like an African boat. Maybe this group was practicing for an upcoming race, who knows. But they would paddle out a way and then come back and do it all over again. It looked to me like they were practicing their start.
Loved how the waves were captured in this photo.

Dave gets 10 seconds of fame with this bulldog! He LOVES bulldogs but knows we will never own one so he was happy to get to pet and love on this one on the beach.

Like I said earlier, Marie-Noele is a fabulous cook. This was our dessert which the name escapes me now but I think she said it was like tiramisu without the alcohol. She and her husband were such wonderful hosts and made us feel so comfortable as if we had known them all our lives.

The Garriott's on the beach enjoying the sunshine and just being together on a Sunday afternoon. The tide can get as high as where we are standing.

Marie-Noele waving goodbye in front of their very old home that was built in 1669. Part of the home has been added on to and is new but it was very hard to tell where the old started and the new began. Jean Pierre showed us a building next door similar to their house before the renovation five years ago and it was basically a shell. He said they did about half the work themselves. Knowing how much work goes into restoring an old home, we were quite impressed!

This dolmen remarkable for its size is one of the largest in the Morbihan department. It has been said that is was used by the German army at various stages over the last century and a half. You could see this from their front yard.

One last activity of the day for Meghan. She was invited to Solene and Auriane's for a tree trimming party along with hot chocolate and Auriane's homemade banana cake. Needless to say none of us were very hungry for dinner, so soup it was.

Luke 12: 32-33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor....for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

GETTING IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

Off to an artist village for the Garriott's on Saturday! The village of Rochefort-en-Terre is less than 40 minutes away and we have been told by the locals it is a "don't miss" and we agree. At night the entire town is lit up and it becomes magical. We felt like we were in a movie. A local neighborhood group was serving eggnog and chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and all kinds of sweets to taste. One of the women we met was English and works in London and is home on the weekends with her family. This is not an uncommon practice here.

Can you say "little Christmas trees?" With the homes being smaller here, hence the need for smaller trees. Now if you ever see a sign like this you will know what it means.

We were wondering where the little porcupine came from? Haven't seen one in a creche before, have you?

This is certainly the only blow up snowman we have seen in France. The decorations are very tasteful and you usually see white lights and not a lot of flashy color. Dave, Meghan and I all laughed out loud when we say "Frosty"!

There were some unique pottery pieces in the shops and Dave and I decided on purchasing a vase that will be a great remembrance of our stay here. Meghan chose a bracelet and a pair of earrings which she paid for with her own money.

She is really looking forward to our return to Indy for the two week Christmas break. One of the highlights of our return is she has decided it is the right time for her to get her ears pierced. We told her when she turned 13 (that got bargained down to 12) she could get her ears pierced. Meghan turned 12 in June just as we were preparing to leave for France. She is making it a SPECIAL day and has invited Lauren, her SPECIAL friend, to join her for the SPECIAL occasion.

Just stopping for a family photo in front of one of the shops. Meghan is looking quite French in her new jacket.

Just try to put yourself into this picture and you will feel a little of what we felt wondering through this beautiful village.

PHILIPPIANS 4:11 Paul wrote, I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

HODGE PODGE BLOG

Since we arrived we have seen this nun riding her bike but we never had our cameras or she was past before we could take her photo. Just a few weeks ago we were at our friends' house when all of a sudden Dave said, "Susie, get your camera, there's the nun!" People here ride for both transportation and for exercise. After returning to the states we plan to use our bikes for transportation to the grocery store and running errands as well as for exercise.

One of the last signs of fall. This picture was taken about a few weeks ago as I was out for one of my walks along the gulf.

The big box grocery store is called Carrefore similar to WalMart. Meghan begged me to park at on the top floor so we could use the escalator You have to remember to bring your plastic bags to the grocery or you buy new bags each time. We keep them in the back of the car so they are always available. Another practice we hope to continue back home to help save the environment.
The French are very good about saving energy. Most of the light switches are on a preset timer that goes off after about two minutes. This is very common in public places, hotels, stair ways, ect.

Out walking along the gulf today after it rained around 10 a.m., I got a nice look at the birds sunning themselves on the rocks along the gulf. My sister Carol told me that we were probably really going to miss the water. She is SO right!!!
I didn't want to come back to the flat, I could have stayed out there all day but the laundry was waiting and other chores. Plus Meghan was waiting to go on a shopping spree for a new coat.

Can you name all the countries' flags on this sailboat?

Linda, our friend from Indy shared with us that the big balls in the trees are mistletoe. I plan to take Dave on this walk next time!!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

As some of you that have visited has seen for yourselves, our flat is small but comfortable. In one of my quiet thinking moments, I came up with the bright idea of how to have a Christmas tree in our flat or should I say outside our flat. The owners have many potted plants on the terrace including this small evergreen. Dave and I managed to get it from one end of the terrace to the other. Next came the lights and tonight the ornaments were added. The living room wall is entirely glass so we can see the brightly lit tree while we eat dinner or are just relaxing on the couch

We are all quite pleased with our ingenuity!

This roundabout has been adorned with a tree and big red presents! We are seeing more Christmas decorations go up each day. Dave and I were saying as we bought a few presents the day after Thanksgiving how it was nice not to fight the crowds as in the U.S. It is just another day of the week in France.

Out walking with Marie yesterday in the old part of town we came across this old vintage toy store. The owner will also restore any antique toys you want repaired. Did I say vintage? Some of those dolls look like ones I had growing up.

I have learned I can not go shopping with Anne-Elisabeth anymore! Why? Because I am the one spending the money while she is the one encouraging me to spend the money. For those of you who know me WELL, that can be a good thing. I tend to be frugal and some times I need someone to say "JUST BUY IT! " What a fun time we had picking out a new hat for me! My new French hat was made in Italy.

Fresh flowers like these are available every Wednesday and Saturday at the market. Can't wait to see what kind of flowers they will be selling for Christmas.Romans 12:9-10 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.