Category: Summer 2014

So we had this great dinner at the Boudeaus last night. It was different from dinners we’ve had recently or even in the past, in that Manon and Romain are both away right now and that we ate indoors (due to the weather). Frédérique made a delicious roast beef that may have convinced Melinda that red meat is okay. But what made the meal so memorable was the laughter, especially around a few trips down memory lane.

The conversation evolved to the point of us asking Frédérique if she could find some old photos from when she and Laurent were younger. She disappeared to the garage and came back with some loose photos and a couple of albums. Much more laughter ensued, including that from Ella and Chloe* who seemed to get a big kick out of seeing photos from when Frédérique was a teen.

Shared here are a couple of photos Melinda took on her iPhone of photos from Frédérique’s & Laurent’s wedding album. The first needs no explanation, I’m sure. But the second is of Melinda’s parents who traveled from Seattle in 1988 to attend the wedding. Chloe* commented that Michele hasn’t changed at all, to which I suggested that she is a witch who never ages.

I made that comment quietly so only Chloe• could hear. We wouldn’t want something like that shared on the Internet or anything.

Hi Michele!

You asked about Michel and Joël. We haven’t seen Joël yet, and I’m not sure if we will. He wasn’t in Bressuire when we were there over the weekend (although he did get back right after we left). He had accompanied Annabelle and the kids to Spain. But we did get to spend considerable time with Michel. As I hope you can tell from this photo, he’s doing great. It was a proud weekend for him, what with all of his children and grandchildren together for Saturday night’s big party.

Speaking of Annabelle, we got to see both her and Alexandre yesterday. They stopped by the Boudeaus for a quick dip in the pool and to say hello. We’ll be having dinner at their place on Thursday night.

For those of you less familiar with the players, Michel is Laurent’s father. Joël is Frédérique’s father. Annabelle is Frédérique’s sister, and Alexandre is Annabelle’s son.

There, that should catch you up!

–Andy

PS – Photo credit to Isabelle, Laurent’s sister and one of Michel’s three daughters!

Hi Amy,

In case you don’t know, your daughter doesn’t really like having her picture taken. I’ve taken that on as a challenge of sorts and present to you these photos. I hope you get a kick out of them. I know Chloe* is pleased to have me post them here (for you).

We’re having a great time, of course.

–Andy

One of the things we’ve been saying to Chloe* about our trip is how cool it is to be integrated into the homes of French families. It’s not a vacation in which you are staying in a hotel, going out to touristy places during the day, and then eating in restaurants.

Case in point, today. Ella and Chloe* got up and had breakfast at the Bertails, then went into town by tram (Line 2, of course) to go shopping with Celeste and Claire. The four girls stopped for lunch and visited the Nid (the Nest), before returning home to the Bertails for dinner.

I arrived from my excursion to buy running clothes at Decathlon to see Maxime, the oldest of the Bertail children, and snap this shot of the dinner table.

This isn’t “visiting” France. This is “living” in France.

I got up at the Boudeaus at about 9 this morning and went for a 7+ mile run. This run took me from the Boudeaus, across the Erdre, along a favorite trail of mine, past the Bertails and our sabbatical house, a lap around the hippodrome, down a trail to another along a creek, across Line 2 at the rink where the Nantes hockey club plays, down to the Erdre, along a trail, back over the Erdre, and home to the Boudeaus.

I rinsed off in the cabana shower and then had the pool to myself for a while. Melinda arrived with Ella, Chloe*, Celeste and Claire. The girls jumped in the pool (hence this picture).

In short order I will be going to the store as I’m on dinner duty tonight. I’m thinking a chicken dish in coconut milk sautéed with spinach, onions, and walnuts.

Speaking of this day, take a look at what I was doing on each of the last four July 23rds:

– 2010: Day 23 (23 July 2010) – Pornichet Library
– 2011: The New Racetrack (Day 365 + 23)
– 2012: Parc de La Noé Mitrie
– 2013: A Review