Bon Jour everyone!!! Today was the end of the world. They said.
This font is one I found one called "Trebuchet". Sounds French to me! So I'm using it, though it doesn't look particularly French, does it? (isn't that a sling-shot?)
We're all getting ready for Christmas now. All those last minute details that just drive you crazy!!
Is there enough butter? What about linens? Oh, using paper. (it is 50 people after all)
Technically, it isn't my household, so I don't really have to worry. But I still do. My contribution for the pre-Christmas week at the McCabes was a giant Taco meatloaf. Don't laugh, it was good. But I think I'll have to take it up a few notches if I'm going to impress any Josselin dinner guests. Oh yes, I am imagining myself doing the whole Julia "thing" over there. We shall see.
Yesterday there was Christmas shopping with Nick and that was so much fun. Later, cookie baking with the girls. Dropping people off and picking them up. This is the juice that grandmas run on. I will miss that.
Finally got Skippy's certifications from Albany!! One more document to be signed on the 2nd will complete his "Pet Passport". Ha! Yes, there is such a thing.
Brigitte, (Brijz-eat) my landlady lives in Miami!!! Yes, Florida!!! So she is enjoying a sunny and warm, Palm tree Christmas. She has told me that she is having the house in Josselin readied for us. I guess, dusted off and beds made and all.
I am so grateful to Amy and Dan for escorting me all the way there and for their help in getting me settled in. This will eliminate so much stress and make the traveling that much easier. We plan to rent a car in Paris and drive the 4 hours to Josselin. Upon arrival in town, we are to meet Lucia. My lady in Josselin who has the key and all the info. Can't wait to meet her. I am to give her English lessons. Not sure how that will work but we'll give it a try.
Next week, after Christmas, the suitcase organizing will begin. Although I'm not at all an organized person, I am sometimes a little OCD about packing a suitcase. Have been known to draw a diagram of the exact location of all items. Just the act of doing this helps me remember where to find things while traveling. I was taught to pack everything with tissue paper, but now I use plastic bags. All this occurs only when preparing for a lengthy or elaborate excursion. For short jaunts, "stuff" gets thrown into tote bags. You can imagine the labyrinth in my brain, planning the suitcases for a year in France.
I already planned to take along measuring cups and spoons as I'm figuring everything there is metric and will befuddle me. That's probably overkill. I know I can buy things there, but don't want to have to run right out finding stuff and spending Euros willy nilly.
But somehow, the fact that Josselin is a 12th century town, has influenced me to the point of feeling like I am also traveling back in time as well as changing continents. Must keep reminding myself that France is also in the 21st century and that it is not the France of all those books on Eleanor and Henry and Louis and Marie, Revolucion` and the Bastille.
But let's get serious. As long as there's good coffee and fresh croissant, I will be in heaven!!!
Meanwhile, a very Joyeux Noel to Everyone! More to come.
Till we meet again, Kath
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Bon Jour mes amis!!
My goal here is to keep all my nearest and dearest updated on my latest adventure. Off to France!! Bretagne (Brittany) and to the town of Josselin, a medieval town of the 12th century, with its own castle! About 4 hours from Paris, this town is known as one of the prettiest in France, with a beautiful canal running through. My townhouse is centrally located a block from the main square, near all the action. Saturday markets, festivals and quaint cafes. mmmm-good.
Aside from all the aesthetically appealing sites, sounds, foods and beverages.....I hope to absorb the more subtle aspects of the Breton culture. It's far more than French alone. Maybe I'll even have a chance to discover some personal genealogy along the way.
Hopefully, in a year, I'll be able to write a whole session in French. There is a long way to go. But I know it's going to go fast.
In the past 8 months I have traveled very far already and my grand idea of moving to France is no longer living just in my imagination.
Before the planning could begin in earnest, there was the little matter of my younger daughter's gorgeous June Wedding! And it WAS just glorious. After a little jaunt to Cape May with Nick and Sharon, my "France" planning shifted into higher gear.
After multiple trips to the city, the French Consulate finally granted me a VISA!! This was a huge accomplishment for me as it required copies of practically every document ever issued to me during my lifetime. Now I have a dosier larger than my carry-on.
Last Wednesday , Sharon and I had a great dinner at the Bruynsyck Inn, in Wallkill. The chef is Jean, from Bretagne, France. He was so kind and gave me his sister's name and address in Pont Avec, Bretagne. On the coast. She has a restaurant, too. The whole family is in the business. My new doctor, Jenny Tichenell sent me to meet Jean. He gave me a lot of info. Anyway, that was the best glazed, roast duck I have ever had.
And then, Whew!!... over last weekend, all my furnishings went into storage and with a lot of help the rest of the apartment "stuff" has been cleared out. I will actually miss that little apartment. It's been a wonderful place for me, but now I'm on to more distant horizons. Goodbye Newburgh, Hello Josselin!! (well, January 7th, anyway) Weekend at Amanda & Rob's house. SOOO relaxing! Thanks for the hospitality and all the help. I needed that.
Weaving in and out of all this have been crazy moments of a Surprise Farewell Gathering at the Newburgh Brewery, where they even have ping pong and board games to play along with sipping yummy brews. Thanks to All of you who surprised me! (especially Amanda, who tricked me) It was GREAT!!
....and then last night, Jay cooked two styles of fabulous lasagna. White and Red. My personally cooked farewell dinner from my son. So yummy.
Yesterday, I had a flat tire and couldn't find my driver's license. Went to write a check for the new tire and my license was not in my wallet. Yikes. (I think I left it at the storage place though they didn't find it.) Today, along with moving lock, stock and barrel with Skippy to McCabes, I spent part of the morning at Motor Vehicle. Getting a new license. Sometimes I wonder how I ever get things together. Especially big stuff like moving to France for a year. I remember Jo M. telling me, that if "anybody can do it, you can" (I was surprised to hear that about myself since I didn't feel that way.).....but this has been a huge impetus for me to see it through. To actually DO it. Thanks Jo, for the pep talk. It has really helped me get this far.
Well, there IS still more to do.
We still have Christmas, and then packing, and getting Skippy's pet passport from Albany. Oh yeah, still lots more. And then flying, with a dog. Sometimes I kind of glaze over when I think about it too much.
Meanwhile I'm hanging with the McCabes right through the Christmas and New Years! Yay!!
Between 4 girls, 3 dogs, 2 kittens, Christmas dinner for 50, shopping and wrapping a LOT of FUN is going to be had by all.
Oh how I will miss you all!! So much. Though I've been enjoying all the talk about all the proposed visits. I do hope you all can make it. I am so looking forward to seeing it all through your eyes, too.
Well, I will catch up with you some more, as the departure date nears. Meanwhile, take care and know that I am thinking of you all.
Au revoir et merci!! Nanny, Kathy, Mom & Skippy
PS. I will attach pictures when I learn how.
PPS. Just got an adorable Christmas card from Marsha and Robin, not sure if I will get cards out this year. Maybe this blog will have to cover.
PPPS I thought of another PS but now I can't think of it
Till We Meet Again
My goal here is to keep all my nearest and dearest updated on my latest adventure. Off to France!! Bretagne (Brittany) and to the town of Josselin, a medieval town of the 12th century, with its own castle! About 4 hours from Paris, this town is known as one of the prettiest in France, with a beautiful canal running through. My townhouse is centrally located a block from the main square, near all the action. Saturday markets, festivals and quaint cafes. mmmm-good.
Aside from all the aesthetically appealing sites, sounds, foods and beverages.....I hope to absorb the more subtle aspects of the Breton culture. It's far more than French alone. Maybe I'll even have a chance to discover some personal genealogy along the way.
Hopefully, in a year, I'll be able to write a whole session in French. There is a long way to go. But I know it's going to go fast.
In the past 8 months I have traveled very far already and my grand idea of moving to France is no longer living just in my imagination.
Before the planning could begin in earnest, there was the little matter of my younger daughter's gorgeous June Wedding! And it WAS just glorious. After a little jaunt to Cape May with Nick and Sharon, my "France" planning shifted into higher gear.
After multiple trips to the city, the French Consulate finally granted me a VISA!! This was a huge accomplishment for me as it required copies of practically every document ever issued to me during my lifetime. Now I have a dosier larger than my carry-on.
Last Wednesday , Sharon and I had a great dinner at the Bruynsyck Inn, in Wallkill. The chef is Jean, from Bretagne, France. He was so kind and gave me his sister's name and address in Pont Avec, Bretagne. On the coast. She has a restaurant, too. The whole family is in the business. My new doctor, Jenny Tichenell sent me to meet Jean. He gave me a lot of info. Anyway, that was the best glazed, roast duck I have ever had.
And then, Whew!!... over last weekend, all my furnishings went into storage and with a lot of help the rest of the apartment "stuff" has been cleared out. I will actually miss that little apartment. It's been a wonderful place for me, but now I'm on to more distant horizons. Goodbye Newburgh, Hello Josselin!! (well, January 7th, anyway) Weekend at Amanda & Rob's house. SOOO relaxing! Thanks for the hospitality and all the help. I needed that.
Weaving in and out of all this have been crazy moments of a Surprise Farewell Gathering at the Newburgh Brewery, where they even have ping pong and board games to play along with sipping yummy brews. Thanks to All of you who surprised me! (especially Amanda, who tricked me) It was GREAT!!
....and then last night, Jay cooked two styles of fabulous lasagna. White and Red. My personally cooked farewell dinner from my son. So yummy.
Yesterday, I had a flat tire and couldn't find my driver's license. Went to write a check for the new tire and my license was not in my wallet. Yikes. (I think I left it at the storage place though they didn't find it.) Today, along with moving lock, stock and barrel with Skippy to McCabes, I spent part of the morning at Motor Vehicle. Getting a new license. Sometimes I wonder how I ever get things together. Especially big stuff like moving to France for a year. I remember Jo M. telling me, that if "anybody can do it, you can" (I was surprised to hear that about myself since I didn't feel that way.).....but this has been a huge impetus for me to see it through. To actually DO it. Thanks Jo, for the pep talk. It has really helped me get this far.
Well, there IS still more to do.
We still have Christmas, and then packing, and getting Skippy's pet passport from Albany. Oh yeah, still lots more. And then flying, with a dog. Sometimes I kind of glaze over when I think about it too much.
Meanwhile I'm hanging with the McCabes right through the Christmas and New Years! Yay!!
Between 4 girls, 3 dogs, 2 kittens, Christmas dinner for 50, shopping and wrapping a LOT of FUN is going to be had by all.
Oh how I will miss you all!! So much. Though I've been enjoying all the talk about all the proposed visits. I do hope you all can make it. I am so looking forward to seeing it all through your eyes, too.
Well, I will catch up with you some more, as the departure date nears. Meanwhile, take care and know that I am thinking of you all.
Au revoir et merci!! Nanny, Kathy, Mom & Skippy
PS. I will attach pictures when I learn how.
PPS. Just got an adorable Christmas card from Marsha and Robin, not sure if I will get cards out this year. Maybe this blog will have to cover.
PPPS I thought of another PS but now I can't think of it
Till We Meet Again
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