I asked Jim to stop the car when I saw this, but there was so much more …

Two nights away from the house seemed like a great idea.  We could see a different section of France and perhaps run away from rain and clouds advancing toward us.  Moving along to the south seemed like the best direction.  Provence is too far away with six hours of driving, so we decided on the Tarn- Garonne and Auvergne regions.

Lace, crochet and embroidery drying in a protected place

We didn’t drive very far until I spotted something I had to aim my camera toward.  Then I discovered there was much more to this village – Saint Front sur Lemance – than I realized.  We’ve dashed past many times, not knowing what beauty was along the little lanes leading from the main road.

Just think, I could sit on this bench every day if I could find a house here at my poverty level budget.

The sun was shining beautifully and had apparently put in its best performance in the Lot region compared to the Dordogne since the rose bushes were covered in blooms.

We entered our destination area, driving on high roads with towering walls of stone surrounding a valley and river far below.  We decided to spend the night at St. Antonin Noble Val, a beautiful town with a tree-lined road leading through the center and narrow lanes winding among its ancient buildings.  Our hotel was selected at the tourism office.  This is a good plan if you are not familiar with an area since it saves driving or walking to many undesirable or fully-booked places.  Now I’m sounding like Rick Steves.  We were very fortunate with our choice, the small Auberge Lion D’Or that oozes charm and atmosphere in an ancient building from the 1600’s updated with modern comforts without losing the old character.

As you can see from the picture we had the honeymoon suite, or so the door seems to indicate.  The chamber is named Au Coeur du Lion – heart of the lion.  Perhaps they thought we were newlyweds, mistaking our lost and bewildered appearance for romantic bliss.  Apparently they missed the fact that I walked 10 paces ahead instead of behind the noble husband, and they didn’t know that we had no problem with their rule of not drinking red wine in the matrimonial bed.  I favored reading the big stack of interior design magazines instead.  Jim trimmed his finger and toe nails.  Not sure what else he did since I was in a state of bliss.

An open window to the view from our “Heart of the Lion” room in the auberge.

Before we indulged in these delights, we walked the ancient streets snapping a few pictures.  The sun was disappearing with very little light, so I held back thinking the morning light would be best.  We found a sandwich-burger place on the corner and ate our burgers and frites at street-side tables with children entertaining us.

A view of the honeymoon bed from the mirror above the fireplace. No red wine spills – guaranteed!

Breakfast was wonderful with fresh bread, sliced ham, cheeses, coffee, tea, orange juice and a nice selection of Bonne Maman jelly.  The friendly couple from the Netherlands who own the auberge gave us a tour of the present kitchen and the new kitchen they are building.  He is an expert craftsman, building beautiful cabinets and stairways and restoring the old buildings.  We were very fortunate to find them, and I would very highly recommend a stay in this lovely place.

The talented and charming innkeepers, Jan & Bojourna van Schaik

Unfortunately, it was raining the next morning so we didn’t visit Cordes sur Ciel, our next planned stop.  Actually, we visited about seven times as we hunted for the road sign we needed, turning around and coming back and looking from every possible angle.  Jim pulled into a ninety-degree angled driveway and backed into a blind-cornered road with a drop off to infinity on my side of the car to turn around.  Well almost.  He was putting me in the mood for the next honeymoon hotel.

Just click and don’t miss seeing more pictures on the France – pictures and storytelling page.   Have you read “A French Opportunity”?   If not, you can check out the details by clicking on the picture below.

Click here for details and to purchase “A French Opportunity”

Jim’s pork roast is arranged in the oblong pan. Gayle’s delicious salad is in the beautiful bowl. Her artwork is in the background. The meal was wonderful, and the conversation even better.

A pork roast for Sunday lunch and a walnut tart for dessert purchased at the boulangerie were packed up for a short ride to Ray and Gayle’s place.  In case you didn’t read about them, they are the new friends we met who are from California.  I had planned to bake peach upside down cake, but I couldn’t understand the ingredient list on the flour to determine whether it was self-rising or not, and I gave up on that idea.  Gayle said it was puzzling to her also, and she has lived in France for seven years.  I didn’t feel quite as badly after I heard her admission, although she is just sweet anyway and would say such a thing to make me feel better.

I loved her kitchen with its gorgeous cabinets.  My brother is a cabinet maker, and I grew up next to the cabinet shop.  Naturally I notice woodwork wherever I go.  Beautiful armoires stood grandly in Gayle’s bedroom. My roving camera wanted to wander, but I held it back to stay within bounds as a polite guest.

Gayle painted all of these. She is like my friend Quail who is so modest about her artwork. My photography doesn’t do it justice.

Two other guests joined us at the table, Piet and Nelly from the Netherlands.  They said we are welcome to visit.  I replied that they were welcome to Opp, Alabama anytime also, like that would be on the top of their destination list.

We drove home, at least it’s home to us for now.  We stopped for me to take pictures along the way.

Mom would have loved this window framed in wisteria in Cenac.

Looks like something Jim would buy for our flower garden to surprise or shock me.

Saint Cyprien – our town for the month of May. It is a cloudy Sunday with rain on the horizon.

We met our neighbor at the bottom of the hill. She is the one with the view of the chateau that I mentioned in the first post about Moncrabou, the tiny hamlet we are living in presently. Adorable dog, don’t you agree?

Totally sweet. I must invite them for a visit.

My brother called after we arrived.  He wanted me to know that he had cut roses from Mama’s rosebush to place on her grave.  He lives in Mom’s house with the red rosebush at the front window.  I have a rosebush at my front doorsteps that Mama rooted from a cutting taken from the same bush.  I don’t recognize a specific day as Mother’s Day on the calendar.  I know I must honor my parents everyday.  Some days bring stronger memories than others. Today I planted flowers in flower pots for the terrace.  I know I am just renting, but putting my hands in the black soil and tamping in the begonias and verbena felt like a good way to spend the afternoon of a beautiful day.

Purple petunias are planted, and two empty pots are waiting.

I’m thankful for another day in France.  I’m thankful for friends, my family, my husband and especially my parents who taught me to be thankful.

“Stop the car!  He is so cute!”  Jim heard the words bubbling from my mouth and pulled over.  I hurriedly took my camera from its case and ran down the side of the country road with cows watching my matronly jog. A farmer was on his tractor with his eyes only on the field ahead.  Jim waited in the car while I found my photogenic, lovable friend who patiently turned his head in each direction and held the pose with as much grace as a fashion model.

Speaking to my donkey friend I said, “You are adorable, but if we are going to be close friends you must do something about the nose hair.”

I walked slowly to the car with a big smile on my face, and Jim greeted me through an opened window saying, “I thought you might run away with a Frenchman over here.  What happened?  Didn’t he want a South Alabama lady for his farmhouse?  I slammed my door and told him, “No, he resembled you too much.  I already have a look-alike American husband.  I’ll show you the pictures I just took later as the proof.”  I smiled even bigger!

Further along the road we found the Chateau de L’Herm.  We had the place to ourselves.  A private tour of a chateau with no other tourists crowding around was totally wonderful.

The chateau is in ruins, and reconstruction is underway but it didn’t seem that any work had taken place recently.

We found beautiful peonies on our way home.  They are one of my favorite flowers!

Jim took me to see a donkey, a carnival, peonies and a chateau. Wonderful! He’s quite wonderful also.

Just click for more pictures on the France pictures and storytelling page.  Thank you for joining us along the way.

Writing isn’t exactly flowing like wine here in France like I expected.  I usually have a theme for the story, hopefully sticking to it with only a few surprise curves and perhaps even a moral to the story.  Now it seems that I have only plugged in pictures with comments like a doddering great-aunt would leave on her vacation photos to the seaside.  Forgive me but the sumptuous meals, dreamy landscapes and tempting antiques have filled my brain to overflowing.  Then again, I am working almost full-time for the construction company while I am here with my work day running from 2:30 PM to 10:30 PM (France time).  Those details can run over into the other part of the day as well.

We drove to Urval and Ville-Franche-du-Perigord yesterday for vide-grenier (like a yard sale – literally means “Empty out the attic”) and flower sale.   As we were driving along I suddenly saw the sign for Urval.  I told Jim that it must not be the main exit since we had not been through Siorac yet, and he said, “Oh, yes we have.  Where were you?  Didn’t you see that big grocery store we went to on Friday?”  My mind had been on work.

Those are the reasons that my inkwell for writing is dry, or maybe I am just plain lazy.  Whatever the cause, I will try to shape up.

We’ve met new friends already. Ray and Gayle, on the left, are from California and they’ve lived here for seven years. The nice ladies on the right are French. Ray and Gayle stayed busy with translation during our Sunday lunch.

Etouffee de joue de boeuf confit au vin de Domme, Petits oignons glaces a brun
(my selection for the main dish)

Ray’s dessert selection – They were all hoping I would rush with the photo shoot, or he would have charred remains.

Tatin aux pomme, caramel laitier, et sa glace vanille Bourbon
My dessert selection

Douceur de fraises, riz au lait senteurs Cumbawa, sorbet du meme fruit
Do you have room for more dessert?

We dined here at La Treille at Vitrac, France Just click on the picture for their website

The view from the restaurant terrace

When we leave the restaurant, this road and others like it take us home to our house in France – Moncrabou – Just click on the picture to see Chef Jim’s cooking over on the France pictures and storytelling page.

More pictures are on the France Pictures and Storytelling page.  Just click on over.  Thank you very much for your support.  Ya’ll come back to visit.  I hope to post often during this Month of May in France at Moncrabou.

Yahoo says “Bonjour Debbie” when I log-in for my e-mail now.  Jim and I have escaped to Southwest France in the Dordogne region.  I promised a surprise for the next post, and I gave a distant hint saying it related to goats.   Moncrabou, the name of our rental house, means “Mountain of Goats” in an old dialect.  It seems that goats grazed on this hill many years ago.  No goats graze in the fields now, but the Ambrous couple are feeling right at home in the lovely neighborhood.

I must tell you from my heart that I’ve wanted this for a very long time.  I’ve wished and hoped to stay long enough to just “live here” doing the routine things that we normally do instead of spending all of my time as a tourist.  Jim turned on the leaf blower and blew the leaves and debris from the terrace today.  I planted purple petunias in a flower pot.  Jim cooked while I worked.  None of this is typical touristic activity. My days from 2:30 PM are spent at my laptop.  I take my dinnertime hour from work instead of a lunch time break.  I was very nervous that the Wi-Fi might not work, but everything is running smoothly.  Yes, this is work as usual, except I can visit a castle in the morning when Florida and Alabama are still sleeping.

Some days will be “vacation” days while we explore, but for the month of May, we are just living in France.  It would be lovely to see questions and comments.  Just type away in the “Reply” area.  I do hope to hear from you!!

Our living room is on the second level with wonderful views of the village and countryside. It’s warm during the day, so our windows are wide open.

Jim is in the window watching a deer nibbling away in the field across from our house.  The quilt from our bed is soaking up the sunshine in the last window

Our neighbor just three doors down has the view to die for! We can see the castle turrets from the field beyond our terrace and when we drive into the hamlet.

Jim hasn’t lost his touch. He is still turning out food that would possibly beat the French chefs’ cuisine. He is in the kitchen at the moment coaxing a dying coffee maker to work one more time before it goes to coffee maker heaven.

My laptop with its French connection is in the far corner, my work area for now. A tiny birdcage is at the window ledge with an artificial bird inside. A real bird took flight from the window and shocked me silly when I was working today. I was deep in thought…that’s my alibi anyway for mixing real with artificial.

I hunted carefully for an atmospheric house with a fireplace since it was cold in May when we were here previously. We haven’t used it once! It isn’t cold enough, but that’s good news too.

“A French Opportunity” is a nice book for a comfortable chair like this. If you don’t have your copy yet, just click the picture for details.

I don’t have any new pictures on the French Pictures and Storytelling page, but I promise to add some during the month.  Thank ya’ll for visiting.  Come back often!

Administrative Professional’s Day is April 24^th in appreciation of the important role of these multi-talented people and the important role they play in all sectors of the worldwide economy including the Ambrous economy.

I carefully arranged the flowers and the note next to the “King’s” comfortable lounge chair.

Very thoughtfully, I planned ahead and arranged a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Jim, the professional administrator of tasks for A French Opportunity.  I thought it would “inspire and equip him to attain excellence” according to the vision of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.  He showed no appreciation whatsoever!  I’m surprised the pretty bouquet didn’t wilt from his glare.  With no gratitude, he had the nerve to ask if this was “some kind of holiday” could he have the day off.  Sensing a possible “strike” and “walk-out” I agreed.  The things you must do for employees nowadays!!

Adams Garage – Founded 1946, a respected, reliable business managed with integrity.

Jim started his working life while a teenager as a part-time employee at Adams Garage, a family-operated business in Opp, Alabama.  He will always be thankful for this experience and for the guidance of his employer, Billy Adams.  Jim learned enough about being a mechanic to realize that he did not want to follow that line of work, but he did remain in Auto Parts and later the IT management of this type business.  I never met Mr. Adams, but through the years Jim remembered those days in the garage and shared stories about his boss, and I realized he had inspired and equipped Jim to develop good work principles.

Do you like the brickwork pattern and the circular window at the peak of the roof line? The architecture is definitely much prettier than the average garage.

When we were young and our old green and white Chevy broke down on a country road, I was thankful that Jim had learned enough to fix it – after kicking it severely and sounding off with unkind words, to the car, that is.  At other times, when he was in a better mood he told the funny stuff that happened in the garage.  Jim reminisced, “Billy said I was the only person who could walk into the garage and kick over an oil can on each side of the garage all in one shot.”

Could it be one of the original oil cans?

I don’t know if Billy was saying Jim was clumsy or had big feet.  Both could apply at times.

Jim visited Billy a couple of times after we had moved back to Opp.  The last time he went to visit a family member told Jim that Billy had left for a doctor’s appointment out of town.

Jim drove a Volkswagen beetle during this time, not a van like this old model fading away into the woods.  Jim always beeped his horn when he drove past my parents’ home, especially if I was on the front porch swing.  Fellas, take note of this very original and clever flirtation technique.

Jim lost his dear friend to cancer just days after the doctor visit. I heard a story after the funeral that Jim had never shared with me.  Jim said when he visited Billy earlier he had told him, “Billy, you know I never truly apologized to you for damaging your dune buggy at the beach during Spring break when I was a teenager.  You instructed me not to drive it down into the salt water, and said if I got it stuck in a sand dune that I shouldn’t try to back it out.  You said I should get my buddies to push it out or I would burn out the reverse gear. I’m so very sorry.  But I did all of it – all of it wrong!”  Jim said that Billy knew how he was feeling at the time, and he had thought about telling Jim to repair the dune buggy, but he didn’t.  He just said to pull it around back and park it.  Jim had never forgotten, and he will never forget this fine gentleman who played a key part in his life.

How did your working life begin?  Do you have memorable, helpful employers in your background? Perhaps you should give them a call or send a note of gratitude.

Rules cover the workplace now to protect the worker from mistreatment.  Still it happens.  (Ann Curry comes to mind.  I won’t make any judgments, but I’m sure you understand the comparison.) The early experiences, especially, can affect the new employee, either inspiring them or possibly ruining their outlook on life.  Bullying happens in the workplace, the same as in school.  Will you help the new person on the job?  Will you refuse to gossip, snub or allow jealousy to rule your actions?  Will you do your part to generate a happy environment? Will you be a person who is remembered fondly for many years?  It’s up to you!

I thought about Jim’s wilting look at the bouquet and decided a night out at Doc’s Country Store for a delicious meal would be a better present.

It’s worth the trip! Opp, Alabama, has some special places, and this is one of them!

Jim looks right at home, doesn’t he? He deserves a great lunch out. He does such a wonderful job, and he always encourages me with my writing. He gets up early, cooks breakfast and stays working all day long. He helps people in the community and friends far and wide. If I keep this up, he will want two days off next year!!

Doc’s Country Store has my book for sale.  Why not drop by for a meal and buy a copy of A French Opportunity? If it’s a bit too far to drive, just click on the picture below and you can purchase a copy.

I have a SURPRISE for you next week.  No, it isn’t more pictures of new grandson Daniel.  Take a guess, and if you already know you are not allowed to guess. I hope I hear from you in the Reply area below.

Look very closely and you can see my poster on the inside door. Then click on the picture for more details on “A French Opportunity”

Take a look at the old cars in France.  I’m sure that Jim’s friend Billy would have loved them.

Just click on “Old Cars in France”

An ancient proverb says, “The crown of old men is the grandsons…” Proverbs 17:6   If this proverb is true, (and I’m sure it is) then Jim is wearing a golden crown studded with the finest jewels, better than his usual Burger King crown!

All About Daniel   -     Born April 3rd – Daniel Craig Castaldi
Jim said, “Daniel Craig, you’ll get the hang of a Southern accent down-pat in no time.”

Jim already wears a special crown duly bestowed when Hanna our lovely granddaughter (fast becoming a young lady) was born.  Along with the grandfather title a new name was awarded: “Na Nu Na Nu”

For the bewildered and unbelieving, allow me to explain.  When our two eldest youngsters were viewing “Mork and Mindy”, the 70’s television show starring Robin Williams, we had a family discussion with an odd outcome.  The two clever-minded children – Chet and Jessica – decided on Grandparent names that we would assume when the grandchildren arrived far into the future.  They knew I wouldn’t be a Granny, and with grand laughter they said my name should be “Mother Superior.”  With higher authority, I ruled that one down and negotiated “GranDeb” instead.  Moving on to unsuspecting Jim, they said his name would be “Na Nu Na Nu”, and so it stuck.  Now imagine Jim answering to this name in a grocery store or an assemblage of intellectuals (can’t see that one happening?) when his pretty, petite, blonde granddaughter calls! Soon Daniel will shout “Na Nu Na Nu” at the top of his boyish lungs!

            All About Daniel
Isn’t he just the most beautiful grandson?!!

All About Daniel        Check out “The Victorian Company” – 146 S. Glassell St., Orange, CA

Do your grandchildren have odd names for you?  Could you share some of your stories in the “Reply” area below? Special thanks to my friend Dianna who reminded me of the proverb.

GranDeb and Na Nu flew to California, upping the state’s oddity population with two Alabama alien visitors.  We held Daniel, watched Daniel, pushed Daniel in the stroller and walked around with goofy grins on our faces to match our names.

All About Daniel
PARIS IN A CUP TEA SALON MARKET & BOUTIQUE
119 South Glassell St., Historic Orange, CA

I introduced Daniel to antique shops at Orange Olde Town Historic Center with the exception of those with “No Baby Buggy” signs.  He seemed most impressed with the cute shops with French themes!

“All About Daniel”
I promised Daniel that we would sit at a bistro table together one day in Paris, as soon as he grows a little more.

Visit PARIS IN A CUP for gourmet chocolates, teas and French macarons.

All About Daniel
“Yes, Daniel, when you are a bigger boy you can have all you want. Try the coconut and pistachio. Chocolate-caramel with sea salt is extra special! GranDeb knows best!
PARIS IN A CUP

All About Daniel
Guess who bought Kickapoo Joy Juice. Yes, NaNu swizzled it down while Daniel had his own brand of nourishment. I rarely find this Blood Orange drink, so I was delighted! I saved the bottle for a bud vase.
This picture is especially for our friend, Miss Kitty. Kitty, show it to your disbelieving doctor. NaNu recommends it highly!

Sunday afternoon.  I asked for the Travel section from the Los Angeles Times, thinking I would escape to Tahiti while Daniel napped.  Jim said, “You’re gonna love this section.  These Californians are smarter than the average rednecks!”

Spread across my grandmotherly lap, I saw ALABAMA as the feature destination in an article written by Alice Short.  She said, “When I told friends I was planning a trip to Birmingham, the reaction was universal. ‘Alabama?’ one asked, ‘On purpose?’ I shared their skepticism …”

I believe Ms. Short found much more than she expected.  In her two-page article, I read interesting history and recommendations for The Tutwiler Hotel and several restaurants.  I will definitely check out the French restaurant when I’m in Birmingham again. Chez Fonfon, 2007 11^th Ave. South.  Thanks, Alice!  Ya’ll come back!  Arrange your visit when Daniel is visiting GranDeb and Na Nu Na Nu in Opp, Alabama!

Peppermint roses on an arbor. What could be more romantic? “NaNu, would you add this to your to-do list?” I adored the flowers at this California B&B!

Daniel will help water the roses when he is a big boy, wearing his jeans and boots.

It’s truly -  All about Daniel!  Click over to “Planning for Daniel in France”

Thank you for your support.  Enter your e-mail address for a free subscription and never miss a post!  Do you know a special grandmother who would enjoy this story?  Why not forward the link to her right now?  Or, is there possibly another Na Nu twin out there who could identify with Jim?  Why not surprise him with this story?  Let me give a little grandmotherly advice.  Buy A French Opportunity and enjoy!  Daniel agrees.

Hummingbirds are home again on my front porch after packing their little suitcases for a long winter vacation in Central America.  Birdfeeder-keeping took a nosedive while they were lolling in the sun and ordering up drinks with little umbrellas.  Somehow cold weather and hard work at the computer to keep the wolf from the door pushed any thoughts of birdfeeder-cleaning from my mind. I wish I could say everything is spic and span inside my house, but the cheeky little hummingbirds hovering at my windows can see the dust on my blinds, and they probably notice the windows need cleaning too.  (See the tiny beauty at its pristine bird-feeder by clicking here on “Peach Upside Down Cake for Dad“)

The Amaryllis bulbs came from Mother, and they were cultivated from ones that were dug from my grandmother’s garden some years ago. Grandmother Bryan’s flowerbeds were glorious at this time of year. People drove past to see them, and Granny shared bulbs with many family members, friends and strangers.

Digging in the dirt, planting seed, looking through all of the new plants at the garden center and watering my new roses are much more fun than dusting and cleaning.  The same amount of bending, stretching and kneeling are involved.  Why is it so much more fun to garden than clean the house?

Notice the buzzy bee garden ornament in the tree. Bumblebees just like the ornament are buzzing in the Spring flowers.

The birds are singing “Jimmy, jimmy, jimmy and pretty, pretty, pretty.”  The first birdsong is for Gardener Jim.  I’m claiming the other song whether by right or not.  Now if I could only train them to sing, “Dust Jimmy, Dust Jimmy, Dust Jimmy.”  Poor guy!  He is already cooking delicious meals for me, grocery shopping for the best ingredients and bargain prices, splitting firewood for warm evenings by the fireplace and promoting my book “A French Opportunity” with professionalism and charm.  If I keep this lavish praise going, maybe he will help me clean the house.

Buzzy bee, a gift from my friend Cathi, is fluttering in my flowering dogwood tree.

Wildflowers – “pinks” – carpet the ground near the edge of the woods.

This birdhouse has a “vacancy” sign but my birdhouse in front is occupied. Location! Location!

Wisteria covers many of the trees in the woods, and the bumble bees love the fragrant blooms.

Notice my neighbor’s tractor at the edge of his garden by our yard covered in “pinks”.

At the far edge of the garden, my neighbor has a novel approach to gardening. Looks like a potato crop is thriving in an old tractor tire.

I showed pictures of the potato-growing venture in Billy Ray’s old tractor tires to Jim, and a tractor light set aglow in one of Jim’s brain cells.  He said, “I could line the front walkway with tractor tires and plant purple petunias in them after I put gobs of chicken manure fertilizer inside.  Then I could split a few more tires and put them around the flowering cherry trees at the front window so you could see them every morning.  I will paint them white so they will be extra pretty!  I noticed the bathtub of posies in your French pictures.  I could find some other plumbing fixtures for the yard like a nice commode, without the lid of course, so you can plant your favorite flowers to trail over the sides.  Where should I put it?”

I held my tongue and thought on that question with visions of Kohler flying through the air in the direction of Jim’s head. Forgetting that earlier lavish praise, I said: “It seems that dust isn’t the only thing around here that’s thick!  I am in charge of landscape design, and you are labor-on-demand.”   And the birds continued to mock me with, “Jimmy, jimmy, jimmy.”

I’ve saved the best for last.  I’m Debbie to most of you or possibly even Debbie@AFrenchOpportunity, but I have another name that is dear to my heart.  I’m known as GranDeb to my beautiful granddaughter Hanna.  Another special voice was added this month.

Daniel was born April 3rd, weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces.  Jim and I are very happy grandparents!

I’m leaving my flowering dogwood plus the dusty house behind and flying away. No, not to France this time. We are flying to California – with cameras packed – to see Daniel.  I wonder if he will love France like his grandparents.

Two gondoliers rowed into the fast lane with challenges and recipes for your votes in the last post – “Dueling Gondoliers”.  Chris Castaldi’s lemony seafood pasta and Jim’s famous homemade pizza were out there for your consideration and for your own personal cook-off.  The votes are counted with no insider influence.  Drumroll please! And the winner is: Chris Castaldi 

If Chris escapes the lions in Florence, he should be cooking in New York again soon.  Sunglasses are a nice touch, remaining incognito.

I wish I could send him on an all-expense-paid trip to Italy, and he does also! Thanks to Chris for going with the flow on his gondola and allowing us to share his delicious dish! Chris will receive a free copy of  Comments/Reviews are welcomed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Goodreads.

Jim expected a consolation prize, so I whipped up this scrumptious recipe I found on Lynn McBride’s website: Southern Fried French  One of the readers shared her Louisiana French great-grandmother’s recipe for “Oh-So-Good “ Pie.  Believe me, it is – Oh, so Goood! Make it yourself, and you will agree. The pie disappeared before I had time to shoot the picture of the whole dessert.

On a pedestal and worthy of a Venetian dessert trolly.

OH-SO-GOOD PIE
2 deep-dish pie shells
5 eggs                                                2 cups sugar
5 Tbsp. vinegar                                   4 Tbsp. Butter (soften at room temp)
1/4 Tsp. cinnamon and allspice or cloves            1 Tbsp. freshly ground nutmeg
1 cup golden raisins                         1 cup chopped pecans

Divide egg yolks from whites into two medium-large bowls. Beat egg whites until fluffy.  Mix yolks, sugar, vinegar, butter and spices.  Add raisins and chopped pecans, and mix well. Fold whites into mixture until blended. Pour evenly into two deep-dish pie shells. Protect edges with foil or pastry ring. Bake in preheated oven as you would a pecan pie approximately 375 degrees for 10 minutes and 325 degrees for 20 minutes.  Watch closely.  When done (firm and golden brown) remove from oven and cool completely.  Serve with whipped cream on top.

We will walk off the calories now in Venice and Florence.

Street scene in Florence

Our hotel was on San Marco square, and we had “A Room with a View.”

Keep walking, or no more desserts. No gondola rides today.

Venetian hand-blown glass was for sale in a shop below our hotel room.  Oh, maybe just a quick stop.  Just click French Market. for MORE SHOPPING!

We had lunch at the Restaurant Terrazza Danieli for a special meal and enjoyed some of the best seafood I have ever tasted.  The rooms were too expensive for my budget, but sometimes I wish I had blown the budget and stayed there.  Do you have some of the same regrets?

The seagull wanted an invitation to lunch. Isn’t this a dreamy view?

This is one of my favorite pictures. I’m ready to join the lady and find a nearby quiet spot to read in the sunshine, wearing my hat of course. Just for a visit and then back to France!

Click on “French Window Art” or on the France – Pictures and Storytelling page to see more of France.  Could I possibly be a budding artiste?

Thank you for you kind support.  Do you have a friend or relative who may enjoy reading this blog?  Why not forward the link?

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Pack your bags.  Find your passport.  I’m tired of hanging around the house and doing the same old routine stuff.  I wish I could head to the airport and fly away to an exciting destination.  Since that just isn’t happening for the moment, I’m reliving a trip to Venice and Florence, Italy with recipes and pictures. 

We have two recipes in competition.  Chef Jim, the hometown contender is offering  pizza for your taste buds.

ALABAMA JIM’S WORLD-FAMOUS HOME-MADE PIZZA (Fans in Europe, Asia and the Country of Miami) 

I asked Jim about a picture to go with his recipe, and he said: “They know what a pizza looks like!” Sorry, no picture this time. And to think that I used to wait anxiously for his letters to arrive in the mail when we dated!!

On the Italian in-law side of the family we have Shellfish Trio with Lemon Sauce entered by Chris Castaldi, the New York contender.  Your vote is requested to determine the winner.  “Chris, I must warn you that the hometown advantage is heavy.  Rumors are circulating already that Jim is the winner.  He is soliciting votes with promises of extra helpings of his so-called best of the cook-off along with dessert. He expects me to strap on an apron to cook the dessert.  I recommend that you should round up numerous New York supporters if you expect to win!”

Shellfish Trio with Lemon Sauce

1 pound of pasta (penne rigate, farfale)
1/2 pound of shrimp
1/2 pound of crabmeat (any type of crab)
1/2 pound of scallops (bay or sea; bay is preferable for serving family style)
1/4 cup of shallots
2 cloves of minced garlic
1/3 cup of dry white wine
1 cup of chicken stock (more if needed)
1/4 cup heavy cream
Heaping teaspoon of lemon zest
Butter or olive oil for sautéing

1-Lightly season shrimp and scallops with salt and pepper
2-In a medium to large sized sauté pan, over medium to medium- high heat, melt butter or use olive oil and sear scallops till cooked through. Bay scallops should take only 1 minute per side.
2- When cooked through, pour scallops and their liquid and place in a mixing bowl.
3-In same sauté pan, with a little butter sauté crabmeat for only 1-2 mins to bring to temperature, pour crab and their juices into same mixing bowl as scallops.
4-Same pan; use some butter or olive oil. Cook shrimp for 1-2 mins per side. Pour shrimp and juices into mixing bowl
5-Same pan, add tablespoon of olive oil or butter, and sauté shallots till slightly softened. Add garlic, sauté only 1 min, and do not let garlic burn. Stir constantly.
6-Add 1/3 cup of white wine. Reduce for 1 -2 mins.
7-Add 1 cup of chicken stock. Scrape any bits from bottom of pan, incorporate into sauce.
8-Turn heat to low and cover.
9 -Drop pasta into boiling salted water. When pasta is almost done, then add all seafood with their juices into saucepan. Add lemon zest. Add heavy cream. Stir.
10-Drain pasta well, pour into saucepan. Mix well. Taste for seasoning. Add salt or pepper if needed. If not enough sauce, add chicken stock 1/4 cup at a time till sauce barely covers bottom of pan when stirred.

Enjoy! Sprinkle Pecorino Romano. Garnish with parsley. (we chose lemons instead)

Ladies and gentlemen, we have dueling gondoliers for the Alabama–New York Cook-off!  May the best gondolier win!

Alabama Jim is weighing down his gondola heavily with assumptions of winning the cook-off. He is saying, “Ya’ll send your votes for the handsome Chef with the Senor Frog orange sweatshirt! Alabama Jim is the best!”

I’m off on a memory lane journey to Italy while you two men mess around in the kitchen.  Don’t forget to wash the dishes and leave everything spic and span!

Chris, our New York gondolier, turned his back on claims that he is a light-weight contender. His “I Love NY” shirt says it all! He is rowing to the finish line with confidence. Debbie says, “VOTE FOR CHRIS! He loves my graphic art work.”

Look for the winner of the Alabama-New York Cook-off in my next post along with more pictures of Italy. Send your vote for the best of the gondoliers down in the “Reply” section at bottom of the page.

If you are wondering why France isn’t on focus this time, I can only say that even the folks in France go on holiday to Italy!

Would you like to win a FREE copy of  “A French Opportunity”?  Just click on over to GOOD READS and enter for a free copy!  If you have read the book, I would welcome a review on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel or Good Reads.  Thank you for your support!

Did you notice?  I have a new feature on the website.  Shopping!!  Click over to the French Market and just look around. That’s what I always tell Jim, “I’m just looking.” Frances Mayes the author of “Under the Tuscan Sun” is featured in the last aisle with an Italian cookbook on offer and her wonderful book “A Year in the World”.

All photography is property of Debbie Ambrous.  Enjoy a few adventures of Italy in “A French Opportunity”   Just click below.