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Jennifer, Jasper, Scott and Jack
on the Saone en route
to Croix Rousse |
Et Bonjour encore!
After Provençe the boys had another week of school until spring break and the arrival of our dear friends the Gravois. We hung around here and enjoyed the commencement of spring and the company of our French family of neighbors.
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so begins the attack of the wisteria
on our house, stay tuned... |
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I finally ventured to get my haircut
This was one of the books in the waiting area
Some true classics in here |
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| Crêpe goutée at chez Cécile |
Open house at Micah's school
Micah goes to the Maternelle school. This is ages 3-6. State school starts at 3 here.
He is in the oldest grade (Grande Section) and has a truly remarkable teacher.
The theme for the school for the year is Le Loup (The Wolf)
There was some great art projects. This school has been great for Micah
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BMW taxi parked outside
a novelty for me
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Apéro with Aurelie and Laurent
These guys bought an old (1800s?) house and are slowly renovating it. The reason for buying the house is said to be the pizza oven. Both Aurelie and Laurent are musicians and have created an impeccable recording studio in part of the house.
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| Pizza oven |
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| Lionel is in the kitchen |
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| The front door |
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| Inside the studio |
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| outside the studio |
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Perhaps Adele's future occupation
Les Gravois Arrivent!!
|
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| This is how Jasper feels about hiking.. |
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Frére Jacques
(had to be said) |
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| Les Americanes en Anse |
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| Jenn fits right in |
So, the night Scott, Jenn and Jacques arrived we left them with the kids and went out to a soopair-fancy dinner at a place called Laussausie with our French chothers. Awesome hosting non? Before leaving for dinner we made them join us for Apéro at chez Cécile (and Lionel)
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| As I said, Jenn is born to be French |
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| Scott and Hilaire bridging language differences |
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| We're so fancy (you already knew) |
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| Lionel and Bení |
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| LJ and Christophe |
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The pre-appetizer
one eats from left to right
It gets tastier in that direction |
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| Terrine de lentilles vertes du Puy au genièvre,
foie gras et magret de canard fumé,
gelée au vin de Beaujolais |
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| Tarte fine de petites langoustines et tomates mi-confites
aux mourons des oiseaux,
crème d’ail et tapenade,
huile de ciboulette |
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| Terrine de foie gras frais de canard et artichaut truffé,
réduction de vieux Porto,
fine tarte d’oignons à la lyonnaise |
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| Carré d’agneau rôti, cromesquis d’épaule aux épices douces,
fine purée de topinambour,
jus au poivre de Malabar |
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| Poitrine de pigeon rôti,
galette de sarrasin |
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| Poularde de Bresse pochée
farcie aux ris de veau
et morilles,
légumes racines
et consommé au Vin Jaune |
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| quoi? |
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| Cécile and Adeline |
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| ohhh the cheese cart |
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| Pre-dessert |
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| Tuile croustillante |
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| dessert |
The next morning...
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| Monopoly... |
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| BBQ chez Adeline and Bení |
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| Elodie at work |
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| There's always one... |
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| Jacques and Christophe |
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| Yes please!! |
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| Rose. |
Wine tour in the Beaujolais with our guides
Christophe, Elodie and Lison
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| Morgon |
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| En le cave |
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| sniff test |
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| I love a drinking establishment with a playground |
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| These kids |
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Jacques and Jenn really had no trouble
adapting to the French life style |
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Of course we kept it American
with margaritas at 4 pm
(?!?!) |
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Scott treated us to a Mexican feast
Handmade chips and all
Muy muy bien |
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Apparently if you give Jenn margaritas
she aquires the ability
to play touche touche
(tag) |
The Star Wars Identity Exhibition (part deux)
Croix-Rousse Lyon
(the grittier artsy side of Lyon)
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| Lyon is known for its murals all over the city. |
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| this is not one of them |
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| A stroll along the Saône |
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I recommend inviting Jenn over,
she's really great at entertaining your kids! |
Guignol
Guignol puppets are about as Lyonnaise as it gets. These puppets were created in the mid-1700s as first entertainment to attract business for a "dentist" (tooth extractor) Laurent Mourguet who eventually quit his day job to be a puppeteer. The guy that Micah is holding is Guignol, he was created later (1800ish) and is a representative silk worker (Canut) from Lyon. He is the main character. There are usually one or two other characters in the shows as well. These shows were created for adult entertainment (think Punch and Judy), but are often toned-down for children. Mourguet's descendents (and others) still have many Guignol shows in the Lyon area. Our neighborhood kids and (Jacques) went to a build-your-own-Guignol workshop and then were treated to a show and some behind the scenes Guignol access. All in French of course, Bravo Jacques for participating.
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He is holding the "dog" which one just sees the tail of
and might get "peed" on using
a squirt bottle |
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| Add caption |
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The 'funnest' part is playing on the hil
outside the theater |
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| One final apéro |
Many tears were shed at Jacques departure. It was a great visit, the first of many!!
Stay tuned for La Visite de Nona and Papu..........
