STAYING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It's been cold this week and so we've been going out when the sun is out and shining which isn't often but still having fun with the kids.  Samuel, however, is driving me slightly nuts, he always wants to be doing something, never quiet satisfied with what we are doing for the moment it's like a drug, trying to get more and more happiness so to speak.  Shew.  Anyway they had those wooden games in Megeve so we watched over them whilst we enjoyed an afternoon drink at a nearby cafe.

This was my favorite, you throw the dice and put a block in the circle of the number you've just thrown, the first one to unbalance all the blocks looses.

The view from the cafe.

Then of course of to pick up wood for the fire in the local woodlands, we've been collecting for months, cheap and gets you out.

 There's a lovely notice at the entrance to the woods which reads - HERE YOU CAN EAT ALL THE MUSHROOMS, SOME ONLY ONCE.  Haaaahaaa, hence we didn't pick any.

A cow showing me her feelings.

BUT WE DESERVED TO WIN............

Whilst Manu watched the rugby on Sunday I escaped with the boys to Sallanches where they were having a fare on.  It was cold and empty due to most of France glued to the box.  I couldn't take the pressure.  So Manu's friend Seb came round with Croissant and his Sister Claire to cheer on the blue team and we departed quickly.

The town square was filled with wooden games so we had fun there and then.............

the fare ground.  I don't like these, after the train which is like a mini rollercoaster I was feeling too ill to even attempt the bumper cars.

And then of course we needed a snack.........in the form of Nuttela Crepes.  They were delicious.  When we got home of course there were some very sad Frenchman at home.  All Manu could mutter was 'yes but we deserved to win.'  Sure pal get in line because as I remember so did the Boks and so did Wales.  Gosh dare I mention the fact that it's JUST A GAME.

Anyway now all the rugby fever is over it's back to normal.  Kids broke up on Friday and we wanted to go away to Brittany to visit Manu's Grandmother mainly but we have no idea when his boss is flying in so we're kind of on standby.  Anyway I will just do little things to keep the kids busy.  I had a low week last week, feeling a little lost, I really would like a little job but that's not really possible with the amount of different people Samuel sees a week.  O the things mom's have to sacrifice hey.  Anyway the feeling's passed and I must admit I'm glad the kids are off this week I could do with the company.

Here is a cute pic of Benjamin and his favorite of course - FIRE ENGINES.

CROSS D'AUTOMNE

The big day arrived for Cross d'Automne or Cross Country for Autumn in English.  It was held near the river so was more interesting than last year which was in the park.  Good excercise for the kids and fun for the adults to cheer them all on and after they all receive a certificate.  Samuel completed 1420 m in 8 minutes. Each child is timed according to where they stop, little cheating but who cares.

 The headmaster in the front - naturally

 
And then after it was off to school for Semaine du Gout, all apple made food and delicious, some examples -
Foie gras and Apple Chutney sandwhiches, Black pudding and apple compote tarts, Apple rice pudding, Apple crumble, Apple and goatscheese parcels and lots more yummy things.

Our classes apple food stuffs

This is the entire school about 55 kids in total

Samuel receiving his certificate.

SEMAINE DU GOUT

It's that time of year again - Semaine du Gout, the week of taste.  I did this last year with Samuel's class and we had countries as our theme this year we had the humble Apple as our theme.  The whole of France celebrates Semaine du Gout and I think its great.  I went with Manu to cook two dishes with a few members of the class, and the other mom's are all doing the same today and tomorrow with different dishes all using the Apple.  We made 'Heavenly Apple Pie' courtesy of my mother, and Fennel, Gorgonzola and Apple Quiche.  Everyone goes to the school tomorrow afternoon and chows down.  Yum can't wait.

 The teacher showing the kids her special apple peeler

It is so cold today the wind chill factor alone sends icicles through your bones.  This is a picture of the snow that fell during the night on the piste in Praz.  This is in the main road at the side of Sammy's school...

And this is looking down the main road towards Flumet (next village)....

O and here are the results of our cooking today........

Heavenly Apple Pie, lets hope it's heavenly

....and the quiche with Fennel, Gorgonzola and Apples of course

LAST BBQ AT THE RIVER

With Winter approaching fast we decided to enjoy probably one of the last sunny weekends and have a bbq or BRAAI as we South African's call it at the river.  So we invited Manu's sister, Claire, and our friend Seb.  What fun, relaxed, warm-ish and good food.  Seb brought toast points with truffle butter - trust the French, and we had marinated pork chops, Mergez (a spicy paprika sausage) and herbed chipolatas with a Tomato Salad, Garlic Bread and baked potatoes.  Then roasted chestnuts, which were a little singed I must say.

Delicious with homemade Truffle butter, never used to like truffles but these were really nice and not too overpowering

Aperitifs

 Smoke inhalation

Seb found these leg hopper things in his bosses basement, he has never used them so Seb brought a couple of pairs to the river to try out.  Needless to say having had 7 odd operations to repair my broken leg I declined gracefully.  We had a lot of fun though.

They make crossing rivers easy

And finally the famous chestnuts.............

I don't know if Manu chose that particular newspaper on purpose with that headline but we had a laugh.

The fire was a bit fierce unfortunately and the chestnuts overdone.

Handsome hubby.



TIME FOR MYSELF - WHAT'S THAT

Shew, well the kids went for soccer practice for an hour and a half and for once I didn't iron, didn't bake, didn't watch tv.  Nope none of the above, I got out my birthday present from my folks for my 40th and had a bash at pastels.  It's the first time I've dabbled in pastels. 

But my mom bought me a beautiful Easel (have no idea how to spell that) with the pastels to match.  So I had a go, not what I intended looks more like a four year old drew this but fun none the less.

 
Mont Jarvin is the view we have from our balcony and so this is what it looks like today, my interpretation anyway.

The other day I tried out a new recipe, rarely do I do this with main courses but this one caught my eye.  Well it was really delicious, so quick and easy = MUSTARD-MAPLE CHICKEN...................

So take a packet of Chicken breasts, mine had six in a packet, skin off.  Make the marinade in the dish you're going to cook the chicken in.  I used a casserole tin. 

Mix four tablespoons Olive oil, with 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 Tablespoons whole grain mustard, 3 Tablespoons maple syrup (used golden) and 1 Tablespoons of dried herbs.  Salt and pepper.  Marinate the chicken for an hour on both sides, place the whole dish in the oven on 200C for 30 min and VOILA - BON APPETIT.

Happy Customers.