Le Pelican

Thursday night
we went to
one of our favorite restaurants,
Le Pelican
in
Rochefort en Terre

with two
of our favorite friends,
John and Anne
(don't let that go to your head, John)

I took a photo
of every course
which pleased
everyone at the table.

okay, truth: I actually made quite a big fuss about each photo
and it was rather annoying
but...

First up:
apéritif!
We (that includes me) tucked into the nibbles
before I realized
I wanted a photo

and then I nearly forgot
my camera
for my starter!
I had to ''re-fold'' that slice of cucumber
and re-arrange the tomato and parsley...
complete chaos.

So I was READY

for my main course,
a Porterhouse Steak!
(this steak would have made Tommy VERY happy)

Dessert

and coffee
and
YES,
once again I wasn't fast enough
with the camera
for the plate of cookies.
Of course
the chocolate ones went first!

Tomorrow:
la cuisine chinoise
with Paul, Lynda, Mark and Christine.
The jury is still out as to whether or not
I bring my camera...

Little Big Wish

I hope everyone reading

4 Beds in Brittany

will send a postcard...

I have a small request from all of you that requires very little effort but will mean a great deal to a sick little boy for whom a calendar has become a countdown. Diagnosed with leukemia some months ago, he is beyond treatment and to keep himself going, he has taken to collecting postcards sent from various places. He's a part of my extended family and is currently living in Poland. At just 8 years old, it's an absolute tragedy.

What I'm asking is that anyone out there who is willing to send him a postcard, email me at sioux(at)siouxfire.com and I'll send along his name and address. For him, a postcard is a source of wonder and inspiration.

And for those of you who have blogs, please feel free to duplicate this post as you see fit.


NOTE: The image above features my own son and not the person in question


All the best,
Sioux
(click on Sioux to see blog and original post)

THANKS!

Encore!

Oh yeah I'll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I want to hold your hand

Oh please say to me
You'll let me be your man
And please say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
Now let me hold your hand
I want to hold your hand

And when I touch you
I feel happy inside

It's such a feeling
That my love I can't hide

Click here to listen to T. V. Carpio
on the soundtrack of Across the Universe,
music played at
The Wedding!

photos by lifemagical

Our Rock

It is a rare occasion when Mom has her brood together!

Years may go by, but we still slip easily back into our roles...
Big Brother,
The Boss,

The Baby,

and
Mom: Our Rock.

(in case you're wondering, I am The Baby, ha!)

Mom would tell you
she was not
a good mom.

She was.
She is.

Mom,
Wherever we are,
you have always been
and
you will always be
the strength, courage and heart
within us.

(I'm the Favorite one, okay?)

Let's Eat!

Bistrot Des Halles
La Gacilly

So all went well with the Doc.
Turns out she spoke English
and yeah, I'm healthy...
blah, blah, blah
I am grateful
for good health
but....
blast my
language barrier!

At least my whining and wincing
and
''carrying on like a pork chop''
(as Tony says)
resulted in lunch out today!

Relieved about being Done
with that ''medical business''
and
appreciative of dining out for lunch,
I just had to snap a few photos...
Glorious sunshine,
French food,
ooh la la !

oops,
I forgot about the camera
and dug in!
This is (um, was) a French version
of Shepard's Pie -
buttery potatoes
whipped around
savory ground beef...
délicieux !

oops, oops!
Forgot the camera again.
Sorry you missed
the fancy swirl
of raspberry sauce
drizzled around the plate
and over the cake.

Good food: understood in any language.

What's Up Doc

Okay, so I survived my appointment with the French dentist. But, I must admit, I ''cheated'' by going to a dentist that speaks English well. (for those interested, mmabbubbhuhuhhhaaahhhhh translates exactly the same from English to French) Dr. D. was great. He spoke every sentence first in French and then in English. Although he did insist on saying cracher instead of spit. Which, to me, sounded a whole lot nicer anyway.

I'm off to The Doctor tomorrow. A doc that speaks No English. GAH! My Best French Friend is going with me and she'll hold my hand and offer tissues if I cry like a fool because I don't understand anything. (note to self: Must. Learn. French.)

Wish me luck.
oops, I mean,
Bonne Chance !

Back to Brittany

To help us come down from the Wedding Week high, we are going to The Hedgehog House this weekend!

B&B resumes next week...back to the ol' routine, back to those 4 Beds in our Brittany home!

More, many more, wedding photos will be posted later - until then, scroll down and enjoy the previously posted photos and (this includes you Sis) click on comments to write a Happy Birthday wish to our beautiful niece Tiffany!

Happy Birthday Tiffany!

Flowers and Chocolate and Rain, Oh My!

With assistance
from Mindi and Lisa,
Tiffany meticulously put together

gorgeous bouquets and beautiful corsages

for the wedding party

and

created chic floral arrangements

for the entire wedding venue!

Buying the flowers
in the rain
and one day before
The Wedding
was not an easy task!
(rumor has it that noshing on Twizzlers made it better)



After months and months of planning,
family and friends
came together
and pulled all the details
together...



from the spectacular flowers
to the chocolate from France,
Pochron Studios transformed
from this:




to this:




It is no surprise
that Mindi would
thoughtfully plan and create
such a remarkable setting...

from sunrise
to sunset
it was a

magnificent

wedding day!

Photos by Lisa Cericola
Click here to see more photos by Lisa

Hugs 'n Stuff

photos by lifemagical

Thanks to Susan and Ed
(previously known as Tommy's parents,
they have now - dare I say - ''happily'' handed him
over to Tony and me)
for hosting a family dinner
the night before The Wedding

Ed has just realized
I am tall
for my height!

Some hugs
may have been
posed

but
fun was going
all around

and Grandma
was happy
to be with
Her Girls!

The next time
I see you
it will be
The Wedding Day!

I said,
You be good to my daughter.
He said,
Yes, Ma!

Auntie Nancy
aka The Other Mother

and, by the way,
also known now as
Wedding Dress Personal Assistant Extraordinaire!

Even the photographer
receives a hug -
He is awesome!
(although I did have to do some pathetic begging with him to make me look good....)

Not quite a hug
but
you know it's gonna happen...

They Do

and now

all
is right
in the world.

photo by lifemagical

New York

Home of the Bride and Groom

Sister Reunion

Central Park
Picnic

Central Park
horse and buggy ride

Having loads of fun
and looking forward to
The Wedding!

See You at Abilene!

CHANGE IN FRIDAY NIGHT PLANS:

Tommy and I have decided to have our pre-wedding night drinks at a different bar in our neighborhood (our absolute favorite and the one we spend the most time at) called Abilene. It is located on Court Street and 3rd Place (only a block away from the first bar). More information can be found under Events, but if you are in town we hope to see you there! We should arrive around 8:30, but you should feel free to go whenever you like. Happy Hour at Abilene is from 5-8 p.m. and features $3 beers and well-drinks!
xo,

Mindi and Tommy

How to Weigh Yourself

Need I say more?

1er mai

A long-lived pagan custom
was to plant an adorned tree
on May first to celebrate the return of spring.

For the Catholic Church

it is the first day of the month of the Virgin.

But by far, all over France,

it is the succession of the "Workers' protest Day" (1889-1947)
which officially became Labor Day,

la fête du travail, in 1947.

The French custom on
1er mai
is to offer blossoming lily-of-the-valley

to bring luck.