Saturday, May 31, 2008

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...

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

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!

Friday, May 23, 2008

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

Thursday, May 22, 2008

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?)

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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.

Monday, May 19, 2008

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 !

Saturday, May 17, 2008

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!

Friday, May 16, 2008

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

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

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...

Saturday, May 10, 2008

They Do

and now
all
is right
in the world.
photo by lifemagical

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

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!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

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

Friday, May 2, 2008

Thursday, May 1, 2008

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.