Party Preparation in Tavaux, France--post 4 of 9

B figuring out the best plums were the ones on the ground

This morning, we picked plums from the trees and blackberries that grew outside J's family home.

The previous evening, M had gotten a serving bowl stuck inside another bowl and many solutions were tried to separate the two bowls to no avail!

So. . .B broke the inner bowl with a hammer. The amazing part was that while the inner bowl was broken, the outer bowl remained intact!

Ju and J with part of the blackberry picking

The blackberries were huge and plentiful! They were also beyond delicious!!!!

M made a plum tart from the plums. She artfully arranged the plums and sprinkled a little sugar on the top before baking it.

The berries were huge and sweet

I peeled potatoes for M's potato salad that would be served for the party. M peeled cucumbers for the salad she would be preparing tomorrow. She cooked a couple hams in boiling water all day.

Ju, M and J with tart preparation

Je is showing off his mom's beautiful tart

With 20 people coming for dinner, a lot of preparation is involved!

Neighbors have saved space in their refrigerators for the party so as dishes were prepared, J carted them off to the waiting refrigerator!

M shaving the thinnest slices of cucumber
as part of the starter tomorrow

For lunch M prepared a veal, olive and tomato casserole served over rice which was one of J's favorite dishes. It was good and it was fun to eat one his favorite dishes! The plum tart for dessert was delicious.

The Reserve

Later, B, N, J and I walked to meet J's grandma--she's 94 and such a sweet lady. My French, thanks to the app Duolingo on my phone, is improving; but, I still don't understand much nor can I speak much. I'm best at asking for the butter or bread at meals!

Interactive signage for visitors

J and I had a wonderful visit while N conferred with B about annual review planning. We walked around the park that is nearby J's family home. The park hosted a Renaissance Fair. There were people dressed in period costumes and even a few vendors.

The best part of the day was when J took us to one of his favorite places. It was a wildlife reserve a few minutes drive from the family home. It was beautiful and quiet. There were meadows, woods and wetlands all within an easy walking distance. J said that school kids come for a field trip there. Positioned at various places were some interactive signage. J said for him, it was a good thinking place and that he and a friend often met here. I concur.

Dinner was stuffed tomatoes, salad, bread, cheese and blackberries. It was delicious! J's mom is a chef! I am learning that meal time is savored and enjoyed. Lunch at M's is at least two hours. Lunch at a restaurant--is more like three hours. J says that the French don't finish one meal until the next meal is about to be served!

I walked five miles today. The blister is about gone. Knee swelling continues; but, Aleve helps to manage the swelling and the pain. Tomorrow will be a busy day organizing and holding the party!