Winter Vacation

In late February, the kiddos had another two-week "winter vacation." In lieu of skiing, we opted to stick around Aix and enjoy the break with friends while Syd slipped away to attend two international car shows with a buddy. Below are some highlights:

Our friend Linda hosted a kid's sushi cooking class for the Butlers, Bates, Niklanders and Veynes. What a yummy treat!
Bunny ears go well with sushi

Our friend Betsy organized a French pastry cooking class at Le Passage restaurant. Here are our little chefs, Shane, Mal, Clarice and Mimi

Shane got into the cooking spirit by making cut-out pancakes one morning...thanks Chef Shane!

I organized a three-day Art Stage with Mallory's art teacher, Julie Alber. The Butler, Besso, Costley and Veyne kids had a ball and designed some lovely mosaic mirrors and fantastic rain forest paintings.

On the weekends, we spent time at our favorite Mont Ste. Victoire park

And in the midst of it all, I turned....29???
Happy Birthday to me in my new French apron!

Winter Hikes

Julie enjoyed several fabulous hikes with the International Hiking Group of Provence this winter...two are featured below...

On January 13, we hiked in the Parc de St. Pons, hiking to the foot of the "Pic de Bertagne," the second highest peak in Bouches-du-Rhone.

The hike was especially beautiful thanks to the recent SNOW storm!

Susie, Julie and Nick After hiking up, up, up and up some more, we were rewarded with incredible views at the top

Parc de St. Pons includes several ruins including a 13th century chapel, abbey and mill. It also has a fabulous glacier, a deep well which held blocks of ice, taken to Marseille via donkey in the 19th century!

On February 17, we enjoyed a windy, but splendid day hiking La Calanque de l'Oeil de Verre, between Cassis and Marseille.

Graeme and Jill Eadie

Julie will post photos of additional hikes in the coming weeks!!!

Friends and Celebrations

The winter months brought several celebrations and gatherings with friends and family... Syd's brother, Landon, and his wife, Carol, visited for a lovely weekend between their two-week intensive French course near Paris

Shane and pal, Bubby-head of Capitals hockey star, Alex OvechkinSarah and Mallory - always ready with a lovely pose

Sandra Besselink's birthday party

Shane, Lulu, Charlie and Nicholas in CassisRachel and Mal clowning around in Cassis with Syd

Sylvie, Alicia, Julie and Sam at Sam's birthday lunch at La Table du Ventabren

Christian and Margriet Swinkles with Syd at Rose's birthday party

Mallory, Rachel and Kirsten as they depart with lots of giggles for the IBS Ski Week

Valentine's Day

Syd won my heart with a Valentine's Day serenade at Le Passage restaurant. Accompanied by pianist Marc Cisnero, Syd sang Elvis' "It's Now or Never" to rave reviews!!!

Our French teacher, yoga instructor and good friend, Julia Frazier, serenaded her talented boyfriend, pianist Marc Cisnero.

What a memorable Valentine's Day!

Scottish Burns Supper

Graeme and Jill Eadie hosted a FABULOUS Burns Supper complete with Haggis and Scottish Reels.

Haggis is the national dish of Scotland, immortalized by the poet Robert Burns in his poem "Address to a Haggis," and eaten in his honor on Burn Night, every January 25th. Haggis is made of sheep’s offal (lungs, hearts, liver - YIKES) mixed with suet, oatmeal, seasoning and encased in the sheep’s stomach. Once stitched up, the stuffed stomach is boiled for up to three hours. Yes, we actually ate this!

Graeme reciting Burn's famous, "Address to a Haggis!"

We drank a lot of champagne (French addition to the celebration), poured whiskey (lots of it) on the Haggis with Tatties (mashed potatoes) and Neeps (turnips), listened to our host recite countless wonderful Robert Burns poems and then learned a dozen Scottish Reels (a bit like our square dances).

Nick Bates and Sarah Besso adding Scottish whiskey to the haggis feast.

The speeches were all in old Scottish or French, so I am glad I had lots of champagne to start. It was WILD and terribly FUN! I now want to search out our Scottish ancestors so I can wear a family tartan to the party next year :-)

Syd gave a lively toast to the lassies!!

Syd and Sarah

Jane and Susie

Jill and Sarah

Nick and Julie building up courage to eat the Haggis!

Mallory, Syd and Sarah prepare for the Reels

Kirsten and Loren Eadie demonstrating a Reel

Jill and Graeme showing the novices how it is done

Mallory, Graeme and Kirsten demonstrate half of a six-person Reel

A Scottish "line dance"

The 4eme pals and Loren had a fabulous time!