A local caf

Change of plans. It's a study day. Heavyish snow fall. A day for the birds.

For the birds.
It was snowing heavyishly.

The croissant and coffee at a local caf will have to wait.

I do so want one. A local caf. 

My place to contribute to others accomplishing their dreams and revolutions.

A place to hold others only as capable. As performers. People of action.

But then my Pilates studio can do that too.

Because in the France that I see, a coffee is about how big you want it black. Ristretto. Espresso. Lungo. Americano.

I think I could get a machine to do that in my studio.

Forget milk. Soy. Almond. Skinny. Frothy. Not frothy. Half strength. In a glass. A paper cup.... 

Focus on people, Pilates, revolutions.

I love the clean lines of that. I think I've lost weight, simply from having my coffee black.

Boulangerie & caf ahead.

Unintentional payoff. 

Easy to do because the coffee is simply delicious in Gérardmer, France, no matter where I go.

Sounds like more research coming up.


Here's a story about the café culture in France, well I think Paris, but interesting anyway. And here's the link to the café that the story refers to.

Sylvie the mountain accompagnatrice
from Sens-a-Sons in the middle.
We were almost at the top of Le Hohneck.
The view from the top was magnificent.
It was too cloudy to clearly see to Switzerland,
but Germany could be spotted.
My phone battery got too cold so I could
not get photos. Drats. You've really
got to be there in real life, though.

Tip:
You've really got to be there in real life.

Chestnut mousse pudding

This is not a trusted recipe. Just sayin'.

If in doubt, head to the local 
SuperU
and pick up this starter.

This is another thing you would do with some creative home cooking.

I really wanted a French favourite, creme de marron de l'Ardeche, but I had not been able to spot it in the supermarché.

Now that I've googled the name I should not have a problem finding it provided my accent doesn't get in the way. But failing on three attempts permitted me some creativity, I guess.

Anyway, now that I've bought plain pureed chestnuts I'm going to try for a sweet dish....

1/2 tin creamed chestnuts, about 200g.
1 equal weight of fromage frais, or créme fraîche, or white cheesey stuff that you prefer.
2 eggs
Sweeten as you prefer. I'm using my chestnut honey obtained in Gérardmer, France, at the local market.


You could do the old beat the whites till like snow. Beat the yolks with the sugar till light in colour.... and all that.

I don't. I drop the whole eggs into the dish and add the honey, starting with about 2T, and beat it till I'm satisfied,

I then add the pureed chestnuts, because I'm in France and only have a fork to do the mixing. The kitchen in the studio is great, but not too well equipped for creating. If you have mixers of any kind, the order doesn't really matter.

I then add a 1:1 mix of fromage frais and créme fraîche because I can. I'm in France.

Beat/fork it till you have achieved the consistency you want.

Refrigerate for 3 hours.

If it is too runny, turn it into a power smoothy by adding some collagen.

If you want something warm, bake it in the oven in a trough of water.

Eat after a long walk around the lake.

Tip:

Cook and Standup Paddle Board? 
It was hitched to the back fence 
atop the canal.
I'm guessing it goes directly 
to the lake in Gérardmer.

Cook and walk and eat.

Lucky the baguette was a mini. Now I get
why my mum puts butter on like cheese.
She grew up in rural England
 where the butter
tastes like this French stuff. 
Delish.

What? Not Smurfs?
Les Schtroumpfs.

Balustrades

In Colmar, France, down a side street
near the train station.
Above & Below pics.

In Munster, France. I also love 
hinges & brackets.

In Munster, France.

In Munster, France. A new apartment block 
with business offices around the side.

In Munster, France. A veterinary surgery.
A beautiful, restful colour scheme
and building.

Gérardmer, France

Simply pretty looking down.

The bit of white furthermost above Annie's
head is actually the reflection off Lac Gérardmer.

The first ristretto & croissant - Gare de l'est 

The view across town to the Tétras piste from
Chemin des Epinettes logement.

The view at night.

Outside looking in at the Airbnb lodgings.

Fresh as can be. 

Standard potatoes, bacon, onion, egg....
and yet so so gooooood.

All at home. Scotch & Soda scarf a great buy.

Pilates in France

March 2011. My mother & my sister.
Somewhere in France.
I took the photo.

I'm having a little day dream. At night. Before sleep. Obviously. How? How am I going to achieve that?

Tip.

As far as I know

There is only one life.

Eat small

Think big

Go hard.

Time's going to pass anyway.

Maximum harmony

Maximum harmony - at peace with who you are. The foundation. The core. Your essence.

I did a road trip from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Brisbane, Queensland after the trip to France. 

It is amazing what you learn when you totally expect to learn something else.

The tip?

When in new places, take time to breathe it in as well as drink it in.

Turn off your thoughts.

Breathe.

Just breathe.
And eat well.

Picked from my garden.... cherry toms, wheat grass, garlic chives, French tarragon.

Retreat = Advance in some cases

Bien être - 'good to be'

Why choose anything else?

Find yourself; know yourself

Love yourself; love the skin you're in

Be well; maximise your potential

 

  

Bien être - 'good to be'

Definitely not the same as 'to be good' 

Bubbles and Choc Truffles
The Pyrenees
Castles
Hermitages
Cupcakes
Mountain streams
the village community
&
your own down time

and more to come

 
Now that's well fed.