Sunday, September 19

Well we had another wonderful day in Bormes.  After awakening VERY late, because we were up VERY late last night, we strolled down to the village center (2 minutes walk away) for a lovely brunch that lasted nearly two hours.  Needing to exercise to keep from going back to sleep, we began an earnest walk around Bormes with all of its lovely alleys and beautiful flower lined streets.  We found where we had previously stayed, found where I had taken cooking lessons many years ago, caught up with what had happened to several people with whom we had become friends with over the years, and just generally delighted in the beauty of the village.

One of the things we really wanted to do while here was to create and cook an authentic Provencal dinner... I mean the whole nine yards.  Yesterday we purchased all of the ingredients but had not decided when exactly we would undertake task.  Well, late in the afternoon we decided it would be tonight.  So about 4:00 pm we began.  In the meantime, Della befriended, Jock, the caretaker of the property and his girlfriend, Susan.  So it only followed that we should invite them to join us in the feast... despite the fact that we had NEVER prepared any of the things on the menu.  We were undaunted and certain that we could pull off a meal to remember.

The menu consisted of appetizers of olives, followed by Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic, Moroccan Couscous, Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, Vegetable Tian, a fresh salad, and finished with assorted sorbets and cheeses.  We all pitched in and I must say it was a huge success.  What can be better than good food, good wine, great old friends, and making wonderful new friends?  We had the entire package and it was fantastic.  True to the French tradition, we dined for over three hours and loved every minute of it!!

LIFE IS INDEED GREAT!!!!!!