Wedding à la française in Provence

Fourth of July weekend was not full of fireworks for me but is was full of celebration. A friend of mine got married in the picturesque south of France.
I was exited about attending my first French wedding (well, pseudo French wedding - she is American and he is French). I was even more excited about wearing a HAT!! After weeks of searching (wedding hats are APPALLINGLY expensive), I found one at the Bon Marche. The Bon Marche is very chic. To give you an idea, it sells bottled water for 15 euros. My hat, which I only dared try on with the excuse of acquiring style inspiration to draw upon later while looking in lesser shops, was 90% off!! The saleswoman met my incredulous yet extremely hopeful inquiry about the price with a dry "Yes madame, it is the bargain of the century".

They were married in a tiny little village at the city hall. Beautiful white roses were everywhere - even in the fountain. After the ceremony, we threw lavender and rose petals in the air. It smelled so lovely!!

We then drove (about 150 guests in total) to the groom's parents' country house. It was absolutely stunning. We caught out first glimpses of it as we strolled down a long path of very, very old olive trees lit by large candles in terracotta bowls. Glowing from a perfect sunset that reflected off of the surrounding hills, the house was majestically encircled by fields upon fields of lavender and sunflowers. I was only able to get a quick photo of the flamenco dancers before my camera died...

An exquisite dinner lit by candles and "fairy lights" at white tables under the trees then followed. A famous (and respectably chubby) chef had specially created a sit-down feast of: lobster and eggplant filled tomatoes, lamb with zucchini blossoms, cheeses and salad and a strawberry-themed dessert assortment (strawberry mousse, fresh strawberries, a little strawberry cake...). The wine selection and pairing (of flavors) was exceptional. My palate was traumatized by "normal fare" for days...

On a different note, I was in the US in June. I was able to see the Phillipses in Oregon - AND the grandparents who made a special detour!! For selected OR and CA pictures (I had to renew my visa in San Francisco), you can click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2015350&id=37200011&l=00877b2454 There are many beautiful Jenny pictures on the beach and a handsome Amarjeet without braces!!

4th of July

When they came out with the 4th of July agenda: Flag raising, pool volleyball, swimming, horseshoes, BBQ lunch, flag lowering, a baked ham dinner, bingo, fireworks, and dancing, I thought it was a bit ambitious for 15 people. (I told my friend Wendy this is really like living on a stationary cruise ship!) But we gave it our best shot.

The 9 AM flag raising by the pool. You can see a David salute in the second photo (facing the camera):





























Lots of volleyball, both in the morning and the evening:




Tony, the bartender, looking out from the bar. Note patriotic decor.



The lunch spread. Have I mentioned that they serve VERY good food here? I think their potato salad is some of the best I've ever had. I haven't figured out how they do it. Do they have a recipe or do they just rely on feedback from Americans?? When I asked yesterday, Omar, one of the chefs, said he has a recipe but doesn't use it. I just think it would be very difficult to make a dish which you're unfamiliar with and don't even know what it's supposed to taste like. In the photo, I think Rob is trying to figure out the problem with the mister.



Bingo in the bar:




And a pretty decent firework display:
























Wendi watching fireworks. :) It was a fun day.

Humm! somehow posted to "A Pride..." instead of forty centuries. Sigh, DAD

Wow! loved the picts! looking fwd to your finding whatever that place is (~:} I feel the same abt. wonderous things & places. Have to keep reminding myself they are wonderful. Thanks for letting us experience with you. Love ART

Roberto sent this a couple of days ago. Baby smiles are totally the best thing ever!

A Visit to the Ranch over Memorial Day Weekend

We were able to visit Charles and family over Memorial Day Weekend. It was a treat to get to watch a day of branding and see real cowboys and girls work. We had a great visit, hiking around the caves with Henry and Alice, eating yummy Rebecca food, and visiting. We didn't even have to work!! Hope we can all get together sometime this summer or fall--it would be fun to do another family reunion. We thought about Wallowa Lake or Anthony Lakes--any other ideas? You are always welcome here in Ellensburg! We will be staying in this big 'ol house for another year (our landlords just let us know they aren't selling it yet!).


Look at that horsemanship! Do I have a clue what I'm doing? NO!

Lyons in the caves! Watch out for bats! We even saw a badger!

Thought you might like to see a couple of Lilyanne photos. These were taken by Roberto who is a really good photographer. This baby is going to have a lot of photo albums, I'm sure.... These were all taken in the hospital the day after she was born. As you can see, she doesn't look much like me but she is a fusser so there is evidence that my DNA lives on in child number six as well.

I have enjoyed getting outside again now that I can actually bend down and walk up a hill with a wheelbarrow without thinking my heart is going to give out. I don't think I could even begin to do a seven mile hike with Andrew and Jen but touching my toes is a good first step for me!