Joyeux Noel

Posted by Liz

It's Christmas Eve - but it doesn't feel like it all! Except, there is a certain energy and festive spirit in the air - with music playing in town. It was hot and humid and sunny all day - the shops were open (except for their 3 hour lunch/siesta time - - seems like they close up from Noon til 3 and then open again for a couple of hours - I like their style - would this work in the states??!)

First thing we did today was dinghy into town at 7:45 to our favorite spot: Ti Saintoise - the boulangerie! We picked up some chocolate croissants, apple pastries and egg souffles - and made a little delivery to Fay and Russ on New Morning to return the favor of their croissants the other morning.

I cleaned the cockpit and did some general tidying up while Ed changed the water filters on the water maker. I spent some time reading through some cookbooks - which gave me an inspiration - which I'm calling

LES SAINTES BRUSCHETTA

In saute pan with plenty of good olive oil... sautee 3 cloves of fresh garlic (minced)til translucent, then add thinly sliced onions til cooked through, then added 1/2 of a red pepper (finely chopped), seasoned with coarse/kosher or sea salt, thyme and basil...then, add some chopped tomato (I used half of a big one), a few teaspoons of Capers, and finally, a couple of small dollops of balsamic vinegariette.... and saute for a few minutes.

In the meantime, I sliced up some leftover baguette into thin slices, and placed a small piece of grueyre type of cheese on each slice - then, just poured the mixture over the top of the breads - and VOILA! YUM, YUM, YUM - - I even decided to splurge and enjoy a delicious glass of Pinot Grigio wine with lunch - something I would never do at home. For that matter, I would never have even thought to whip someting like this up for lunch at home!

Necessity is the mother of invention - and using the ingredients in our cupboards.

After our feast, we took naps! Just so French! We're acclimating very well! And then went into town around 3 when the shops opened again.

Our little cat, Chipper, has a small eye problem - his right eye is at half-mast and it was teary - so we stopped at the pharmacie - he told me that the Vet only comes over once a month and next stop isn't until January 13th. However, he had some eye drops and antibiotics specifically for Cat conjunctivitis! We also stopped at a couple of other markets to pick up some vegetables and other basics, and I tried to find some wine - but I don't know French wines at all, so I randomly picked a couple bottles off the shelf and we shall see!

We are in a beautiful anchorage with our new Australian friends, Leisha and Greg on their boat "Fine Gold" along with other cruising friends. Small, very interesting and well-travelled community of people and it's such a wonderful lifestyle - getting back to the basics and being 100% full time in and a part of nature/the environment just sets the body in the natural rhythms - - and you feel that life has balance.

So, Merry Christmas to all of our pals and family back home! May the blessings of the season and good health be yours now and throughout the New Year.