Since returning from Sri Lanka, we have spent a lot of time in France. In late March, we went to Les Portes du Soleil, the largest ski complex in the Alps, with 13 resorts between Mont Blanc, France and Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
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| Scoots said conditions were a bit soggy but still fun and beautiful We enjoyed our first trip to the French Alps where Scott snowboarded around the entire area while I hiked and explored the cute town of Chapel. |
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| By the afternoon, friends were skiing in t-shirts and Scoots needed sunscreen |
Back in Stuttgart, we went to our first German Michelin restaurant called Gastoff Krone with the Nashs, our "foodie" friends.
1st course - herbaceous goat cheese and white asparagus crostini (not the correct German name of dish)
Perhaps I should not use the word "foodie" to describe our friends since Urban Dictionary defines foodie as "a douchebag who likes food." Merriam Webster keeps it simple as "a person who enjoys and cares about food very much." Who doesn't care about food? One day, I hope to learn a word to replace the noun "foodie."
Back to the meal... we were given a unique red pepper sorbet to cleanse our palates and then Scoots' lamb chops arrived at the table.
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| Lamb, polenta, and POPCORN (popcorn was unexpected and perhaps unnecessary but Germans love ALL things corn) The highlight of this meal was the succulent cheese course followed by the warm chocolate souffle. |
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| Scoots and Mike enjoying their desserts and port wine |
I have had a few weeks off work since German schools shut down around Easter so I went on a quick overnight road trip to Amsterdam.
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| Our hostel was an old houseboat (centrally located, really low budget, cozy (bunk beds for gnomes)) Finally, I discovered a legit Mexican spot in Europe- Los Pilones! Fresh lime juice margaritas and homeade salsa!  I believe Los Pilones is totally authentic because Mexican guys (to our left above) are good friends with the Mexican chef |
A coffee shop near central station that I highly recommend
The beer gardens recently open in Stuttgart so winter must be over!
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| Far right is our bud Damien and his pup Miko - Dogs are welcomed at all beer gardens and many indoor cafes Scott and I drove about 3 hours to the Alsace region of France and stayed in the cute village of Colmar. |
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| Scoots on the canal - area of Colmar known as "Petite Venice" |
Rick Steves' describes the city center as a "fantasy of steep pitched roofs, pastel stucco, and aged timbers."
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| we should have brought the tripod |
We strolled around gardens with futuristic statues and eventually got lost in a strange neighborhood outside the city center.
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| Megano's accent was worthless in France and it would have helped to know more than "Merci'" (I missed Laurie). |
The next morning, we headed West to Beaune in the Burgundy region of France to cycle around the vineyards.
The bike path was peaceful and safe with well marked signs so we couldn't get lost
Prior to the ride, we purchased local treats at Beaune's open air market. We tried samples of cheese, orange flavored bread, and "pizza" olives.
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| Fresh baguettes, goat, sheep, and cheddar style cheese, salami infused with figs, heirloom tomatoes, kumquats, plums, strawberries, golden raisins and wine. |
We rode from town to town along the bike path and stopped to enjoy our picnic among the grapes.
Everything tastes better dining al fresco and everything seems to taste better in France
We cycled from Pommard to Volnay to Meursault.
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| Colorful door and old vineyard wall |
In Montrachet, we came across a mid evil festival with free wine tastings.
More cheese sold at festival - Pictures above of real happy goats = genius selling strategy
We could have easily cycled for days since the "veloroute" goes for miles around vineyards, castles, and historic villages (Nos Grands Vins track).
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| Me heading back to our "hotel" to get ready for dinner |
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I felt like a real artistic "blogger" during this photo shoot- Scott's blue eyes and sweater matched the pretty door |
While consuming mass amounts of cheese and bread, it seemed like risotto would be the perfect entree choice during my vacation feast. Ordering risotto is a brilliant decision because it is not easy to cook from scratch (just ask Cindy:).
Risotto with escargot and giant prawns, notice the pretty flower garnish on the right
The next day, I drove West (Scott went back to Stuttgart/work) to the Loire Valley to visit Patricia and Lionel, long time family friends (many weekends shared at soccer games).
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| Their home (above) is a gorgeously renovated 16th century building |
Their property has beautiful landscaping and old wine caves.
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| creepy dark wine cave |
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| me in wine cave nook |
Patricia & Lionel live near the cute town of Chinon and many majestic castles.
Château d'Ussé was one of several castles that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
Next, we drove to Villandry which was built around 1536 and is considered the last great chateaux built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance.
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| The ornamental garden |
Maintaining the symmetry of the gardens requires constant care and each year 115,000 flowers and vegetables are planted in the gardens.
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| Heart shaped gardens - LUV! |
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| According to the brochure, the 4 quadrants above symbolize tender love, passionate love, fickle love, and tragic love. Villandry has a vegetable garden, herb garden, sun garden and a lake.  |
Near Villandry, we found vending machines filled with baskets of fresh produce (apples, carrots, beets, cabbage...) from local farmers. Friendly French people helped me buy some juicy ripe D'Anjou pears from the machine.
French people might be on to something...No Cheetos (preservatives) but lots of fruit, cheese and fresh bread
Patricia and Lionel were wonderful hosts and I am so happy I had the chance to spend time with them and experience French country life.
Me & Patricia in front of their home, under a massive array of sweet smelling wisteria
I would like to end this blog with some amusing affirmations...
(If you have not seen this video, it's 50 seconds of joy- thanks Aunt Donna!)
