Raclette

This weekend we were in Nancy, France looking at apartments and spending time with the French family. We had a really nice weekend; although I still can't manage to survive a gathering like they do. When they are all together, they eat around midnight and then stay up until about 3:30 in the morning talking. We ate dinner around 11:30 on Saturday night and were eating dessert a little bit before 1am. By 1:30, I was on the couch out cold (mouth wide open I'm sure... that's my signature move... so attractive). At 3:30 my guy woke me to help me get my body moving toward the hotel. I felt a little embarrassed to not be able to "keep up with the Jones'" so to speak, but I just can't manage to stay up that late anymore! What an old lady I am! And, he said nobody thought I was rude or anything.

I was a little confused as to what was happening for dinner (or if we were eating at all). Everyone was sitting leisurely in the living room chatting and sipping on some drinks but no one was in the kitchen preparing anything. I had seen meat being cut earlier but it wasn't being cooked. So when we were called to the table, I was thinking, "what the heck are we eating!?"

I was in for a nice treat. We were eating traditional French cuisine - raclette. You use something like this one from Tefal....

Here's how it works. On the top of the grill, they sprinkled some freshly cracked pepper and sea salt. The meat I had seen them cutting came into play here. The meat - beef and turkey - was thinly sliced so as to cook evenly and quickly. Right away everyone started putting the meat of their choice on top of the grill which was already hot. Underneath, where you see the little handles, are these little spatula-ish things. You put a piece of cheese (raclette) onto this and place it underneath the grill where it melts. Once it melts, you pull out your handle and the cheese slides right off. There were boiled potatoes which you slice and dice to your little heart's desire. There was a fresh, crusty baguette. Then, you take the melted cheese and put it on top of your potatoes, bread, and/or your meat. I even had a nice laugh when I saw my guy's brother putting cheese on top of a pickle!! Those French, they'll eat cheese with/on anything! 

As you see in the picture above, you can try it with veggies or whatever else you'd like! If I wasn't eating with a bunch of carnivores, I definitely would have tried some veggies brochettes out.

This was a pretty cool experience and an awesome way to host guests. Not only was the hostess able to sit and spend time with the guests rather than being stuck in the kitchen, we were able to have some fun with the dinner. There was also a big salad and an elaborate array of sauces to put on the meat. I would love to buy one of these to use at dinner parties one day (a wonderful wedding registry gift, people!!). 

I can't wait until I have my American family visit and can share this wonderful French experience with them. I am also so glad I got to be there on Saturday night to spend this wonderful evening with the French fam. They have welcomed me with open arms, and considering my family is so far away, it feels good to be loved by so many people here. 

As far as the apartment searching goes, well, it hasn't gone very far. The problem is that the buildings are all about 3 stories high and this doesn't allow much light to get it. Each building blocks the light from the next. It's like when people come to the beach and sit right on top of you and put an umbrella up. It felt like every apartment we walked into was dark. There wasn't a whole lot of natural light. Even the pictures we look at online are dark! We need to find a place that won't be miserable and will have a lot of windows and light. **Side note: When I lived in Long Island, NY for a short period of time, I had an apartment that literally didn't have one window. There were a few occasions where I fell asleep early on the couch and would wake up and see my phone said 10 and would freak out thinking I was super late to work - not even realizing it was 10pm. When there's no natural light, you have no concept of whether it's night or day and it's a whole heck of a lot harder to get your butt out of bed in the morning.

The apartments we saw also fell into two not so wonderful categories. There were the apartments that were old and classic with hardwood floors that I just loved, but they were also kind of falling apart with cracks in the ceiling and things that would require an insane amount of scrubbing. There's also the issue of them not having any appliances in the kitchen. My guy found and apartment last night and said, "the kitchen isn't that great." When I looked, I saw that there was literally nothing in the kitchen except for a few pipes to hook up your gas and water lines, too. And then we both laughed and simultaneously said something like, it's really just a kitchen. A lot of the apartments were like this - you really need to use your imagination to figure out where everything would go. For renters, it's also an added hassle and an obvious added cost to have to buy new appliances. For fourth floor walk-up apartments, lugging appliances around isn't enticing at all.

The second category of apartments were the ones that were trying to be modern but done in a very cheap way. They had fake wood floors and those kind of marble looking counter tops that are made of plastic. Everything was just so cheap looking.

My ideal apartment would be classic (while not falling apart) with modern appliances. I like the classic meets modern feel where the modern is just in the kitchen. I love to cook and don't like cooking on old stuff. I wouldn't mind having something classic and fixing it up if it was something we were buying, but since we're renting, we don't really want to invest a load of cash into something we're not investing in for our future. We'd really just be making it better for the next renter!!

I think I have just been typing as my brain is rambling and thinking. That's enough!! :)

long overdue.

I know it has been forever since I last posted, and I will do my best to fill you in on what I have been doing that has kept me from here... basically, a lot. Between a visit from my mom and work and a little bit of play and a few little colds that have had me restless at night, I feel like an energizer bunny.... without the energy. Is that even possible? I keep going and going and going... but I.... am..... so.... tired.

I won't complain, because I much prefer hitting the bed hard and having it feel like a little piece of Heaven than laying there awake at night - not tired at all. It has also been a wonderful change of pace to be very busy and constantly on the move.

I will begin to do a little backtracking to catch everyone up on what I've been doing. I will start with what is freshest in my mind (what I did this weekend), and then tomorrow I will share pictures of the wonderful time I spent with my mom.

This past weekend was a really wonderful one for me, because for the first time in a really long time, I was able to spend time with my guy. Friday night we made and enjoyed a delicious pancake dinner - something we both really love. I made a pile of delicious vegan pancakes and hot fruit syrup and then filled the table with our favorite toppings - shredded coconut, banana, Nutella, chocolate chips, all natural maple syrup (the real stuff), and powdered sugar. I used our wonderful new gift from my mother (more on that to come) and made a delicious cappuccino, topped with cinnamon and steamed chocolate milk for my guy. Mmmm Mmm good!

Last night I joined my guy and his family in going to my first Moroccan wedding and had the chance to wear a beautiful caftan. The wedding was so colorful and cheerful. The bride changed her dress more than 5 times to symbolize the fashion and culture in different parts of Morocco. It was a wonderful occasion.

The serving of the food was very different than any wedding I have ever been to so that part amused me a bit (we also ate around 11pm). The salad came out first and the servers walked to the front of the room in a line and stood in a row and opened the lids of the massive plates to display the salad for all to see and then began placing these enormous plates at the center of each table. We each took from the plate what we wanted and were even able to go back for seconds! The salad had a wide variety of veggies ranging from Moroccan olives to tomatoes to heart of palm to bamboo (and everything in between). It was very good.

After the salad, the waiters brought a few small plates to each table - some containing zaalouk and the others containing some sort of tangy, Moroccan carrot appetizer (which I will need the recipe for). After which they again marched to the front to display the main course - a heaping helping of meat. I didn't think of photographing this until it was devoured, but you couldn't even begin to imagine how much meat was being served at this wedding reception at one time. Each HUGE plate at the center of about 40-50 tables (maybe more) had an entire animal (I swear haha) on it. Everyone started taking their knives and forks and searching for the meat of their choice. I got a kick out of this. Survival 101: Don't mess with these carnivores when their native food is in front of them. I'm kidding! They actually follow the rule of always serving others before serving yourself. They each kept handing each other more meat (often with their hands) until the receiver would finally cry mercy and say, "Seriously, I'm good."

It should be noted that at the sight of this huge plate of meat, I did gasp a little. I had never seen so much meat on one plate. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a serving dish so big. His mother right away took action and said that I didn't eat meat and they began cooking a chicken for me! I had to wait to eat until everyone was finished but my chicken was worth the wait. Even for a 90% of the time Vegan / 7% of the time Vegetarian who doesn't really enjoy meat / the 3% chicken eater in me (who usually does this just to please people) actually really enjoyed the chicken. Half was dark meat which I did not eat but the other half was juicy white meat and the sauce was SOOOO good. It was some sort of mixture of cinnamon and spices and reminded me so much of fall. It's good that my new French family has opened my eyes to trying new things! And, equally as good that they don't pressure me to eat red meat.

After the meal came bowls of fruit followed by coffee and hours later followed by Moroccan cookies and cakes and mint tea. We danced until almost 3am but we were all getting pretty delirious from fatigue. We left the party then but I am sure, as per usual with these kind of events, that the party lasted for at least a few more hours after that. I have read and heard that sometimes these events last until 6 or 8am when breakfast is served!!!

 Here are some pictures:

Finally, to cap off the weekend, today was a holiday.  My guy's brother went to kill a sheep as is tradition. 3 of his 5 brothers and sisters and 5 of his 9 nieces and nephews all gathered tonight for this celebration eating more traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Now, it's time to make myself another cappuccino and relax!

stuff.

This month of fasting means a lot of time with my French family. Friday night I made pasta (I'll share this delicious and easy recipe with you) and ate with my guy and his dad. Saturday we were off to Forbach to stay the night at his sister's house. Usually, we eat at sunset (a little after 9 - we have a calendar that tells us what time we can start eating and stop eating at sunrise) and then we go to sleep and wake up to eat and then go back to sleep. At his sister's Saturday night, we all stayed up between meals. His family tends to pull all nighters like this (the first night I ever met them, we ate a late dinner and everyone stayed up chatting until well past 3am). Saturday was no different. We ate dinner. It was a totally Moroccan meal - breads, pastries, somosas, quiche, soup, mint tea and then at 1am came a tagine of Moroccan meatballs and more mint tea. His sister had spent the whole day making everything. She joked that it took her an entire day to prepare everything and it was all gone within minutes. She even made little shot glasses of tiramasu for dessert. We didn't get to sleep until after 5am and then slept until 2pm on Sunday.

Last night we ate more of the food his sister had prepared (I don't even think she slept because she was right back to making food on Sunday!) to send back with us. We all drove the 2 hours back and arrived just in time to heat up the food and eat it as his other sister's apartment.

Besides that, life has been pretty boring. Boring is okay sometimes! We eat at night. Catch up on our favorites shows on the internet. Sleep half the day. I've been practicing my French. We try to busy ourselves the best we can.

Most of Europe is "sleeping" during the month of August so it actually works out nicely that the month of fasting is in August this year, but the days are long and hot and that part is not so nice. France, for example, has a law that requires 5 weeks of mandatory vacation time. So a lot of businesses shut down for the first 3 weeks in August. It is better for business owners to do this than to have their employees taking their 5 weeks whenever they want, because most people would take their vacation at very busy times. My favorite bakery isn't even open, and I'm craving their olive bread, pepper bread, and their chocolate bread!

It's 7pm now which means a glass of sparkling water and some food are only two hours away. I've already prepared lemon poppyseed muffins, banana bread, and a big pot of vegetable and lentil soup. The apartment smells so delicious! Time for some exercise!

La vita è bella!

My guy has been working on a project at work that has consumed his life. It has caused me a bit of heartache as I find myself doing everything alone. I eat by myself - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I spend my days entertaining myself. I'm literally always alone. The thing about being alone all the time is it affords you too much time to think and sometimes thinking too much isn't a good thing. Sometimes my thoughts become my arch nemesis. So going on a little trip to be with a huge family was just what I needed this weekend, and it's just what I did.

When my guy's sister called me Thursday night to invite me to her house for the weekend, I was excited for the chance to be around people. I was excited to see the wife of my guy's oldest brother whom I haven't seen since arriving in France. I was excited to see all the little nieces and nephews. I was excited to talk to adults. I was excited to showcase my newly acquired French skills!

We departed early Saturday afternoon in what was sure to be an adventure. My love's middle brother rented an 8 passenger Mercedes van. When it pulled up to pick me up, I had to laugh. In it were his parents, his sister, his sister's husband, their 2 babies (one born last month and the other who turned 1 last month - both who were absolutely amazing for the long ride), the middle brother, and myself. I got to sit shot gun! His brother and sister asked me about my family and about home, we talked about television shows that were famous in France and did I know them. His brother was excited to ask me if I knew Baracuda which made me laugh. It was a great chance for me to improve my French and to bond with my new family. The only thing missing was my love who was, of course, working.

The reason for us all traveling to his sister's was because she bought a new house. We were all meeting there to celebrate her new home and the birth of the baby. It is Islamic tradition to kill a goat when a baby is born. They brought the goat back for a big BBQ. What better place to have a big family gathering than at her new home!

Upon arriving at his sister's house, I was in shock. She had sent me pictures of the house they'd purchased and it was... in need of repair. Repair it they did! Seriously, it should have been taped for a flip that house kind of show. The transformation was 360. The original house was unrecognizable. No details were missed. From the modern kitchen to the beautiful furniture from the amazing collection at French furniture manufacturer Collinet to the big terrace to the dreamy little girls' rooms to the bathroom with the big tub, I was seriously in awe. The house was so beautiful and as I told them so, they were so modest. I kept looking from the originals pictures on my iPhone to the house in live form. Wow!

before

after

before

after

So once I got the full tour, I set out to mingle with the family. My love grew up very differently than I did. I have one sister. He has 3 sisters and 2 brothers. I'm the youngest of 2. He's the youngest of 6. My sister is 18 month older than me. His oldest sister is 15 years older than him. In addition to his brother's and sister's, he has 2 nephews and 6 nieces. He has 3 brother-in-laws and a sister-in-law. His whole family speaks French and Arabic. They make me laugh trying to speak English. I find it to be very cute. His one sister speaks very well. He wasn't there to translate for me this weekend so I was forced to speak French which was perfect for me!

We ate delicious BBQ ranging from chicken to sausage to goat, shrimp cocktail, ratatouille, tabbouleh, salad, cakes, and bread. We drank Moroccan mint tea and tons of espresso. The weather was amazing. Everyone was in good spirits. I just can't stress enough what a warm, loving, and fun weekend it was. I loved watching the family dynamic - the guys joking with each other and sharing stories, the little girls playing, the 3 year old boy proudly fastening the Velcro on his sandals, the ladies coming with their hands wide open as their mother shared with them the goodies she brought from Morocco - olive oil, almonds, peanuts, honey, etc. She assured me that I, too, would share in this one day. With that being said, I got to leave with good memories and a hint of excitement for what the future has to bring.

view from the terrace

weekend.

Ahhh the weekend has arrived! This weekend will take me to Forbach, a French town just 5 minutes from the German border (one I suspect is largely influenced by German culture). It is a 3 hour drive from here that I will happily take along with the French family (the babies, too!!). Unfortunately, my love won't be able to join us as he's working on something HUGE at work and the deadline is Sunday! 

Well, I'm off! Have a fabulous weekend everyone! Spend it with your Mother's because I sure wish I could!!

P.S. Zoom out 2x on my Google map of Forbach, look diagonally down and right. I bet that town is a Biitche to live in! :)