January Lunch


Monday 25. 01. 10 Yesterday went to lunch at Gisèle and Jonathan’s house. It was a dull, grey, rainy day but the gloom was soon dispelled when I went inside and was greeted by a warm, crackling log fire. We had a very convivial lunch with much laughter aided by the ice wine I had brought from Canada. Above is a photo of the previous lunch I had had chez Gisèle and Jonathan at the end of November with Arlette and Monique. Arlette took the photo.

New Landscape

Monday 18. 01. 10 Finally finished this big landscape 100 cm x 80 cm which I started last Fall and I’m quite pleased with it. Now off to my etching class to continue the etchings for The Ride series. Yes it is real grass>

Lunch chez les Valettes


Sunday 17. 01. 10 Today I went with Claire to lunch with Clemence’s family. Clemence is Daisy’s French pen friend who lives in Baillargues which is just on the edge of Montpellier. We had a very relaxed and tasty meal starting with Gamba shrimps, followed by pasta with mushrooms and then cake for dessert. I had brought some Canadian ice wine so we had this after the meal. They moved into their new house in September and are still settling in and finishing various projects. It is a great house and Jean-Luc and Isabelle have their bedroom on the ground floor and the girls have the second floor. The grey rabbit lives in the living room.

Family Portrait


Sunday 10. 01. 10 Today was the final family meal before I return to France. We all had a great meal at Carole’s and then Alisa took the official portrait above.

Christmas & New Year

Christmas morning
Friday 01. 01. 10 Have had a fabulous Christmas and New Year. Christmas was the usual family extravaganza with lots of presents and good food, unfortunately marred this year by some sickness. Carole and Daisy were not in good shape on Christmas day but Carole still managed to cook the dinner altho she didn’t eat it. Julia was sick between Christmas and New Year, Poppy and Jason were sick before Christmas and I have had a cold since New Year. However despite all this we all managed to have a good time. New Year was quiet this year but that was OK too.