Unfolding Accomplishments ~ European Expeditions

Of 12 months in France, I imagine I have spent a better part of 3 months travelling and exploring the European landscape! From solo getaways, to summer escapades with friends, it has been an incredible journey of sight-seeing, culture witnessing and historically impressioned global discovery.

As I was preparing for my short sejour to Scotland last month, it occurred to me that including France, and of course Scotland, I would have travelled to 11 different countries in 12 months! Wanting to make it 12 in 12, I quickly searched for inexpensive weekend jaunts to Luxembourg, Germany or the border towns of Italy; but living in common European financial insufficiency and waiting for the first pay-check in almost 4 months won out, and I guess I can settle for the following travel timeline;)

Dec 2010

London England UK

Cardiff Wales UK

Ireland (Dublin & Meath Counties)

Cardiff Wales

March 2011

Geneva Switzerland

Yvoire France

Paris France

Geneva Switzerland





May 201

London England UK

Marseille France

London England

June 2011

Cavalaire-sur-Mer,

Port Grimaud, St Tropez,

Cannes, Nice,

Ramatuelle & Avignon France

Principality of Monaco

Port Grimuad France

July 2011

Paris France

Brussels Belgium

Amsterdam & Amersfoort Netherlands

Netherlands

London England UK

Ireland (Dublin, Co Meath, Wicklow)

Ireland

Belfast Northern Ireland UK

Perouges France

Annecy France

Annecy

August 2011

Nice France

Principality of Monaco

Barcelona Spain

Paris France

Aix-les-Bains France

Barcelona Spain

October 2011

Edinburgh & Glasgow Scotland

Edinburgh Scotland

Unfolding Accomplishments ~ Culinary Creativity

Being the analytical perfectionist I am I sometimes need reminders to stop and smell the roses. While I can drone on about what I wish I would have achieved over the past year, or what I should have accomplished; I instead will reflect upon the amazing experiences, domestic doings and little treasures experienced over the last 12 months.

Having dabbled in the domestic niceties of daily life, ma vie en France has merited an embraced increase in cuisine abilities and culinary creations! Without a lack of fresh ingredients, including fresh eggs stocked on open, non refrigerated shelves, bi and tri-weekly grocery trips, and the inspiration of fine French food, I am developing a more relaxed approach to eating, cooking and experimenting with new flavours and recipes. From omelettes with fried onions, potatoes and peppers, cooked with eggs set over hard, sliced into pizza inspired wedges; to a fresh seasonal vegetable ratatouille hearty in tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini and seasoned with herbs and spices, I have delved into my evolving culinary creativity! Some of my other creations have included; crêpes with fresh herbs, a simple but savoury chunky tomato sauce with garlic and onions, and homemade croutons made from pavé style hearty bread and airy grainy cereal loafs; perfect sprinkled atop a slightly sweet and caramelized home made onion soup.

Crepes a la anglo frenchie style!

Croutons (way better than store bought cardboard cubes)!

Texas road DiCarlo bottling inspired tomato sauce!

Of course having always favoured dessert; crêpes drizzled with honey or slathered in nutella, and the fudgy density of a gateau fondant chocolat take centre stage! Photos unfortunately not available as they are savoured and enjoyed quickly and guiltlessly!

Adolescent Innocence

As I was preparing to move to France one of my ongoing jokes and mini concerns was the feeling that I was regressing to an age or a stage of adolescence. Here I was… house and car sold, two jobs left behind, once thriving investments withdrawn, and taking a chance on a one way ticket away from most of what I had known. I have often thought that I am a time taker of sorts, and in many ways, the age old social milestones that we progress through, I tend to mix and jumble up and do in random order. So while most would embark on a foreign adventure in their early 20’s, I chose to take the plunge years later, after 2 degrees, long term employment and beginning a comfortable personal, financial and social nest.

Funny thing is that sometimes we know more than we allow ourselves to admit, and this was one decision that would have continued to nag and creep into my thoughts, what ifs and dreams, until honoured. And so, here I am, one year in and in many ways living in an adolescent innocence, with little to call my own, except for an old used car, a few possessions, and random ties between two countries. Facing an open road with renewed dreams and unknown destinations; without regret or remorse; but rather with a chuckle and smile at the passing of time and a mysterious infinite future.

As I am often inspired and driven by music and melody,

I came across a video by an amazing group that speaks to my

adolescent fears, dreams and adventures….

Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla