Nothing is more French than the traditional Sunday family gathering.  At one time I am sure that the day started at church but like many cultures that custom is fading….but thankfully not the multi-course, slow, luxurious repast.  I was hugely flattered when Myriam, Dominique and Baptiste’s mother invited me to their weekly get-together.   We worked that morning, as after all it is harvest, but the afternoon was for leisure.   We started with the customary aperitif in the living room (with Formula 1 Racing on the Télé and Pastis for the boys).

The Aperitif Tray

An hour later we retired to the dining room for an absolutely fabulous meal.  A salad of frisée was lightly tossed with a delicate vinaigrette. Mme Grangeon made a perfect rabbit paté that was light and full of flavor.  Then onto Vitello Tonnato.  Her family is originally from Italy and there is clearly an affection for Italian food (OK, so who doesn’t have an affection for Italian food??????).  There was some vegetable dish that I am/was starting to forget….hmmm, I image that the wine was kicking in about then.  M Grangeon pulled out a selection of about twelve wines, Italian and French, that I was greedily allowed to choose from.

Then came the cheese course and more lovely wine.  Dessert and coffee followed.  I did not scrimp on the dessert, lovely cakes purchased by Dominique’s grand-mère (the elegant Grande Dame second from the right). I did wave off the coffee.  For me “leisure” translated to a very long nap.  I weaved my way home around 5:00 PM and found a very snuggy quilt waiting to wrap itself around me and fell into a much needed slumber. About 2 1/2 hours later I raised myself up, headed downstairs (Oh La La, wait until I do the post on Dominique’s house, it is incredible) for a glass of wine, a sentimental French movie and more “leisure”.  I must admit that I was SO full that I did not eat/need another bite the rest of that evening.

Monday morning seemed a lot easier after a day like this!

Après Dîner