I'll have to keep this one brief as my laptop is out of power and I am typing on one of these bizarre French keyboards where they have randomly rearranged the keys(I blame the Académie française - pedants...). (Also I am finishing this by typing on an iPad...glutton for punishment I guess)

Vacation has finally come and we have happily fled Paris for the countryside. Both of us are burnt to a fine crisp and little(read lot) bit of rest is very welcome. It's been a long last couple of months.

We kicked it off with two days invading a friend's gite(bed and breakfast) near Melle. The countryside was incredible and reminded me of Oregon in the spring. Fields of lush green grass and blue sky. We were lucky enough to have good weather the entire time we were there. I went on my first truffle hunt. It was supposed to be a training session for a truffle dog, but the dog was far more interested in running between all of us than hunting for truffles. With the weather what it is was, I don't think anyone really cared too much.

Our hosts absolutely spoiled us. So far it was my favorite culinary experience in France to date. Champagne, foie gras, mushroom soup with a chestnut base, a steak the size of my head, homemade honey, homemade hazelnut bread, cheese cheese cheese and so much wine(some older than me)...we were very spoiled...

Celine and I then passed a night together at La Rochelle. It is an interesting old port city which rose to prominence during the 1600s. We walked atop the old walls and under the arcades. Since scallops are in season we were able to find a fun little restaurant selling scallop risotto(with an owner obsessed with rugby, he looked like a marine drill instructor, but spoke with the softest voice about his food).

Now we are in Nantes with Celine's family, who continue to spoil me(it looks like I will gain back all the weight I have lost the last couple months). We'll spend the rest of the time here eating and taking walks in the countryside. It is good to be with family.

I apologize that we haven't made a Christmas card this year. I am afraid that it will have to wait again for next year. To reflect on this last year though is to realize that we are blessed. Good friends, good family and good food(had to be included). Gaël exhausts us, completely drains us, rips apart out lamp and completes our family. I am looking forward to another year of hopefully the same and I am sending my best holiday wishes to all of you,

I can smell a rabbit cooking so I'll have to leave it here, hang ten,

DJ