Visiting Gardner's French Family

We have just returned from a overnight trip to Pornichet, which is on the coast in Brittany, and a visit with Gardner's french family (The Bossy's). It was so lovely to get out of the busy big city and see how real french people as opposed to how Parisians live.

A cute picture of my boys on the train

I'll admit, I didn't really want to go. The two days before were busy and stressful. S was acting like a manic, and we had been going what felt like non-stop. The kids were making everything from riding the metro (damn stairs) to eating out (S wouldn't eat anything other than sugar and I the only baby food I can find is applesauce) a headache. In two days we had seen the Arc de Triomphe, walked all the way the down the Champs Elysees to the Lourve, walked around a very small and not so exciting wing of the Lourve, seen the Eiffle Tower, visited the Musee D'Orassy, walked along the Seine, visited the flower market, and grocery shopped 3 times. In addition I had been locked in the kitchen (the lock somehow jammed and the apartment owner had to come rescue me) cleaned an infinite amount of bedsheets after in the middle of the night S decided he would take off his pull-up and wear underwear, only to end-up peeing all over his bed, the sheets, duvet, everything. Plus of course I had to wash laundry, pack for the overnight away, etc. I was in such a cranky mood, still dealing with children fighting sleeping, and constantly determined to wake one another in the night that I was asking myself (and Gardner) "Why on earth did we do this?!". Truthfully it is really difficult, traveling with young children. They have a lot of needs and they don't care if you are standing in front of a priceless piece of artwork in a room of people who have waited their lives to see it. If they are tired, or bored, or hungry they will wreak havoc. So by the end of Thursday night I was in no mood to pack and get ready to leave early in the morning. But we had already planned to go, bought the train pass, reserved the hotel. So I sucked-it up and got it all together. I am so glad I did.

We had a wonderful time in Pornichet. Yes the kids were still a handful, but it was so relaxing looking at the Ocean. Gardner's family that we went to visit include Herve and Linda (the parents) and Celine and Donatien (the college age "kids"). Herve, Celine and Donatien all speak decent English, but Linda speaks about as much English as I do French, which is to say not much at all. I was nervous, not knowing at all what to expect, but they were all as welcoming and friendly as could be. And even though the majority of the conversation was in French, I managed to follow along and add my input in English which the others translated for me.

When we arrived by train, after checking in at the hotel, we went to their house for dinner. They cooked us the most amazing French dinner! I would have expected beautifully plated food like this in a fancy restaurant. We had a Champagne aperitif with cheese coquette puff pastry things, an entree (appetizer) which was individual seafood casoulettes so good I could have eaten a bucket full. It was all I could do not the lick the terrine. The main was pork tenderloin with a light delicious curry sauce and ratatouille. For dessert a homemade rum cake. YUM. Of course there was wine, and coffee and a great time was had by all. (They even made a special noodles and ham dinner for S and he was happy to color on the Ipad while the adults ate).

Eating lunch

Walk by the beach

S and I

The next morning, we met the family at our hotel and walked to the local market, which was really fun! The market is beautiful and vibrant with amazing produce, super fresh fish, fresh bread, flowers and a variety of charcuterie. Linda seemed to know everyone and seemed very proud as she pushed my stroller around explaining to all of her friends that we were her American family in France for a visit. She and I entertained each other by teaching one another the various names for things at the market. Lunch back at the house was four-courses of bliss. We had an array of shellfish, including Langoustine, two types of shrimp, oysters and homemade mayonnaise. The second course was sea bass and potatoes with a white buerre blanc sauce that was unbelievability good. Then a cheese and salad course, followed by espresso and eclairs. O.M.G. I wish we were staying here for 7 weeks! Not only is the Bossy family super friendly they can really cook! After lunch we enjoyed a pleasant walk to the beach, right down the road from their house, and then we had to get in the car and drive to Nantes to catch the train back to Paris.

I realize that the majority of my description about our time in Pornichet is focused on the food, but in France that really is the center of the social world. Both Herve and Linda made sure to tell me several times who cooked which pieces of the meal, and I think I accidentally offended when I offered to help in the kitchen. (Gardner told me later that they view it as me stating that they are not capable on their own. But then he said they likely though it was a cute American gesture. I hope so.) Oh and while in the country we visited a Super Mache and stocked up on baby food, so Everett will have a much more healthy variety  in the coming weeks, in case you were concerned.

Was the night out of Paris a lot of work? Yes. We had to pack, unpack, adjust the kids in new beds, figure out the train system, etc. But it was SO worth it and I have returned, completely de-stressed, re-energized and excited to see what else we can see.