With my computer still being out of commission, I have missed noting an important event! Monday (February 6th) was our first year anniversary in Chalabre!

In some ways, it's hard to believe that a whole year has gone by. In others, we feel so comfortable here, that it's hard to believe we haven't lived here forever. We feel we've accomplished so much in this past year.

First, the renovation work on our house went smoothly (in retrospect), even though there were times during it that it felt as if it would never be done. When we walk around and look at each room, we feel so proud to have brought this beautiful house back to life. Visitors who knew it from before are really astonished at the change, which is very satisfying to us.

We've become real members of the community here. Something that we never really felt back in L.A. We had tried there, of course, but somehow, it just never really clicked and we were unable to be as involved in things as we might have liked.

Here, I read to the kids at the library. JM is ready to do his second cutural event next Friday, the 17th: a slide show on fantasy in comics. We're talking about several other activities, including a comic book creation class for kids, a short story writing class for anyone over 16 and a short story contest to be sponsored by the village, something that lots of towns do in France.

We're on at least "nodding" acquaintance with most people in town. I would call quite a few people here "friend." We have roots, something that becomes more important to you the older you get, I suspect.

If tomorrow we made a million dollars, I can't imagine taking it and changing anything about our life here. This has been the best year that I could ever imagine.

For those readers who know Chalabre, there is also some news to report: two of our lovely plane trees have been removed over the last couple of days! It's always heartbreaking to see that happening. I KNOW it's because they were sick and had to go. I KNOW the village will replant new ones; but it still makes me sad to see it.

Ciao for now.

Randy

I walked to the post office after lunch yesterday, forgetting that it is closed on Saturday afternoons. It was cold and that kind of fine, misty rain was falling; not enough to be really wet, but enough to wreck your hair. I was feeling that it had been a wasted trip, but when I got home I saw that our wonderful neighbors, Yves and Heléne from Perpignon had arrived. They don't come every weekend during the winter, so it was a happy surprise that I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't gone for a walk.

We spent the afternoon at their place, drinking tea and eating a banana bread that I'd just made. Then they came over for dinner and conversation. We had wonderful evening, except for Maggie, who was protesting our use of the evil fireplace by hiding upstairs in the dark. Her loss, I'm afraid.

I really didn't have anything fancy to offer when I made the sudden and impetuous decision to invite our friends for dinner. I did have a moment of panic, wondering what the heck I was going to serve!

That's where some of the great frozen ingredients available in France saved my neck. First, I had a frozen onion tarte. These are terrific and I always try to keep one in the freezer for unexpected guests. But, clearly that wasn't going to be enough for four adults. I decided I'd make a hearty soup, but with what?

The French equivalent of "skillet" dinners tend to have different ingredients than U.S. mixes. My favorite has cubes of beef, baby carrots and cubed potatoes. I sautée that for a few minutes in a little olive oil, then add a variety of herbs and spices, especially garlic and dill. Enough water to cover, then toss in a couple of boullion cubes, bring to a boil and either simmer for 35 or 40 minutes, or, use the pressure cooker and cook on the veggie setting for 15 minutes. That's it. Perfect winter soup.

We finished off with a quick apple compote that I made using apples, hydromel (kind of honey wine) brown sugar, cinnamon and a handful of candied orange peel. I made some vanilla whipped cream to go with it and that was our dinner. Fast, easy and warming on a cold winter's night. I doubt I spent more than an hour getting the whole thing together.

Evenings with friends should be spent enjoying your friends, not sweating in the kitchen.

Ciao for now.

Randy