March 2009

After 8 years Jack's daughter Peggy and grand daughter Sara visited. Sara lives in Port Lucie, Florida about an hours drive from here Peggy lives in Lindhurst, Illinois but is often in Florida as she also has a son at the Naval Base in Pensacola. They promised to visit more often.

9 March 2009

Tux with his backpack waiting for his walk.

It was such a pleasure having Dena here for a visit. Fortunately she was able to spend a couple weeks before returning to Arkansas, a 3 day drive to her home.

23 February 2009

After a brief hospital stay Josette shocked her friends by not waking up two days after her release. She was never a stranger to the newcomer. We met in 1982 in Saint Raphael at party for France-Etat Unis of which she was President. She was a great organizer and you just didn't say no to her outings. She met and married Bruno Petrillo 46 years ago in New York where her career started at Boston College. She returned to France when her parents were ailing and, though she longed to revisit, never returned to N.Y. We will have a memoral service for her 25 May. This very unique lady will be missed.

Paula's visit 4 Feb.

On her visit she filled the freezer with her famous gumbo, and scones.

Pete and Donald

I can't believe that we are approaching May and I have no new posting since Christmas. Here is a recap of what has been happening since then.

Christmas

Paula and Ed" 28 year anniversary on the day of their departure from FLL. enjoying breakfast with Jody and Gerald.

Jack, Joseph, Paula and Jody.

Dena just reminded me that my last message was at Thanksgiving. I will try to catch up with a new posting. Paula, Jody, Ed and Gerald enjoying Christmas dinner with us.

THANKSGIVING

BECAUSE IT IS THANKSGIVING
HERE AGAIN

IT'S TIME TO WISH YOU

CHEER AGAIN,

AND TIME FOR BEING

THANKFUL TOO,

THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE

NICE AS YOU!

20 November 2008

Alice and Dianna enjoying the moment as we celebrated the birthday girl.

Pour le menu de le soir: As we celebrated Alice's birthday here with friends Lena, my Mother, was also celebrating her 96 year young birthday in Louisiana with family and friends. She too was in good spirit when I wished her more good years to come. Who knows maybe some of those good genes have been passed on to me.

Today we can also celebrate Paula's retirement. After 25 years of dedicated service as an RN at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital she has decided to take some badly needed time for herself. To paint, to travel, to garden and maybe to spend more time with family and friends.

Have a great day!

16 November2008

As guest of Alice Goldhagen I enjoyed the culinary demonstration and champagne Gosset Luncheon with Chef Michelle Bernstein of Michy's Restaurant, Miami, a winner on the Food Network's Iron Chef America.

The Biltmore Hotel known as Al Capone's home is also known for the largest swimming pool in the United States.

The occupants at each table are responsible for acting as Chef or you don't get to enjoy these faboulas foods. Here we have Leslie, student from the Culinary School and Mr. Jack looking over the recipe and instructions. Entree of Foie Gras, and lobster cooked in Manzanilla Sherry and Lobster Stock served with Frisee lettuce, fennel bulbs, julienne, and radishes salad. Main course Steak with red wine "au poivre" and Mini Caesar salad. Executive Biltmore Pastry Chef Olivier Rodriguez top it off with "Marquise" Chocolate and Vanilla Bavaroise Mousse with Chocolate Sauce to die for.

Heather (wife of Mr. Jack) Alice and Josette.

The fabulous Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida.

6 November 2008

Celine and Lisa

Jean and Chef Mark

Jean and Mark

Jean, with the girls, Alice, Annette & Celine and Topaz

As you can see it was a small but enjoyable party. Jean and Annette here from Paris, Mark, Celine and Lisa from Saint Raphael and Alice from Coral Gables. Mark took charge of the menu and preparing the meals with help from Celine. Annette and Alice in charge of the cleanup and I supervised. We enjoyed some great moments, shared some great wines, and shared some great meals together. After 3 weeks in the US of A it was time to say goodbye. Their last words "We'll be back". It was terribably quite after they left on Thursday and it was early to bed. We will see Jean and Annette again as they will be staying until March. On Saturday Alice has invited me to a Champagne lunch at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.

That is all for the moment as I am being summons.

Have a great day!

2 November 2008

Mark and Lisa

We are now back in Fort Lauderdale after being away for 6 months. I can honestly admit that it now feels like home. First and foremost was contacting Home Care Agencies for help with Jack's care. Paula arrived the next day to help until it could be arranged. With the advise of friend Pete Hinton we contacted Horizon Care Service. As luck would have it Care Giver Joseph was terminating his service with a client entering an assistance home and was available to start almost immediately. Jack is very comfortable with this gentle man and at the moment it is working well.

The 3 men cleaning crew came in with pressure cleaner to clean the terrace and driveway, then moved the terrace furniture from the living room back on the terrace. After which they cleaned and polished each and every room the following day. All good things must come to an end but before leaving Paula filled the freezer with gumbo, pecan pie, shrimp curry and Quiche, etc.

At the moment we are enjoying the visit of friends from Saint Raphael, Mark, Celine and Lisa a 4 going on 10 years. Yesterday while her parents were at the boat show we made chocolate cookies. With Lisa on a bar stool measuring the chocolate, flour an sugar it landed in the bowl on the counter, floor along with pieces of dinner plate all over the place. She loved her cookies which she carried back to the hotel. My my the joys of having a young one around with all that energy. It tires me just thinking about her next visit tomorrow.

All for now.

Have a great day!

15 October 2008

A brief note to say that Dr. Gras just gave us the okay to travel tomorrow. The test were for the most part good and Jack is recovering nicely. Gylls may travel with us to London to make sure we reach our gate in time. We also have the handicap service all the way through. Hopefully the next posting will be in FLL.
Until then keep smiling.

14 October 2008

Lee, Jack and Josette,
claude,Pierre and Geiselle, Celebrating Josette and Bruno's 47th wedding Anniversary at l'hotel Excelsior.

This may be my last post from Saint Raphael, then it may not as Dr. Gras just left and ordered blood work on Jack. After he reviews the test he will advise us on whether or not he is fit to travel on Thursday. At the moment he is not. An anxious moment. If we have to delay our travel I couldn't ask for a better place than right here. This afternoon Jack seems to be perking up, more alert to what's going on.

25 Sept. 2008

Thought I would update with these photos. It feels more like the beginning of winter instead of Fall. At 10:00 it is barely 70F. The first photo is the morning Blue Boat going to Cannes followed by fishing boat. Click to enlarge.

Here as you can see the beach is empty. Summer tourist have returned home. The ones that remain are mostly retirees and those that prefer the quite.

This beautiful sail boat is the Sea Cloud that anchors right off the beach. It offers cruises throughout the Med. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo with its sails deployed.

The days are getting shorter, dark at 8PM. :( It is time to think Florida. Our plan is to return mid-October.

Paula returns home

Working holiday....

Paula on the eve of her return. Jack repeatly calls for her. Experiencing a void today.

Les Gorges du Verdon

We are pleased to welcome you in the GORGES DU VERDON and invite you to discover with Paula, Marie Julianne and Mike an authentic area, mosaïc of colours, tastes and fragrances.You will appreciate beautiful and unspoiled landscapes, with many charming villages,witness of ancient times and offering a rich variety of local products and traditionnal craftwork. The grand Canon of Europe.

My visits to the area are many so I stayed with Jack.

France's 93 rd Birthday

Celebrating France's 93rd birthday chez nous. We have been best friends for almost 30 years. What a great lady. Chef Paula had a great menu: Entree Melon with Parme ham, New Orlean's LeRuth's redfish a la Termereau potatoes -shrimp croquette, pico de gallo, salad, cheese variety, Birthday cake, sorbet, bagette, champagne, white and red wine. A mere 5 hour lunch. Dena we used every dish and glass in the house.

Chaude and daughter Dominique

Franceoise and Claude from Casablanca

Lee and France

Have a great Day!