Indiana Momes with Marianna's class

A few weeks ago I volunteered to go on an all-day field trip with Marianna's class. It was quite the experience...all day immersion for me, plus a chance to peek into Marianna's school life. Not only was it exhausting language wise, but they had 5 year olds hiking all day long. I don't think that would have ever happened in the public schools in the states, but it was pretty awesome. Also the kids took part in a crazy ropes course that even I was a bit terrified of. Marianna was pretty much a rock star and did the zip line and a crazy tall ladder and everything. Although I don't agree with everything France does/believes in their school system, they do seem to expect more from the kids in all areas, which I DO think can be a good thing.

Marianna and some of her peeps. The child is a social butterfly that I never was.

This is a view of how many elementary schoolers were there that day. HUNDREDS! It was pretty much chaos at some points...trying to keep my five close enough so that they didn't get lost.

To market to market to buy a fat...

...piece of Reblechon fromage:). 

Since we started to make an effort to eat a little better and also enjoy the local products of Savoie more, I've tried to get to the market once a week. It takes more effort to do the market rather than just the supermarkets, but we feel like its usually worth it.  Today it was extra effort because of the cold rain and crazy wind, but was actually more fun than usually because there were less people there and the vendors all said something about the wind and were more willing to chat a little.  Daniel also learned about a dish in class he wanted to try (which I've actually made before, but not the authentic Savoie way) so I had instructions to buy some Reblechon cheese for a tartiflette which is potatoes, smoked bacon, cream or creme fraiche, onions and reblechon, which I found out today is REALLY STINKY cheese.  Like diaper pail or garbage can stinky I think, but I imagine it will taste good all the same.  But since I haven't done it in awhile I thought I would show you what's in season here right now and what we bought (and will eat this week). 

Eh...Voila.

Cute girl added to get the grandparents to look at the picture:).  4 kilos of apples (for $4...woot!), really expensive and really stinky cheese (check!), some nuts I have no clue what to do with (anyone...are these chestnuts or what and what do do!?), squash that isn't pumpkin, but I use for muffins and pumpkin soup and pie etc., lots of local lettuce, pears, carrots, cabbage, celery and leeks.  The leeks are because my tutor was horrified that leeks weren't a staple in our diet this time of year.  I need to figure out how to use them so the kids don't put up a fight eating them.   Minus the cheese, it was about $18 for the produce...maybe less.  None of it is "certified" organic, but I am pretty sure a lot of it is close to organic because the farmers I frequent are very old school...and well...very old:). 

Menu Plan

After our vacations, my goal is to get at least 3 posts a week up here once again!  We are just getting back into our post-vacation "normal" routine now that the laundry is finally done (for the next five minutes:) and we got to the grocery store so we can eat something beyond rice and beans:)

Monday:  Had Rice & beans with tomatoes, salsa and creme fraiche
Tuesday:  7 up Pork chops, mashed potatoes, salad
Wednesday:  Hamburger Vegetable Soup, fresh bread
Thursday:  Spinach, Cheese Rice Casserole, leftover bread
Friday:  Pizza Pockets
Saturday: Twice Baked Potatoes, Beef Patties, leftover veggies (its farmer's market day!)

What's on your menu this week?

Also, is it just me or does everyone have vacations that are more exhausting than normal life?  Maybe its just a function of have little kids.  This year we've so looked forward to our vacation times with parents but then we realized that trying to add "fun" and traveling on top of everything else we have to do each day to keep life running was just a recipe for crazy busy.  Looking forward to a time when a vacation actually feels like a...vacation:)

Avignon Part 1

Daniel took me on a beautiful surprise trip to Avignon last week while my parents watched the kiddos. Sadly it was an ill-fated trip from the beginning, by the time we arrived it was obvious that I had caught my dad's flu and spent the first 24 hours getting sick or trying to lay perfectly still as to not get sick. We managed to see a few things though in between sickness and other problems on the trip and it was beautiful. There isn't a ton to see, but the famous bridge is cool an the Palais de Papes was really beautiful and interesting as were the general streets and architecture. Here are a few of the pictures...more to come.

Menu Plan Monday

It is definitively fall around here. The crisp air, the leaves changing and school back in session. I like it but don't look forward to the looming dark, cold days of winter. Mostly the cooped up kiddos..but thankfully 2 of the 3 have something to look forward to outside of the house with their new school schedule. Hopefully the cabin fever will be at a minimum! Here's what we're eating this week: Monday: Two kinds of soup: Taco Pork and Beans with Chips or Pumpkin with Crackers...your choice. Tuesday: Quiche Wednesday: Corndog Muffins, Roasted Cauliflower Fries Thursday: Cabbage, Bacon and Potato Skillet Friday: Pizza Pockets, fresh veggies Saturday: Farmer's Market suprise (and clean out fridge before my parents come! Sunday: Daniel and M will be p/u my parents in Paris! The littles and I will be eating leftovers, fruit, veggies, popcorn, smoothies etc. Easy food while I clean the house and care for them in preparation for my parents' arrival! What's on your menu?