THE CELIAC HUSBAND

THE TEENAGER

2013-05-23T11:56:00.000-06:00

Happy birthday Isabella. 13. Where has the time gone? From May 24th, 2000 in Las Vegas to May 24th 2013 in Jarnac.

Not your average childhood to say the least, we are looking forward to make your teenage years as exciting.

Now let's cut the cake!

TIME FLIES

11 YEARS LATER

SOMETIMES SERIOUS

SOMETIMES A BRILLIANT SENSE OF HAHA

SOMETIMES STUBBORN LIKE AN ANDERBERG

ALWAYS A DAREDEVIL

AND CURIOUS

A GREAT WORLD TRAVELLER

AND MOSTLY HAPPY

AND CRAFTY

LOVES HER CHOCOLATES

FRONT ROW, BLUE DRESS

SAME BLOOD LINES

AND WITH HER OTHER SISTER

WITH HER FATHER

AND WITH HER MOTHER

I AM CANADIAN

LEFTOVERS

2013-05-17T10:49:00.000-06:00

The last chicken I bought for the weekend was a bit heavy at 1.8kg. We never eat that much, the three of us. So half the carcass went into the fridge for future meals. What I did not see happen though when I planned lunch today, was that Victoria already made a couple of sandwich' with the white meat. Healthier she says. Good for her. I prefer the dark chunks of meat anyway.

I bought some more Ile de Re Potatos (http://theceliachusband.blogspot.fr/2013/05/pomme-de-terre-primeur-de-ile-de-re.html) , roasted them up in plenty of butter and garlic, added all the leftover meats, some Cilantro, salt, pepper and that's it. 15 minutes from start to finish. Le tasty lunch.

This may sound like a broken record, however I cannot say it often enough. Back in North America, we threw away too much food. Here, where you pay a pretty dollar for some choice meats, one learns quickly to pay more attention to waste.

Believe it or not, Victoria froze the Carcass (sans dark meat) and when she has three of them, she will make a huge pot of chicken stock.

Besides not wasting money, it makes you feel good for valuing food more.

WHITE MEAT IS FOR GIRLIE MEN

PLENTY OF DARK MEAT FOR ME

EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER WITH BUTTER (AND GARLIC)

SOAKING UP THE BUTTER

ADD THE LEFTOVER MEAT

PLENTY FOR TWO PEOPLE

IF IT IS NOT BROKEN.....

2013-05-16T23:50:00.002-06:00

........no need to fix it. I wrote about Le Sarment Brulant before (twice actually, http://theceliachusband.blogspot.fr/2012/07/gluten-free-cognac-our-favorite.html), once more this time.

Still the same care for gluten free options, still the great wood fired grill which gives the meat a very good smoky flavor and still one of the best chocolate mousse' around.

So if you are eating gluten free, this is a safe bet in Cognac. My Pizza may have been not as good as the last few times, but I hope it was an off day. The cheese was not melted completely and the crust lost some of it's luster. But then, you Celiacs would not order it anyway....

THE WOOD FIRED GRILL

VERY GOOD LENTIL SOUP

VICTORIA'S MEAL, EXACTLY AS ORDERED (ALL SAUCES ON SIDE, NO ONIONS, NO GLUTEN)

FROMAGE BLANC AVEC DU MIEL

THE VERY GOOD CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

LE CHEESE

2013-05-14T22:00:00.000-06:00

I think that's my first post about cheese. Might as well, since we are in France. And if our host country is known for something aside of great designer fashion, it's cheese. Lots of it. I think any animal that produces consumable milk, some french artisan will make cheese with it. And that's a good thing.

It has been said that France has more cheese varieties than days in a year (Charles de Gaulle, The prez) and I believe it.

Since I am the only true cheese eater in our family, we don't have cheese trays or such big splashes, but once in a while I do buy a small piece of something that I want to try.

And today I bought some blue cheese. Not a Roquefort or Bleu d'Avergne, the two most known fromages bleu in France, I bought a Bleu de Laqueuille. No worries, you are not the only one who has no idea where that is. I had to Google it as well. Here is the official description from a cheese blog:

Bleu de Laqueuille is produced in the mountainous Auvergne region of France during the summer and autumn months from the milk of Salers cows. This robust blue, reminiscent of Bleu d'Auvergne, is a bit salty and full-bodied with a creamy blue paste. It pairs well with many robust reds and with most dessert wines.

Since it was barely lunch time, I did not pair it with any wine, just some cherry tomatos and Victoria's gluten free bread. Have you ever walked into an old, dusty room where you have difficulty breathing? That is my first impression of eating this fairly sharp blue cheese. Glorious.

It sticks with you for a while, that's for sure.

Strange really, that not many people in America like blue cheese, but they all order blue cheese dressing with their salads. And that's what happens when you bastardize a food group. The consumer gets dulled down to a vanilla everything attitude. No sharp edges please. Those crumbles in your salad have not much similar with real, artisan cheese from France.

There's lots of information, better than mine out there, here are a few sites:

http://chezlouloufrance.blogspot.fr/2007/08/la-fte-du-fromage_21.html

http://www.artisanalcheese.com/

YOU WILL FIND ONE YOU LIKE

BLEU LAQUUILLE

IT'S STRONG

BUT VERY GOOD

POMME DE TERRE PRIMEUR DE ILE DE RE

2013-05-14T04:58:00.000-06:00

Another great thing about France is that regionality to a degree still trumps mass production. Don't get me wrong, I know there are industrial cheeses, meats and wines available at Carrefour nationwide, but in the small towns around this country you have an easier time to find something authentic regional. Cheese and wine being a given, but there are lots of other items unique to their areas which carry an A.O.C. lable for being from one specific region And one of them being potatos from the Ile de Re.

We went to that island last year, but not during the season when you see them being sold. A new Epicerie in town here had some this morning, so I finally bought a few. And now that we tried them, I am going back for more. Unbelievable that such a common product can have such a different flavor from any I had before.
To be honest, I was not sure what to expect, saltiness from the climate and soil? They apparently use seaweed as fertilizer, maybe that? Not so. Not sure which variety I bought, but they had an incredibly sweet flavor to them. Hard to compare, but really really good.
All I did was simmer them until soft to the core, cut them up and added some raw milk butter and salt.
When a product is that good, no need to mask it with anything.

Not sure how widely they are available, but if you see them at a store near you, buy some. They are worth the money.

YOU PAY FOR QUALITY

SIMMER, DON'T BOIL THEM TO MUSH

HAD A SMALL CHUNK OF RAW BUTTER FROM AUSTRIA IN THE FREEZER

SPRINKLE SOME SALT, NOTHING ELSE

SAUCE HOLLANDAISE - MADE FROM SCRATCH

2013-05-13T09:25:00.002-06:00

Do you know why Eggs Benedict are usually the most expensive item on a breakfast menu? $15.00 for a pair of poached eggs on a soggy bun with some egg flavoured gravy? Canadian bacon is not that expensive. Or that razor thin slice of salmon some smart chef came up with, for an even greater profit margin.

I believe it's because Restaurants & the Chefs know that nobody wants to make their own Hollandaise sauce at home, especially not at 8 am on a Sunday. So they buy it pre made from Sysco, heat it up and ding you for it anyway. "Yumm, those Eggs Benedict at the Banff Springs were sooo good!" (Most overheard comment on the way back to Calgary)

EASY to make. Just like mayo.

Since my images are usually not the best instructions and I don't want to type out a recipe for this simply Simon sauce, here is a 2 minute video which demonstrates that my theory is not that outlandish......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGw_gs8UaeI

SALT, PEPPER, EGG YOLKS, BUTTER, WINE AND SOME LEMON JUICE

BEAT YOLKS OVER STEAM UNTIL CREAMY, FLUFFY(?)

MELT BUTTER (CLAIRFY IF YOU HAVE THE PATIENCE)

ADD SALT, PEPPER, DASH OF DRY WINE

SOME LEMON JUICE FOR MORE FLAVOR

BEAT IN THE BUTTER UNTIL YOU GET GOOD CONSISTENCY

NOT MY BEST EFFORT......

ASPARAGUS WITH SAUCE HOLLANDAISE

2013-05-12T05:11:00.000-06:00

It's asparagus season. No matter where you go, super market fresh market, even LIDL, you are bound to see specials advertised.
When we when for a walk this Sunday morning, we saw a van with signs just across the bridge, bringing in asparagus from the closest growing region, Blayais. About 100 km (62 miles) from Jarnac, the farmland is located along the Gironde, northwestish of Bordeaux.

I don't know much about the differences in quality, but seeing that there were a few locals lined up,
we bought some. The vendor told me to take the thicker ones, as they are easier to peel, but personally I prefer the thin stalks over the bulkier ones. "You have a lot to peel now", he told me. Thanks. I like you too.
It's not really that much work, but apparently I did not enjoy it, as Isabella drew a stick figure on her water bottle that depicted me while peeling.....hmmmm, where does she get that from?

I also made Hollandaise from scratch, a sauce to prepare similar to Mayo, just with butter and warm. The classic condiment to go along with the Asparagus. It's available in supermarkets prepackaged, but I have never found one that I liked, nor gluten free. And really, short of cleaning up the pots, not difficult to make. And you know what's in it. Cook more at home and buy less pre made stuff. It's really better for you. Just train your kids to do the dishes......

BUY IT DIRECT FROM THE FARMER

DIFFERENT QUALITY AND PRICES

I ALWAYS CUT OFF THE ENDS A BIT

AND I PEEL THEM

APPARENTLY I DID NOT LOOK EXCITED ABOUT IT, SAYS ISABELLA

MAKING THE SAUCE

SIMMER THEM FOR A BIT UNTIL MEDIUM SOFT

THE SAUCE SHOULD BE THICKER (WITH SOME PATIENCE)

JARNAC RESTAURANT NEWS

2013-05-10T07:27:00.000-06:00

Lots going on in our town. Just in time for tourist season, three new(ish) places are about to open up. No high hopes for visiting Celiacs, your safest bet remains our kitchen. Unless you love your daily dose of greens ...

For the rest of us, I am glad to report one of the three excites me after having seen a wood fired Pizza oven being installed. Lots of potential with that equipment, but judging by the size of the space, I am somewhat concerned that it will be more of a take out joint than a sit down. They are carving it out of the existing Maxime's Restaurant (100% no relation with the Paris Maxim), which already is a smallish place . Well if the Pizza is any good, add it to Croissants I will have to eat while walking the streets of Jarnac.

Just around the corner from our house in the Zone Pietonne, a Kebap shop is opening up next week. And you know a town in Europe has arrived when it gets a proper Kebap shop.....

Not generally known for their cozy atmosphere, it's good to see that this place keeps the trend going with it's pale yellow paint scheme, neon lighting and industrial comfort furniture. Think waiting room at a Polish train station.

But I do love a good Kebap once in a while and it is perfect take out food.....

And across the bridge, a place that recently got closed down by the tax authorities (much better news than having been shut down by the health inspector) has opened up with new owners. "The Charentais Corner" is offering Pizza, Pasta, Fish, Meat and Salads.

We had a great salad there before the shutdown, while the Pizza was not a stand out. For sure we will try it out soon and tell you what we think of it.

FORMER BUTCHER SHOP

LOVE THE LIGHTING

RIGHT NEXT TO COURVOISIER

WOOD FIRED PIZZA OVEN

LE COIN CHARENTAIS

LA CARTE

L.A. TIMES FINDS GLUTEN FREE BREAD THAT TASTES AS GOOD AS REGULAR

2013-05-07T00:23:00.001-06:00

Beau Monde Bakery had a booth at the Gluten Free expo in Pasadena last weekend to get some extra exposure to the important Southern California market. After all, that crowd makes up a large part of the drive in traffic to Las Vegas week after week.

There were over 100 exhibitors at that expo, from cookbooks to cake mixes, cookies, gluten free beer and of course breads.
The LA Times published an article about it all in their living section yesterday. With a picture of Beau Monde's bread! How cool is that. You can read the article here:

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/dailydish/la-dd-gluten-free-beer-bread-cookies-snacks-20130505,0,973281.story

Not only the was the journalist impressed to single out Beau Monde's bread, even a reader in the comment section mentioned Beau Monde as well. And that guy is not even Celiac, he just eats as his wife does. And that guy is not even Celiac, he just eats as his Celiac wife does.

"......Most gluten free breads are a poor imitation, because they don't rise due to the lack of gluten. Beau Monde has done something right and their bread is great - no "for a gluten free bread" asterisk needed"

Victoria is extremely happy about the recognition her licensee received. From a national paper no less.
Chapeau Dr. Zimmerman and Beau Monde team.

Please visit http://www.gfpatisserie.com/ to find all locations where you find that outstanding bread.

THE EXPO TEAM

BEAU MONDE'S GLUTEN FREE ITALIAN FLAT BREAD

AND LET'S NOT FORGET THEIR CUPCAKES

THE MASTERMIND BEHIND THE RECIPES

ANGOULEME

2013-05-04T07:43:00.000-06:00

The capital city of our region, Charente. Located about 20 minutes east of Jarnac, it's the city we go to for more action and shopping for things we don't have in Jarnac. With a population of over 100000 in the greater area, you are bound to find more stores and places with less common products. When you come and visit us from from Paris, you'd take the TGV to Angouleme, a mere 2 1/2 hours from the capital.

While gritty looking on the outset with a suburban area that is not so well kept up, once you do get up the ramparts into the plateaued inner city, it's a fantastic place to be. A 360 degree view as you walk around the city, wide into the country side, great architecture, a large pedestrian zoned area with lots of great Cafes and restaurants, quiet squares with churches, it's all there.
And more. Their Market hall is much larger than all others in the area and what I like most about that market, it has two sit down places where you are able to enjoy freshly prepared food or just a glass of wine.
I mean it's not Carcassonne, but Angouleme has it's own character from a rich industrial history. Most famous for it's past paper and pulp industry (it's still there, but not as prominent nowadays), today people in France recognize Angouleme for the annual Comic festival and a vintage car race held on the roads of the city. This race is very popular with car enthusiasts, since you are able to be so close to the action. This fall we plan to go as well, after having missed it last year.
With the influence of comic strip artists you do find some great sculptures and even the Graffiti is edgier than in other places we have been to. A university with it's student population makes it a great place for live music, not that we have been to any concerts yet, but I read about them in the daily papers.

The town even has an airport, which currently is without regular service, but a Canadian company has bought it and has plans to revive regular air traffic to Great Britain and other countries. When? No idea.
For sure if you are in the Charente and tired of lazing around the pool, Angouleme is worth the trip.

ANGOULEME

DRIVING UP THE HILL

LOOKING TOWARDS JARNAC

LOOKING SOUTH

A GREAT MARKET

CAFE INSIDE THE MARKET

FROM THE DORDOGNE (I HOPE)

PATIOS EVERYWHERE

DECENT INDIAN FOOD TO BE FOUND IN ANGOULEME

ALMOST LUNCH TIME

SIDEWALK SALE

OUR FAVORITE STORE

THE COURT HOUSE. OF COURSE WITH A PATIO CAFE....

CITY HALL

THE RACE ALONG THE REMPARTS OF ANGOULEME

SUBTLE. NOT SO SHRILL AS IN AMERICA

EVEN IN COLOR IT'S LESS LOUD

WHERE I GET THE BEST (REGULAR) PIZZA IN THE WHOLE CHARENTE

DAILY BREAD

2013-05-02T01:40:00.001-06:00

The French have a serious relationship with bread. Many Blogs about France detail the facts about breads and pastries, so there is not much new I can add really. You read it all before.

It is a highly regulated industry here, you can't just snow in from America or elsewhere, move to a small village and open a bakery or a fancy cupcake shoppe. Just because you are willing to work hard and have some talent. Nope. You first need a degree, then you can apply at the local chamber and then maybe, if there are not already enough existing places, you can open a bakery. There are some 32000 bakers in France that need protection from untalented foreigners.

What if it is just about gluten free baking? Ah. Forget it. Same restrictions. A local baker could do that, they don't need you. But why doesn't any of them do it? Offer some gluten free, freshly baked breads? A shrug from the fonctionnaire is all you will get. Move on, he has more paper to push. Stop asking questions. Why would anyone come to France and eat gluten free bread.
Visiting a government official's office in France is very similar to a comedic stage play set in the 1800's. Crappy set decor, mediocre actors, horrible dialogue but highly amusing. All paid for by your taxes.

Since our household is free of gluten, I am relegated to eat my daily Croissants along the streets of Jarnac, after I dropped Isabella off at school. Which I don't mind. Even if the locals wonder who that homeless guy is, crumbing around town.
There are three bakeries, one bread depot (from an out of towner) and three super markets I can choose from. And all are within eating two Croissants of our house. That's how close they are. I have my favorites, both bakeries and types of treats. But I rotate. Change it up a little.
Both, places and what I eat.
Today it was a Croissant and a Pain aux Raisins from a Boulangerie closer to school than the house. Tomorrow maybe two Croissants from the bread depot and Saturday I'll buy a Chausson au Pommes (Apple danish) from the fancy bakery in town. I have not yet tried anything from the Supermarkets, but to give you an idea, LIDL (No Frills) sells their Croissants for .35, can you imagine what is in those pastries?

The good thing is, there is always a bakery that's open in your village. They collude on holiday dates and when they take their weekly day of rest. Maybe they discuss prices as well, but I buy plain Croissants ranging from .60 to .90 cents and yes, there is a difference. Very similar to talented Chefs, each baker has his own handwriting and you can taste that. Not to mention butter versus margarine, industrial bake mixes versus organic flour, etc., etc.

PICK OF THE DAY

ONE OF MY FAVORITES

BACKSTUBE

CA, C'EST PAS LA FRANCE

POULET ROTI

2013-04-28T09:40:00.000-06:00

Roast chicken. Maybe one of the more traditional dinners around the world. No matter where you go around the planet, you are bound to find a Rotisserie selling chicken. Can't think of any country or religion that has an issue with chicken. (Veganism, though a belief, is not a religion. I googled it.)

But when was it the last time you made it yourself? From scratch? I can say that unlike here in France where we make it very often, during the years in Vegas and Calgary we made chicken almost never at home.

Costco, Sobey's, Boston Market and many more vendors made it too easy really. And sadly, too cheap.
I have to stay on track here, otherwise I am going of on a tangent about true value of food. And I am not good at complaining, or sincere, since I really miss Costco. (not so much for the chicken though)

Anyway. The chicken we ate today came from the butcher around the corner, where I buy a lot of our meats now. By North American standards, this bird was very expensive. Not a 5.99 special, let me tell you. But when was it the last time you ate a chicken to the bone, gnawed around all sorts of weird pieces and enjoyed doing that? Not because it's expensive and you want to get your money's worth, but because it actually tasted really good, not just salty and there are no weird looking "extra bits" hanging around? You know, that yellowish gelatin kind of textured end at the bone?

Needless to say and almost like a stew, roast chicken is a very easy and forgiving meal to make. Whatever you feel like flavoring the bird with, just stuff it up it's rear end. Lemon pepper? If it fits. Garlic paprika? Why not all of them and make it a bunch of flavors that during the hour and some of roasting will make your home made chicken dinner much better than any store bought ever can taste.
If you miss the salty brine they use at Costco, no worries. Just dip in salt while you eat it. With a side of Lipitor maybe.

And the rest of the meat if you are a smaller house hold? Perfect, just perfect for chicken fried rice.

PERFECT WITH A LITTLE SALAD ON THE SIDE

BUTCHER RECOMMENDED

NUMBERED? WHAT ? WHY?

DOES NOT NEED MUCH FOR FLAVOR

READY TO ROAST

THIS BIRD TOOK 75MINUTES @ 175C

WHERE THE FLAVOR COMES FROM

FEEDS THREE, TWO MEALS

CAMPING ON WATER

2013-04-25T03:27:00.000-06:00

Or as it' known more common, House boating. Camping has never been a favorite activity of mine, but there are tons of fans out there and this seems to be a great alternative version for a tent on a campground. A decent equipped boat. Some people call them yachts, ehm well, how to say this? They are not. At all. Too much plastic and polyester......

In the early summer month when we walk to school along the river and after the maintenance crews finished cleaning and inspecting the fleet of a local boating company, Isabella and I always get to look at families on their boats, enjoying leisure times on the river.
There is something serene about that scene, they are discussing the day's activities, while enjoying breakfast on deck watching the town wake up. Families look relaxed, they all greet us walking by, their happiness about it all clearly visible. They are on holidays.

That look of content sometimes does turn into worry and concern, especially for first timers when they enter a lock to go up or down stream. Not that hard at all, most locks here along the Charente are operated manually and you are given excellent instructions, but a fun spectacle to watch nevertheless. Usually the head of the family takes control of the boat, while his family is being instructed where to tie up and hold the buoys. And if only one kid or spouse does not perform to the Captain's orders, especially in front of a bunch of know it all locals, it can quickly become entertaining.
There are about 24 locks between Jarnac and Rochefort and after the first or second trial, the families usually become very good at it.

PART OF THE FLEET

PRACTICAL INTERIORS

THE VIEW WHEN YOU FLOAT

FOR SALE

SOMEONE LIVES ON HER

NICE AND EASY SPEED

THINGS TO DO IN JARNAC

L'ECLUSE DE JARNAC

MANUAL OPERATION

A COUPLE OF METERS ELEVATION DIFFERENCE

SIGHTS ALONG THE RIVER CHARENTE ARE VARIED

JARNAC IN THE SPRING

2013-04-22T23:04:00.000-06:00

On my first walk around town (sans mon chien) since coming back from Austria, I could not help but being amazed in the change of colors around Jarnac. How quick the seasons turn.

Only ten days ago all I saw was some trees budding, but now all are in full bloom. The Mairie has planted all public spaces with spring flowers and we are back with gorgeous impressions. Even people seem to have a better disposition than a few weeks ago.

There are some major construction sites going up, another clear indicator spring has arrived. The old tourist office at Place du Chateau has been demolished and is being replaced with green space (I hope).

The town also finally started to renovate the market building, a ten month process (make that 14, this is France). They are making it bigger by a third almost. In the meantime the current vendors moved into temporary digs down by the river. There is talk about a major roundabout in town and a large canalization repair job is under way as well. Gotta love public funding.......

The shoe repair store has closed and moved to Angouleme, a new Epicerie has opened next door, no doubt taking advantage of low low rents in town.

It seems that a lot of houses are being renovated and improved by their owners, I saw a lot of "For Sale" signs on my walk, but even more important, quite a few "Sold" signs around Jarnac today. The buzz is definitely on, you can feel it. Tourism season is starting soon, there was a large cleaning crew down by the boat rental company, bringing all the equipment back to it's summer glory. Spring in France. The best times.

Hope to see you soon.

COLORS, SO MUCH MORE VIBRANT WITH THE SUN

OUR FAVORITE HAZELNUT BUSH

THE WHOLE TOWN IS CHANGING COLORS

FLOWERS EVERYWHERE

BEAUTYFICATION

LOTS OF SOLD SIGNS

SOME SHOPS CLOSED

SOME SHOPS OPENED

THE MARKET HALL IS BEING RENOVATED

FRANCE FAILS

2013-04-21T04:10:00.004-06:00

While most Blogs about France (including this one) will tell you all the great stories about life in France, you won't read much about issues that can get to you in a big way when one decides to live in this great country. Sure, you've seen the odd story about french bureaucracy proceeding at snail's pace, or other fun stuff about incompetent plumbers that one can laugh about when it's fixed.

But how about things that really are different here in a not so great way? Since I just came back from a 3k road trip through France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany, I am going to say something about one of my biggest disappointments about being in France. Speed traps. No, I did not get any tickets this time around, I paid my dues last year. I learnt quick.

But on this trip I contemplated about the french government's line of installing more and more radar traps in the name of road safety. Bullshit. Only lemmings (there are a few....) would believe that road safety is improved by installing a forest of radar camera and hiring more cops to patrol the highways in unmarked vehicles for speeders.

If you read that France is generating 700 million Euros of revenue (a cool billion in USD) through speed fines alone, you gotta realize it's all about money. Much need money for Francois III.
Were the french government to say, "Yes, it's all about revenue to support our unsustainable socialist ways, we need every cent we can get from entry level criminals who go 5km/h over the speed limit so we can keep paying lazy people who don't want to work", I would be OK with the concept. But feed the general population a line on safety? Yes, lemmings. I am no lead foot but like to move it, especially when driving on wide open roads with almost no traffic.
Driving 90km/h on a deserted road at midnight does NOT make me concentrate more, it puts me to sleep. Zipping down the Autobahn at 150 and being passed by faster cars makes me pay attention.
Germany, a comparable country in size and population here in Europe with a much more liberal speed policy on it's roads has less traffic fatalities than France.
Safety? That argument is out the window right there. Unless of course french drivers suck, or their french made vehicles are sub par to those the Germans produce. Mind you, a recent law here in France mandates that you carry an alcohol test kit in your car. Could it be that french drivers drink and drive more than their neighbors? No speed limits will make driving safer then either.

Anyway. Here is a funny video:

http://youtu.be/uvYxXBMqEOM

GLUTEN FREE ESTERHAZY SLICE

2013-04-19T06:10:00.002-06:00

Maybe one of my favorite cakes. Besides poppy seed cake, Sacher Torte and many others. But ever since childhood I do remember this hazelnut flavoured butter cream cake with the funky design glazed top.
Named after a Hungarian blue blood diplomat from the Esterhazy clan, this cake can be found everywhere in Austria.
Even in Calgary I was able to find it at Gunther's bakery. Just not gluten free. Imagine how surprised I was when I bought some sweet treats for a friend of mine in Vienna and saw it right there in the display case, Gluten free Esterhazy slice.

I bought a slice for Victoria to taste and not only did she approve but I myself have to say the difference was non existent. Makes sense as the amount of flour used is minimal and can easily be replaced with more ground hazelnuts.

The pastry shop is called Kurkonditorei Oberlaa and they have multiple locations around Vienna. When I tried to google the place, I found this Blog post from a Celiac who travelled to Vienna as well a couple of years ago and was equally impressed:

http://www.glutenfreeways.com/2011/09/oberlaa.html

So, if you visit Vienna and crave some great gluten free cakes, here is the shop's website:

http://www.oberlaa-wien.at/patisserie.html

And if you speak Hungarian, here is a video how to make that cake. If you don't speak that language, visit Margaret at Kingsland's Primal Soup Company. She might be able to help.......

BEST WITH COFFEE

Image courtesy of http://chefthomas.org/about/

VIENNA 101

2013-04-16T13:17:00.000-06:00

We went to Vienna today for a meeting, a short trip but still enough time for a quick family tour into the center of Austria's capital. We took the very efficient subway from the outskirts to Stephansplatz and I did my usual touristy walk along the Dorotheergasse to the Reitschule on to the Kohlmarkt to the Graben and back down past the cathedral to Schwedenplatz before heading back out of the city and go to the meeting in the 22nd district, Donaustadt.

While Isabella did enjoy some of the sights such as the show kitchen at Demel's pastry shop and the horse drawn carriages, she was more concerned that I would be able to locate her favorite clothing store.....she may be taking after other family members in that regard. So the ladies went shopping, while I did some premium people watching in the very busy pedestrian zone.

Vienna has always been a melting pot throughout history, but it is amazing how many different and to my ear, new languages I heard today. Exciting times in Vienna, that's for sure.

We barely had enough time to walk longer than a couple of hours, so if my images seem rushed, well they were. Let me point you to a blog about all things Vienna for pictures that do better justice to the beauty of this city:

http://www.viennaforbeginners.com/

YES, IT STILL HAPPENS

TOURIST TRAP ALERT....NOT THAT SPECIAL

AM GRABEN

FAMOUS

TAKE A RIDE

SHE FED THEM CARROTS. HAPPY HORSES

A GREAT INSTITUTION

ANTIQUE POCKET WATCHES

VINTAGE BLING

SHOW KITCHEN AT THE DEMEL PASTRY SHOP

THE SHOP

JOSEPH BROT DISPLAY (NOT GF)

AT MEINL DELIKATESSEN

MUST BE GOOD ICE CREAM. 40 PEOPLE LINED UP

LUCKY ISABELLA WENT SHOPPING FOR NEW CLOTHES

@ 49

2013-04-15T03:08:00.000-06:00

I turned 49 today. 365 days prior to the half century mark. Not a really important birthday, just one of forty nine.
No complaints. Happy & healthy. No regrets either, short of not having learnt an instrument when I could have. Yes I know, it is never too late to learn, I am just not a late learner.
Having chosen a Nomadic type of life early on, gave me the opportunity to see the world at an age when most others start families or an all important career path. It was a choice, not more. Not better or worse. Just what I felt was right for me. I always wanted to get out into the world and that's what I did. It may be a medical condition, a rare one, called "Nomad virus".

Since we are on the road right now (See? It must be a virus....), there is no birthday cake, just lots of kisses from my family. Yesterday though, I did have a bit of an excess with chocolate (we are in Austria after all) and I am a bit queasy today, which believe me, feels much better than a hangover from too much booze.

So. Onwards and upwards I go, now with family in tow. (Hey, that rhymes...) I doubt we will stop exploring, so there will be plenty to tell about for the future.

TRAXLMAYR

2013-04-14T05:55:00.003-06:00

No visit back to Austria is complete without a small trip down memory lane. This time around I took Victoria to a coffee shop in Linz that has been around since 1872 and where I spent oodles of hours some 30 years ago.

Not much has changed since, still the same good service, largest selection of newspapers and magazines in town and a front row seat for excellent people watching.

Coffee culture in Austria is slightly different from your average Starbucks experience where 90% of the business is takeout.

Here you sit, meet and talk, or read newspapers for hours and nobody will ask you too harshly to consume more or vacate your table. A novel concept for North America, where turnover is everything, but it does work apparently, how else could they have stayed in business longer than 140 years.....in the same family no less.

During the times when I worked in that city, Cafe Traxlmayr was the place to meet. The now dedicated smoking section used to be a chess playing area where at all times of day you would be able to engage or watch a game. If you wanted to be reachable pre cell phone era, you'd just leave the Cafe's phone number at your office or home and the staff would page you in case someone called for you. I think a lot of people just had themselves called to show off that they can hang out at a coffee shop all day.

Linz is not the most touristy town, but if you find yourself on the road through Austria, it's worth a stop and then of course a coffee here is great idea.

The place as quite busy Saturday afternoon and I did not want to take too many shots, so here is a link to their website.

http://www.cafe-traxlmayr.at/index.php?article_id=5

OUR FAVORITE CAFE IN LINZ

PACKED TERRACE

PLENTY OF NEWSPAPERS TO READ

ALL DRINKS SERVED ON SMALL TRAYS

YOU CAN SIT THERE FOR HOURS

VICTORIA'S SNACK. HAM & EGGS

THE ORIGINAL PHONE BOOTH

GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART

2013-04-07T13:33:00.000-06:00

My heart broke Friday morning. Our sweet Emily didn’t make it home from the vet, after a rapid decline in her health over the past week.

This past week was tough on the family. The Celiac Husband is still in a bit of a funk, so I was commissioned to write on his behalf. You’ll have to forgive me, as I haven’t written as a guest here or on my own blog in a while. Life gets in the way of keeping up with these things.

A lot of you will remember Emily from posts of days past. She was always by our side in our adventures, from the early days in Las Vegas to the harsh Calgary winters, and finally on my parent’s journey to France.

Nine years ago we picked her out of a litter from an ad mum responded to in the paper. She was the cutest Chihuahua we’d ever seen, a little ball of fur no bigger than a Converse shoe. I still remember taking her into the pet store on the way home. I chose her name myself.

The first few nights were the hardest, she howled and cried at being separated from her brothers and sisters. She was smart and easy to train, with enough patience to balance a treat on her nose. Her loyalty was to her family until the very end.

Car rides? You would always find her sitting on the Celiac Husband’s lap. Naptime? She would come snuggle in the crook of your knee. Her favourite blanket? Mum’s custom-made cashmere one of course. The house is surely a lot quieter now that she is gone.

After a few days to grieve, today we look to remember that she had a very good life, and that in return she gave us something to look forward to every time we came home. You are forever in our hearts. Goodnight sweetheart.

SENDEPAUSE

2013-02-04T23:15:00.002-07:00

Back soon........

VICTORIA'S GLUTEN FREE KITCHEN

2013-01-28T02:16:00.000-07:00

In April 2012, a month after we purchased our current home, I received below message from Wendy G. Kaho, a fellow gluten free Blogger:

Hi. I've been enjoying your FB photos and Blog posts since I found your Blog. Would you be interested in joining me with a guest post for my "In my Gluten Free kitchen" series? here is a link......

My reply was that we would love to send some images, but later in the year, as we are undergoing the renovations first.

To which Wendy replies:

That will work for me, I have plenty of kitchen posts scheduled through the year, but would like yours to be a surprise, drop in post, when you are ready to go.

So when the time finally came to send the images and post, Wendy G. Kaho has disappeared. And with her the Blog, email account, Twitter feed and all other forms of communication. No trace of Wendy, a curious thing. We are talking six month from starting to communicate, not six years. What could have happened?
Though I blog(ged) mostly about gluten free cooking, I am not really plugged in with other GF Bloggers, so I had no idea or feedback what happened.

I finally contacted a few other people who's kitchens were featured on Wendy's blog already, but no one knew anything about her mysterious Houdini act either.

Almost a year later I finally am putting the pictures on my Blog, since I am about to start the promotion for the rental here in France. It's a fantastic holiday pad for two, with the option to enjoy 100%gluten free meals with us. More on that later.

Enjoy the pictures.

And before I forget, some recent online searching indicates that Wendy is safe and sound in the Federal Witness protection program and living with a new identity in the Dakotas. Nobody I asked would confirm or deny this story.

I am not sure what the exact story is, but it sure sounds exciting. So Wendy (or whatever your new name is), if you read this post, enjoy it.

The renovations of our kitchen was the highlight of our french adventure so far. Victoria had a clear picture of what the kitchen should become and I'd say she achieved it.

First off, unlike back in Canada or in Vegas, this is the first time since living together (15 years), that I committed to keeping the kitchen gluten free. Prior to this house, I always had the liberty to bring home my favorite cakes and breads for myself.

To keep a promise for future Celiac guests, I have refrained from bringing home any of the great french breakfast pastries or Baguettes. This will ensure that if guests decide to eat with us, they can do so without fear of being glutened. There is not a single chance of cross contamination at all.

Even more important, Victoria is using the kitchen for testing new recipes and developments for GF PATISSERIE as well. Not a week goes by without the smells of something delicious, a new cake or improved version of something.

Since completion of the kitchen, it has become the favorite room of the house for us to hang out in and meet with friends and visitors. So if you want to enjoy a visit here in the south west of France with the best gluten free baking and cooking, please bookmark this website for future updates:

http://www.citygites.com/

THERE WAS A TOILET IN THE KITCHEN......

THE OLD SINK

TAKING DOWN THE HEATER

HUGE HOLE IN THE WALL

TOILET GONE

FRAMING IN THE NON FUNCTIONING FIREPLACE

THE FRIDGE

WITH ICEMAKER

VICTORIA STENCILING THE FLOOR

DOESN'T THAT LOOK GREAT?

WE NEEDED HELP WITH THIS PANTRY!

THE VINTAGE BAR STOOLS

ISLAND INSTALLED!

THE ISLAND IS NOW OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SIT & TALK

INSTALLING THE HOOD FAN

THE STOVE

ESPRESSO CORNER

THE CHANDELIERS

NO GLUTEN ANYWHERE

TOOLS, PLENTY OF KNIVES

WHERE THE DISHES GO

VICTORIA COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT THIS ONE

OUR VINTAGE WASTE BINS

MY FAVORITE COOK BOOK

IF IT'S NOT AVAILABLE IN FRANCE, VICTORIA WILL ORDER IT

THE BEST GLUTEN FREE FLOUR MIX

VICTORIA EVEN MAKES HER OWN VANILLA

THE BEST GLUTEN FREE BREAD

GLUTEN FREE FRENCH TOAST

THE BEST GLUTEN FREE PIZZA

ALWAYS FRESH HERBS AND FRUITS IN THE KITCHEN

GLUTEN FREE BAKING!

HOME MADE MANGO CHUTNEY

A GLUTEN FREE SANDWICH

GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE GUGELHUPF

GLUTEN FREE SWEETBREAD ON RISOTTO

GLUTEN FREE SOUP WITH POTATOES AND BACON

THEY ARE FANTASTIC

GLUTEN FREE WIENER SCHNITZEL

GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

GLUTEN FREE UPSIDE DOWN APPLE CAKE

VEAL KIDNEYS FOR THE ADVENTUROUS EATERS

SMOOTHIES TOO

AU REVOIR, PAPA

2013-01-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Today, January 24th 2013 I said good bye to my father. He passed away 4 days ago peacefully and in dignity, surrounded by family at his home that he very proudly built 38 years ago. My father was 84 years old.
Today's funeral was the big bang he deserved to leave us with. Blue skies, lots of family, friends and neighbors attended. The wreaths took my breath away compared to the ones I remember as an altar boy in the same village decades ago. A rainbow of colors, no black anywhere in sight, all arranged by a local floral designer, who did an amazing job. The church service was packed with people who came to join us in saying good bye.
Mass was beautiful. The priest held a very personal sermon, including anecdotes and stories about my father's life. Though I do not consign to any particular faith, his recounting about the circle of life was incredibly passionate and it rang home. "Our death on earth is our birthday in heaven." Almost makes me want to be catholic.

Even way back as an altar boy, the best part about a village funeral was the "Zehrung" after mass, a meal for all those who participated. My mother stepped it up big time I say, because they served a three course meal including soup, Wiener Schnitzel, my father's favorite and Sacher torte with coffee. Not the meager Wieners of yesteryear......

My father ran the local village general store for the first 10 years we lived in Hinterstoder, before he embarked on broader things across Austria. Upon retirement he started to work in his daughter's Tabak Trafik pretty much every day until about five years ago. For fun and to stay in touch with the people (and I am sure to get out of the house....), but then my sister and mother did recognize the onset of Alzheimer's and thought it would be better for him stay home more.

When I thought today what single word fits my father best, the first image that popped up was Provider. My father, who came from extreme humble beginnings himself, did whatever it took to make sure his family had a better life than he did growing up between the wars and throughout that dark time of World War II.
The second image that came up was his sense of humor, all the way to the end. Never wavered that laughter and joking does good. That, besides his talent for closing a sale, is the best trait I inherited from my father.
He loved the the mountains and gardening, two traits I did NOT inherit.....
A great family man, who always always put us before everything else. As hard as I was thinking, I could not remember one person who did not like my father.

Happy trails Papa.

HUSBAND, PAPA, OPA, BROTHER

OUR VILLAGE CHURCH

EDELWEISS HE PICKED IN 1949

IN HIS MOUNTAINS

HE LOVED SKIING

1964

GORGEOUS FLOWERS

MAMA'S WREATH

OURS

GATHERING BEFORE THE FUNERAL

A LAST WALK THROUGH THE VILLAGE

THE LIGHT IN CHURCH WAS JUST AMAZING

HE COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR BETTER WEATHER

THE LAST GOOD BYE

A MEAL FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

MY FATHER'S FAVORITE (AND MINE....)

SHOE REPAIR

2013-01-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Victoria is going on a road trip. Tomorrow. And a fairly typical gender issue, last minute matters with clothing or shoes arise.....in this case the heels of some favorite pair of boots needed repairing. Would I know if there is a shoe repair place in town?

Victoria needs to get out more. One street over, downtown Jarnac on the way from one of my Croissant suppliers to the butcher I go to, right there. Cordonnerie. The place that sells those funky slippers. Can't remember?

Could I please take them there, she is busy packing??? Packing takes ME all of five minutes. How busy can you be? Anyway.

So off I trot, glad to at least get the chance for a second Croissant this morning. Even if the shop could not fix the heels before departure, half a mission accomplished, for me anyway.

The lady who runs the repair shop took a quick look at the heels, understood that the boots are NOT mine ( a major concern I had going into this chore, I mean, already she sees me walking in with a Chihuahua on my arm....) and there is an urgency to the job. No problem, please come back at five. Ah, the pleasures of small town living.

And they were done perfectly. In time for the road trip.

SHOE REPAIR IN JARNAC

PLENTY OF WORK

FIXED!

JARNAC, THE ENCORE

2013-01-15T06:13:00.002-07:00

Samantha and Lauren finally posted their images online. I am having some major camera envy. Not only is their equipment much better, but I found their visuals so much more exciting than my usual point and shoot.

So with major credits to the both, here are some of their photographs while they were visiting over the holidays.

Enjoy.