The diner au fromages

First and foremost, we still don't have the GD credit cards. Called the bank (BNP Paribas, don't EVER do business with them!!!) today figuring they should be there. But no. They were supposed to have been ordered last Monday, but instead they got ordered last Thursday, so of course they aren't there yet. I've just decided to quit trying to sleep.

In the meanwhile, visiting J in Brignoles was fabulous!! First of all we got a great tour of the town itself, the markets the shops, etc. Perfectly charming town and so much fun to do the market with someone who has lived there for years. She knows everyone and stops to say hi and introduce us. We met one older gentleman who was very quick to tell me Vive l'Amerique. He doesn't have any patience with people who criticize America when Americans were the ones who liberated France in WWII. I don't quite buy the never criticize bit, but it was heartwarming nevertheless.

The afternoon was spent visiting some local villages in search of santons. I found a couple that were quite nice and a real bargain. Snapped them up right away. We visited Sinan, Cotignac and Le Val. There was a good santonier in Le Val but his santons were too tall for my set. I still need an Aveugle, D wants a Maire, and I have noticed that there is a Tricoteuse out there that I really think I should have. I also need a Mireille. The Fouque Arlesienne is just not that appealing. My problem now is that I have a creche that is 6 centimetres and so many santoniers work at 7 cm. Oh well, just makes the hunt that much more fun.

Ok, ok, about the dinner. J went all out. She invited a number of her friends and it was a treat to meet them all. They are all just as fun and upbeat as she is. Then she and her friend went to Cannes to buy cheese. They came home with over 50 different kinds!!! See the picture here of the cheese section at Carrefour. I think she got one of each!! Of course it was delicious. Her friend M brought a really special thing though. She brought a brie stuffed with black truffles! You stuff the brie with truffles a couple of days before the feast so the truffle fragrance permeates the cheese. Then you bake it so it all runs together. Outstanding! Her other friends also each brought something to add to the festivities. DH got a whole evening of total immersion in French as none of them spoke much English. It's beginning to click!!!

The thing with a diner au fromage is that you don't have to slave in the kitchen. You just put the cheese out (J had covered her table with rush mats and so just put the cheese directly on the mats). A few bowls of grapes, slice some bread and there you have it. You have to prepare everything several hours ahead of time since the cheese needs to come to room temperature.

We had a decadently rich cake for dessert. It was all I could do to get 2 mouthfuls down. It was fabulous cake, but so rich I was afraid I would get sick if I ate anymore.

We hit the sack at about midnight and awoke at 8:15 the next morning. J sent us home with a couple of gorgonzolas and a munster (not the same stuff we get at home, believe me!) A good time was had by all.