[Note: pics have been posted to Facebook, as the blog is not working well with pics at the moment.]
The memorial ceremony was somber, emotional, and overwhelming. At one point, when the members of the family walked through what can best be identified as the receiving line, we were all crying. We each walked the lines of the gentlemen representing the French military forces, shaking their hands and thanking them for their sacrifices and efforts during WWII. Their families were being held hostage in their own homes and in some situations forced to commit unspeakable acts. At risk of death, these families cared for and buried the American soldiers who died all over the Normandie countryside, and these members of the French guard were highly decorated and respected gentlemen. But on this afternoon, this one military crash brought us all together. THEY were crying; we were crying. This experience was certainly one of the most memorable during all of the weekend's events.Then, when the trumpet for Taps sounded its final wail and the officers marched the French and American colors to the village's community room, the emotions surrounding this event moved from somber, heavy ones to being light, festive and celebratory in nature. Let the feast begin!
I would describe this little village's community room as a mix between Chadwick's community room and Ozark's pavilion. We started the celebration and merriment in the pavilion, and for lunch the community moved to the indoor room. But what a showing of hospitality! The starters included local ciders as an aperitif, potato chips and peanuts while everyone gathered and visited, giving the facilitators enough time to finalize the finishing touches for the presentation of their welcoming us to their village. As you'll see from the
pics, the celebrants drank a few bottles of the cider. If you're not familiar with these apple and pear ciders from this region of France, find some somewhere--Springfield's International Wine Center should have a few bottles, but for the Wisconsin folks, I have no clue if Festival or other markets there might have these. I plan to search when I return.
The meal was delightful, with a salad course (after the starter) and the main course. When we asked for the recipes for the various salads, the women were honored. Carrots, apples, potatoes, couscous, tomatoes, celery (block? not stalk...) and breads were part of the starters. Ham, roast (Sweetie, you would have been proud: I think the beef was freshly butchered out back, the meat cuts were prepared on the premises, and only a hint of cooked was evident... This beef was every bit the meaning of bloody rare. Many of the Americans bypassed that platter--including me.) and green beans. After the plates were cleared, we were then were treated to fresh, hearty garden lettuce (for digestion, of course) before being provided our cheeses--the three main ones from the Normandie region, no less: bridge-l'eveque, Livarotand and Camembert de Normandie. MMMmmmmm... oh my. But we still weren't ready to conclude the fine dining experience. The community women had also prepared fresh chocolate eclairs. I have had a few heavenly desserts on this journey, and until this point the highlight was the toffee at the castle and a brownie from a patisserie in Lisieux, but those eclairs... those homemade eclairs made for us by these wonderful provincial hosts... those were divine.
There are some meals outside the daily, everyday eating experience one does not forget. Feasts, conversation, friends, the time, the place -- all these combine to build and create a unique memory for that festive event. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to enjoy a ... all I know is it was too many courses ... delightful hours-long meal with friends from Italy and Argentina. My German friends have always shared with me the art of conversation and dining, and now the French have outdone themselves in preparing, hosting, and sharing a meal in the means it was intended: for a family and community to gather and share, to build friendships and memories. And those were exactly the results that came from this very fine meal fit for kings. Once we get the recipes, we'll share! I've put my request in for the eclairs...
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