Mr. Bassett.jpg
Mr. Bassett.jpg
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
I can’t button my coat.jpg
I can’t button my coat.jpg
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
Bonjour from Peter and Ri, St. Valery en Caux, North Western Coast of France - It was VERY, VERY Cold!!
Peter and Ri, St. Valery en Caux, North Western Coast of France
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
Hope you all had a fabulous holiday! Peter and I decided to treat ourselves to a road trip through France for Christmas. We took several days, going down the eastern side of the country, eventually making it far south to celebrate Christmas with the Stoloff Family and friends, and then came back up the west side. It was so nice to get out the city and watch the countryside roll by. We had so much fun spend some QT together just the two of us, singing songs, talking baby stuff, seeing old friends, eating delicious food and generally being merry.
Here is a bit of what we saw and did…
Enjoy!
All the best to you in the New Year!!
Love you,
Ri and Peter xo
La Verrerie
P1010557.JPG
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
After a long day of driving from Amsterdam (and after we stopped for a yummy lunch where I had amazing Duck de Confit) we stopped here for the night, at La Verrerie in the Loire Valley. It is owned by an old French couple who run this B&B and also does hunting expeditions. The woman who took care of us was very sweet, and though she spoke little English and Peter and I almost no French, we got on quite well with lots of smiles and nodding. When we arrived she had a fire going for us in our little house, and whipped up a lovely dinner of terrine of rabbit (that her and her husband caught), an omelet with fresh local mushrooms, delicious bread, butter, and local goat cheeses, and local wine their family produces (this was a hard trip to not be drinking, let me tell you!!). It was so dark and quiet way out in the country - Peter and I slept like babies… It was a very special, charming, and perfect first night!
La Verrerie, view from hill above, Loire Valley, France
La Verrerie, view from hill above, Loire Valley, France
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
After a nice breakfast with delicious croissants, jam, fruit and coffee, Peter and I wandered the grounds of this beautiful old house. This is the view from the hill above…
Coume Rouberte
Coume Rouberte
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
The Stoloff Family Home - Coume Rouberte, aka La Coume, just outside the village of La Grasse, France (with random neighbors dog, Spirit, who seemed to like it better at our house than at home. 
Huey and Juice
Huey and Juice
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
It was so nice to see Juice (right side) who we meet and has so much fun with over 7 years ago, last time we visited La Coume. And this time we got to meet Huey, his lovely boyfriend…
Stoloff Family Christmas - La Coume 2008
Stoloff Family Christmas - La Coume 2008
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
Christmas Brunch at La Coume - Bloody Marys and Bagels with all the fixings. Yummy!
Stocking time
Stocking time
Originally uploaded by mariahamckenna
Yeah Stocking time!! Stockings are the first order of business on Christmas Day at the Stoloff house - and everybody gets one - even visiting guest like me and Peter!
