Family Celebrations

For us, family are very important and when you are away from them on the other side of the world at times it seems there is something missing in your life. To this end, modern communications have made being away a little easier -  emails,  text messages, Facebook, Skype....It must have been so hard for our forebears with months of no communication with loved ones.

We have been able to keep up with what different members of the family have been doing through technology but there isn't anything as good as having them right beside you in the same space. So when our girls and their men arrived for Christmas nous etions très contents.

Our family grew to include Eric's parents and his brother so Christmas was an international affair - Kiwi, French and a little bit American! Unfortunately it wasn't a white Christmas but nevertheless there was plenty of action inside, although we did need to go for a walk between some of the courses! 

Being in France means celebration meals are lengthy events. So a late start for lunch (because Eric's brother had to return to Paris Christmas morning) meant we didn't finish until the evening.  

Our last Christmas at the Château was Lucas' first and so it was for Julien this time. Both boys celebrated their first Christmas with both sets of grandparents - not that they will remember! 

Last time for the main Christmas fare we had a chapon; this time we thought we would be a bit more Kiwi and have ham on the bone. Well, our (the royal We) cooking instructions to the butcher did not produce quite what we had in mind. Lots of meat, but neither ham nor pork, a strange in between! All part of the French Adventure we tell ourselves when things don't go quite to plan. Next time (if there is a next time!) we will do as the Romans do.

Aperitif in the Library (foie gras served with pohutukawa serviettes)

La Bûche (Chocolate log) Each decoration has a meaning

However the other courses were all a success as was the wine that accompanied each course. David was very chuffed to be complimented by Pierre (Eric's father) on his choice of vin. He is becoming our expert on wines of the Languedoc region. I just drink the stuff!

Here's to Christmas!

The next family celebration was the Julien's baptism. Unfortunately Pip and Adam were not able to stay for this - work commitments meant they arrived back in NZ on the day of the baptême. Pip is Julian's godmother so it was a great pity she couldn't be part of the ceremony in person but Eric's Mum was her 'stand-in'. Eric's brother Lionel is Julien's godfather.  As was with Lucas, the baptism was held at l'église de Notre Dame de Talence in Bordeaux where Julien's great grandmother worships.

Julien and Jenni waited in the warm....while the rest of us

waited outside

 
















Again as it was for Lucas baptism it was a cold, cold day. The ceremony was with family only, unlike at our church in NZ when a baptism is part of a regular service and so we 'rattled' around in this huge stone church with the priest's voice   echoing and bouncing off the walls. Of course we didn't understand much of the ceremony, it was in French of course and also we were the Protestants in a Catholic church! However the star of the day behaved beautifully. He slept the whole way through except when his head was wet and then he 'objected', but not for very long.

Julien William Galopin being blessed

Then it was back to Audenge where Eric's parents live for a celebration lunch. A very pleasant and special occasion with members of the French family. This time David and I were able to have conversations of sorts with family members so things didn't feel as 'foreign' as before. 

A 'Jenni' touch

Celebration lunch 

                                                               

Another Jenni creation

And there was Lucas! His antics cross any language barriers. 

For us who have the opportunity to see the boys on a near daily basis when we're home, it was lovely to observe the delight and joy they brought to their French family, especially to Eric's grandmother, Lucas and Julien's arrière-grand-mère. 

Lucas with his god-mother and his great grandmother

Julien with his cross and St Christopher medallion - gifts from his god-parents

Special memories of special times, but there were also lots of other family activities and adventures to remember  ..... and that will be the basis of the next blog.

A bientôt