Geneva Market - YUMMM!!!

The abundance of fresh, delicious food and wine continues!!! SOOO GOOD!!!

Geneva with Zach

We arrived in Genevathis morning to meetZach (Greg's nephew who lives in Geneva and works at Cern)! John, from the Tufts program, asked to “tag along” to see Cern – and we were so glad he did! We love you John!!! What a great day Zach showed us. We did the parks, fountains, churches, place of Red Cross Treaty (Geneva Convention), financial and fashion districts, food markets -- and coffee of Geneva. Whew!!! Then we went to the Old Town which was so incredibly charming and then toCern!!! What a day!!! We LOVED IT!!! THANK YOU ZACH!!!!

Cooking, Travel...Life...Style...

So many people are intimidated by the thought of going into the kitchen, of hosting a dinner party...or planning a vacation to some foreign land. We believe that cooking, travel, your daily life and style are all the same. The best things are simple. The key is the mindset. Don't get intimidated. None of it has to be tough. Have fun with life and it will have fun with you.

Journeys...

Tai: As this journey begins, with a destination and no set plans, I realize how much my life reflects the trip before me. Marissa and I decided to go to Europe. We knew what countries we wanted to go to, friends I wanted to see. We booked a flight to and from Geneva with the rest to "happen by chance" as we go. Ease. Trust. I realize it's who I am. How I run my foundation, how I dress, cook...live my life! So here's to trusting all will come together with ease...all the ingredients are before me. And I have all the right clothes - and bikini's!

I loved this sign on the wall at the airport...

Merci Jean Claude!!!

Thank you Jean Claude (and Christine)!!! And did we mention how AMAZING those desserts were??? We can't wait to go back to end our journey with you at Le Cottage!!!

And the Feast...

In the garden, we were escorted to a private table and two adorable waiters -- Max & David -- who served us the most decadent meal with wine flowing...topped off with desserts that were works of art and tasted even better!!! Ending with the most delicious coffee ever!!! No lait (milk) needed!!!

Thibault...

showing us how!

In the Kitchen at Le Cottage - Talloires, France

Le Cottage Bise, the charming four star hotel in Talloires, France and its wonderful owners Jean Claude and his lovely wife Christine hosted us for a day in the kitchen with Chef Pascal Noyon and his Sous Chef Thibault. It was an amazing experience as we learned all of the preparation of the meals, the assembly -- Oh the Presentation -- Kudos to Pascal!!! MERCI BEACOUP!!!! Besides being wonderfully patent and welcoming -- answering all of our questions and demonstrating...at the end we got to eat!!!! AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!! Merci Jean Claude, Christine, Pascal & all of the staff at Les Terrasses Du Cottage!!! We love you!!!

Chocolat Au Jour

...please don't tell Jason (Tai's trainer) but seriously -- the chocolat is pure heaven. We are sitting in the sun and eating chocolat every day!!!

Our favs - chocolat crossaints, chocolate crepes -- and the BEST is chocolat fondant. It's the little cake that when you put your fork into it it explodes with gooey chocolate.

YES -- we are staying in bikini shape.

Sad News...

Tai was awakened in the night with the news her dear friend Coach Wooden had passed...

The Day Ends...

Beauty in the Center...

The Cheese Lady!!!

George continued to show us the best of the Alps! Our final treat -- THE CHEESE LADY!!! We LOVED her -- and her cheese!!!

French Alps Monastery

Outside and inside were magnificent!

We arrived just as the monks started to chant. Beautiful! (They make cheese too!!!)

In each little town we visit, we go into a main church and Tai has to light a candle.

Marissa just wanted to know "what the water by the door is for?"

Paraponting -- the Sport of Talloires!

Paraponting was invented in Talloires. So we just had to experience it!

Wild Flowers of Talloires...

George could tell you the names. As we walked through the wild flowers, Marissa was certain it was a hike but Tai declared; "This is not a hike -- it's flat." But Marissa was sure it was because as she put it, "There's nature on the floor."

And how about the cow bells!!! Who needs wind chimes!

A Saints View...

The view of Talloires from Saint Germaine.

Thones Church...

George almost had a heart-attack watching Tai in the middle of the road taking this picture (as she had a near-miss with several cars)

Thones, France - Open Air Market

Our Saturday was perhaps one of the most amazing days of our trip so far!!! Our day began as our new friend, "George the Botanist" from Tufts, drove us to the little village of Thones for their Saturday open air market. We shopped and shopped and got the freshest fruits (melt in your mouth strawberries & melon) and veggies in season which would later become our picnic lunch. We are learning that in France the restaurants (and people) use only the freshest things in season -- much like we cook in LA except most everything is always in season in LA because most everything is readily available to us. A delightful and delicious time!!!



George guided us well to the heirloom (means any species that's not a hybrid -- longtime favorite of region) tomatoes as well as the tombe cheese that was our favorite and the regional cheese of the area.

La Savoyarde

...this salad was so amazing we had to go back to La Savoyarde two nights in a row just for their salad and pizza! We know -- Italian food in France just doesn't seem right but it was perfect!!!

The salad was accompanied with goat cheese toasts -- warmed with a drizzle of honey and slivered almonds.

Le Cottage & Marissa Gets a Haircut!!!

We LOVE Le Cottage -- our new favorite spot of Talloires!!! And the owner Jean Claude such a dear, dear man! French people are FABULOUS -- to go with the food!!! We are going to do our "cooking experience" here tomorrow! And by the way, Marissa got a new hair cut!!! Tres Belle!!!

Tai with her Precious friend Gabriella!!!

Tai & Marissa are guests of Gabriella who runs the Tufts European Center. This past weekend the center hosted a reunion of the Fletcher School with a symposium featuring alumnus Admiral James Stavridis, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander.

Tea at L’Auberge Du PereBise

We had afternoon tea with Gabriella and her good friend Maha by the lake at L’Auberge Du PereBise. So delightful. They had sugar coated violets that you could eat or float in your tea for sweetening. SOOO GOOD!!! Oh my!!!

Yummy...

Our first morning and our first meal in Talloires...Okay, these could seriously be the most amazing desserts ever! SOOOO GOOD!!! And the most charming town too!