I started out the day by insuring that I would not feel the slightest bit cold as we wandered through the unheated, damp, stone castle. Therefore, I wore the following items: 1. tights 2. under armour shirt 3. pink fleece 4. yellow fleece 5. lulu lemon HUGE sweatshirt 6. scarf 7. jeans 8. socks 9. gloves 10. mittens over my gloves 11. a hat 12. my jacket. Needless to say, I looked like a MARSHMALLOW. I felt like the little boy in the Christmas Story who was so bundled up that he could only waddle in his brother's wake.
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| proof I left the house looking like this As much as I hate being cold, I have to admit I loved going to the chateau. It was so cool! What is especially amazing is that this particular chateau was inhabited until the 1800s (Some castles, such as Villandry, are still lived in!). |
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| The black is what we visited, the red has been destroyed |
Unfortunately, much of this castle had been destroyed throughout the years, some crazy person thought the buildings were not necessary and the rocks should be used for other things (what!). Therefore, we only got to see the remaining portion. However, the small chapel is still intact and it actually holds the remains of Leonardo Da Vinci! King Charles VIII really liked Italy and was the first French king to travel to Italy. He fell in love with the art and architecture of Italy and Leonardo Da Vinci actually became the artist in residence! We got to visit his house. In the basement of the hosue and outside were reproductions of all his inventions and ideas. This guy was WAY ahead of his time! It was reallllly amazing to visit this.
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| Leo's Pad |
Also, the property had a really fun park, and we must have been REALLY cold or something because we all regressed about ten years and went crazy playing on the playground.
After our age regression, we walked to a man's house who makes walnut oil. He is the LAST artisan in the Touraine area who makes oil in a non-industrial fashion. He had a huge rock, I guess, that crushed the walnuts. We got to see the process. His oil is a delicacy and apparently you can taste the difference. Some people bought the oil to bring home to their parents... sorry Mom, I figured with your Italian blood, you would prefer olive oil.
We finally walked to the bus for our departure. I came home and IMMEDIATELY fell asleep. Best nap ever. I was exhausted.
On the family front, my oldest "sister" Marie had a boyfriend visit this weekend. It was a little awkward because I was never introduced to him, I just kinda assumed who he was (the holding hands at the dinner table gave it away). The good news is last night for dinner... we had BRINNER!! (Breakfast for dinner). We had crepes! But only the sweet ones...I'm getting tired of sugar. I never thought this day would come. And after, the dad wanted to go out and get ice cream! I got roped into going. It took us about twenty minutes to find parking (now I know why no one ever drives) only to find out the place was closed. I didn't mind because we walked around and it helped me digest (However the littlest sister threw a fit and walked off... somebody wanted that ice-cream...kids).
Today, I got to make Galette de Roi, my favorite desert! It was awesome. It's so easy to make. The bad news is... its only made in January! NON! I will miss it. Now that I know how to make it, I will make it at home (DON'T WORRY). Today as I was eating it, I was thinking about how I love it so much, I want to have it for my birthday.
Anyway, I will leave you all with the wisdom of my good pal Leo.
Qui peut arreter la haine sauf l'amour?
Who can stop hate without love?
I taught him that.
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