What's for dessert?

I made for the fisrt time in my life something that I had tried once about 2 years ago, that being a Far Breton aux pruneaux. That being a baked custard type cake dotted with delicious hot prunes. Drooling yet?

Here's what you need:
2 1/2 Cups Flour

1 1/3 Cups Sugar

4 Eggs

7 Tbsp. Butter, soft

3 3/4 Cups Milk

1 1/2 Cups Prunes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease your standard 16 inch round tart pan with butter.

In a bowl mix the flour, sugar eggs, butter and milk until smooth. Evenly scatted prunes in the bottom of butter pan. Pour the batter mixture over the prunes.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour then serve warm.

ENJOY!!!!

A lesson on how to ride the bus

The public bus system in Lyon has to look, at times to the outsider, like a glorified slaughterhouse. During all hours, people pack the little bus stops and crowd to be the first person on, and off. I have noticed that there is no posted maximum capacity on buses, so the rule of thumb is you are at the max capacity when you can't squeeze another body into the door of the bus. But it isn't as bad as all that after my vast experince over the last 2 months I want to share with you how to ride the bus here in France.
1. First off, if living in a city there is always a diverse crowd of people riding the bus. It helps to have an open mind to whomever you may meet on your ride, and many people will become familiar faces if you ride the bus on a regular schedule.
2. Know your bus. Certain of the front seats are for seniors and disabled people. If you sit down in front be prepared to give up your seat or some angry old man or woman may start yelling at you, hasn't happened yet to me but I have seen it and it isn't pretty.

3. When you get on the bus, try to have the exact amount of money needed for a ride, and always validate your ticket. Bus drivers aren't impatient as they can make change and drive at the same time but the question is do you want your driver doing both at the same time.

4.If you can, get a window seat. It gives you a chance to look out at the world if you feel claustrophobic. Also, takes your mind of the busy bus that you are riding. I happen to have one of the most beautiuful routes there is I think, as you can see from the photos what I see each day. 5. It is true that the bus most often creates an atmosphere of discomfort and self-consciousness. In France people don't talk to relive the discomfort instead they ignore your existance even if you are so cramped that you are definately far past the idea of a bubble. If people do talk to you it is often a sign they are a few fries short of a HappyMeal and so smiling and nodding is probably the best response if you understand them. 6. Always be as nice and friendly as possible to the bus driver. They can get you there fast or slow, in one piece or many, they can choose to sail right past your stop the next time, so be their friend. They are always looking for interaction as they are stuck ferrying people who are going somewhere never getting anywhere themselves so say hello, goodbye and thank you as a minimum.
I hope that you are enlightened enough now to confidently ride the local public transportation in France next time you are here.

Food of the Month

February in France is the month for making crepes. For all those who aren't familiar with crepes think of a think unsweetened pancake that you can top with sweet or salty sauces. Crepes are an easy meal or a great snack.

For all those who are looking for an easy dinner idea as versitile as you are creative. I am including a basic recipe for crepes.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted
DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.

Filling Ideas: ham and cheese, spinach and cream, mushrooms and bacon, etc. Sweet crepes: Nutella, peanutbutter, lemon juice and sugar, butter & cinnamon and sugar, whip cream, ice cream and chocolate sauce, strawberries & whipped cream.

Use your imagination and eat crepes!

A few Friends

This is my friend Lise from my class this month, with whom I have had the opportunity to do a few things. She is from Germany and is here in France between high school and college to learn some french.

This is my friend Suzanna from the US who I have been able to do a lot of things with and have really enjoyed getting to know her as we spend time together and practice our french together. This was Valintines Day as she and her roomate, a korean girl and I went out for coffee and dessert after our classes.

A few photos

In the background of this photo you can see the Mont Blanc the highest peak in the alps, about 100 miles away even so I have been able to see it 5 times since my arriaval

Sorry this picture is a bit blurry but this was my January class. From left to right: Che-koza, Suzanna, Che-hero, Carlos, Masako, Laurence (my teacher), me, and Barbara. They were great and 3 of them are in my class this month, which is fun.

On our last day of class in January we went to the town Mayor office with a few classes. We had a tour then afterword our class went out for coffee with our teacher. Getting to know the people of diffrent nationalities and their culture has been such a treat as we spend time together.

I appartment sat for a fellow missionary to keep her cat out of trouble, she was a good little squirt.

In Lyon

Just a quick update for you all. I arrived here in Lyon on the 3rd of January no problems and have since that time I been staying at the home of Mark and Joy Sims. I started Classes at the Alliance Francaise in Lyon which I have really enjoyed. I take 3 hours of classes a day in the afternoon which is very enjoyable as we have a nice small class of 8 people.
I will be moving in with a French lady from the Lyon church this weekend which will I'm sure greatly help my french.
I will give you all more information soon but I thought I ought to let you know that I am alive.

Happy New Year!

Our new years eve group. Back row Matt Crane, David Bacon, Jonathan Bacon, Levi & AndyNelson. Second Row: Nancy Crane, Emily Nelson, Sarah Card, Liz Crane. Front: Me and Michelle Bacon

Our Raclette Dinner, a holiday favorite.

For our entertainment we formed a whistle choir