As I mentioned before, Roland's mother is an incredible cook.  What's so strange is that you hardly see her cooking!  Somehow, she is so adept at timing what needs to be done that you never see her slaving away in the kitchen.  She prepares certain phases of a dish before she actually puts the meal together.  It's like as if she cooks by magic!

One of the dishes that she prepared for us on a recent visit was guinea fowl.  I'd never had a guinea bird but it was incrediby delicious.  I've heard many times that they are the best defense against ticks but I had never heard that people ate them.  Hers was delicious and it took my love of French Food to a new level.

Here's a great info page regarding guinea fowl:


http://www.office-elevage.fr/doctech/pintad/pgb.pdf

I am quite new at learning how to maintain our website and it's accompanying blog.  Hopefully, I will get more photos posted of our recent tour, A Taste of Le Berry - 2010.  Even with that, I thought it would be fun to post a site that I think offers alot of good information to get you acquainted with Le Berry Region in France. 

In our busy, stress-filled lives, it's becoming more and more appealing to have that special time in our lives where we "just do nothing", at least not anything that we HAVE TO DO.  That's really why I love our home in the country so much.  Even in the midst of everything on the "to do list", I have the opportunity to stand still and just listen to the birds or take a little walk in nature to enjoy all the plants that surround our home.  For me, those special moments of quiet and nature are what reenergize "my battery".  When I began to visit Le Berry with Roland, I instantly fell in love with the peaceful atmosphere of the villages and towns. 

Walking is very common in the villages and towns and often you see men and women, of all ages, traveling by bicycle.  The French enjoy being outdoors and it's a natural part of their way of life.  I love the shopping trips whether it's the daily stroll to acquire the fresh bread, the weekly visit to the traveling markets as they come to town, or just an evening out to get fresh air. 

Almost everywhere you look while traveling in France, you will find every inch of space gardened in some fashion.  And, many towns have particular areas, usually close to a stream or river, where they rent or sell garden plots.  There you will find many beautiful private gardens that are lovingly maintained by the residents of that town where they grow beautiful flowers and trees in addition to their vegetable/herb patch that is the source of fresh fruits/vegetables and herbs that make it to their dinning tables.  These gardens are a work of love and part of the quiet "therapy" that is the LeBerry experience. 

As you explore the site I've posted to introduce you to LeBerry, let your imagination take you there, walking the quaint streets, discovering architecture and art that spans Roman to Renaissance France and delighting in the rich culinary history presented in the local cafes and restaurants.  Enjoy!

Bon Apetit!

http://www.central-france.com/indre_department_36.htm

I, by no means, have any culinary expertise.  I've been blessed that since meeting and marrying Roland, I have had the opportunity to eat some delicious food and begin a wonderful discovery of what good food is really about.  Since Roland's home is Central France, his desired tastes reflect what he loves about the traditional culinary richness of Le Berry region. 

The following web site gives a "snapshot" of the progressive culinary history of France. What I found most interesting is how much the food is appreciated not only for it's gastronomy but, is enjoyed as an art form.  Enjoy: 

http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Food/DF_cuisine.shtml