Mushrooms, Fried Chicken, and Cheese in a Bucket

Today we went up into the hills for a picnic at the weekend home of our friends, Noelle and Andre. A note on their home which you'll see in the photos -- it is a reproduction of a gypsy wagon once found throughout Europe. It is so wonderful.

We arrived at 11 a.m as instructed to a BONE CHILLING 35 degrees (that is if you were in the sun). We were expecting to meet some exchange students from the US, but they were smart and stayed home by the fire! The other guests were the Rotary Club of St. Marcellin.

We immediately headed into the (freezing cold) woods to search for mushrooms. We found some!! - beautiful ones at that! Just not edible ones.



After a quick lesson of what to REALLY look for we did round up a few that immediately made it into the skillet for a quick sautee. Beware French folks, Americans may not make the best mushroom hunters, but we do make good mushroom eaters (Walker). They were delish!


Then it was picnic time and all attendees put their food out onto a gigantic table. We decided to take the usual American picnic fare - fried chicken, deviled eggs, and banana pudding (sans Nilla Wafers - quick substitute -French biscuit :). We came home with not a single morsel - always a good sign.

After the main portion of the picnic, in true French fashion, there was the cheese course. I have eaten a ton of cheese in my time, but never DIPPED OUT OF A BUCKET! Yes, Noelle had been to the local cheese producer and purchased a bucket of St. Marcellin cheese, and as you will see it was loved by all.










So the day was full of adventure, warm sunshine (thank goodness), nice folks and delicious food, wine, and cheese (even if it did come out of a bucket!)