Our Journey is the story of a family who sold everything, packed up two young children, and moved to Europe for what was supposed to be one year. Ten years later, we had lived in France and Hungary, built new lives abroad, and returned home forever changed. This collection of stories, journal entries, and memories preserves that journey and serves as the foundation for the books I am writing today.
Although building a rental apartment onto our home in Capestang is still a viable income option, Alfonz came up with another fabulous idea to rent out Westfalia Camper Vans supplying the Languedoc region we live in. It seems like a natural progression for Alfonz after 25 years of European auto parts, with his infinite knowledge…
We were walking by Twin Hair’s -hair dressing shop located just off the square in Capestang, when a friendly man heard us speaking English and said hello. In a French accent he asked us if we were from England. No, I said, Canada for me and Hungary for my husband Alfonz. We chatted while he…
To start off this year strong, we encourage your family to go play outside! Our family tradition for years has been to do physical activities on the first day of the year. Other years we went skiing or sleighing, if it rained we went swimming, and once we went bowling. Doesn’t matter what it is,…
First you swirl, holding the bottom of your wine glass, watch the fluid stick to its sides, and then you smell the bouquet. Finally your lips touch the wine, and your eyes widen, as you taste one of life’s simple pleasures. There is art in wine tasting. You need a good palette to detect…
In the midst of a new country at the most family oriented time of the year, we contemplate what traditions we might adopt from the French and what family traditions made along the way that we might keep. Do you have a family tradition that is unique to your family? French Christmas Traditions #1 Yule Log –…
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 2 days away, we travel with our friend M to the markets in Narbonne in search of specialty cheeses, fresh vegetables and seafood for Friday’s special meal. Bigger with more variety than our little Capestang market, crowds of last minute shoppers search for the perfect meal…
When we decided to start living our dream life and buy a B&B, we researched many tourist areas of France. We kept coming across this region in the Languedoc, known as the #1 tourist destination in the world. For many reasons; the Canal du Midi, the great wine, the river Aude, the close proximity to…
I am not a patient person. My nature is to mow to the end, with little thought of consequence. Always been more important to me to finish, not finish finely. It is my biggest personality flaw. Patiently I wait for patience. #1 Patience While Learning A Language I cannot convey every thought that goes racing…
It seems simple right? Flour, water, salt and yeast; 4 ingredients that bakers spend much time trying to master, the art of the perfect French bread. You can mix them together and put them long and narrow in the shape of a baguette and get the simple version or there are different ways to pre-ferment…
Capestang, France is our little French village. Located exactly 2 km away is the house we fell in love with from our marathon house hunt back in September. Located in the Languedoc Roussillon Region of France, in the department of Herault, you may remember, it was the one with a 3-gite rental barn conversion plus…