Blog 16- My Last Week

Sunday Jan. 5- 6.19 km. a horse, a hawk and a dandelion

one for you, Kelly and Emily

and some others

https://frenchmoments.eu/epiphany-in-france-lepiphanie-en-france/

 The Epiphany takes place on January the 6th. It celebrates the date of the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. On this day the three Wise Men arrived from the East, guided by the Star of Bethlehem, bearing gifts for the divine Infant. In France, it is on 6 January that the Wise Men figurines in the nativity scene are placed around baby Jesus. In the lead up to this date, they were either hidden or being gradually moved closer and closer to the stable. French people also celebrate the Epiphany by eating the “galette des rois” (Kings’ cake) with great ceremony! 

 Why does Epiphany take place on 6 January? At the beginning of the 19th century, the Magi’s visit to Jesus was arbitrarily set to have taken place on 6 January. Originally, the Epiphany was a pagan celebration of light which started during the winter solstice on 21 December. This night is the longest of the year and signifies the return and the renaissance of light. This cycle, through Christmas, lasts 12 days and 12 nights, representing the 12 months of the year, the 12 hours of a day, and the 12 apostles of Christ. The Epiphany is the culmination of this cycle, when days are at their longest. 

La Galette des Rois: a favourite French dessert!

For every French person, the Epiphany is synonymous with the “galette des rois”, a wafer king cake which is eaten ceremoniously a few days before and after 6 January.

The origins of Galette des Rois Since the 14th century, 6 January is the occasion in France to “tirer les rois” (decide who is the king of the day). A porcelain or earthenware figurine (a charm, called “la fêve” in French) or a broad bean, is placed in a traditional flat cake called “galette” whose round shape symbolises the sun. The “Galette des Rois” is made of flaky puff pastry layers. The cake is filled with a dense centre of frangipane. The tradition of the lucky charm Tradition has it that the youngest member of the family goes under the table to call out names for the slices to the different people sitting around the table. The person who finds the lucky charm in their slice of ‘galette’ becomes the king (or queen) of the day and must choose his/her companion.

In the past, the flat cake was divided into as many slices as there were people around the table, plus one slice in case a stranger or a poor person were to come to the house. This extra portion was called the slice of God (“la part du bon Dieu”).

Today, David and several of the Centaures football team will gather at a sponsor's bakery, La Tentation, for the selling of these cakes which will contain Centaures' jerseys as their figurine.

David surprised me with a set of the figurines that would normally be in the galettes, and he brought home 2 cakes for us to do the traditional 'ceremony'.

In the meantime, the kids were going over to play in the park, and unfortunately, Joanna fell. Karen took her to the hospital and 11 hours later, 3 a.m., she returned with a cast. Her wrist bones were broken and one piece was beside the other...a bad bad break. She may now regret not putting on her protective pads as she will be missing skiing, cheerleading and roller skating, among other activities,  while she heals.They are usually given the x-rays to bring home, but Karen laid them down to dress Joanna and will have to pick them up at her appt. on Tues. Then I may be able to show you the break.

Monday Samuel started his new 'stage' ( like a co-op program) which is at the Best Western in Voiron in the kitchen.

 Our drive home from picking him up.

This morning my walk took me along some old and some new roads.

I saw my Friend from the other day

plus hens, a sheep and a donkey, and cows

After many more beautiful scenes captured

I had gone 8.06 km. 

Tuesday some of us took a trip to an outlet village near Lyons. I browsed the stores and got some things while they spent their Christmas money. When I  was done, I did some laps of the pool and fountain and managed to do 2.49 km. 

I waited till the greeting came up in Russian, one of many languages that flashed up.

The entrance

The pool, although it's very dark, is huge 

 Most of the shops are names we would all know

 The playground, aren't they cute, covered with turf; right beside a place where parents can leave their kids while they shop

 Where I got my new hiking shoes

 Some more of the decor

 Workers- looked like they were planning how the coordinated music, lights and fountain would operate, in season

One of the many various designs of chairs (looks like drift wood) probably from the many old trees in the country

In the afternoon, I went with Karen and Joanna for her checkup to see a hospital and medical setup in France. I'm not sure why they built so far up on the mountain, but it was quite a climb, and the you chance finding a parking place or having to drive back down and walk up. Maybe it's to discourage people from going unless absolutely necessary.

The good news is the bones had stayed in place so she'll continue for 3 weeks before she goes again.

They hadn't found the left behind papers so I can't show you a 'before' shot.

I think I'll post this one now because today will be busy with last minute stuff and I may not get a chance to get it done. I fly Thursday at noon and will be back in Moncton by 6:30 p.m.