Cooking for someone makes me nervous – cooking for someone French (first time) makes me extremely nervous! So it was that we were hosting a family birthday luncheon for my French beau-père (father-in-law) with my belle-mère (mother-in-law) and her son and his girlfriend in attendence. I made sure this time that I set the table correctly, as I am left-handed, and planned everything except for the birthday cake that was being bought and brought.
So, how did it go this time? (I even asked my French neighbor to check the table setting to be sure.) Everyone said all went fine, but I didn’t have dessert forks on the table (had forgotten that I needed to wash the forks used for the appetizer) – oups! So, for me, it still wasn’t exactly without a glitch, as I would have liked.
Maybe the (next) third time will be the charm??!!
champagne glasses
my stove
table setting
appetizer plate
Lemon fava beans & melon with gaspacho
Fish tajine
cheese plate
cake
the birthday Guy
24/7 in FRANCE 
You did good, I had a neighbor over for dinner the other night, she is French. I did good, she made a comment that my food and presentation was great! So we both did good!!,
Congratulations! Not exactly like ‘pot luck’ in the States, is it? 🙂
Looks like you gave le beau père a memorable birthday celebration!
There’s usually something “memorable” when I cook! 🙂
I would say you did very good. Love your stove by the way.
Thanks – appreciate your comment. I like my stove too, although I wish it was self cooking 🙂
looks wonderful! Bien fait!
Merci bien!
Hi Kim, will you cook for my birthday please!!!!!
Hi Karl – thanks for making me chuckle at the thought, but it would probably be less stressful – Happy Birthday!
Wow, everything looks so beautiful! Chapeau, Kim!!
Thanks, Lindy – I’m always so nervous about getting everything just right, which of course doesn’t happen!
Looks simply beautiful!!! I’m sure washing the appetizer forks for dessert didn’t come across as strange at all… I find the French to be much more relaxed about that kind of thing than some may expect! I’ve been a little absent on the blog scene this summer with the move and all, but now we’re getting settled in Béziers, so I can’t wait to get caught up on your blog and all that you’ve had going on. Congratulations on everything!
Thanks-You’re right – it was self imposed pressure and they were cool (it’s family too after all). Congratulations on your move – I love the Montpellier area; let me know if you get over my way and would love to meet up!
Wow, that looks awesome! I certainly would’ve been over the moon with that menu 🙂
Thanks – nice comment and nice of you to comment!