Food and Service are beautiful
I've been trying to put together a photobook on Shutterfly of our trip, and it's slow going. I'm on page 8 of the book, and I'm still on Day 1 pictures. I feel like I'm ruthlessly leaving out pictures, but I have so many! Okay, I took 624 pictures in 8 days. It's a little excessive. In any case, I'll get it done, and I promise I won't even make you look at my masterpiece unless you ask to see it. =)
Anyway, today's France post is all about food and service. I was going to separate the two, but they really go together. But first, food. Y'all. I have spent most of this year kicking my butt into shape. I've been exercising regularly and looking at every bite of food with a critical eye. You all have read/listened to me talk enough about my pre-trip food. Although I knew I'd needed to do this for awhile, this trip was the impetus that finally made me do something. I did NOT want to be the chubby girl in France, and the number on the scale was way too high. And I did it! I lost 15 pounds before my trip! I could fit into clothes that I hadn't worn in a couple of years AND I was feeling great!
And then before I knew it, I was walking through the streets of Paris for the first time in my life. After visiting Notre Dame and Shakespeare & Company, we spotted an alley lined with creperies. I chose a Nutella and banana crepe, and it was a triangle of warm, gooey, French deliciousness. My friend took this fantastic picture of me biting into my crepe, but he won't share it because apparently I look terrible in it. I think it's a great picture because it shows unadulterated joy, and sometimes joy can be messy. =)
I won't give you a play by of each meal, but collectively, every bite of food was better than the last. If you could put comfort, warmth, happy memories, and love into a food, that's what I was eating all week. Every morning had a breakfast buffet with an omelette station, rosemary potatoes, bacon, prosciutto and cheese plate, sauteed zucchini or carrots, croissants, pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit, or you could order french toast from the kitchen like Jon did most mornings. =)
We'd eat lunch on the Aquavit terrace where we could watch the scenery as we cruised by or watch the town we were docked at. Sometimes swans would float by us. We had these incredible ham and cheese paninis, cauliflower soup, pumpkin soup, croque monsieur, handmade strawberry marshmallows, chocolate tarts, waffles with cherries, and lemon and ginger tea.
Dinner. Oh my gosh. I have to give you a rundown of the standout menu items: orange and soy pork tenderloin with polenta, chicken cassoulet, beef bourguignon, tomato bisque, French onion soup, coq au vin, raspberry sorbet, dark chocolate mouse, chevre souffle, champagne with black currant liqueur, Grand Marnier souffle, apple beignets, and some kind of chocolate mousse/ganache thing that was incredible. Bread and butter always. Red and white wines were flowing. French chefs cooked everything from scratch with local ingredients that they purchased earlier that day from the local markets. It was a week of feasting, and it was good.
And then there's the service. I mean, what can I say. They did everything with a smile. They watched our glasses so they never became less than half full. The entire crew was pleasant, friendly, and seemed to really love their jobs. It's not really the kind of job a person would do for long if they didn't enjoy it. They made my week smooth, relaxing, and left me with no wants because they provided everything I could desire. The service was beautiful. Lionel gave me his cell number in case we got lost in Paris. Minnel thought to bring us small empty jars so we could collect sand from Omaha Beach. Traiche kept our room stocked and immaculate. He rolled up my cell phone cord every morning because I could never get it to look as good as he could.
They were incredible teachers to me on what it means to serve. I have no illusions that they loved every minute of their work. They worked long, hard hours. After all, nobody loves picking up a stranger's towel from the bathroom floor day after day. They did, however, seem to love making others happy. I know I find real joy in serving others most of the time, especially when my work is appreciated.
So what did I learn from this trip when it comes to food and service? After all, it's kind of a waste if all I do is consume without finding something deeper. First, I was reminded that I don't have to be afraid of food. I've read too many posts and articles about kale, coconut oil, tumeric, and all the other foods that will either cure or give me cancer/heart disease/diabetes/etc. I know the right foods to eat to feel good most of the time. So I'm done reading about what "new" food is either the savior or condemner of life. I will eat the amazing desserts and bread when I want. I will skip the sugary drinks because I have no breaks when it comes to sweet tea. I will also be purchasing ramekins in the next day or two because souffles need to become a part of my life. And French toast will forever be made with brioche.
Then there's service. I have two parts for this. First, I aspire to serve the people in my life the way I was served last week. I hope to pay attention closely enough to see the needs around me. I hope to be able to do the mundane jobs day after day with at least a small smile because it really does make a difference. And I hope to express genuine appreciation to those that serve me. I don't want to ever expect or take for granted the service that people offer. People give their time and energy to me every day to check out my groceries, teach my kids how to play guitar or Bible lessons at church, make my coffee. My husband gets up every day and goes to work as well as doing his share of the work around the house with joy. I am not entitled to the services I receive every day, and I hope to show how much I appreciate the work people do for me. Second, I hope to teach my children to serve well and with joy. We're Christ-followers. Serving with joy is supposed to be what we do. If I don't teach them to look for opportunities to serve, to jump in and get their hands dirty when a need arises, then I've missed out on my mission.
Whew. That was a lot to get out. If you wish I'd just share some beautiful pictures, I'll try to upload more soon. I know some people hate to see other people's vacation pics, but I actually enjoy scrolling through your travel pics. If I can't go places, at least I can live vicariously through my traveling friends. And speaking of traveling friends, well done everyone! I've gotten to look through pictures of Scandinavia, England, Hungary, Germany, Uganda, Morocco, and Honduras this summer! Thanks for sharing them!
Anyway, today's France post is all about food and service. I was going to separate the two, but they really go together. But first, food. Y'all. I have spent most of this year kicking my butt into shape. I've been exercising regularly and looking at every bite of food with a critical eye. You all have read/listened to me talk enough about my pre-trip food. Although I knew I'd needed to do this for awhile, this trip was the impetus that finally made me do something. I did NOT want to be the chubby girl in France, and the number on the scale was way too high. And I did it! I lost 15 pounds before my trip! I could fit into clothes that I hadn't worn in a couple of years AND I was feeling great!
And then before I knew it, I was walking through the streets of Paris for the first time in my life. After visiting Notre Dame and Shakespeare & Company, we spotted an alley lined with creperies. I chose a Nutella and banana crepe, and it was a triangle of warm, gooey, French deliciousness. My friend took this fantastic picture of me biting into my crepe, but he won't share it because apparently I look terrible in it. I think it's a great picture because it shows unadulterated joy, and sometimes joy can be messy. =)
I won't give you a play by of each meal, but collectively, every bite of food was better than the last. If you could put comfort, warmth, happy memories, and love into a food, that's what I was eating all week. Every morning had a breakfast buffet with an omelette station, rosemary potatoes, bacon, prosciutto and cheese plate, sauteed zucchini or carrots, croissants, pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit, or you could order french toast from the kitchen like Jon did most mornings. =)
We'd eat lunch on the Aquavit terrace where we could watch the scenery as we cruised by or watch the town we were docked at. Sometimes swans would float by us. We had these incredible ham and cheese paninis, cauliflower soup, pumpkin soup, croque monsieur, handmade strawberry marshmallows, chocolate tarts, waffles with cherries, and lemon and ginger tea.
Dinner. Oh my gosh. I have to give you a rundown of the standout menu items: orange and soy pork tenderloin with polenta, chicken cassoulet, beef bourguignon, tomato bisque, French onion soup, coq au vin, raspberry sorbet, dark chocolate mouse, chevre souffle, champagne with black currant liqueur, Grand Marnier souffle, apple beignets, and some kind of chocolate mousse/ganache thing that was incredible. Bread and butter always. Red and white wines were flowing. French chefs cooked everything from scratch with local ingredients that they purchased earlier that day from the local markets. It was a week of feasting, and it was good.
And then there's the service. I mean, what can I say. They did everything with a smile. They watched our glasses so they never became less than half full. The entire crew was pleasant, friendly, and seemed to really love their jobs. It's not really the kind of job a person would do for long if they didn't enjoy it. They made my week smooth, relaxing, and left me with no wants because they provided everything I could desire. The service was beautiful. Lionel gave me his cell number in case we got lost in Paris. Minnel thought to bring us small empty jars so we could collect sand from Omaha Beach. Traiche kept our room stocked and immaculate. He rolled up my cell phone cord every morning because I could never get it to look as good as he could.
They were incredible teachers to me on what it means to serve. I have no illusions that they loved every minute of their work. They worked long, hard hours. After all, nobody loves picking up a stranger's towel from the bathroom floor day after day. They did, however, seem to love making others happy. I know I find real joy in serving others most of the time, especially when my work is appreciated.
So what did I learn from this trip when it comes to food and service? After all, it's kind of a waste if all I do is consume without finding something deeper. First, I was reminded that I don't have to be afraid of food. I've read too many posts and articles about kale, coconut oil, tumeric, and all the other foods that will either cure or give me cancer/heart disease/diabetes/etc. I know the right foods to eat to feel good most of the time. So I'm done reading about what "new" food is either the savior or condemner of life. I will eat the amazing desserts and bread when I want. I will skip the sugary drinks because I have no breaks when it comes to sweet tea. I will also be purchasing ramekins in the next day or two because souffles need to become a part of my life. And French toast will forever be made with brioche.
Then there's service. I have two parts for this. First, I aspire to serve the people in my life the way I was served last week. I hope to pay attention closely enough to see the needs around me. I hope to be able to do the mundane jobs day after day with at least a small smile because it really does make a difference. And I hope to express genuine appreciation to those that serve me. I don't want to ever expect or take for granted the service that people offer. People give their time and energy to me every day to check out my groceries, teach my kids how to play guitar or Bible lessons at church, make my coffee. My husband gets up every day and goes to work as well as doing his share of the work around the house with joy. I am not entitled to the services I receive every day, and I hope to show how much I appreciate the work people do for me. Second, I hope to teach my children to serve well and with joy. We're Christ-followers. Serving with joy is supposed to be what we do. If I don't teach them to look for opportunities to serve, to jump in and get their hands dirty when a need arises, then I've missed out on my mission.
Whew. That was a lot to get out. If you wish I'd just share some beautiful pictures, I'll try to upload more soon. I know some people hate to see other people's vacation pics, but I actually enjoy scrolling through your travel pics. If I can't go places, at least I can live vicariously through my traveling friends. And speaking of traveling friends, well done everyone! I've gotten to look through pictures of Scandinavia, England, Hungary, Germany, Uganda, Morocco, and Honduras this summer! Thanks for sharing them!
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