Jean Claude & Martine July 3

Today we learned about how to deep clean the rooms for the guests. Every surface of the room has to be touched with either a dust rag, mop, vacuum or wet rag. After everything was cleaned we learned how to make a proper bed in the french style. Like I mentioned before the linen for the beds comes from Vero's grand mother and is cotton. Everything has to be ironed. The bedding has to be completely wrinkle free when you are finished. The top sheet is often embroidered with the family initials or some beautiful emblem

and is folded down about 18 inches. The blanket is also folded at the top and then the sheet is folded over that. Everything is tucked in on the sides and bottom and then a handmade quilt covers the top. Three pillows with ironed pillow cases are added to the bed. The first pillow is called a "travesin" or boudin (long sausage) and is as wide as the bed. This is followed by 2 more bed pillows. On top of each bed pillow is a coverlet. Everything is measured carefully and it makes for a beautiful entrance to the room especially with the antique armoirs and furniture. Obviously we have been making our beds incorrectly in America!

Jean Claude and Martine came for dinner. We had brochettes on the grill. We used squash and onions from the garden to make them. I was in charge of making pommes frites (french fries). We cooked outdoors and I had a electric frier for that. Martine brought a delicious berry mouse for dessert. It was fun getting to know some new people. They are so nice. Jean Claude is putting in a new patio made of stone for Vero and Peter. Jean Claude is also gluten free so he and Anne have something in common!