The Morning After New Year’s Eve

I awoke with one false eyelash hanging over my eye. The smell of food from the night before was still in the room. There was make-up all over the sheets. My silk dress was ruined. A lampshade was on the floor.

Everyone had on pajamas except for one. I commented on seeing him fully dressed so early. He said he slept in his outfit and passed out. Someone had left the refrigerator door opened and all of the juice was warm. There were clothes, party favors, noisemakers, cards, and plastic champagne glasses strewn all over the room.

After putting on jeans and a t-shirt, but still barefoot, I ventured downstairs to the restaurant to inquire about breakfast. I still looked a mess and felt exhausted but I was so hungry. The concierge and bellhops looked at me strangely. The staff at the restaurant was professional though. They looked at me and said, “Table for 1?” The French toast and bacon was great!

Many thanks to my childhood friend from Germany and his wife for inviting me to this wild and crazy party in Washington D.C. at the Beacon Hotel! I had no idea how hard people partied in the DMV! I started off the new year with a bang.

Hello 2014!

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J6NM-91GT0

When in Champagne…

Paris in the Spring is beautiful, enchanting and a little crowded. Fortunately, there is a great solution if you are looking for a break from tourists or the bustle of city life. Getaway for the day and take a trip to the Champagne region of France! There are many quaint and beautiful towns to visit there.

Champagne houses offer tours for individuals and groups that can include Champagne tastings. During my trip I visited two champagne houses. The first was the house of Mumm. This champagne is relatively well-known. The tour guide was friendly and answered all of our questions. We were shown a film and then taken downstairs into the cellar to see the vats and old equipment and machines used for producing and bottling the champagne.

Following Mumm, we ate lunch at Le Cheval Blanc (The White Horse). The three course meal was delicious and the presentation was superb! We began with bread, cheese puffs, and champagne bien sur (of course)! The first course was jambon (ham) with spinach, walnuts and cheese.

 For the main course I had the steak. Everyone was served red wine with the meal. The fruit tart for dessert was almost too pretty to eat!

We left there satisfied and en route to the next champagne house, Acueil. This one was more of a “Mom and Pop” champagne house and it was an even better experience.

Even though we had a translator because we could not understand all of the French, the proprietor made us feel welcomed. We toured the facilities, were given a lesson explaining how other companies buy grapes from him.

 Finally came the champagne tasting. He and his wife even had a snack to go along with the champagnes. After tasting two champagnes, he insisted that we try the rose. We said, “Well, if you insist.”

Visit Reims and the Champagne region of France. You will enjoy the character and hospitality of the locals. Also, when in Champagne, drink champagne!