We enjoy celebrating American holidays with our French (and international) friends at Villa Ndio. This year we took advantage of inviting our neighbors and friends to a traditional pot-luck celebration of American Independence Day to include a celebration of Kathy’s 80th birthday. Over 50 people joined us by the pool on Saturday, 6 July (two days after the actual Fourth-of-July holiday in the States and three days before Kathy’s actual birthday) for an afternoon of feasting and conviviality.
The weather was perfect for the occasion and multiple friends pitched in to help make it a celebratory event for everyone. Most importantly, as noted in the copy of the invitation below, was the organizing support of our friend and neighbor Louise Clement. Invitation for 6 July 2024
The potluck nature of the event elicited an overwhelming response – we didn’t know what to do with it all. We provided the hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill, while our invitees came with a huge spread of appetizers and side dishes, lots of cold drinks and an awesome array of desserts. Here are the buffet choices that introduced us to a combination of American and French specialties. 
And here are the dessert selections – 
and the “piece-de-resistance”, a sensational home-made birthday cake!
Louise was instrumental in bringing together the culinary skills and generosity of the members of the Pays de Grasse English Book Club (Anna with the special cake here, plus Carol, Charlotte, Fiona, Gail, Jane, Karen and Yola). But she also pulled together the uniquely French specialties from my American English language class in Peymeinade (Choumy, Claudine, Isabelle, Monique, Michele, Jacques, Marc and René) and our many neighbors (Caroline, Sandrine, Anne, Pierre, Teo, Jon, Matilda), family (Gina, Karen and Charlie) and family friends (Charles, Oliver, Fedora and Teddy, Robert with his young infant). Many thanks to all of them for making it a special occasion for us.
And, of course, it was topped off with some special entertainment by my one and only partner Peppy. 
And finally, let’s not forget that this was to celebrate American Independence Day. I wore my suitably patriotic top with the stars and stripes, and we set out our American flags, banners and holiday napkins, too.
