Fête Sans Raison 3 juillet 2022 or Texas BBQ Comes to Mouton
This month marks our fourth year in Puyloyer (and 5th year in France). So we decided to have a party. A BIG party. Part of our inspiration was meeting Charles Fourcaulx and eating his incredibly delicious Texas style barbecue cuisine. Charles has never been to Texas, but he is PASSIONATE about all things relating to Texas barbecue. He has done the research, done his homework, practiced, cooked and refined his dishes and is a SERIOUSLY GREAT PIT MASTER. (Please recall that we lived in Central Texas (one of the BBQ capitals of Earth) for 16 years…we love BBQ). So, we contacted him and asked if he would bring his smoker rig 2+ hours to our place and he said “OUI!
The Smoker fires up at Puyloyer…10:00 am
Once Charles was on-board, Sallie went into “organzing and fabrication mode” and the Fête (party) was on! Guest list? Check (approx. 150) Invitation (created by the most wonderful theusefulhuman.com)? Check? Tent, tables & chairs, decorations, signage, cups, beverages, helpers, and cupcakes for desert? Check, check, check, check, check, check, check and check! (Please!).
As the day drew near, logistics and activities intensified. Friends pitched in to “get ‘er done” and soon our place was transformed into “French countryside barbecue heaven.”
3 juillet arrived as a glorious Sunday, warm, sunny and a gentle breeze. The parking plan worked out great, folks arrived by car, bicycle and on foot from the village and soon meeting, mingling and generally having a great time commenced and continued for hours.
Quality control inspectors give big thumbs up 
Cupcake master @sweetpeaparis 
Ribs, beef, beans, cole slaw, 2 kinds of sauce, pickled jalapeños and other delights. AND our friend Charlene made sure there were plenty of vegan and vegetarian options too! MIAM!!
Eating and drinking (local craft brewed IPA on tap, wines, Dr. Pepper, ginger ale and lots of water) continued apace. Everyone LOVED the food…many had never had anything like it…and “mass quantities” were consumed. Charles and Brice discovered that cupcakes are the perfect post-BBQ feast dessert…and luckily, we had plenty in three flavours–chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake, each with its own frosting. Soon, instruments came out of their cases and a wonderful, spontaneous jam session started, with much picking, singing, playing and general GOOD TIMES and FUN!!
Hannah & Roy 
Ell 
Ewen 
Matty on mandolin 
Matty, Bjorn & Roy 
the court yard crowd…great energy and singing along 
Bruce playing uke in shade 
JC (guitar) and Ewen (cajon) 
Martin, Chris, Ewen, JC, Ell, Geoff & Bjorn 
John (center) and a cast of many happy people
The music played on, conversations continued, new friends and connections were made and the dogs joined in the festivities. Parfait.
Special “grande merci beaucoup” to Jane, Alisa, Jana, Alan, Alain, Brice, Charlene, Charles, Chris, Cyril, Del, John, Kai, Laurence, Lewis, et Valentin pour votre assistance!
Sounds way past perfect!