This was a starter but not mine: foie gras, onion chutney and ???
There was local cheese goats cheese followed by birthday cake accompanied by fireworks which was whisked away and converted to desserts for everyone. Coffee or tea if one wished.
Saturday 13 August 2016
A friend's belated birthday fest in July
Champagne at my friend's house was informal and relaxed. A walk to the restaurant for lunch, then back to the garden for after lunch chat and an evening barbecue were all with good company, It was nice to eat out. I like the local restaurant. Some think it Michelin standard. The food was exquisitely presented, full of protein but no vegetables! Maybe I live in the dark ages... However, thank you to all those who invited me.
This was a starter but not mine: foie gras, onion chutney and ???
This my starter : a ball of salmon gravadlax with tomato and attention to presentation!
I break into it!
This my main course: I break into a sheet of pasta to reveal delicious fresh cod and more tomato!
This was a duck main entree: not mine!
There was local cheese goats cheese followed by birthday cake accompanied by fireworks which was whisked away and converted to desserts for everyone. Coffee or tea if one wished.
Here just one of the bottles of lovely Burgundian wines...
This was a starter but not mine: foie gras, onion chutney and ???
There was local cheese goats cheese followed by birthday cake accompanied by fireworks which was whisked away and converted to desserts for everyone. Coffee or tea if one wished.
Friday 12 August 2016
Un grand vin pour un grand pas.
About ten years ago or maybe more... we were given a MAGNUM (150cl) in gratitude for us teaching English to two children and because it was a Christmas gift! The bottle was laid horizontal in a variety of temperatures at the other French house where I lived.. it was either a hot or cold environment! ... and here where the temperature has been more stable!
Having no other wine in the house I thought it was time to TEST it, to TEST the new oven and to celebrate the new kitchen. Also to thank my former partner for 3 months work laying the floor tiles, installing the kitchen furniture, reconnecting the drainage system, several other minor but important tasks, not to mention four months last year prepping walls and ceilings and installing laundry / larder room furniture.
We were both exhausted by the turn of July into August.
He has been frustrated with my slow decision making.
My own slowness has definitely frustrated me!
However, working as a team we got to where we are now - the end of six rooms being renovated in six years!
.. as well as a marvellous kitchen where I have to re-hone my cooking skills!
I invited a friend and so we were three.
We opened a bottle of Vouvray, saving half which I drank two days later and it still had fizz!
I needed bubbly!
Lamb rôti (40% price reduction bought mid June waiting in the freezer for a special occasion) was slow roasted. I slashed the top with a knife. Then rubbed into the top and underside of meat 'a chopped, crushed, blended together mixture of rosemary leaves, garlic cloves, capers, anchovies, lots of lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil'. Then I placed the meat onto sliced onions and sliced potatoes from my garden. I put it into a large oval pyrex dish which has its own lid as deep as the container. I used to have a wonderful enamelled metal one with dimples on the top but that died a few years ago!
The lamb which was more braised than roasted was served with four vegetables.
It wasn't the most amazing meal I have ever cooked but the lamb shredded off the bone after I let it rest out of the oven. I like that!
It was followed by local goats' cheese, batavia and walnut oil.
For dessert I made a blueberry / myrtille tart.. page 182...adapted to contain pears from THE FRENCH KITCHEN by Joanna Harris and Fran Warde. DELICIOUS!
ohgoodoh! My cookbooks can be found!
This wine really deserved a better meal but at least it wasn't served with a fried egg. That is another story from the long time past! Not sure how much this would have cost if I bought it in 2016! I had to not care! Delicious it was...
To be fair to this story.. we opened it the evening before this meal and drank one glass each! The cheeky monkey said it was nowhere near as good as half a bottle of St Emilion I once took home from a priest's house (with his permission!) to share with my friend!!!!! Talk about gratitude!!!!!! Maybe he does it to wind me up! Anyway I almost wish I hadn't opened it, especially when the first glassful disappeared from his glass whilst mine was still full!
GRUMBLE is my middle name!
https://www.vivino.com/wineries/bouteilley/wines/cotes-de-bordeaux-merlot-cabernet-sauvignon-2002
Having no other wine in the house I thought it was time to TEST it, to TEST the new oven and to celebrate the new kitchen. Also to thank my former partner for 3 months work laying the floor tiles, installing the kitchen furniture, reconnecting the drainage system, several other minor but important tasks, not to mention four months last year prepping walls and ceilings and installing laundry / larder room furniture.
We were both exhausted by the turn of July into August.
He has been frustrated with my slow decision making.
My own slowness has definitely frustrated me!
However, working as a team we got to where we are now - the end of six rooms being renovated in six years!
.. as well as a marvellous kitchen where I have to re-hone my cooking skills!
I invited a friend and so we were three.
We opened a bottle of Vouvray, saving half which I drank two days later and it still had fizz!
I needed bubbly!
Lamb rôti (40% price reduction bought mid June waiting in the freezer for a special occasion) was slow roasted. I slashed the top with a knife. Then rubbed into the top and underside of meat 'a chopped, crushed, blended together mixture of rosemary leaves, garlic cloves, capers, anchovies, lots of lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil'. Then I placed the meat onto sliced onions and sliced potatoes from my garden. I put it into a large oval pyrex dish which has its own lid as deep as the container. I used to have a wonderful enamelled metal one with dimples on the top but that died a few years ago!
The lamb which was more braised than roasted was served with four vegetables.
It wasn't the most amazing meal I have ever cooked but the lamb shredded off the bone after I let it rest out of the oven. I like that!
It was followed by local goats' cheese, batavia and walnut oil.
For dessert I made a blueberry / myrtille tart.. page 182...adapted to contain pears from THE FRENCH KITCHEN by Joanna Harris and Fran Warde. DELICIOUS!
ohgoodoh! My cookbooks can be found!
This wine really deserved a better meal but at least it wasn't served with a fried egg. That is another story from the long time past! Not sure how much this would have cost if I bought it in 2016! I had to not care! Delicious it was...
To be fair to this story.. we opened it the evening before this meal and drank one glass each! The cheeky monkey said it was nowhere near as good as half a bottle of St Emilion I once took home from a priest's house (with his permission!) to share with my friend!!!!! Talk about gratitude!!!!!! Maybe he does it to wind me up! Anyway I almost wish I hadn't opened it, especially when the first glassful disappeared from his glass whilst mine was still full!
GRUMBLE is my middle name!
https://www.vivino.com/wineries/bouteilley/wines/cotes-de-bordeaux-merlot-cabernet-sauvignon-2002
YUM!
Thursday 11 August 2016
Before fireworks on the same day
"Oh how magazine" says a friend for morning coffee re the kitchen!
We sat for longer than I thought she had time yet I was pleased to chat.
Even though I'd forgotten about my intended trip to Le Blanc, where 350 stalls were showing ancient and modern ware in intense heat, I went with three hours to spare. It was worth the pistachio ice cream but I did not find what I was looking for. On the way I took a route that I was not familiar with (was thinking about something else, so travelled much further cross-country than I relished).
On the edge of one of the many woodlands a sleek, golden brown buck bolted across the road looking into my eyes as I approached at speed!
Then I thought of at least two friends who like sports vehicles!
The second one is for me!
Whizz home to leftover lamb (all leftover veg had been eaten in three days), quick shower, dress business-like for two hours voluntary work which made my head spin!
Whizz home to calm quiche making from THE FRENCH KITCHEN ... page 55 and my first pastry making session in three years, I am sure! Bit short but it yummy. Not enough tomatoes in the fridge so adapt with red peppers. No cream so add the festering feta cheese and left over cube of pokey Cantal diced small with Herbes du Provence. YUM. Any bacteria is blasted by the heat!
Gently stroll at twilight along places where people gather to watch fireworks as mist hovers above the river pressed down by colder air before the fun of the fair.
(Does that need commas? Perhaps or not?)
Not often are stages set with people cooking, eating, walking, searching, sitting, waiting for the best viewing place, whilst that grand chateau under repair and fortification has waited for 11 centuries for this day to look down upon us.
It is under new management by a company from Dordogneshire - a company that manages several National Monuments. Unfortunately, the Forteresse and the Roc aux Sorciers will, as far as I know be closed at the end of August, so come this month if you would like tickets for the two sites.
We sat for longer than I thought she had time yet I was pleased to chat.
Even though I'd forgotten about my intended trip to Le Blanc, where 350 stalls were showing ancient and modern ware in intense heat, I went with three hours to spare. It was worth the pistachio ice cream but I did not find what I was looking for. On the way I took a route that I was not familiar with (was thinking about something else, so travelled much further cross-country than I relished).
On the edge of one of the many woodlands a sleek, golden brown buck bolted across the road looking into my eyes as I approached at speed!
 |
| I rather like the fusion of wood and metal and thought of my son who could make something such as this or these. |
Whizz home to calm quiche making from THE FRENCH KITCHEN ... page 55 and my first pastry making session in three years, I am sure! Bit short but it yummy. Not enough tomatoes in the fridge so adapt with red peppers. No cream so add the festering feta cheese and left over cube of pokey Cantal diced small with Herbes du Provence. YUM. Any bacteria is blasted by the heat!
 |
| in the oven |
 | ||||
| out of the oven, on the new grill, on top of the new induction hob and the lovely silk print of frangipani flowers selected by me from Sri Lanka 20 years ago! |
 |
| a slice of! |
(Does that need commas? Perhaps or not?)
 |
| Three clicks of the camera and the theatrical stage view changes slightly! |
It is under new management by a company from Dordogneshire - a company that manages several National Monuments. Unfortunately, the Forteresse and the Roc aux Sorciers will, as far as I know be closed at the end of August, so come this month if you would like tickets for the two sites.
Tuesday 9 August 2016
More images of fireworks
... this time from the ipad, which I had to send to my email address and receive on the computer, then download to downloads then search for TODAY, then upload to here.
Whether they shall stay, or not, I do no know! I have since then uploaded from downloads to iphoto Events, then merged 9 photos one by one...
Rather laborious in this high tech world me thinks!
( for smart readers.. I have added this post respectively so it is in a better order!)
Until next year... That tree needs to come down!
Whether they shall stay, or not, I do no know! I have since then uploaded from downloads to iphoto Events, then merged 9 photos one by one...
Rather laborious in this high tech world me thinks!
( for smart readers.. I have added this post respectively so it is in a better order!)
Monday 8 August 2016
Looking back - starting to update
Looking back from today
starting with yesterday
I shall begin to recreate
a kind of replicate
in photo
in word.
Yesterday 7th August was the 80th anniversary of the Feu d'Artifice which began in my village in 1936, only interrupted during WWII and in 2012, when a very stormy, rainy day, which had cleared by 22h cancelled the event. It was started to celebrate the first time the people of France had been given paid holiday.
The first candle of a firework fountain or torch burned from the castellations in 1936. Another has been added each year!
I have been privileged over the years to view the drama, hear the commentary and music from several places, I still think the best was the year that "Carmina Burana" belted out! Although, I have never sat on the island, methinks that next year that would be the pace to be! Since 2006 I have sat on each side of the river. Once I shared a home made pizza picnic with my lover. Another time I shared a picnic alone. I sat since the afternoon to preserve myself a place, forlorn with the realisation that love was lost. One year, at the last minute, I climbed the *** to disturb others, to squeeze a place to sit to watch the spectacle. It was extremely crowded that particular year; I forget which! For various years I have stood in a friend's garden by the side of the river. In 2015 there was a splendid view as the high trees blocking the view had been removed. It was a good social occasion. In 2014 and this year I viewed the chateau from not quite as high, but high from the balcony of the grandmother's house of my French-English friends. A sociable, welcoming family.
This year there seemed to be fewer people. Some are too afraid to be in crowded settings. Some have been advised not to attend such events. The village employed extra security and this is a possibility why some have been intimidated. Several people seemed to be walking in the wrong direction at the wrong hour! Every year there is a charge. Currently 7e. I don't mind paying. However, I think it is a lot of money for a family for less than one hour's entertainment when many firework events are subsidised and free. So many people were confused this year about parking arrangements and whether they would be able to get home; get out of the village. I think much more should be done to inform the public. Small notices are not always clear. This year there was much more deliberation to remove all vehicles from the streets. Tractors blocked the entrances to the village and near my house one vehicle flouted the regulation. I also witnessed verbal abuse insulting an elderly man who works voluntarily. The French 4x4 local driver was unnecessarily arrogant just because he could not drive through at 5pm precisely.
After the spectacle I went to the funfair. The children always like to have a go on the ducks, expensive at 4e for ten ducks but they always are given a prize. The older boy loves to do Shooting the three balloons "Hit Rifle" and after their three family paid sessions I paid for one more. That meant I could have one shot, the children each one, mum and dad each one and then the older boy an extra shot. I was so surprised to pop two balloons in one having never done it before! After that I promised the seven year old a dodgems ride. It's called "Racing Cars". I haven't driven one since I was in my thirties! Last year, my former partner drove and it was wonderful to LAUGH! I had to brace myself against the whiplash but this year I seemed much better at physically handling the experience.
It was 5e for three tokens .. three rides, but they gave me four! Although the boy wanted to hold the wheel and drive I had to take control otherwise we wouldn't have been motionless and prey to all bumpers! Whilst driving, which was great fun, he wanted to bump the others and I pointed out that there was skill in getting around without bumping or being bumped! We did a few 360 degree circles! Then I gave each of the younger twins a ride! Again they held the wheel and eventually allowed me to take control of which direction we were going, my arm around them protecting them from being thrown out of the car.
It was half past one when I returned home. Sandbags were in strategic positions.. I am sorry but I thought security was OTT... six officers overseeing the funfair at that time of night!
Still, it was necessary, I am sure, and the organisers felt supported in their quest to uphold this traditional event for the general public. In the current climate the village were not intimidated.
I always forget to set the camera on a programme which will take night bright moving light firework shots. This year I also took some with my ipad. These are from the camera.
I have only edited with ENHANCE and CROP and rather like the weird atmospheric colour!
starting with yesterday
I shall begin to recreate
a kind of replicate
in photo
in word.
Yesterday 7th August was the 80th anniversary of the Feu d'Artifice which began in my village in 1936, only interrupted during WWII and in 2012, when a very stormy, rainy day, which had cleared by 22h cancelled the event. It was started to celebrate the first time the people of France had been given paid holiday.
The first candle of a firework fountain or torch burned from the castellations in 1936. Another has been added each year!
I have been privileged over the years to view the drama, hear the commentary and music from several places, I still think the best was the year that "Carmina Burana" belted out! Although, I have never sat on the island, methinks that next year that would be the pace to be! Since 2006 I have sat on each side of the river. Once I shared a home made pizza picnic with my lover. Another time I shared a picnic alone. I sat since the afternoon to preserve myself a place, forlorn with the realisation that love was lost. One year, at the last minute, I climbed the *** to disturb others, to squeeze a place to sit to watch the spectacle. It was extremely crowded that particular year; I forget which! For various years I have stood in a friend's garden by the side of the river. In 2015 there was a splendid view as the high trees blocking the view had been removed. It was a good social occasion. In 2014 and this year I viewed the chateau from not quite as high, but high from the balcony of the grandmother's house of my French-English friends. A sociable, welcoming family.
This year there seemed to be fewer people. Some are too afraid to be in crowded settings. Some have been advised not to attend such events. The village employed extra security and this is a possibility why some have been intimidated. Several people seemed to be walking in the wrong direction at the wrong hour! Every year there is a charge. Currently 7e. I don't mind paying. However, I think it is a lot of money for a family for less than one hour's entertainment when many firework events are subsidised and free. So many people were confused this year about parking arrangements and whether they would be able to get home; get out of the village. I think much more should be done to inform the public. Small notices are not always clear. This year there was much more deliberation to remove all vehicles from the streets. Tractors blocked the entrances to the village and near my house one vehicle flouted the regulation. I also witnessed verbal abuse insulting an elderly man who works voluntarily. The French 4x4 local driver was unnecessarily arrogant just because he could not drive through at 5pm precisely.
After the spectacle I went to the funfair. The children always like to have a go on the ducks, expensive at 4e for ten ducks but they always are given a prize. The older boy loves to do Shooting the three balloons "Hit Rifle" and after their three family paid sessions I paid for one more. That meant I could have one shot, the children each one, mum and dad each one and then the older boy an extra shot. I was so surprised to pop two balloons in one having never done it before! After that I promised the seven year old a dodgems ride. It's called "Racing Cars". I haven't driven one since I was in my thirties! Last year, my former partner drove and it was wonderful to LAUGH! I had to brace myself against the whiplash but this year I seemed much better at physically handling the experience.
It was 5e for three tokens .. three rides, but they gave me four! Although the boy wanted to hold the wheel and drive I had to take control otherwise we wouldn't have been motionless and prey to all bumpers! Whilst driving, which was great fun, he wanted to bump the others and I pointed out that there was skill in getting around without bumping or being bumped! We did a few 360 degree circles! Then I gave each of the younger twins a ride! Again they held the wheel and eventually allowed me to take control of which direction we were going, my arm around them protecting them from being thrown out of the car.
It was half past one when I returned home. Sandbags were in strategic positions.. I am sorry but I thought security was OTT... six officers overseeing the funfair at that time of night!
Still, it was necessary, I am sure, and the organisers felt supported in their quest to uphold this traditional event for the general public. In the current climate the village were not intimidated.
I always forget to set the camera on a programme which will take night bright moving light firework shots. This year I also took some with my ipad. These are from the camera.
I have only edited with ENHANCE and CROP and rather like the weird atmospheric colour!
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