Debbie's Delectable Delights

Fun in the snow.....

2012-02-08T13:35:00.000+01:00

otherwise known as "just another sunday in Buxerolles"

15cm of snow fell on saturday, and was still dry and powdery on sunday. So what else can you do except get outside and play.

A major snowball fight was held first (not sure if the adults really won as small children can be very devious....), followed by sledding for the kidlets. What you see above is the activity for the last third of the day.

After exhausting ourselves, everyone descended upon a neighbours house where we made poffejties and crepes washed down with glogg ( a Swedish mulled wine).

Who said life in the country was too quiet and boring?????

Neige!

2012-02-01T11:16:00.000+01:00

Yes, it is finally snowing here. I don't know who is more excited... the neighbours kidlets or me....

I love when it snows. The world goes all quiet and peaceful and there is such a special atmosphere. Everything ugly and harsh to the view disappears under a dusting of white. It is like a return to childhood. The anticipation, butterflies in the stomach - waiting for the moment when the world is completely changed into something magical and unreal.

One of my great pleasures is to go for a walk, camera in hand, and watch the transformation. My eyes are constantly watching for the traces of the small animals normally hidden from view. Finding the path taken by a badger, marten or other wild creature is almost as exciting as seeing the animal itself. Those lovely little prints through the pristine snow are a delight to find. I know, I am a bit strange. Wayne shakes his head in disbelief that I have a book on animal scat and traces. My theory is that if you want to understand and really know the environment that you live in, it is essential to learn about things like poo and paw prints. It goes hand in hand with living in the country to my mind. Nerdy I know, but very very interesting....lol

Monday morning the cats and I spent hours glued to the windows watching the transformation of our neighbourhood into a snow fantasy. Every few hours I ran outside with the video camera (new toy) and filmed the progress of the house turning from a typical maison Poitevin into something from Hansel and Gretel. You know what I mean.... the frosted eaves and fairytale garden coated in a layer of snow, with smoke curling lazily from the chimney.

Tuesday afternoon saw my garden become the venue for a heated snowball fight between a neighbourhood 4 year old and myself. No comments about picking on someone my own size.... this kidlet was an expert at snowballs!! After nearly collapsing with laughter at his antics in the snow, his Mum and I retired to the comfort of the salon and a cosy armchair each in front of the cheminee. Well deserved mug of tisane in hand - of course.

Today is a half day for all schools. As it is every wednesday. Another snowball match has been scheduled with the neighbours kidlets for 1300hours. May need to have a few cups of full strength coffee before then I think...lol. Yesterday at a routine checkup, the doctor asked about my exercise habits, and was puzzled when I burst out laughing. Had to explain about the championship snowball battles every day while the snow lasted. She had a good giggle over that and her only comment was that I was obviously getting enough exercise running from the neighbours kidlets. Hmmm.

Seriously (?) though, the snow does change the whole outlook of people as well as the area. On monday evening one of the neighbours arrived home with his wife. Their young adult daughter drove in at the same time. Within seconds of exiting their vehicles the father had commenced pelting his wife and daughter with snowballs. A hilarious snowball fight ensued for about half an hour. All three dressed in business attire and the women in high heels! It was fabulous to see them having so much fun, and to hear their laughter echoing down the street. What a great way to let off steam after a hard day at work!

I cannot imagine the heat and humidity being suffered by our family and friends in Australia right now. My world is too full of fluttering white flocons de neige and crisp cold air.... and we have another 2 weeks of minus zero and snow to come.... YOUPI!!!

The photo at top was taken in my neighbours garden about three hours in to the snow. The pic of our house was only one hour in to the snow.

Home Again....

2012-01-20T10:08:00.000+01:00

Phew! What a whirlwind tour of family and friends that was. Think we need a holiday to recover from the holiday...lol

A good time was had by all and it was lovely to see everyone again. We both wished we had more time to spend at each stop and with each person.

The boys had a lovely time at their pension in the countryside. In fact it was extremely difficult to convince them to get into their carry cases to come home! They did not like the Christmas week with all its coming and going, but loved the outdoor exercise area and the cosy beds.

It has been a relatively mild winter here so far. No snow as yet and no ice, although high winds and lots of rain. Fortunately for me, I missed all this and from the day I arrived back it has been cold and fairly clear. In fact winter seems to have made an effort for me and the past week has seen temps below zero and severe frosts. A few mornings I have awoken to a garden that was so iced over that it almost looked like it had snowed during the night!

I have spent the past 2 weeks catching up on things here and getting organised again. Thought I was at the stage were I could relax and kick back a bit.... when 3 steres of wood was delivered yesterday.... and needs to be stacked quickly as they are predicting snow for tomorrow.... and Wayne is away on business... comme d'habitude.... sigh. So guess what I am doing today.

Had a lovely visit from a friend this week. She was passing through on the way south for work and stayed here, and then on her return trip she also stayed over. It was great to catch up and to welcome her to our home. First time she had visited here, and so it was extra special for me that she made the time to stop by twice. A real treat to see her.

The cats in the neighbourhood were all very glad to see me back. Little Salameche is now a big boy. Still gorgeous and super affectionate.... and still spending the day and night everywhere else except his own home. When he saw me outside he ran down the road and leapt into my arms. I had my face thoroughly smooged and patted (close eyes, grit teeth and don't breathe in all the cat hairs...lol) and he told me a huge tale of the past 2 months, before allowing me to put him down and continue to the letter box. A funny little character.

A note. My computer is about to reach the end of its life, so for a few weeks - until I can replace it - I cannot do much on it. Most functions, including emails, meet with a message telling me that no space or memory or capacity or just simply a fail message. So emails will be a bit quiet from me till new computer is installed. Apologies to all that I owe emails. I am using my iphone to answer urgent stuff, and having to let all other emails wait.

The photo at top is of a King Parrot (male) taken in the Blue Mountains at a friends place.
Second photo is a view through the gardens surrounding Circular Quay, (from the Rocks towards the quay).

Voyage

2011-11-22T18:51:00.000+01:00

Well, it is that time of year. A time when everyone thinks of family and friends and settles in for 2 months of eating and drinking.

So, I am off to Australia for nearly 2 months of family, friends, eating and drinking.

I may update the blog while I am gone, but cannot guarantee taking time out from all the visiting and adventures in order to do so. As this is a personal blog.... there will be no guest bloggers/ holiday competitions/trite electronic postcards etc... sorry if that disappoints

What I will promise is lots of photos on my return and time to once again blog every week.

Today I sent in my dissertation for the course I have been doing. A huge relief and a huge burden from my shoulders. It is not due till mid december, but I have worked extremely hard to finish it before my trip. I thought that the last thing I would want to do is hide away in a room and write and study, not when there is the beach and people I love to spend time with.

On the home front, the garden has been put to bed for winter. All tender plants are under a covering and the trees have been pruned to keep them snug till spring. We have had so much sunshine and blue sky that it hasn't felt like winter yet.... although the temperature has been low and no matter how inviting the sunshine looks - it is NOT warm.

I have a successful hedgehog shelter. Already 3 hedgies are in there all curled up and cute. Due to the warmth they come out for food each night still. So I have been feeding them up so they are nice and fat to hibernate while I am away. Very pleased with that project. The pic above is my new hedgie. No name yet. He had just tipped the dish of cat croquettes upside down on to his head and I found him underneath grunting and muttering away as he scoffed them down. Not quite used to pats yet, but have explained that if he doesn't let me pat him then he can't live here.... he remained unimpressed.

One visitor which we have seen evidence of - although not the actual animal - is a badger. He has helped himself to hedgehog food a few times, and left a little "present" by way of thanks. In fact it was his little calling cards which enabled me to identify which animal was visiting. (Wayne was laughing that I borrowed a book on animal faeces from the library. My response was that if there was a book available to borrow, it was not a strange thing to do.) I spent quite a few days examining evidence and comparing to pictures and descriptions in the book before deciding that it might have been a member of the weasel family (the books said probably a marten) and most probably a badger.

Also on loan from the library was a book on the native plants of the region. Fascinating stuff. I have all the good plants in my wild meadow patch. I was thrilled! So have followed instructions for best propagation and self seeding and left it to wait out winter. Hopefully next year I will have an even better wild meadow area.

The owner of our house called by a few days ago. It was nice to meet him and put a face to the name on our lease. He was a charming man and made a point of asking if we would stay for a long time please. I laughed and said that we were happy in his house and so had no plans to move soon. (Besides that - after all the struggle to get everything here from Paris and Australia, I don't think I could face another move for a few years yet!) One thing we he said was that he was extremely happy with the garden and house under my care. He said it had never looked so good before. A nice compliment.

The boys are loving the house, and really loving the fireplace. Guy has claimed a spot on a cushion in front and he sits there in anticipation each day until I finally light the fire. Eric doesn't care. He waits till I sit in the recliner to have a half hour break in the afternoon, and then claims my lap. Starting to be a snuggle puss now. Salameche is growing day by day. Still thinks he lives with us and tries to spend the night more often than not. In the morning our bedroom is flooded with sunlight. Of course all the cats are to be found sprawled across our bed basking and snoozing in the light and warmth. This pic is of the paws of Salameche. If the size of his feet are any indication, he is going to be a good sized cat when fully grown.

Since the summer we have really settled in here. Friends have been made that we will treasure for a lifetime. My days are full and we are living in a beautiful area that always offers something new to experience. Sunday afternoon was lovely and sunny, so we went with neighbours to an area about 20minutes away and walked along the river. A gorgeous spot and I was annoyed that I left my camera at home. We have promised that we will go back again with them as it was so beautiful and a lovely thing to do on a sunday afternoon.

Building works beside the farm (about 100metres from our house) has thrown up a layer of undisturbed geology which has provided hours of enjoyment for a few others and myself. Last saturday we were finding pieces of ammonoids - some very large ones too! It is not surprising as every time I disturb the soil in the garden I find fossils. I put them aside and examine them afterwards, then pass most of them to a child in the lane who is really interested in fossils and rocks.

Well, time to finish this long update. We have an apero with the neighbours tonight. A bon voyage drinks party that promises to be a lot of fun.

For those that celebrate, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. For everyone else, see you after the holidays.

This is one of my photographs which I have made part of my panel for my photography course. A pastel pink rose from my garden, edited into monochrome. No other editing needed. It was the most perfect rose at the perfect stage of opening.

Raining and pouring

2011-10-25T19:19:00.000+02:00

Wish I was snoring....

It is perfect stay in bed weather. Autumn seems to have given way to winter a tad early. We have had hard frosts already and everything has gone into hibernation - animals and plants. This week has seen heavy rain, and more heavy rain.

The fire has been lit from lunchtime every day. The cats are most appreciative of this. It does make the house lovely and cosy, and I like the look and feel of a fire as opposed to electric or gas heating.

No real news. I am still working away at my photography course as well as my other projects. Wayne is still working hard and travelling from time to time.

Looking forward to our Christmas in Australia. Eight years is far too long. Also to see all the family - including all new children in the family - and to catch up with old friends. We have less than three weeks together in Australia, but cannot complain. It will just be good to be there.

Saffron season

2011-10-18T15:26:00.000+02:00

It has been a busy few weeks. Working away from home, catching up with friends, studying and - of course - watching the rugby.

With the change of season I am embarking on new adventures in the garden. Our first autumn and our first time clearing the leaves and cutting back trees and shrubs ready for winter.

One exciting thing is that my saffron crocii have bloomed! I planted them a few months ago and carefully mulched the spot so I would be able to remember that I had planted there. Whilst I was away the bulbs sprang forth and bloomed.

It is painstaking work, but I think the end result is worth it. The hardest part is getting up really early to pick the threads before the sun hits them.....supposedly the best flavour and colour that way. Each red thread must be hand picked from the flower, which contains three threads in total. A few petals and stamen did fall victim to my picking, but were easy enough to discard later. To process the threads I placed them for a few minutes on paper towel to absorb any early morning dew, then into a jar and semi covered to dry for a few weeks.

I have a few ounces of saffron threads drying slowly, and am hoping that I will have more flowers in next few days. There are a few gaps in the spot where I planted, so hopefully they are just late bloomers - not dead bulbs.

How perfect that the saffron is harvested at this time of year when warming casseroles, rissottos and other hearty meals are craved. I am looking forward to using it to add colour and depth of flavour to my autumn dishes.

Autumn

2011-10-08T17:20:00.000+02:00

Well, autumn has arrived and with it the crisp cool days and grey weather.

We lit our first fire in the fireplace yesterday. Took a bit to get it going. These european woods are not like the Aussie ones.... a different tactic is needed.

This is my effort of today. Not perfect, but it has been burning all afternoon and the lounge and dining (as well as our bedroom upstairs) are toasty and oh so comfortable.

The boys are discovering the delights of a wood fire too. Eric has not left his post on the armchair beside the fire since he realised how warm it was. Guy keeps enticing me back in to the lounge so he can toast in front of the fire.... but being my shadow, he has to leave it each time I do.

Off for work for the next week, then back home and time to get on with the autumn chores in the garden. The apples are ripe and I have already had a bucketful from the wild tree in the wood. Delicious, crunchy and tart. Makes fabulous compote too!

How many pieces can a crystal jug break into?

2011-09-08T22:01:00.000+02:00

The answer is lots..... and lots.... and lots......

In this image you can not see the hundreds of miniscule fragments which had worked their way through the entire carton and embedded themselves into my arms and hands whilst unwrapping all of the other objects in there. Aaaargh!

So far only four items broken out of the hundred or so boxes I have unpacked. A good result, even if two of those four items happen to be very special pieces and irreplaceable.

Yes, I have spent many hours on the internet trying to find a replacement for this jug for insurance purposes. It literally is irreplaceable. The modern version is ugly and does not resemble the original in any way shape or form.

Oh well, c'est la vie as they say. One of the pitfalls of shipping stuff halfway around the world.

Let's hope the bar-be-que made it through ok. Now that really would be a catastrophe!!

Monkey business

2011-08-30T09:32:00.000+02:00

What an exciting week!

Thanks to the generosity of my brother and sister in law, I had the company of our nieces for a week... and what a fun week we had.

Lots of swimming, eating fresh juicy stone fruits, feeding chooks and collecting eggs, cuddling cats, picking fruit and veg from the garden, and learning new french phrases and behaviours.

They did really well in learning french and picking up the etiquette of the area.... and Tati Deb being who she is, they learnt a LOT of history and culture as well. Poor things...lol They thought it was school holidays, and wound up in holiday school.

One of the days we went to the Vallee des Singes. A monkey zoo outside of Poitiers. It was fabulous. I highly recommend it. The larger primates are kept in moated enclosures, but the smaller ones are all around you. I love lemurs and was thrilled that one of them used my foot as a resting spot on his way to the feeding area. The tiny monkeys were so cute and full of character as well. The little one above was determined to see what was behind the camera and I had a hard job keeping him in the lens!

Our belongings did not arrive last week...... cancelled by the company as their driver was injured and could not drive (what international company only has one driver on call???). Getting a bit fed up with them and will be writing to the removalists board when this is all over. Hopefully they will be delivering tomorrow. No time given, just between 8am and 6pm. Please all think of us and think of the delivery going ahead.

I will be learning to stack firewood next week. Our winter stocks have been ordered and are due on wednesday afternoon. There is a method to stacking the wood, which I will be learning and having to accomplish in order to get it all ready for winter. Ten steres due, which is a lot of wood! Think it may take me a while. Watch this space.....

Anyway, could go on for weeks about the fun week with the kidlets, but know they will be chatting to, emailing and postcarding everyone, so will not spoil their news.

No other news from me. Will update in next week after firewood delivery. Must remember to tell you about the peach bbq sauce that I made. Absolutely delicious!!

Not quite fluffy dice.....

2011-08-07T22:58:00.000+02:00

But you can find fluffy cat bottoms in there.

Yes, he is inside my car. The penalty for leaving the hatch open while unloading things.

Now of course it is a fun game to have one in and one out and to attack each other through the windscreen.

.....and yes, they do walk all over the car at will....grrrr. My cute little red car is always covered in grubby cat paw prints. Even though it is parked in the garage and is washed and kept in good condition - I always have their sweaty little fat feet leaving calling cards across the bonnet, windows and roof. Nothing deters Guy, and of course what Guy does, Eric copies.

Spuds!

2011-07-29T10:11:00.000+02:00

I am quite excited about this.......

Today I dug my first batch of potatoes from the garden.

Aren't they so beautiful. All knobbly and golden and perfect. No chemicals, just good clean sunshine, earth and water. They are such a satisfying crop. No fuss or effort for a large yield.

Think I will steam some of them in their skins and top with fresh butter and parsley. I want to know what they taste like first before I decide what I will make with them.

What is this?

2011-07-26T09:22:00.000+02:00

Lots happening here in the Poitou-Charentes

I am in the process of getting my french drivers licence.... which means that I have to go to driving school every day to do theory lessons. Then after I finish that I am allowed to do 20 hours of supervised driving with the school, then I can get my licence. sigh Really not a happy girl.

We have had so much rain that I think I am getting webbed feet. If I start to quack, start worrying....

Had a quick trip to Paris/London with a girlfriend for shopping. Badly needed new clothes, and we were so disappointed that we found almost nothing we liked. Oh well, that's life. So I am still wearing my too large clothes for a while till I find things I like.

Our shipment was transhipped... which means we are still waiting on it. Starting to get a bit annoying now as we are desperate to furnish and have a proper home. The company is very bad at keeping us up to date and I am having to chase them constantly.

We have had visitors to our empty home. The poor things had to sleep on fold out beds. At least they were good fold out beds, but still I feel a bit embarrassed that our home is not finished yet.

I really enjoy when we have visitors. It is a bit isolated here during the week. Everyone is at work in our little lane, and it is just me, the cats and the chooks. Hedgehogs and red squirrels don't count as they don't play during the day...lol

Our latest visitor is a woman after my own heart. She is like a sister to me and we think so alike on so many things. I have really missed her since we moved from Paris as we used to see each other almost every day. We had a great time. I think the highlight for me was having someone to go foraging with. We walked along the River Clain and picked wild plums, elderberries and I took cuttings of local weeds for the garden.

It may seem strange picking weeds..... but these are pretty to look at, and are essential for butterflies. We have had a lot of butterflies, and I want to ensure that our garden is very insect and wildlife friendly.

So after our walk and gathering of the fruits of nature we spent hours preparing the fruit. I have since spent days making the fruit into lots of delicious treats... and have the purple hands to prove it! lol

Yes, the photo is elderberries, and they do have an amazing ability to dye everything they touch. The raw juice washes off with no problems. When you cook the berries it releases compounds which turn it into a pretty and very effective purple dye. Squeezing the juice from the berries has left me with purple hands and strange purple/black rimmed nails. I look a bit like I have decided to draw on my hands with permanent marker. Pity it is not halloween as I could do a great costume starting with my hands as inspiration...lol

Delectable Drinks

2011-06-01T16:37:00.000+02:00

As promised..... A few recipes for drinks that I have been making over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, not many photos. Was so busy making that forgot to stop and pick up camera. Ooops.

I have so many cookbooks and cooking/food magazines. Watch a lot of food tv and talk about food with all my friends and the marchands at the marche constantly. Yes, I am a little obsessed with food and cooking or preparation of food.

I love having people come for dinner and to make everything from scratch. In Paris I could cook almost everything in our small appartement, but did not have the room to do any brewing of beverages.

Now of course, things have changed and we are living in a lovely big house in the countryside. The garden is overflowing with produce and I have a huge cave to store my goodies in. Life is good!

One of the first things I made when spring finally arrived was strawberry ratafia. It is basically strawberries macerated in alcohol till the alcohol has all the flavour and colour and the strawberries are a colourless mush. You can use eau de vie or grain alcohol to do this. I am a vodka kind of girl, so I used a decent vodka. Not the cheap and nasty one that strips paint, but not the top shelf one either. Just a vodka that you would be happy to drink. I used gariguette strawberries. You want the most perfumed and flavourful berries you can find - in perfect shape, no bruises! Then the fun begins....

Strawberry Ratafia
A large sealable glass jar (I use the ones with a rubber ring and metal lock)
Half to three quarters of the jars volume in strawberries
Bottle of vodka

Make sure berries are very clean and remove calix (green bit at top). Weigh them and figure out what one fifth of their weight is in white sugar.
Mash strawberries roughly with sugar and leave to rest overnight. You do not want a puree! Chunks please.
Place in dry sterilised jar
Pour in vodka till strawberries covered by a few centimetres
Seal jar and place in a cool dark place

Every few days give jar a gentle shake and tip upside down to redistribute fruit and get the vodka moving

When vodka is dark pink and berries are pale pink almost white, you are nearly done. This should take a week or so.

Gently decant into a strainer with a very fine mesh, or a strainer lined with filter paper or muslin. Pour into sealable bottles and leave in a cool dark place for a few weeks before enjoying.

We drink it mixed half and half with lemonade which is very nice on a hot day.

Limoncello
After reading many recipes for this drink, I worked out a recipe that I liked. I do not like sweet drinks very much and love anything lemon flavoured, so I reduced the amount of sugar and upped the amount of lemon.

Large sealable glass jar
Rinds of 4 lemons (as little pith as possible as it is bitter)
approx 2 cups of vodka

Place lemon rinds in dry sterilised jar and cover with vodka.
Leave in cool dark place for 2 weeks or so. Every few days give jar gentle shake and tip upside down to redistribute the lemon in the liquid

When liquid is yellow and rinds looking a bit pathetic,

Bring one and a half cups of white sugar and 2 cups of water to the boil. Gently boil for 5 mins till thick and syrupy but do not let burn or colour! Allow syrup to cool
When syrup is cool add to lemon rind and vodka, seal jar and give a gentle shake.
Let this mixture steep for another 2 weeks, gently shaking jar every few days.

After 2 weeks strain the mix and pour into dry sterilised bottles. Chill in fridge or freezer and serve straight up as an aperitif.

That is all for now. Will post Rhubarb recipes end of next week. Am off to the Jura for a geology trip now. More on that at a later date.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

2011-05-31T11:25:00.000+02:00

......hopefully.

Things have been a little hectic around here lately. Between an overly productive fruit and vegetable garden, house guests and the usual daily tasks, I have not had time to post for a while.

The cherry harvest has finally slowed to almost nothing. In fact after the high winds of yesterday and today I think there will be none left on the tree at all. Sad, but I cannot help heaving a sigh of relief. It feels so wasteful to not make the most of the bounty offered up to us by good soil and lots of sunshine, but it is exhausting to try and keep up with.

I did not think to weigh the cherries as we picked them. A shame, as I am sure we had over 10kgs from our half of the tree. I will be better prepared next year - and not so naive.....

My rhubarb decided to turn into a monster and overtake the raised garden beds. A lot of picking and processing was needed to bring it back to a manageable plant. Luckily I adore rhubarb so I was not too stressed about what to do with all the largesses.

The gariguette strawberries, wild strawberries and the others (type unknown - alright, but not fabulous flavour) also decided to put forth masses of fruits. A friends' children helped out by foraging and feasting one sunday afternoon. They were enchanted with the tiny wild strawberries and think they liked them best of all.

There has been plenty of home brewing happening as well. I have limoncello (second batch - first batch decimated by visitors one sunday afternoon), strawberry ratafia, rhubarb liqueur and rhubarb syrup, cherry pineau, cherries in ginger wine and cherry liqueur all sitting nice and cosy in the cave.

Recipes for all the above will follow this afternoon - or tomorrow morning - depending on time.

Cross Cultural Communication..... or miscommunication

2011-04-15T10:29:00.002+02:00

As promised last post, I have some recipes to share. I am going to start with the latest project and work backwards... just for fun.

Easter is fast approaching and one of the things I really miss living in France is hot cross buns. The closest thing that we can get to them here is a panettone - yes, before you say it, I agree - not even close.

Try explaining hot cross buns to someone French. The best translation of the name I could come up with at an instants notice was "petit pains de croix chaud" (small rolls of hot crosses). Some things just do not translate.

The flavour however, well that is another kettle of fish... or dough. So far those I have (force)fed the buns have marvelled at how light and tasty they are. I may not have this cross cultural communication thing down pat, but I surely can cross the cultural divide with a soft, warm, spicy bun spread with local butter. These are delicious hot with fresh butter, and if you have any leftover I imagine they would be fabulous toasted too. I need to bake another batch to test this theory though as none left of the first batch. Gannets, what can I say.

I read a few blogs each morning, dipping in and out of them as the mood takes me. One that I am especially impressed with is an Australian blog 120dollarsfoodchallenge. Sandra is a creative cook who is trying to make meals for the family on a tight budget. There is a whole story about the creation of her blog, and a lot of controversy. Personally, I think what she is doing is great and kudos to her for encouraging people on limited incomes to feed themselves and their families healthfully and without missing out on treats and flavour.

Anyway, whilst browsing her blog the other day I saw a recipe for hot cross buns. My heart skipped a beat. My mouth watered. The little voice in my head went "Oh yuck, fiddly and complicated". (Really need to trade the little voice in my head for on a new one someday).

After reading the recipe and thinking about it, I realised that it really was simple. Rather than the complicated, fussy instructions normally found, Sandra has given a clear and easy to follow recipe with no tricks or extra steps. Wonderful.

I have given you Sandra's blog link, and will give you the recipe that I wound up creating from it. Take your pick between them, or adjust again for your tastes. One great thing with Sandra's recipe is that she gives you instructions for making in a breadmaker. Still waiting for mine to arrive from Australia with all our goods and chattels, so I made mine by hand.

Thanks to Pestoman and Pamela who gifted me two Historic New Orleans Collection mugs. The perfect size for an afternoon tea time drink, and lovely to look at as well.

Hot Cross Buns - A Debbie Version

1/3 cup fine sugar (caster sugar if you have it)
2 teaspoons dried yeast (or 2 5g sachets)
1 and 1/2 cups warm milk
600g flour (plain not self raising)
1/2 teaspoon salt
good grind of cinnamon
big shake of 5 spice
good grind of nutmeg
60g unsalted butter melted
1 egg lightly beaten
as many sultanas as you want (no more than 1 cup though)

Mix sugar, milk and yeast in a bowl till well combined. Set aside 10 minutes till yeast activates and the mix goes frothy

Put flour salt and spices in huge bowl. Add wet mix, butter, egg and sultanas. Mix till combined but do not over mix. Leave in warm spot till doubled in size (can take 30-45 mins).

Once risen, turn onto floured board and knead gently until smooth and elastic. This may take a few minutes. Do not knead heavily or you will break up the fruit.

Divide dough into 16 pieces and fashion each piece into a ball. Place balls in a greased and lined tin with small space between each one. Leave 10-15mins till balls double in size.
Bake 20 mins at 220C, or till browned on top and lovely and big and fluffy.

Glaze with a teaspoon of homemade peach jam and splash of water heated till liquid. Cool on rack

Eat immediately they cool enough to touch

Notes:

The original recipe calls for a 30 X 30cm cake tin to bake these in. I used a small roasting tray instead. So long as it has high sides you can basically use whatever size tin you want. Next time I will put 2/3 of balls in one tin and the rest in another. I felt they were too cramped and did not rise or bake as well as they could have.
We do not have plain and self raising flour here. I used an organic flour (think it was type 65??)
Yeast comes as sachets of 5g or fresh here in France. I used 2 sachets of dried which is slightly more than 2 teaspoons.
Caster sugar is not available here, so I used a fine grained sugar instead. It is being melted into the milk and yeast mix so it is not a huge stress if you don't have caster sugar.
The original recipe called for precise measurements of cinnamon and mixed spice. I love nutmeg and did not have mixed spice, so went with my own pantry spices.
Original recipe called for 1/3 cup of currants. I put in the same amount of sultanas (currants not available here) and it looked paltry, so I added more till it looked right for me.

Normally these buns should have a flour paste cross and a clear glaze on top. Personally I think the flour paste cross is a tasteless, nasty addition and the clear glaze the same. Why ruin a delicious treat with things I do not like. So I glazed with homemade jam instead and it looks pretty as well as tasting great.

Blossoming in Buxerolles

2011-04-05T10:31:00.000+02:00

Long time no news. Sorry. The move has taken a lot of energy and time and I have had nothing left for other activities such as blogging and emailing.

We are all moved in now and awaiting the arrival of our possessions from Australia. It will be so good to have our "treasures" around us. I will never again take for granted photographs, books and the assorted memorabilia that makes a house a home.

The past month has flown by. When we arrived it was still very wintery and cold. Heavy frosts each morning and the trees were completely bare. Within the month spring has gradually forged its way into being and we are seeing more sunshine each day (and more rainy days.... but that is another story) and an increase in temperature.

We are lucky enough to have three forsythia in the garden, which heralded the arrival of spring with a profusion of bright golden yellow blooms. So bright that it almost hurt your eyes to look at them after the long grey and bleak days of winter.

I have discovered wild strawberries, violets and cyclamens throughout the garden. In fact, our lawn is more of them than grass! Oh well, at least they are pretty. I have given the lawn a good feed, weeded and added grass seeds. Hopefully by summer we will have a nice lawn to enjoy. The scent of the violets has been amazing and the lawn has more purple flowers than green at present, so I am not too stressed. Yet.

The native annuals have popped up everywhere in the edges of the garden and it is a very pretty sight. I have been holding off on cutting the grass in certain patches so that they can flower and seed for next year. It gives a sort of wild meadow effect, which is not tidy and groomed, but a haven for bees and other insects and attracts the birds.

Our neighbours have many fruit and nut trees which overhang our boundary. We are going to enjoy almonds, hazelnuts and cherries courtesy of them. The picture above is of the cherry tree in full bloom. Really beautiful against a blue sky and with a lovely perfume too. It overhangs our terrace area, so will be convenient for sitting around and plucking fresh cherries for dessert after a bbq.

The vegetables are planted in raised garden beds and are flourishing. I have picked my first crop of rhubarb and made compote to eat with homemade yoghurt. A herb bed will be going in this week, and tomatoes after the weekend. There is still the occasional frost so cannot go crazy with the softer, less hardy plants yet.

We are really enjoying our new home and the area. The neighbours are all welcoming and kind, and it has been a pleasure interacting with people in our day to day lives. None of the stress and angst that you face in Paris.

More photos and posts will follow. I am in the midst of brewing strawberry ratafia, limoncello, and other goodies. A set of six art deco dining chairs is also in the process of renovation. Lots to do. Will try and keep you up to date with it all.

Art in Montmartre

2011-02-05T15:08:00.007+01:00

The countdown is on for our move and, as you can imagine, we are frantically busy and stressed....but organised. Believe it or not. Only 2 weeks to go before we are country mice.

Our departure date from Paris is set as 23 feb. There is farewell drinks on 18 feb. Email me for details if you wish to join us. As it is highly unlikely we will have internet immediately upon moving into our new home, please be patient and I will update as soon as we are connected. In this case no news will be good news.

Thank you to everyone who has emailed with concerns about our family in Australia. Everyone is ok. A bit soggy and sick of the extreme weather, but ok. Torrential rain, flooding and cyclones up north... extreme heat and bushfires - and flooding (!) - down south. Crazy times.

One thing I did not want to forget to tell you about in all the rush to move is a friends art expo that is coming up. If you are in Paris at the time, it will be worth going to. Who knows, you may even pick up an original piece for yourself. I am going to try and be back in Paris for the expo as it promises to be fabulous. Am also hoping I can pick up one of the pieces to grace the walls of our new place. The link to the website is here .emmapauline.com It is under construction, but you can already see a few paintings and all the details for the expo. One of her paintings is below.

There will also be an exhibition of some of my photographs at the BCWA in Paris during april and may. Details will follow closer to the date. If you are a woman of British or Commonwealth nationality (or married to someone who is) you should know about this organisation in Paris. I have had some great times there and have some wonderful memories thanks to the BCWA. As you all know reading is one of my passions, and without this club and its english language library I would have gone bankrupt buying books whilst here. Please check out the link here http://bcwa.paris.online.fr/

Whilst I am sharing links and favourite things, I must mention the Musee de Montmartre. It is my favourite museum in all of Paris. I will miss this place more than you can imagine. It is constantly evolving with the needs of the quartier and is always interesting. If you are in the quartier, please make sure you visit. For more details see the website http://www.museedemontmartre.fr/

Well, after all that I feel a little like an infomercial....

The photo at the top is of a "tutti frutti" frangipangi in the neighbours garden at Nelson Bay. I thought we could all do with something fresh and sunny and bright to look at.

Christmas time is here

2010-12-22T23:24:00.000+01:00

... and hopefully the eurostar is running.....

Just a quick message before the last minute rush.

We are supposed to be going to London for Christmas. I say supposed to be, as the eurostar has been running a very limited service due to all the snow we have had in France and England. Not only has it affected the airports, but the trains have been hard hit as well.

As of this evening the website was saying we will travel, but then we have had more snow since that update.

Who knows what will happen.

What I do know is that whether we are in London or Paris we will have a lovely Christmas. There is a good chance it will be a white Christmas, and that is something special for these little Aussies.

The boys are going to the cat sitter tomorrow, I will miss them enormously. It will be a huge change for Eric who thinks he is so big and brave and fearless. A real character. He is growing at a great rate of knots and is becoming more and more acrobatic with each day. Learning new tricks - when he wants to (he is a cat after all - not a goggie), and being so cute it is hard to punish him when he is naughty. His latest trick is to bring me his stuffed toys whilst I am sleeping. I wake up in the morning with a collection in bed with me. Adores his stuffed skunk and lamb, carries them around the appartement and keeps them near him, and thinks his bilby is the perfect toy to bash up. The Loch Ness monster he just washes and fusses over. Plays fetch when he is in the mood and there is nothing better to do.

Guy is getting a bit muscular now. All the playing chase around the appartement is doing him good. Still a gorgeous snuggly boy though.

It will be good to have a big house for them to play in. I can imagine the games of chase up and down all the staircases...... and they will learn all about basking in front of an open fire. Something which I am sure they will excell at.

No pics of decorations. Due to having a teenaged kitten/cat and being about to move house, I have not done any lighting or decorations at all. Must say I do miss the smell of pine boughs in the house.

The pic above was taken by Wayne in Beaver Creek USA last winter. Kind of appropriate for here this winter.

I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas with family and friends.

Christkindelmarik, Strasbourg 2010

2010-12-10T19:38:00.001+01:00

Just a quick post with an update on the trip to Strasbourg.....

Yes it did go ahead. The TGV was running, albeit at a much slower speed than usual.

We had a fabulous day wandering around the city and exploring the little markets scattered throughout it.

Lunch was sauerkraut (for C.) and Civet de Biche (venison casserole, for me).

The whole city smelt like Christmas. Spicy, warm and enticing.

Lights and decorations abounded, and the whole city felt very welcome and a bit like Santa's grotto....

More pics in the album to the left.

The angel picture is specially for two lovely friends. Firstly to Joan. Her Christmas angels are glorious affairs. Hope you like the ones at the top of the post Joan.

These ones are for Barbara. Well wishes and hope you are not having too rough a time with chemo.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

2010-12-08T19:04:00.001+01:00

What a whirlwind the past month has been. We have had many things to do and I have not been able to update via posts.

First news, in february we are moving house. We will still be in France, but are moving to a different part of France. Our new home will be in the Poitou-Charentes. More on that as it happens.

As part of the move we have been making visits to find a new home, looking at the logistics of the move, researching what is required to furnish the new home, and also researching what type of car to buy (something which will be essential in the new city).

At this stage I have done all I can, and now have to sit back and let things run their course.

Meanwhile, life is busy here with the wind up to Christmas and the party season. I must thank all of you who sent birthday greetings. It was really appreciated and I was touched that so many thought of me on this milestone birthday.

My plans for this week included a trip to Strasbourg to visit the Christmas markets.... as with all the best laid plans, there has been a slight glitch. As in over 15cm of glitch called snow. (I gave up measuring at 15cm and went inside, but it continued to snow for a while longer so possibly it reached 20cm here on the hill). I am monitoring the train website and we shall see if the trip goes ahead or not.

A simple trip to exchange my library books today turned into a 3 hour saga to get home. Living on top of Butte Montmartre may be charming and picturesque.... but it means you get cut off by transport and cannot walk up the hill in the snow. All good fun in the end though.

I have added a new photo album to the sidebar and you can see some pics I took this afternoon when I finally made it home. The cute puppy is called Pauline, and she was so excited to see snow. It was the most adorable thing to watch her playing. Pouncing at snowdrifts, biting at the flakes as they fell, and sneezing when she bit a huge pile of snow and it went up her nose. Hope you enjoy seeing our quartier as much as I enjoyed taking the photos.

Oh, and yes, I did go out and have a good old fashioned snowball fight with everyone in the neighbourhood whilst taking the pics........ of course.

Busy busy

2010-10-16T10:25:00.000+02:00

Apologies for not having posted sooner. Life has been rather hectic around here lately.

I have started back at school (studying french) and have been working as well. With it all I am finding that I do not have enough hours in the day for everything that I need to do - let alone the things I want to do.

All will calm down in a week when I finish work and am on school holidays. Then I will head to Germany and the Czech Republic for some geology.

Wayne is busy as usual with work and travel for said work.

The boys are gorgeous as ever. Eric is growing at a rapid rate and is developing a funny little personality. He is full of testosterone and learning to use his voice. We are regularly serenaded by him howling in the hallway - where he gets the best accoustics of course - for no apparent reason than his own enjoyment at using his voice. Guy is his usual gentle self. He really is the most beautiful natured cat I have ever had the privilege of being owned by. A few mischievious tricks just gives him character.

Anyway, no pics sorry. You will have to wait till I transfer photos to picassa.... one of the changes that has happened by the designers - not me. A real pain and unnecessary in my opinion. Just more junk to download on the laptop.

Vikingeskibshallen

2010-09-09T10:28:00.000+02:00

On our recent trip to the Arctic Circle, we saw some amazing things.

After riding through North Eastern France and Belgium, we arrived in Germany. We stopped for the day with friends and had the most wonderful lunch and then wandered around in the town of Bruggen. A truely delightful day.

The next day we found ourselves in Denmark where we were to spend 3 days in total. One of those days we had earmarked for visiting the Viking Museum in Roskilde.

It was fabulous! They have five Viking boats on display which have been found in the grounds of the museum. One of which you can see here.

There are also a lot of interactive exhibits in the grounds near the museum that encourage people to discover for themselves how the boats were built and many other things.

We minted our own Viking coins. A unique experience, but a bit of fun, and we gained a nice souvenir each. You could also paint your own shield and other activities.

One of the displays which had me fascinated was the armourer. He was fashioning weapons and chainmail. I could have watched it all day.

There were a lot of reproductions of Viking equipment and accoutrements in the museum, which normally I do not like so much. However, in this case it was very well done and "real" things made the replicas. Real furs, wool, wood etc were used instead of faux fur, synthetics and laminated or particle woods.

Housed alongside the museum was the marine archaeology unit. Huge tanks of water held pieces recovered from underwater discoveries in the region, and there was an enormous tank filled with an acid solution holding a beautiful anchor. I was very impressed at the interpretive displays and method of educating the public in this part of the museum. An archaeologist was on duty to answer questions and talk visitors through what was happening with the pieces. Too often important work like this is done behind closed doors and so a false impression is gained by people who view the restored artifacts in the museum proper.

In the grounds of the museum were planted trees and plants that the Vikings would have used in everyday life. Everything was clearly labelled and you could easily see what each tree was used for and why. Pretty and informative! Of course I took many photos of the trees and plants and other "interesting to me" things. Watch the letter box for examples on this years Christmas card.....

Ooops

2010-09-02T19:36:00.000+02:00

A short update.

I am home from holidays, and it was wonderful.

Swam, ate, relaxed, read, slept. The perfect break. Eating dinner on the terrace every night whilst enjoying a glass of local wine, and listening to the insects as dusk fell. Bliss

Unfortunately I have had a little oops and am not getting around very easily. Nothing broken, but I do have a cast on my ankle for the next few weeks, and have to rest and keep my foot up.... which makes sitting at the computer a little difficult.

Need to take lessons in relaxation from Picsous the cat who lives in l'Amiraute.
Will be back to dazzle you with photos as soon as possible.

Les Vacances

2010-08-17T09:35:00.000+02:00

A quick post to say that I will be out of touch for the next week or so.

My summer holidays have not yet finished.

Tomorrow I head down south for a week (maybe more - depending on if my ticket can be changed) of sun and swimming with good friends.

There is no internet or mobile phone reception where I am going. Just miles and miles of forest and vineyards.

We will be swimming either in the pool or at the beach every day and barbequeing every night. Bliss!

I will miss my boys, but there are lots of furbabies in the hamlet to keep me occupied.... that is when I am not swimming of course.

A bit of sightseeing may take place, but it is not the priority. The priority is to relax and enjoy some time in the sun with my friends.
There will also be jam making from the grapes growing in the garden. Late at night if the temperature drops enough to turn on the stove.

See you when I return.

Summer sun versus summer rain

2010-08-15T10:19:00.000+02:00

Thought I would share a few highlights from our trip.

The first week the weather was spectacular. Really hot and brilliant sunshine. It was perfect riding weather.

Each stop involved cold rehydration drinks and a shady spot. It was so nice to sit on lush green grass, under a tree, in the shade and enjoy a break.

Every living thing was rejoicing in the sun and warmth. Bees buzzed through the flowers, horses munched grass contentedly in the paddocks, birds sang in the trees.

In Denmark we ate dinner outside, and then returned to the same spot for breakfast the next day. It was impossible to miss a moment of the glorious warmth and sunshine.

Then came day 2 in Sweden......
It rained.

Not just gentle summer rain.

This was gale force freezing cold winds, rain that stung and felt icy cold, and temperatures that made us wish we had every item of clothing we owned on all at once.

This weather continued on and off for the rest of our trip....... thank goodness not all at once like the first day though.

We still made the pilgrimage to Ales Stenar. Walking along the path from the car park to the hill I was astounded at the number of people who were also making the visit. This site is so spectacular and so significant that no amount of bad weather was going to stop the visitors!

A picnic had been packed with the intention of eating somewhere along the cliff tops enjoying a sea view. It was so cold and rainy that we opted instead for a hot meal in the tiny restaurant at the bottom of the cliffs.

I personally am glad we had the change in meal. The fried mackerel that I ate with mashed potato and lingonberry sauce was superb! They had bar be qued the fish on a huge grill plate and it was cooked to perfection. I had never eaten lingonberry with fish, but am now a convert.

The Swedes have a saying "There is no such thing as bad weather.... only bad clothing and equipment". We came to appreciate this saying over the next 2 weeks...

We made it!

2010-08-10T15:01:00.000+02:00

It is with a great sense of accomplishment that I say we made it.

Six thousand odd kilometres on the bike in three weeks is nothing to sneeze at.

But we did it and had a ball while we did.

I must say a huge thank you to our friends along the way who gave us meals, and/or accommodation. It was lovely to see you in your homes and to spend time enjoying your part of the north.

Special thanks to one friend who crossed a border to come and have dinner with us. A hilarious night of fun and frivolity learning to play Viking games and drinking red wine. I still stick to the point that the boys were cheating though!!

We really needed 3 months to see and do everything along our way. I think we had a good "taste" though and it has left us wanting to go back and visit certain places.

Over the next few weeks I will post highlights from the trip with photos. This week I am catching up on correspondence, washing/shopping/cleaning gear and daily life.

Most of my time however will be dedicated to the boys. Eric is growing at an enormous rate and has changed from a kitten to a young cat in our absence. Guy is just his usual gorgeous self. I missed them terribly while away and was extremely grateful to the updates from our friends who babysat for us. Cannot thank them enough for moving in and looking after my furbabies for 3 weeks.

Day 16 - Last Day in Sweden

2010-08-04T20:06:00.000+02:00

Here we are, still going strong and on the homeward stretch.

We reached the Arctic and had a great time.

Have seen, done, and eaten so much it is hard to comprehend.

Tomorrow morning we are on the ferry from Swedne to Denmark, then back through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and into France.

All is well and we look forward to being home with the furbabies by sunday night.

Will post - with photos - when home

Timmernabben Sweden - Day 7

2010-07-26T22:27:00.000+02:00

Yet another quick update.

The Viking Museum in Roskilde was incredible! Well worth a visit.

Rode on from Denmark across the bridge into Sweden and spent 2 nights at Malmö with friends. Saw my first Viking Ship Grave, as well as other local sights in southern Sweden.

We spent last night (and will spend tonight as well) in Timmernabben in Sweden with friends. Visited Kalmar and also the island of Öland. Amazing things to tell you all at a later date. Fabulous food as well......

Tomorrow we head to Stockholm where we will visit the Vasa Museum.

All is going well. I saw my first moose - well the rear end of a moose anyway - in the pouring rain yesterday as we rode along the highway. There are so many moose in this area that they are a bit of a nuisance on the roads. So the solution was to put up high fencing along the road with crossing points for the moose.

Felt a reindeer pelt yesterday. It was the most plush and pretty pelt I have ever seen or felt. Wish we had room to bring one back with us. I imagine the furbabies would love a reindeer pelt to curl up on.

I highly recommend you look up this village on the internet. It is so charming and we have felt so relaxed and comfortable here. Reminds us a bit of some parts of Port Stephens.

That is all for now. Will update again in a few days depending on internet access.

Denmark.... day 4

2010-07-22T09:21:00.000+02:00

Just a quick update to say we have reached Denmark.

Arrived last night to a lovely B&B in Majbølle. Definately wish we had a few days here as it is so beautiful and there are so many interesting things to see.

We had a lovely day in Germany also. Lunching with friends and spending time chatting.

On to Roskild today and will be visiting the Viking ship museum.

Then to Sweden......

Stay tuned for more updates

Le Cercle de l'Arctique

2010-07-18T22:46:00.000+02:00

St Tropez - where the hoards descend to each summer

So, it is *that* time of year again.

That time when most of Paris is empty, and the southern coastal regions are full.

That time when accomodation prices increase 100 fold, and the roads become a gigantic parking lot with no one going anywhere fast - or at all.

That time of sunny days (if you are lucky), almost blue skies and warm weather.

Yes, it's holiday time, or les vacances.

And what do we do....

We head north.

To the Arctic Circle.

You read correctly. The Arctic Circle. Home of the Sami, reindeer and mosquitoes. The place where the average temperature will be 10-20 degrees celcius, but sunny.

Side cases are packed, bike and riding gear checked and double checked. Cats in the care of good friends.

We leave in the morning and head to Liege, Belgium for the first night. Then on to Hannover (after lunch with friends in Germany). Night three is Guldborg in Denmark, followed by Roskild. The next night we are in Malmo, Sweden where we spend a few nights with friends, then Hultsfred, for a few nights with friends, and on to Stockholm.

After Stockholm we venture into the wilds of northern Sweden via the east coast, ending our trek at Jokkmokk which is inside the Arctic Circle. Officially part of Lappland.

The return trip follows a different route through the centre of Sweden, ferry to Denmark and then a slightly different route back through Germany and finally into France.

I will attempt to update the blog as we go, but it all depends if I can get internet access while away.

Photos will follow when we return in three weeks, so stay tuned for updates.

Bonnes vacances!

Eric le Roux

2010-07-12T13:17:00.000+02:00

There is something I have been meaning to tell you. I have wanted to share this news for a month now, but have not been able to for various reasons.

We became furparents for the second time, and have welcomed into our lives a new little furbaby.

His name is Eric le Roux and he is simply the funniest, cutest, naughtiest, most gorgeous little chat rouge in the world. Not that I am biased or anything.....

I absolutely love ginger cats. Have wanted one all my life. Sac a puce was a good substitute when we lived in rue Lepic, but he was not ours.

We had been discussing adopting a brother for Guy la Griffe. He pines when I am not with him, and it had reached the point where he was losing huge amounts of weight each time I went away as he would just pine and mope and miss me too much. The theory was that maybe with a little brother he would have company and would not pine for me so badly.

Friends in the quartier told me that their brothers cat had kittens and was I interested in adopting one. When I found out it was a ginger there was no question.

We met the baby boy and he took to us straight away. A few weeks had to pass before he was ready to leave his mother, but when that time came I brought him home with great delight.

Guy loved him from the first minute and they have been inseparable ever since.

So our home has been filled with the sounds of cats rumbling and wrestling, the pitter patter of tiny (and not so tiny) feet across the parquet, and plenty of purring. There is even less room in the bed for me as Eric loves to snuggle too.

The past few weeks has been an absolute delight watching the two boys interact, Eric growing at a rapid rate, and learning new things day by day. He can now jump to any height and climbs fearlessly to the top of the wardrobe. If Guy is eating, Eric is right beside him eating as well. When Guy naps, Eric naps. If Guy uses the litter tray.... well, you get the message.

I am looking forward to many happy years with my two furbabies and to many lovely photos as well.

Before I forget... Eric le Roux means Eric the Red. He is named after a King of the Vikings. It is also a play on words as it sounds like Eric the rascal.... kind of appropriate really.
Daddy bought us a very flash climbing castle. We love it soooo much!

Food Glorious Food

2010-07-11T20:20:00.000+02:00

Finally, the long awaited and eagerly anticipated post on my food experiences in Southport.

I would like to start with the cream of the crop. The Dining Rooms on West Street, part of the Alexandra and Victoria Hotel.

What a treat this meal was!

Perfect in every way.

They offer a selection of menus and formules and I chose the one that appealed most to my tastebuds. I (and they) were not disappointed.

I was really impressed by the fact that they serve tap water in the restaurant, and not bottles of outrageously priced and un-necessary commercially bottled water. An onsite water filter ensures that the water tastes and smells good and it does not add to the cost for the restaurant or the customer. Pity more places do not follow this idea.

Firstly, an amuse bouche of vegetable soup was offered in an espresso cup. Delicious and well balanced, it made you wish all vegetable soups could be exactly like it.

I had chosen a glass of J. Moreau & fils select blanc to drink with my meal and was very happy to find that it stood up to everything I chose without competing.

The entree was a roll of delicious fresh ingredients, lightly fried
and served with a tasty and mildly piquant salsa and crisp salad.

A risotto was the dish I had chosen for my plat. It was incredible. Bursting with full flavoured pumpkin, zesty and herby, and with a creamy cheesy finish. The balsamic reduction on the side was perfect for dipping the occasional mouthful into for a change of pace.

I could have had another serving of this quite easily.... except then I would not have been able to eat my cheeseplate. Sigh, decisions, decisions.

The cheeseplate was very good. I had requested that it not have the fruit which the menu stated it came with. Call me picky, but I prefer my cheese unadulterated. A nice bit of salad and some good crusty bread or crackers is all you need.

The blue stilton was delicious - as ever. The smoked cheddar so good it disappeared before the photo was taken. Unfortunately the double glouster was ruined in my opinion by the fact that it had chives through it..... but that is just my opinion. The taste and texture of the cheese was great otherwise.

I can hear a few of you giggling and pointing to the whiskey glass..... yes, I did enjoy a glass of the amber nectar with my cheese. My one weakness is a dram of really really good whiskey (I will go Irish or Scottish depending on the mood). I don't drink it often, but when I do I go for the best I can find and savour every drop.

No dessert. I prefer savoury to sweet so am quite often not interested in the dessert menu.

I must say that if you do find yourself in Southport you must make time to check out this place. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about their products, the prices were very good and the quality exceptional.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

2010-05-26T16:45:00.000+02:00

Apologies for being out of touch. The past few weeks have been a nightmare.

Back on board now and ready to tell you more of our adventures. There will also be the long awaited post on the restaurants in Southport. It is worth the wait - trust me.

On a lighter note..... you know you have a cheeky podiatrist when he does some work on your toe, puts a very neat dressing on it........ then draws on a smiley face....lol

He thought he was very clever, but I get the last laugh as I warned him I would post the picture and tell everyone the drawing was his handywork! At least it was someone else graffiti-ing me instead of Wayne.... that is his usual trick, as most of you are aware.

Printemps

2010-04-26T20:28:00.000+02:00

Spring has well and truely sprung around here.

We have so many trees and plants blossoming that it has become a hayfever sufferer's nightmare.

It looks so beautiful though. The new growth is fresh and tender and green, and full of the promise of a cool shady resting place for the following summer.

I say break out the antihistamines and enjoy it while it lasts!

Fun in the Sun

2010-04-23T19:35:00.000+02:00

What more could you want?

Sun, sea and archaeology. A perfect mix.

The IfA conference was held in Southport this year. A place I had never visited before, but was curious to see.

It did not disappoint. A melange of tacky seaside carnival, a high street to rival any other, majestic Victorian architecture, and excellent restaurants. With an enormous statue of good old Vicky presiding over all.

She is always portrayed as old and grumpy, but her young married life was full of sex, lust and joie de vivre. Never fails to amuse me that this most prudish era was named after a girl who was "hot to trot" - although it must be added that this was only within the confines of marriage and she was totally faithful to her Albert.

Enough of that.

I will write a separate post on the food and restaurants, but let me say now that it was a good food trip. A brief teaser..... I did eat fish and chips and mushy peas. Obligatory really, but that will not be the highlight.

The weather was glorious and it was a joy to walk around exploring in brilliant sunshine.

Of course I shopped a little..... ok, a lot.

I went over with an A4 list of things I needed to buy for both of us. Managed to get all of the list barr one item. Pretty good going I thought. I was especially pleased with my cashmere cardigan reduced from 175pounds to 20 pounds. My Mum taught me well.

To business.

The speakers at the conference were great. The problem was deciding which ones to attend! I was disappointed that one of my favourite speakers was only given 20 minutes to talk. She is so entertaining and interesting that you go away wanting more. I did make a point of requesting a longer session next time though.

We attended a formal dinner on the first night. Met some really interesting people and had a delicious meal (warmed goat cheese with salad for entree, herb crusted rack of lamb with veg for plat and pavlova with strawberries for dessert). One of the best formal dinners I have attended.

The informal dinner and party the next night was not so good unfortunately. The meal was a bit disappointing and everyone seemed to disappear to the pub immediately after eating. So no dancing or mingling. Luckily I was at a table with good company and we sat and chatted for a while till the (really!) bad disco music drove us away.

Friday we had an excursion to the beach...... but you will have to watch this space for more on that!

Lastly, you would not believe the fabulous little shop I discovered just off Lord Street. It was a magical place of rocks, fossils and books. More and varied collections you have never seen before. I could quite happily have moved in and never left.

I spent probably about the better part of an hour chatting with the owner and admiring the wonderful selection on his shelves.

No, I did not buy any books. By this stage my suitcase was nearing dangerously overloaded.... sigh. Of course this just means that I have to visit another time to explore the titles on the 3 floors (yes 3 whole floors!!!!) of books.

Simply heaven.

Spectacular!

2010-04-22T18:38:00.000+02:00

This is one of the most fabulous photos of a volcano erupting that you will ever see.

It comes from the site Astronomy Picture of The Day.

The cause of all the flight disruptions in its full glory. I really can't be angry or annoyed at being inconvenienced. This is so spectacular, and scientists are learning so much from this eruption, that you can only be in awe of the power and force behind this image.

Back on board

2010-04-21T21:13:00.000+02:00

I know, it has been longer than anticipated since I last posted..... apologies.

After having to stay in the UK due to the airline closures I have finally arrived back home via eurostar.

I am exhausted and trying to catch up on everything, so remain patient and I will post in a few days time.

The pic above is from the beach near Southport where we went looking at prehistoric footprints at the lowtide mark. Fascinating!

Fly away with me.....

2010-04-12T07:52:00.000+02:00

Well, just a quick post to say that I am off to an archaeology conference for the next week in England.

Not sure if I will be able to post on the run, so will leave you with this lovely picture of a magnolia tree that I spotted near Parc Monceau. Not only was the tree beautiful, but it was in front of a lovely brick and stone building. Just looked perfect together.

Have a good week.
A bit blurry, and too bright... but not bad for an iphone camera.

Sac a Puce

2010-04-11T18:55:00.002+02:00

Isn't he gorgeous!

This fiery ginger puss used to live next door to us in our other appartement. It was on the ground floor and so the cat would just invite itself in through the windows and make itself at home.

Well, it is a cat, so of course it does what it wants.

We didn't know its name, so we named it Sac a Puce, which means fleabag. The first few times it came to see us it was smothered in fleas and starving hungry. Its owners had gone away for the summer and pushed the cat out the window to fend for itself whilst they were away.

I know. Don't even get me started! Deep breathing, calm counting..... and continue

I deflea-ed the cat and fed it, and of course, it decided to move in with us whilst we lived on rue Lepic. No objection from us as it was such a funny little character and very vocal. It used to follow me around the corner when I went out, howling that I was leaving it. When I came home it would be sitting at the corner building and would follow me back home.... once again howling all the way. He learnt to put his front paws on the front door and help me push it open, to curl up on my feet and purr (a good way of guaranteeing that I would not move and he could cuddle for a while), and to be as cute as possible at every opportunity ensuring that everyone thought he was wonderful. His conversational skills were always at the ready and the slightest noise or movement would have him sitting up and ready for a meowing chat.

He kept me company during the day and developed a rather refined palate. His favourites were jambon blanc from Madame Langlois, and Scottish smoked salmon. An egg whipped up with a dash of creme fraisch was also a nice meal, alongside croquettes and the occasional morsel of steak or chicken.

One night in winter it was snowing rather heavily and all our windows and shutters were closed. The cat had gone out earlier and I thought maybe gone to visit it's owners. Wrong. At 3am we awoke to the most horrendous howling noises coming from our buildings foyer (alongside our bedroom wall) and when Wayne put his head out to investigate, there was sac a puce all wet and bedraggled.

You see he knew how to get into our appartement through the front door as well as the windows. Someone had obviously come home in the early hours and he had slipped in the front door with them - but was not quick enough to get through the second glass door into the building proper. Hence the howls for us to save him.

Once rescued and brought inside he proceeded to wiggle in between Wayne and I in bed and stick his frozen paws on us to warm them. Horrible. We felt so sorry for him that we didn't kick him out, and from that night onwards he would try to sleep with us. Needless to say I kept up the flea treatments and worm treatments because of this.

For the first year after we moved to our new place, every time I walked past the old one he would see me and meow out this pathetic story about how I had abandoned him and would I please take him inside and feed him now. All the while trying to get me to open the door of the building.

Even now I still get told an extraordinary tale of woe every time I see him, and am nearly smooged to within an inch of my life. The affection is mutual.

I felt so guilty when we moved..

We had talked ourselves hoarse trying to decide whether to take him with us when we went. The only reason we didn't is that he really didn't belong to us and it wouldn't have been morally right to steal him. I felt terrible and worried about sac a puce constantly.

Now we have our own furbaby and I wouldn't be without him..... but it would be nice to have a fur brother or sister for Guy one day.

Delectable Delights

2010-04-10T11:36:00.000+02:00

There is a new cake shop on rue Lepic..... and it is a feast for the eyes - let alone the tastebuds!

They specialise in cheesecakes (unbaked) and cupcakes, as well as custom made decorated cakes.

The cheesecakes all sound delicious. Flavours like key lime, raspberry and white choc, speculoos (my weakness - dammit), salted butter caramel. The list goes on and on. Each more mouthwatering than the last.

The cupcakes come in similar types of flavours and they are all so beautiful it seems almost a shame to eat them..... almost.

What I love is their window display. They have this huge multi layer chocolate cake decorated with outsize sugar paste flowers in vibrant colours. Incredible. I only had my iphone with me, so the photo quality is not the best. Will go back and take proper photos at a later date.

The handbag cake is gorgeous. Wayne thought it was a real handbag. It actually has a pearlescent effect painted all over the surface which did not come out in the photos. What looks like the chocolate blooming is actually the edible paint. Every bit of it is edible, but it is such a work of art that you would have to force yourself to cut it up.

Confession time.......... I actually had a slice of their key lime cheesecake. Divine!

I am too scared to try their speculoos or salted butter caramel delicacies as, if they are good, I know I will be unable to stay away from them.

The staff are so nice and are very willing to let you ask questions and take ages to decide on what you will eventually take away with you. Apparently they do a lunch menu with quiche or salad and a cake (cheese or cupcake) and a drink...... but lets be honest here, this is one place where I think you can safely skip the healthy part of the meal and go straight for dessert. I know I did!

Le Metro

2010-04-04T19:20:00.000+02:00

The Paris metro is generally quick, convenient and easy to use. The downside is that frequently it stinks and is dirty, and seems to be full of beggars.

I hate being hit up for money etc on the metro. The beggars really make me angry. Especially considering we live in a socialist country and they have access to anything they want when they want it. I really hate that they are begging, but manage to wear better brands of clothing than I can ever afford.

When you get them busking on the metro generally they are not so good. Too loud, and they all seem to play the same tunes. I get angry also that they have their children with them in the hope of squeezing that extra few centimes out of people.

I have nothing against charity. As all of you know I have always actively supported charities and perform charity work whenever I can. I just prefer for the people to be in actual need and to not be begging wearing nike trainers, or levi jeans, etc etc and to reek of cigarette smoke.

Rant over.

However, occasionally you see some really hot buskers (or should that be cool?) in the metro. This was the case on friday when a group of students from the music conservatory were practising in the passageways of the metro at Charles de Gaulle Etoile.

They were not asking for money, they were simply playing to gain audience experience and to have fun.

The atmosphere was electric, and the usual annoyance at an obstacle that the commuters would normally show did not exist. In fact people actually slowed down and stopped to listen and watch for a minute or two before walking off with smiles on their faces.

A fabulous diversion after a hectic and stressful week.

Ets Lion

2010-03-26T18:38:00.001+01:00

This would have to be one of my favourite shops in Paris. Right near the metro Abbesses on rue des Abbesses.

It is a small and cute place which sells all sorts of sweet and savoury treats, plants, candles.... the list goes on and on.

A lot of the little gifts I send away, or take with me when visiting, come from this shop.

The staff are lovely and the atmosphere is magical.

It is like being a child again and finding an Aladin's cave of delectable delights.

Homemade Part 3

2010-03-20T19:27:00.001+01:00

OK, so we have been making yoghurt and learning how to turn it into thick yoghurt.
The final steps involve simply emptying the whey that collects at the bottom of the bowl.

Emptying more whey, wait a few hours and empty more whey. Continue till yoghurt is as thick as you like it.

Eventually you will see a "crust" forming around the sides of the strainer. You can move some of that into the centre of the strainer to allow it all to drain more quickly.... or just leave it alone and let it do its thing.

Then decant into jars when happy with texture.

Very simple, just a little time consuming.

Oh, and by the way.... don't put anything stinky into the fridge while doing this (ie cheese, olives, fish, garlic etc etc) as the yoghurt will just slurp up all the smell and you will have a very interesting end product!

Homemade Part 2

2010-03-18T11:23:00.001+01:00

I have had a few enquiries about the yoghurt I have been making. The general gist has been that people find it too thin.

You have my total agreement with that.

The way to turn it into thick yoghurt is so simple it is almost wrong.

When you have made the yoghurt and it has rested at least overnight in the fridge......
You take a clean strainer and line it with a sheet of thick paper towel (you could use muslin or proper cheesecloth if you like).

Place the lined strainer over a deep bowl and pour the yoghurt slowly into the lined strainer.

Cover lightly with plastic wrap and place in a cool spot, or in the fridge.

Every hour drain the whey. You can drink this, or tip it down the sink. Personally it resembles egg whites too much for me to drink..... slimey and gooey.... yuck!

After a few hours you will see that the sides are set and the middle liquid. At this stage you can scrape the set yoghurt from the side and allow the more liquid yoghurt to flow to the sides - or you can just leave it alone and let it do its thing.

When you think it has reached the right consistency for your taste, you can decant into small jars, or back into the large jar.

This method leaves you with about half to a third of the volume of the original jar of yoghurt.

I will update with pics as the stages progress. Keep checking in for each stage.

A Sad Post

2010-03-16T17:11:00.000+01:00

I have some sad news to report.

Our good friends in Sydney lost a member of the family.

I have been too "teary" to write about it before now. Every time I started writing I had to stop. It seems like yesterday that I was there and she seemed so much more calm and placid and healthy. Unfortunately, this was far from the truth.

These friends have hearts bigger than all of Australia. Ripley was a lovely puppy, but she had major health problems. They didn't care, they just loved her and cared for her better than anyone else could have ever done.

Unfortunately Rips life was cut short a week ago. After a horrible episode she had to put to sleep. A terrible shame, but a necessity.

I just know that if there is a doggy heaven, that Ripley is up there running free with Smeagol and is a happy care free puppy for ever.

Our animals really do become family members and it is heartbreaking when they go.

On the go

2010-03-08T20:43:00.001+01:00

This week is going to be busy busy busy.

It is amazing when you step back and look at what you have planned in a specific time frame. Somehow it does not seem like there are that many hours in a week. I need to make time for homework in there somewhere and a bit of revision.

The cat is not going to be happy that I am out most of this week. He thinks that the world revolves around him and that I should be at home worshipping him.

I am looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully it will be as relaxing and nice as last weekend was. Dinner out, a visit to the movies, a wander in the sunshine with my love (the two legged one - not the four legged and furry one). Time spent together, which is a luxury for us.

One thing I will be doing this week is taking time to smell the roses.... or any flower that presents itself. Like this lovely hellebore that was growing in a friend's garden. So cool and elegant. Nodding its head in the wind with carefree nonchalance, as if to say "you can batter me with your power, but I will survive".

I took the photo with my iphone, but wish I had my proper camera with me as it would have been lovely to capture its translucent petals and vibrant yellow stamen with better equipment.

Sunshine

2010-03-07T19:29:00.000+01:00

Well, spring has arrived. And with it the last of the cold weather.

Just when the bulbs are making a brave effort to show their faces and dazzle us with colour in our monochrome winter existance.

The sun is very welcome, even though it has meant very cold nights and cold days. Everyone complains about Paris being grey and cloudy all the time, but at least the clouds do keep a bit of the heat down near the ground.

Time has been flying by as if it had wings. In the past week I have a new mobile phone (and new number) and have been learning all about "apps" that I can put on it. Just because I could, the photo of the crocus was taken on my iphone. Not the best photo in existance, but it was so pretty and just begged to be photographed. Now of course, I have discovered the photo apps and things are going to get a lot more interesting...... stay tuned.

Speaking of flowers and growing things. I had a great day of gardening with a friend last wednesday. We hacked into an overgrown and tangled mess of dead honeysuckle, ivy and climbing rose. Now there is air and light and the possibility of flowers from the rose. Flowers which have not been seen for a long time as it was gradually choking to death amongst the mess.

Whilst we worked - and sweated - my friends cat sunbaked and supervised from a sheltered spot.

Oh to be a cat......

Spring has (almost) Sprung!

2010-02-25T17:44:00.000+01:00

What a week. It has flown by as if it had wings.

Much like the birds which are starting to make themselves known around the quartier.

The jasmine plant on our bedroom windowsill has put forth new shoots and is looking vibrant and vigorous.

The crocus bulbs which are pushing through the grass in the house opposite, and the earth of our window boxes, all tell me that spring is almost here.

No budlets for leaves on the trees yet, but you can just feel that they are not too far away.

We have averaged 10C each day this week. Almost a heatwave! The only worry is that we will have a late snowfall or the temp will drop very low, very quickly, and all the signs of spring will be killed by frost.

Even if we do get a killer frost, I will still have spring inside. I have two hyacinth bulbs being forced on (hopefully a pink and a purple) and they both have lovely strong flower stalks with tightly furled buds at present. Another few days and it will look and smell divine and springlike chez Pitt.

Stay tuned for pictures as spring shows its face more clearly.

Lapin, not so agile

2010-02-21T21:28:00.000+01:00

A bit of an in joke for les Montmartoise. There is a cabaret called Le Lapin Agile (the agile rabbit). We nicknamed this dish the rabbit not so agile.

We are still experiencing winter weather. The sky has been valiantly trying to be blue and rays of pale wintery sunshine have been forcing their way between the clouds. But it is still coat and scarf and hat and gloves weather.

This morning we felt like having a casserole for dinner. The choices were beef and carrots or rabbit in red wine. We called our neighbours (and good friends) and asked if they felt like joining us for an early dinner. They jumped at the opportunity and given the options they selected rabbit.

So rabbit it was.

A few hours later the appartment smelt divine and our mouths were watering.

Such a simple dish, but so delicious. Exactly what we all needed on a cold winters day.

I did not make an entree, nor did I serve a cheese course. We simply gorged ourselves on rabbit casserole with green veg and then finished with a peach tart. Simple, honest, hearty faire. A bottle of a very unusual rose was drunk with the meal. It is called Fat Bastard, and is a collaberation between a French winemaker and a British wine industry rebel. Produced in France by the Fat Bastard Wine Company. We all agreed it was a perfect winter rose. Rich, round and so flavourful. One to watch out for in future.

Lapin "not so" Agile
1 rabbit cut into pieces (the majority of the pieces deboned)
250g lardons or streaky bacon cut into small strips
1 small onion diced very finely
1 clove garlic minced
good splash of red wine (I used half a bottle of a haut medoc)
parsley
thyme
500g carrots peeled and diced (or sliced, depending on your mood)
500g small potatoes (I used pommes de terre grenaille)
500g peas
water
500mls heavy stock (ie a robust flavour like veal, beef etc - not chicken or vegetable)

Place onion and garlic in base of heavy casserole (I use a vintage le creuset)
Arrange rabbit pieces in one layer on top of aromatics. Top with lardons or bacon.
Pour in as much red wine as you like - up to half a bottle.

Let sit for a few minutes so the rabbit can slowly drink in the wine and relax. Have a glass yourself. After all you should only cook with good quality wines that you would like to drink.

Add as much water and stock as you need to cover the rabbit completely.
Cover and place in oven for an hour or so at 165C.
After hour or so, remove from oven and turn meat. Make sure if it has stuck a little on the bottom that you scrape up all the goodies so they melt into the sauce.
Add vegetables.
Add rest of stock and water to cover vegetables completely.
Place back in oven for at least 2 hours. The meat should be falling apart and looking like shreds of rabbit.

The longer you leave it the better. Check occasionally that there is still plenty of liquid in dish.

Nutty Greens
4 (or so) zucchini sliced into rondelles
10 (or so) asparagus spears cut into 2cm lengths
olive oil
roughly crushed hazelnuts
1 clove garlic minced

Cook veg and garlic till soft but not mushy.
Add nuts and olive oil and mix till a sort of lumpy puree.

Serve piping hot as side dish.

Can also be pureed and served on crostini or toasted bread or as a sauce for pasta.

Tarte au Peche
1 sheet of puff pastry (pate brisee)
1 huge tin of peach halves, drained
1 tin coconut milk
3 tablespoons custard powder (yes, I know - cheating)
2 tablespoons sugar

Make custard using coconut milk, powder and sugar. Cool slightly.
Place pastry in tart or pie plate and mould into edges. Trim if necessary.
Arrange peaches on base of pastry lined dish.
Pour custard mix over peaches till amost at top of pastry edge.
Bake at 180C till custard is set at edges and pastry is golden.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with a teaspoon or so of brown sugar.

Return to oven and cook further 5 mins at 210C till sugar caramelises.

Allow to cool to room temperature and then serve with fresh cream and sprinkled with raw (unsalted) pistachios.

Angleterre enfin!

2010-02-16T20:18:00.000+01:00

I am a bit late with this post. Had intended on posting first thing monday morning.... but life the universe and everything conspired against me getting any computer work done.

We had a fabulous time in England, although it was a bit dubious whether we would make it or not. The Eurostar basically fails when it snows or there is ice. You would think that in a cold climate they would know that the train would come in contact with these things and manufacture equipment that stands up to the weather. Sensible non? Well, it seems that sense and public transport are polar opposites.

Prepare for start of rant.....

I was supposed to be on the first Eurostar of the day leaving Paris. When I woke at 5am there was a thick coating of snow outside. Pas de problem. I called a taxi. "Sorry we cannot access your area this morning due to the snow". Ok, mild anxiety. Try another company. And try again and again for 40 minutes, until finally a taxi agrees to drive almost to our street to pick me up. Try to take suitcase downstairs and up (yes - uphill) to the nearest cross street quietly.... whilst trying to remain upright and not end up with a bruise imprint of the cobblestones on my backside. Sigh.

Anyway, taxi finally arrives, get to the train terminal a few minutes before departure and race through security etc. Jump on the train and before I can find my seat the doors close. A very close call.

Then the train sat there for 30 minutes without moving whilst they removed snow from the engine carriage.......

A very very slow trip to Calais where we once again sat whilst they de-snowed and iced the engine carriages. Then a slow trip through the tunnel and a slow trip to London. A 2 and a half hour trip turned into 5 and a half hours. One ray of sunshine is that we were all offered free Eurostar tickets to be used anytime within the next year. You know I will be taking them up on that offer!

End of rant, back to lovely trip.

I had 2 glorious though very short days with a girlfriend who I haven't seen since last september. If only I could have slowed time down so we could have fitted more in. At least I know that with my free ticket I can go and visit again soon without breaking the budget.

After 2 days in Surrey I went back to London to visit with the outlaws - oops I mean inlaws. Wayne joined me there and we had 2 days of eating, drinking and general merriment. One of the highlights was dinner on saturday night (which was our wedding anniversary coincidentally).

My SIL cooked a fabulous meal, followed by delicious British cheeses with water biscuits. Then the piece de resistance - dessert made by the youngest niece. A truely scrumptious confection of puff pastry, caramel and apples, served with vanilla ice cream and real english cream. Delicious! As you can see, plates were scraped clean and quite quickly too!

As always, we came home with suitcases filled with goodies. A shopping trip to Boots, Primark, Holland and Barrett and M&S is compulsary. All sorts of goodies found their way into our bags till they were full to bursting point.

Tonight it is cumberland sausages and mashed potatoes with gravy and peas. There are Scottish fishcakes tucked away for later in the week, and all sorts of other tasty treats just waiting to tempt our tastebuds. You just know that regimes and sensible eating are out the window whilst we have these goodies in the house!

Midweek Musings

2010-02-10T18:11:00.000+01:00

Here it is, wednesday again.

We have had so much snow today and yesterday. No photos of the snow as I have not perfected the art of photographing it yet. But I have certainly had a lot of practice today!

I love it when it snows. The whole world goes quiet and seems to hold its breath, as if waiting for something. Everything looks beautiful, gilded with a lacy trim of fresh snow, like icing sugar dusted over a cake. It blurs the edges and brings a new perspective to the world.

It was snowing so heavily this morning that I could not see the park across the road. Guy was fascinated. He sat on the dining table (yes, I know - cat bum on dining table - but let's not get into his bad habits today. sigh) and gazed at the flakes drifting past the window. Some of them were as big as a 2 euro piece!!

I waited till after lunch to head out to the shops thinking the snow may ease up or stop. Which it did.... till I set foot outside the door when it came down heavily again.....

Even though being hit in the eyeballs by snowflakes is right down near the bottom of my "list of things I enjoy", it was magical to walk through the snow and watch my jacket turn from black to white.

A father and teenage son started an impromptu snowball fight, which soon had everybody taking sides and commenting. A lot of fun. Amazing how that white stuff turns even grown ups into giggling children. Everyone walked off with smiles on their faces, something you don't see often in Paris.

Arriving home very chilled, with numb fingers and toes I craved something hearty and hot for dinner tonight. So we are having boeuf au carrottes with pomme de terre ratte. (beef and carrots with "ratte" variety potatoes). Being me, it is not the authentic version that takes all day to make. I always "adjust" recipes. There is no salt in this recipe. This is deliberate. If you add salt it will make the meat tough. There is also so much flavour that you will not miss the salt. If you must have it, add a sprinkle of fleur de sel when serving.

Enjoy your casserole and I will be back on monday. I am now off to England for a few days of fun with friends and family. Can't wait!

Boeuf au Carrottes a la Debbie
1kg good stewing steak, trimmed and cut into chunks
approx half bottle nice red wine (I am using a bourdeaux tonight)
good sprinkle of parsley, pepper, any other herbs you feel like 1bunch of thyme chopped
1 small onion chopped very fine
1 clove garlic chopped very fine
2 stalks of celery chopped finely
1 teaspoon of grainy mustard
1 tablespoon of redcurrant jelly
1/2 teaspoon vegemite

Put everything in a large casserole dish and stir to combine. Cover and place in slow oven.

After 30 mins add 1kg carrots chopped into rough chunks. Stir and cover again.

Now and then check that it is cooking well and stir. You may like to add stock or gravy granules for a richer or thicker gravy, or to leave the lid off for half an hour to reduce the gravy. Each batch is different and may need "tweaking" in a different way.

Cook in a slow oven for as many hours as you can leave it before being driven insane by the aroma

Steam/boil/microwave the potatoes till cooked. Drain any liquid and add fresh butter and fresh parsley.

Serve generous portions of the casserole in a shallow bowl. Don't forget to add potatoes to the bowl! Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and/or thyme over everything. Dunk pieces of crusty bread into the juices and enjoy it all with a glass of whatever wine you used in the dish.... or a lovely bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape..... even better!

NOTES:
I do not use measurements very often... sorry. After checking my oven temp it is on 180C and I will turn it down to about 165C after the carrots go in.
I think dumplings would go fabulously in this. You may need to add some stock or water to the casserole though so it isn't too dry after the dumplings cook.
If you can't get fresh herbs, dried is ok. I tend to beg or buy fresh herbs when in season and freeze them for later use when they are not available.
The vegemite can be replaced with any flavourful stock cube/powder/liquid. It really just gives it a lovely colour and boosts the flavour.

M for Mechant

2010-02-08T09:56:00.000+01:00

I know. No need to write in and tell me.

I am going to be one of those crazy cat ladies in my twilight years.

You know the ones that talk to their cat as if it is real, generally have more than one cat, feed them on delicacies yet don't have the money to pay the utilities, groom them and ensure they are magnificant looking but don't brush their own hair very often, look a bit like a cross between Brigitte Bardot in her current faze and my Great Aunt Noela (ie very curvacaous, but with the "witchy poo" hair and make up that BB seems to have adopted. What is it with that?!?). I just hope I don't suffocate them in my bosom like Aunty Noela used to do to animals..... and children. The nightmares I think we all suffered as a result of that!

Now that we have that out in the open, allow me to share another photo of my furbaby.

Yes I am besotted with him. Yes I do carry photos of him around in my handbag.

I must add that I also carry photos of the nieces, nephews, great niece and great nephew, godchildren etc. Just getting that on record before condemned to early crazy cat lady status.

OK, I do have adoption papers and am known as the "Maman de Guy la Griffe" at the vets... but that is just coincidental. I promise.

He is so adorable, but so so naughty. Like most cats that are Bengal origin he has an M in dark fur on his forehead ( a lot of tabbies have this also, which is where I think the Bengal gets it from). In french, the word "mechant" means naughty (it can also mean spiteful or vicious - but he is neither of those).

We joke that he was branded from birth and is just following the dictates laid down on his fur. Which is a bit worrying as he has a cobra pattern above the M......

Midweek Musings

2010-02-04T16:46:00.001+01:00

Well, here I am on another grey winters day. The sun is trying desperately to show its face, but without a great deal of success.

It has been a tough week.

A contre temps with certain members of the club saw me begin the week in a less than optimal mood. Then another run in on wednesday almost finished my connection with the club forever. I do not know why people have to be so sneaky, nasty and underhand. Or why they have to take out their insecurities and negativity on others.

Wayne has been away for most of January and I am feeling a little jaded with dinners alone every night and not being able to talk and to generally living separate lives. It seems I only see him for long enough to repack a suitcase and then spend the next week catching up on washing whilst he travels.

After a good long chat with a friend and her cat over many cups of tea and biscuits (who needs a regime at a time like this? Emotional crisis demand comfort food!) I feel a lot better. Going to the movies with another good friend helped also. Nothing like a good laugh to make you feel better.

....ok, maybe a good laugh and lots of cups of tea.....

I am very grateful to have such good friends this week.

p.s. the photo was taken at an archaeological conference last february. We were served afternoon tea in the tiny local church of a lovely village called Caerwent in Wales before visiting the fabulous Roman ruins that lie under and around the present village. The women of the village brought their own tea sets so they had enough cups and saucers to cater for our group.

Lions and tigers and igaunodons...?

2010-01-31T16:52:00.000+01:00

Whilst I was in Bruxelles I was lucky enough to have hours to spend wandering in the Museum of Natural Sciences.

This would have to be the best museum I have ever visited anywhere in the world.

Such a well thought out and beautifully designed museum, albiet in one of the most ugly modern buildings you can imagine. But then I suppose the museum building is a testiment to the 60's and 70's and one day will be admired in some way. Personally, I think concrete monstrosities such as these are horrible, but that is my opinion.

Anyway, back to the museum contents.

One of the highlights is to visit the dinosaur gallery. They have the most amazing collection of Igaunodons discovered in the Bernissart coal mine in Belgium in March 1878. The collection of bones turned out to be the best in the world due to the quality and quantity of fossils found in this mine.

Luckily the mine work did not take precedent and the bones were all lifted and taken to the Belgian Royal Museum of Natural History. Careful drawings and excavation of the remains ensured that they could be reconstructed again in the position found in the mine, and each animal with its own remains.

The collection comprises 30 Igaunodon bernissartensis and at least 1 Igaunodon atherfieldensis. You can see some reconstructed remains in life position, as well as view some in the position they were discovered in the mine. Incredible display.

The mineral gallery was fabulous. Not as state of the art as the dinosaur gallery, but everything was easy to see and clearly labelled. I was really impressed by the specimens on display as well.

There was so much else to see and do there, which I will not write about today.

I cannot recommend it highly enough as a place to visit. Children are well catered to and the displays are labelled clearly (even if not in english). Guides and books can be purchased in english at the gift shop. The prices were very affordable in my opinion, and the only problem you will have is how to choose from the huge variety of books and other gifts on offer. As you can imagine my bags were groaning under the weight of the books I could not resist....

Tea for one, with a heart

2010-01-28T14:02:00.000+01:00

Late in the afternoon, when I am at home, I sit and have a cup of tea and read a book or just snuggle with the cat for half an hour.

It is my way of relaxing, unwinding and organising my thoughts.

I may plan what we will have for dinner that night, go through my "to do list", or just let my thoughts wander were they may.

As I have just come back from Bruxelles, I have chocolate to enjoy with my cup of tea. A delicious treat!

The heart theme is, of course, for Barbara. She is focusing on hearts at present in her blog winosandfoodies.com

EUROCK

2010-01-26T10:58:00.000+01:00

Well, I guess it is time to come clean about my trip to Bruxelles.

Yes, it was to do with rocks, but no it was not archaeology. I was attending the AGM for the Geology Society I am a member of.

What a fabulous group of people and what a great weekend.

We visited a disused quarry, and had opportunity to gather specimens ourselves of some fabulous Devonian fossilised tree trunks. Also vegetation fossils in the most fine grained shale I have ever seen. This photo shows ripples caused by wave and current motion on an ancient sea floor. Something that you can see today at any beach. Incredible to think that this has happened since time began and the evidence is visible in places like this. Very interesting morning.

Another trip was to a cave system, or "Grottes" as they call them in french. (I was too busy taking notes and did not get the opportunity to take any photos, but will post some when they are forwarded to me from the others on the trip.)

The caves were interesting as they were on two levels and had been carved by the action of an underground river. In fact, after walking though the upper level of the caves, we had to return to the entrance via a boat on the lower level. The caves are still full of water on the lower level and water was constantly trickling down from the surface so the level never drops.

Fascinating to see so many enormous stalagmites and stalagtites as well as flow deposits from the calcium carbonate in the water building up over the centuries. Makes you look at the limescale in the kettle in a whole new light........

Of course what trip would be complete without sampling some of the local delicacies? Not this one that is for sure! I have tried chocolate in every permutation imaginable, and every flavour on earth. Think I will need a complete post dedicated to that topic alone.

One thing which Belgium is known for is waffles, or "gaufres" as they are called in french. Traditionally you eat them with powdered sugar only, but in the cafes and street stalls you can have almost any topping you can think of.

I had mine with powdered sugar and a glass of hot chocolate, called "chocolat chaud". The hot chocolate was not a sweet version. It was chocolate from Madagascar that had been powdered, but left in its natural state flavour wise. Deliciously bitter and with a great depth of flavour. The perfect companion to my sweet gaufre.

You will notice a small foil wrapped biscuit on the left of my drink tray....... It was a very unusual thin crisp biscuit with slivers of nuts in it. I asked my waiter what they were called, as they were so nice I thought I might look for them in a supermarket and bring some home. He told me that they don't really have a name, and you can't buy them in a supermarket. I must have looked a bit disappointed as he returned a few minutes later and asked me to open my backpack. When I did he placed a huge handful of them inside, zipped it up, said "Un petit cadeau", winked and walked away. Such a lovely thing to do, I was so surprised and very pleased. You can be sure he received a tip!

Sunday morning we visited the Natural History Museum. It was such a great place that I think it also deserves a post of its own. So stay tuned and I will show you this magnificent museum in a few days.

I will leave you with one last photo. Even though my focus for the trip was geology, I did walk all over Bruxelles and do all the usual cultural things. It is an interesting city with a real melange of building styles. The guild houses in the Grande Place were fabulous though and really caught my attention.

The carved stone work and the gold gilding was gorgeous.

Whiskers on kittens, and bright coloured mittens

2010-01-20T13:34:00.000+01:00

Aren't those whiskers just gorgeous! And such a rich coral coloured nose. I could gaze at them for hours. Just beautiful.

Just a little something to keep you going till next week. The mittens - well they are for me to head out into the cold with....

Guessing game

2010-01-16T18:42:00.000+01:00

Hmmm, what is this picture?

What am I going to be doing next week?

Clues:
It involves one of my interests, and something I have done a lot of study on.

OK, another clue is the picture below.

Stay tuned for the answer to this guessing game which will be posted after 25 January.....

I'm a big girl now

2010-01-14T21:12:00.000+01:00

Well, it seems that little girls do grow up fast. And the urge to nurture is there early.

Our new addition to the family is growing day by day. His older sister thinks that he was put on this earth just for her.

She is enamoured of him and cannot leave him alone.... even to the point of wanting to give him a bottle.

So gorgeous.

I heart........

2010-01-14T12:23:00.000+01:00

This photo is for the gorgeous Barbara of winosandfoodies.

Some hearts for your collection.

Baby it's cold outside

2010-01-08T11:00:00.000+01:00

Just walked into the bedroom to put on an extra layer of clothes (it is minus 5 outside, and it is 11am) and what do I find......

Hmmm, think I am approaching this cold weather all wrong.

Need to take lessons in coccooning from the cat.

Homemade

2010-01-08T10:09:00.000+01:00

For about a year I have been going on and on that I wanted to make my own yogurt.

Living as we do in a small Parisian appartment, Wayne has been totally against my buying a yogurt maker. Another thing to take up room.

Crazy really as we eat a lot of yogurt. Wayne has one, sometimes two pots a day of flavoured yogurt. I eat at least one a day of natural greek style yogurt. So I buy almost 30 yogurts a week.

Whilst in Australia Mum gave me my Grandfathers yogurt maker. It is a simple glass flask inside a thermos. I carried it carefully home and had it sitting looking at me all through Christmas. Chastising me for not using it yet.

Well, I finally made my yogurt a few days ago.... and am kicking myself for not doing this years ago. So easy, so tasty and so satisfying.

Now I just have to remember to buy milk........

Homemade yogurt
1 litre of fresh milk (full cream is best but you can use any)
3-4 tablespoons natural yogurt with active cultures, at room temp

Bring milk almost to boil in a large very clean saucepan. When you see little bubbles around edge of pan take off heat.

Allow to cool till you can put your finger in (around blood temp or 37degrees).

Mix a little of the warm milk with the yogurt. Add to pan of milk and mix well.

Pour into glass flask and place in thermos for 8 to 12 hours. Do not peek till done!

Place in fridge overnight to chill before using.

Add fruit or cereal before serving.

Notes:
I used semi skimmed milk. Any milk will work, but the higher the fat content the thicker the yogurt will be.
The longer you leave the mix to rest the thicker the end result. At 8 hours have a look and gently tilt the glass flask. If it is almost at the correct consistancy then it is done. It will set more after refridgeration.
You can use yogurt from old batch to make a new batch. After a while it will not work as well, and then you buy a pot of fresh yogurt and use it as the starter.
I bought small glass jars with screw top lids to decant the yogurt into after the initial chill time. Easy portion control and fits into the fridge better.

For Wayne, I put a layer of homemade red fruits preserves in the base of the pot and then topped it up with the yogurt. It looks fabulous, and he said it tasted great.

Apparently you can make yogurt without any special equipment. You just need a warm place to sit a glass flask while the mixture does its magic. An oven with the pilot light on, a heat pad that you drape around the flask, etc. Will leave the experimentation to you. I am happy with my method for now.

Midweek Musings

2010-01-05T21:44:00.000+01:00

Well, today I resigned my position as the co-ordinator of the younger members group at the club..... effective immediately.

I promised to co-ordinate till it was up and running and then I wanted to hand it over to others who have the time and energy. Promise kept. Exit stage left.

For my next trick.....

I am away a lot over the next few months. Professional conferences and opportunities abound for me this year. A good feeling to know there is a niche for you out there in the big wide world.

Prior to may I also need to brush up on my academic french so that I can apply to the Sorbonne. A big call, and one that is going to require huge amounts of time, effort and dedication if I am to succeed. Come september I want to be walking in the portals of La Sorbonne feeling confident and ready to tackle a tough year of cramming. For it will be a course that seems to cram four years into one......

As Wayne would say, take a big bite. Bite off more than you can swallow - then chew like hell till it's gone!

After which I am sure I will be feeling proud as a .... well you know how it goes..

Once in a blue moon.....

2010-01-02T19:02:00.001+01:00

Well, another year has arrived and everyone I know is madly making resolutions.

Except us.

I just cannot see the point in making resolutions that will add stress or complications to my life. Hopefully I am doing the right thing by myself, family and friends anyway. So what is the point.

There are a few things I would like to do this year, but they are in no way resolutions and in no way compulsory. If they happen I will be happy - if they don't I won't be upset.

One of the things I want to do is to take more photos with my new camera. The above photo is a good start... along with the 60 odd photos of the cat that I took this morning while I had the camera out....

A blue moon is supposed to be one of those - well - "once in a blue moon" type experiences. The moon for new years eve and for last night was the above mentioned blue moon. An opportune opening of the curtains this morning meant that we had a perfect view for about half an hour, before it gradually faded out and was obliterated by the clouds. We felt quite privileged to have seen it as the next blue moon will not be for 30 years or so... and who knows where we will be then.

Welcome to the family little man

2009-12-31T16:38:00.000+01:00

I am writing this through a mist of tears. Happy, joyful tears absolutely - but tears with a hint of sadness also.

You see today my handsome nephew was born in Australia.... and I am here in Paris.

I really wish I could be there to hold him and tell him how much we all love him and have looked forward to his arrival. To smell that incredible baby smell that is better than any perfume. To marvel at his little fingers and toes and his fabulous chubby little cheeks.

Yes, for a family where babies are normally measured in ounces or grams, this little boy has topped the scales and is very definately in pounds or kilos! I think his birth weight probably doubles the total birth weight of his Dad, myself and his other Aunty combined.

Well done to my brother and sister-in-law. Once again you have created a perfect, gorgeous little being.

As for us, we shall toast his coming into the world with champagne tonight... and possibly a few sentimental tears as well.

Soft, gentle and beautiful

2009-12-31T08:34:00.000+01:00

Aren't these the most gorgeous paws you have ever seen.

Our furbaby is named Guy la Griffe, which translates as Bill the Claw. A bit of a joke as he rarely uses his claws.... well except to unwrap presents, open doors and cupboards, unpick ribbons and string, steal small things to hide away (like the trackball in my mouse the day before my exams...), etc etc etc..... maybe he is aptly named after all.

The surfeit of the season, or an elegant sufficiancy

2009-12-27T13:10:00.000+01:00

Well, Christmas Day plus 2......

On the day itself we feasted. Lunch at Le Petit Zinc in St Germain des Pres. Picture panfried mushrooms with a soft boiled egg and a crisp wafer of toast, followed by langoustine with a champagne sabayon and thin slices of vegetables. Dessert was profiteroles with vanilla bean ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. Champagne and red wine flowed and all was well with the world.

Dinner was, well, not even thought of.

Boxing day became another food marathon. Scottish smoked salmon, Scottish roasted smoked salmon, avocado, lemon and caviar with a glass of very good champagne. Chased by roast pork with lemon myrtle herb and honey glaze and a veritable allotment of roasted vegetables, washed down with a rich and delicious graves. Room was found for comice pears poached in red wine and spices, then drizzled with melted chocolate and thick cream.

Again dinner became a non-existant event.

Today we are resting our overfilled stomachs..... supposedly. That would be why we have already had coffee and Armenian treats with our friends and are contemplating what we are going to cook and eat for lunch and dinner today. Sigh.

I give up and declare myself ready for the next meal. Let the feasting continue!

How to commence.....

2009-12-26T11:42:00.000+01:00

Well, here it is. I have finally done it. A blog is born.

What do I say.... what do I show you.... how often should I write here.... questions galore race through my mind.

One thing I am certain about is that I will endeavour to use this as a place to keep family and friends updated on our life here in Paris and our adventures around the world. There may be food, travel, books, painting, friends and family - in fact anything that occurs may well find its way onto these pages.

I hope it finds a home on your bookmarks list and fulfils the curiosity regarding our life and happenings, bringing the distance between us all a little closer.