French steak et autre choses..

It is quite strange basking in the sunshine (16.5 C this moring), when the reports from friends and family in the UK are reporting such a prolonged spell of snow and ice. This photo from our old neighbours in the Highlands brought back memories of the many times we had to dig a track for ourselves before heading out to work. Very ofter we were both at our desks before people living in the city too!
Delighted to report that the Christmas sweater fits! And he's pleased with it and it is being modelled as I write at the Petanque club in Port Ste Foy.
Our New Year's Day dinner is traditionally steak pie, which has posed a problem since moving to France as we have never found French beef to live up to the quality of Scotch beef. (Duncan Fraser's butchers in Inverness comes high on the list of things I miss...). The other issue is the different names for the cuts. I have been doing some internet research over the last few days and 'paleron' steak came highly recommended. This morning we set off to Castillon for a bit of pre holiday shopping and found some nice looking paleron at the butcher's counter in Leclercs. It is lean and will need either long slow cooking or pressure cooking. I just hope I can get it tender and it has some taste. In France the don't hang their beef very long, which I think is the issue regarding taste; but this is supposed to be a tasty cut. Time will tell.

Rooster scarf

This was a quick little project worked while watching festive TV.

Back to normal...well nearly

Christmas is great, but it is also lovely to get back to nomal after all the festivities. After 4 days of socialising and overeating, yesterday we returned to simpler fare, which was quite comforting in a funny sort of way. We have been enjoying really mild weather and as the rain cleared up yesterday G got a chance to test out his new set of boules. Today the weather is even more pleasant at 16 C and I have managed to catch up on some washing.

G's jumper was nearly finished for Christmas - and I have managed to sew it up over the last two afternoons.

Christmas cooking

Yesterday we were back in Libourne to collect my permanent card which gives me permission to sell at markets - only around half an hour to wait this time. Then a bit of pre Christmas shopping and we popped in the the Comptoir de St Genès for lunch on the way home.

The weather has changed to pretty miserable rain; no petanque, so someone will be still crazy pretty soon.. I’ve spent all week looking for quail’s eggs (I know this sounds trivial), and normally they’re easy to get here, but they must have gone off the lay as none to be found. I wanted them for my Boxing Day starter (bah humbug). Trying Delia’s fallen chocolate soufflé with Armagnac prunes – it’s in the oven just now and house smells V chocolately. We’re on our own Christmas Day but we’re having our friend Margaret on Boxing Day (hence the quail quest.. and cake cooking.)

Not sorry to be missing the shopping madness in the UK, very little hype here and although a little busier than normal, very civilised.

PS The soufflé has souffléd! I’m off to watch it fall….

The new fairy

I started this little lady in the summer, and she was all put together apart from the candles. I thought it would be a five minute job to finish her off, but as ever things take longer than you think. A very sticky and fiddly job, but she does look quite happy perched on the tree. We're have Christmas drinks this evening and I need to dash to finish off the nibbles..

Marché de Noël, Eymet

This week we had our office Christmas party. Because we don't have any co-workers, we went with Liz, Taso and Margaret to make it a bit more fun. We had a tip about a relatively new restaurant at St Genès de Castillon, Le Comptoir de Genès and we were not disappointed. A very refreshing and modern take on eating out in this area - the tables are set in between the cases of wine for sale. There is a menu at 14 euros, which includes a glass of wine which is great value. We all plumped for the a la carte as it was a special occasion and were delighted. The wine is at chateau prices, plus 6 euros corkage which is pretty reasonable. We would love to fit in a nother visit before they close on 31 December, so fingers crossed...

How cold can you be! Well, VERY. It was -4 C when we set off for Eymet yesterday morning and really never got above freezing (lots of fun for the kids; they were sliding on the ice and practising their moonwalking). We were pitched in the square, in front of Santa's cabin, instead of under the arcades where we expected and had not taken our new tent with us. In some ways, it was better as we tried to follow the sun round the square to thaw out slightly, but my nose and toes did not thaw out until we got home. The morning was quite busy, but in the afternoon most people were just out for a stroll and a chat. G says it his last market - we'll see...

Marché de Noël St Emilion

I am so lucky living in such a beautiful part of the world and within half and hour of a World heritage site like St Emilion. I hope these pictures give flavour of the village and our stand. The weather was very cold and crisp, and on our way home there were flakes of snow...
All tucked up now with full tummies and the woodburner going to keep everyone, especially Smokey, content.

St Emilion

Just back from an exciting (but very cold) two days in St Emilion. What an experience!

Alba Yarns goes to marché

In my absence yeaterday, our market stall was delivered and a top up Origin order. This morning was spent on a trial run with the tent, which went up pretty easily on the terrace. Time will tell how it will work out in market place at Eymet. We hope to go tomorrow - so watch this space...

Sock wool

This was my second attempt, which is a lot more pleasing to the eye. In fact, I really like it. This was dyed using logwood and my organic walnuts. It will make an interesting pair of socks.

Dyeing day with Melinda

Yeaterday, I spent a really interesting day with Melinda and two of her friends doing some natural dyeing. It is all very 'hubble bubble' and I had to dash off to pick up my Sterling Shopping order and leave Melinda with the cleaning up.. This was my first (not very good) effort, using turmeric and cochineal. Sadly, it is felted. Maybe someone out there will have an idea how to use it - collage anyone?

The chicks go to market...

A much improved stall went to the Pessac sur Dordogne market to support the Telethon (the French equivalent of Children in Need). Unfortunately, there were very few customers. We had good business from the other stallholders, but some people had few or no sales.

Spot my lovely chicks! I only sold one.....

My flock of cute chicks

These girls (I think there are girls...) are for the Christmas Telethon fair on Sunday in Pessac sur Dordogne, where I will have a stand. They are doorstops and are filled with wheat and my own dried lavender. I may have time to make some more with a bit of luck.