Our house for sale in Montbrun des Corbieres

So we are about to start 2014..... And we have made the momentous decision to sell our beautiful home here in Montbrun.

We have spent the last 4 years here lovingly restoring our village house and enjoying the country life. However, now we feel its time to move on to new adventures. It has been a difficult decision as we love our village and the people we have met here. We have had so many lovely times with family and friends here also.

BUT.....

I have always wanted to have a small holding and live as self sufficiently as possible. We have achieved some of that here with our vegetable garden...but....I've always  wanted some animals.
Unfortunately we cannot do that in our veggie garden. It's too far from the house.....it's not practical and not safe. We just wouldn't be able to look after them well enough from a distance.

Realistically.....we are not of an age to take on a small holding so the search began for a house with a big enough garden to grow lots of veg and keep some chickens but not so big to be unmanageable.
We made a list of everything that we were looking for....decided we would not buy anywhere till we sold this house....and gave ourselves a couple of years to find the ideal thing.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS.......WE ARE FAR TOO IMPULSIVE TO STICK TO PLANS.

Our present house was purchased when we were on a weekend trip visiting a friend.....it was raining......so why not go and look at a couple of houses for sale in the village......oh and why not just buy one of them!

The say buy in haste and repent at leisure..........NEVER!   Always go with your heart and you can't go far wrong!

Ok...you guessed it.......we did the same again!

To be honest we did look around a LITTLE  bit. The problem was I was looking at all the old farmhouses with far too much land and in hamlets too far away from civilisation. Hubby was looking at things much more conservative.

The house just sort of jumped out at us.....

Small village...well twice the size of our present one...700 people!
Picturesque....river,chateau,water-mill
Restaurants,boulangerie,boucherie
House is a little too modern for me...not as rustic as our present one......and a little too big...but...

I LOVE THE GARDEN

Lots if room for my little chickies.

So compromises had to be made....so rustic is out and sort of french suburban style is in.


Anyway.......watch this space. We sign for the new house at the end of Jan  but can't move  until we sell this one.

Anyone looking for a french holiday house.......we are on green-acres.com.......village house Montbrun des Corbieres.

Unless we win the lottery and then  we can keep both...ha ha!

HOME MADE CHRISTMAS GIFTS ....IRISH CREAM WHISKY RECIPE

ITS A SAD DAY WHEN YOU DISCOVER THERE REALLY IS NO SANTA CLAUS. (THERE ISN'T IS THERE????) ALL THOSE FEELINGS OF ANTICIPATION AND EXCITEMENT AT OPENING YOUR PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS MORNING...ITS SOMETHING YOU CAN NEVER FEEL IN THE SAME WAY EVER AGAIN!

THE BIGGEST JOY FOR ME NOW AT CHRISTMAS IS TO BE ABLE TO GIVE..... NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL THE GIFT..AS LONG AS IT IS SOMETHING GIVEN WITH THOUGHT.

WE ARE AT THE STAGE WHERE WE GIVE OUR CHILDREN MONEY SO THAT THEY CHOOSE WHATEVER IT IS THEY NEED/WANT  AND WHEN THEY NEED/WANT IT.
AS FOR OURSELVES WE NO LONGER GIVE EACH OTHER GIFTS JUST BECAUSE ITS CHRISTMAS.....IF WE SEE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD LIKE OR A TREAT WE MAY LIKE TO HAVE...WELL...WE JUST GET IT AT THE TIME!!!

ITS REALLY NICE TO KNOW SOMEONE WELL ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GIVE SOMETHING THAT YOU KNOW WILL BE APPRECIATED. UNFORTUNATELY FOR MOST PEOPLE  ITS A CASE OF SEARCHING TO FIND SOMETHING AND USUALLY AT THE LAST MINUTE.

APPARENTLY THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TOP 5 MOST UNWANTED GIFTS.

1 UNATTRACTIVE SOCKS!!!!
2 CHEAP PERFUME/BOXED GIFT SETS THAT ARE OVERPRICED FOR THE CONTENTS.
3 PERSONALISED HANKIES. FOR HYGIENE REASONS PEOPLE RARELY USE THESE NOW.
4 EXECUTIVE STRESS TOYS....YES THERE REALLY WAS A BANANA SHAPED STRESS SPONGE!!!
5 HOUSEHOLD GADGETS....THOSE TIME SAVING THINGS THAT NEVER REALLY DO AND JUST FILL UP YOUR KITCHEN CUPBOARDS GATHERING DUST!

ALONG WITH.... XMAS TREE EARRINGS (ACTUALLY THEY ARE USEFUL ONE DAY A YEAR)...AND THE ANNUAL DANIEL O DONNELL CD!


ITS A REAL SHAME THAT SO MUCH MONEY IS WASTED ...BUT AT LEAST E BAY  DOES SOME ROARING TRADE ON BOXING DAY!!

ANYWAY..TO MAKING YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS PRESENTS......

ITS NOT ONLY A GOOD WAY OF SAVING MONEY..ITS ALSO A GOOD WAY OF MAKING SOMETHING TO SUIT THE PERSON THAT YOU ARE GIVING IT TO YOU.

LAST YEAR, HERE IN FRANCE, OUR NEIGHBOURS CALLED ON CHRISTMAS EVE BRINGING GIFTS OF HOME MADE SWEETS AND HOME GROWN PLANTS. IT WAS REALLY LOVELY THAT THEY HAD TAKEN TIME AND EFFORT TO MAKE SOMETHING FOR US. WE IN TURN MADE SHORTBREAD AND CHOCOLATE FUDGE FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS, THE MAIRIES OFFICE AND MARTINE WHO WORKS IN THE POST OFFICE.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE SOMETHING PERFECTLY CRAFTED BUT I DO THINK IT IS MUCH MORE APPRECIATED WHEN YOU HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO DO IT YOURSELF.
THE FOLLOWING IS MY START OF GIFTS FOR THIS YEAR....

OF COURSE I COULDN'T POSSIBLY REVEAL AT THIS STAGE WHO THEY ARE FOR!!!!!

I HAVE MADE A TRIO OF HEARTS FILLED WITH LAVENDER,(LAVENDER HAND PICKED IN THE SUMMER) COTTON NAPKINS WHICH I DECORATED USING DYLON FABRIC PENS, RASPBERRY RUM,  BLACKBERRY VODKA AND LAVENDER MASSAGE OIL.

I ALSO INTEND MAKING SOME IRISH CREAM WHISKY.....A HOME MADE VERSION OF BAILEYS. THIS ONLY KEEPS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS IN THE FRIDGE SO IT IS BEST TO MAKE IT JUST BEFORE GIVING.

THE RECIPE IS AS FOLLOWS...

LARGE TIN OF EVAPORATED MILK
LARGE TIN OF CONDENSED MILK
GLASS OF WHISKY...LESS IF YOU DO NOT WANT IT TOO STRONG
TEASPOON OF GLYCERIN
1 TABLESPOON OF INSTANT COFFEE DISSOLVED IN 2 TEASPOONS OF WATER.

MIX ALL IN A JUG THEN TRANSFER INTO BOTTLES.

IT IS BEST TO USE SMALLER BOTTLES BECAUSE IT WILL NEED TO BE USED UP IN THE 2 WEEKS AND NOT MANY PEOPLE WANT TO DRINK IT EVERY NIGHT FOR 2 WEEKS!!!!! ITS GREAT TO GIVE TO PEOPLE WHO YOU KNOW WILL BE ENTERTAINING A LOT OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR!



I HOPE YOU ENJOY MAKING AND GIVING YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

MONTBRUN DES CORBIERES - QUIET LIVING IN A SMALL VILLAGE...NOT!!!!!

When we arrived to live in the small village of Montbrun des Corbieres in 2009 we were envisaging a simple rustic lifestyle. We didn't know anyone and the population of the village is only just over 300 people...on a good day!
We left behind the social life involved with friends from work and from more than a decade of living in the same place.
So amongst our belongings we packed hundreds of books and dvds to help fill the quiet winter evenings. Manuals of all the local walks and places of interest, puzzle books and lots of ideas for crafts and hobbies we would have endless time to pursue.

The calm quiet life away from the hustle and bustle of town living.

HOW WRONG COULD WE BE..........

Today I was looking at the calender from last year....and being a bit of a list freak...decided I would note down all the social events/meals etc  we had attended in the last year. It was a bit of an eye opener......the list is as follows.......

Aperos  (pre dinner snacks and drinks usually for a couple of hours from about 5 or 6pm)   14

Meals prepared for invited guests   ...1 guest = 1 meal  (not including us)                                                                                                                                              41

Meals at friends                                                                                                                         17

Meals at restaurants with friends                                                                                             14

Coffee mornings                                                                                                                        12

Organised fetes and functions                                                                                                    12

Visitors coming to stay...1 person =1 day                                                                                121

The above does not include the times we have just had an impromptu lunch out..or invited neighbours to help us eat produce from the garden......and definitely not the coffees out (of which we are particularly fond ,,sitting in street cafes are what french life is all about). It also doesn't includes neighbours and friends "just calling in".. It also doesn't include the the fete quartier ( street party) which our french neighbours organise once a month in the summer!!!!

It is certainly a social life we were not expecting.....

Summer is particularly busy with the influx of British expats to their holiday homes and well as our Dutch neighbours. I am shamed to admit there have been times we have pulled down the blinds and hidden to avoid the possibility of being invited anywhere!!!!!!!

So if you are genuinely looking for a quiet life watch out when you buy in a house in a village where it looks like everyone is hiding behind closed shutters.

THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS HOW THEY SEEM!

We are not moaning.......we love everyone that we have met and we are learning to cope with our new found hectic social life. We have such a variety of friends and acquaintances...french, english, dutch, swiss, danish, german.......bringing their variety of ways of life and interests.

It perhaps hasn't been the way of life we were expecting but it has been a fantastic experience.

So...signing off ...as once again we are out tonight for an "apero dinatoire" (oh yes I didn't mention that one....that's a meal between an apero and the full dining experience)


Happy socialising!!!!!

Quick and easy, healthy green soup

I always keep frozen green veg in the freezer for emergencies. It's just as healthy as fresh....and often more so as its picked and frozen immediately.

If you want to have a health blast and make soup ultra quick then here is a good recipe using your frozen veg.

For 2 people...increase as necessary for more people.

A handful each of frozen broccoli,spinach and Brussels sprouts.
Put in a pan with 3/4 of a pint of water and a good vegetable stock.. ( the Maggi or knorr jelly type ones are really good)
Cook  until veg softens ....usually only 5 to 10 mins.
Purée/liquidise the soup
There shouldn't be any need to season as there is enough in the stock.....you can add it after if you felt you needed it.
Add 100 mls of creme liquide/single cream and warm through. Do not boil!

Ready to serve with some nice crusty baguette.

SIMPLES!

This is also really good to serve as a puréed vegetable...just add enough water to cover veg when cooking and then enough cream to give the taste but not to make it too sloppy.


Really delicious! Honest....give it a try.

LETTUCE AND CELERY ...HOW TO KEEP THEM FRESH

I'VE FORGOTTEN THE NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST THAT I HAVE THROWN AWAY  LETTUCE THAT HAS GONE SOGGY AND CELERY THAT HAS GONE LIMP...AND THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN LIMP CELERY!!!!!

ACCORDING TO A BRITISH SURVEY THESE ARE AMONG THE MOST COMMONLY WASTED FOOD ITEMS PURCHASED BY CONSUMERS. SOMETIMES THIS IS DUE TO OVER PURCHASING BUT MOST OFTEN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT USED IN TIME OR THE QUALITY IS NO LONGER GOOD ENOUGH TO USE THEM DUE TO POOR STORAGE

YOU THINK YOU ARE REALLY  ORGANISED  IN PLANNING MENUS TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE FRESH PRODUCE YOU BUY BUT THE INEVITABLE HAPPENS....A SURPRISE MEAL OUT OR YOU SOMETIMES JUST DON'T FANCY WHAT YOU HAVE PLANNED...AND ALSO THERE ARE TIMES THAT PRODUCE JUST DOESN'T LAST AS LONG AS YOU THINK IT WILL!!!


I DISCOVERED THIS YEAR THE BEST WAY TO KEEP LETTUCE AND CELERY FRESH FOR MUCH LONGER.

LETTUCE

WASH AND DRY THE LETTUCE LEAVES

CHOOSE A PLASTIC STORAGE BOX THAT WILL HOLD THE AMOUNT OF LETTUCE YOU HAVE.
START WITH A LAYER OF KITCHEN ROLL IN TH BOTTOM OF THE BOX...THEN LAYER LETTUCE AND KITCHEN ROLL UNTIL THE BOX IS FULL. FINISH OFF WITH A LAYER OF KITCHEN ROLL ON THE TOP THEN SEAL THE BOX WITH ITS LID.

.THE KITCHEN ROLL WILL ABSORB EXCESS MOISTURE AND PREVENT THE SOGGY "EFFECT". I HAVE KEPT LETTUCE IN THE FRIDGE FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS IN THIS WAY!!!
I DID TRY THIS WITH THE VERY FINE SALAD LEAVES BUT FOUND IF YOU LEFT THEM TOO LONG THEY WOULD JUST DRY OUT..IT IS BETTER WITH THE CRISPER LETTUCES.


CELERY


UNFORTUNATELY IF NOT STORED CORRECTLY CELERY WILL GO LIMP VERY QUICKLY IN THE FRIDGE. THE FOLLOWING METHOD WILL GUARANTEE THAT THE CELERY WILL STAY CRISP FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS.

FIRSTLY WASH THE CELERY, REMOVE THE LEAVES AND TRIM THE EDGES.

DAMPEN SOME KITCHEN ROLL AND WRAP IT AROUND THE CELERY STALKS

AND THEN WRAP IN SILVER FOIL...TRES SIMPLE!!!

JUST OPEN AND TAKE OUT AS MUCH AS YOU NEED.... THEN RESEAL!

DON'T FORGET TO USE YOUR CELERY LEAVES AND TRIMMINGS FOR SOUP OR
JUICING!!!!


HERES TO KEEPING YOUR GREENS JUICY AND FRESH!!!!!!!!!

HOW TO MAKE FRUIT PULP CRACKERS

BEING THE SORT OF HEALTHY TYPES WE ARE......OK WE HAVE LOTS OF WINE...BUT OTHER THAN THAT....OK WE EATS LOTS OF CHOCOLATE AS WELL....BUT  ....   OTHER THAN THAT....

WE USUALLY START THE DAY HEALTHILY WITH A FRESHLY MADE JUICE (IT DOES SORT OF GO A BIT DOWNHILL AFTERWARDS BUT WE KEEP TRYING)...EITHER FRUIT OR VEGETABLES OR A COMINATION OF THEM BOTH.

AS ANYONE WHO MAKES THESE JUICES KNOW YOU ARE LEFT WITH A LOT OF PULP. I HAVE LOOKED UP VARIOUS RECIPES BUT THEY HAVE USUALLY BEEN FOR CAKES, DESSERTS AND GENERALLY THINGS THAT I WASN'T INTERESTED IN.  I PUT IT INTO SOUPS OR IT IS PUT TO GOOD USE ON THE COMPOST HEAP.... WHICH IS A SHAME TO THROW AWAY ALL THAT GOOD FIBRE THAT YOU COULD BE EATING.

YIPPEE...I HAVE NOW FOUND A GOOD WAY OF USING THE PULP. IT WAS ON AN AMERICAN FITNESS WEBSITE..BUILTLEAN.COM .SO THANKS TO THEM

PULP CRACKERS

3 CUPS PULP
1/4 CUP CHIA SEEDS
1/2 CUP OF CHICKPEA FLOUR
1 CUP OF WATER

PUREE THE PULP TOGETHER WITH THE CHIA SEEDS AND THE FLOUR.
SLOWLY ADD THE WATER AND THEN THINLY SPREAD THE MIXTURE ON A NON STICK BAKING TRAY. IF IT IS TOO THICK IT WILL NOT CRISP UP EASILY AND JUST TASTE LIKE A BREAD MIXTURE.

BAKE.IN THE OVEN.....ABOUT GAS 5 FOR 30/40 MINS TILL ITS CRISP.


CUT INTO SQUARES..

IT LOOKS THE SAME COOKED AS IT DID RAW..ONLY A LITTLE BROWNER!!
YOU ALSO NEED TO BE CAREFUL AS THE EDGES CAN BROWN TOO MUCH...BUT I THOUGHT THEY WERE THE CRISPIEST AND NICEST.

THE TASTE OF THEM WILL VERY MUCH DEPEND WHAT KIND OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLE YOU WERE JUICING. THE DAY I MADE IT WE HAD APPLE,CELERY AND CARROT.

I HAVE TO ADMIT IT DOESN'T LOOK REALLY APPETISING EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER COOKING BUT THEY DO TASTE REALLY NICE ESPECIALLY WITH CHEESE.

IF I WAS DOING THESE AGAIN I THINK I WOULD BE TEMPTED TO CUT THEM WITH A SCONE CUTTER INTO CIRCLES BEFORE BAKING...JUT LOOKS NICER ON THE PLATE.

I ALSO THINK IT WOULD BE NICE TO ADD SOME SEASONING...DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU LIKE...SUCH AS CHILLI,GINGER OR CURRY FOR VEG PULP  OR CINNAMON FOR FRUIT BASED PULP.

ITS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD MAKE EVERY TIME AS  I FOUND THEY DID NOT KEEP WELL...WENT SOFT TOO QUICKLY...SO YOU WOULD BE EATING THEM VIRTUALLY EVERY DAY!!!
HOWEVER ITS GREAT TO HAVE ANOTHER IDEA OF WHAT TO DO WITH THE PULP SO IT ISN'T WASTED.

HAPPY JUICING AND PULPING!!!!

MONTBRUN HOSTS PATRICE JANIA...CHANSONS D'AMOUR

WE ARE BUSY IN THE HAY HOUSEHOLD PREPARING FOR A FETE IN OUR VILLAGE HALL. IT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE" CLUB DE SENIORS "  THE OLDIES TO ME AND YOU...AND FOR MY SINS I HAVE BEEN TREASURER OF THE CLUB FOR THE LAST YEAR.
I KNOW YOU ARE WONDERING HOW A YOUNG SPRING CHICKEN LIKE ME ENDS UP ON THE COMMITTEE OF THE RETIRED FOLK IN OUR VILLAGE.
WELL....ITS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SAYING "OUI" RATHER THAN "NON" DURING A CONVERSATION WITH THE CHAIRMAN WHEN YOU LOST TRACK OF THE FRENCH HALF AN HOUR BEFORE!!!
ANOTHER REASON IS BECAUSE I DONT LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO ORGANISE EVENTS TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF THE VILLAGE ALIVE AND WHEN NO ONE FRENCH WANTED TO BE TREASURER I WAS "VOTED" IN.  (MUCH TO HUBBYS AMUSEMENT AS HE KNOWS I AM DYSLEXIC WHEN IT COMES TO NUMBERS)

SO TO THE EVENING TOMORROW NIGHT..SAT 14TH DECEMBER

                                   

ANYWAY...PATRICE...GOOGLE HIM..PATRICEJANIA.FR

...HE IS WELL KNOWN HERE IN FRANCE...A SORT OF TRADITIONAL GUITARIST AND FOLK SINGER AND ITS A BIT OF A COUP FOR HIM TO COME AND PLAY FOR US. WELL...NOT REALLY...ITS THANKS TO HIS GOOD FRIEND, FRANCOISE, BEING THE PARTNER OF OUR ENGLISH FRIEND LIZ, AND THEY BOTH LIVE HERE IN MONTBRUN.

PREPARATION FOR THE MEAL WE ARE HAVING  BEGAN DAYS AGO WITH THE SHOPPING
TODAY...AM BOILING 60 EGGS FOR THE "EGGS MIMOSA" (DEVILLED EGGS TO ME AND YOU)...THAT IS OUR ENTREE.
 PLUS BAGUETTE OF COURSE

CHACUTERIE COURSE.....HAS TO BE THERE IN THE MEAL FOR THE FRENCH OTHERWISE ITS A BIT LIKE HAVING JAM AND TOAST WITHOUT THE JAM!
THIS IS BEING PREPARED BY DELIA...ANOTHER ANGLAISE FREIND
PLUS WE ARE HAVING  BAGUETTE... OF COURSE.

THE MAIN WILL BE BEEF A LA MONTBRUN.IT IS GOING TO BE LOOSLEY BASED ON BEEF BOURGINON....BUT GIVEN A TITLE SO THAT WE CAN THROW IN OTHER THINGS TO MAKE THE BEEF GO FURTHER. (THOSE THAT LIVE HERE KNOW THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE OUT A MORTGAGE TO BUY DECENT BEEF...NOT A LOT OF COWS LIVING IN THE VINES!!!!) THIS IS BEING PREPARED BY LIZ....WELL YES ...YOU ALREADY KNOW LIZ (ANGLAISE IN CASE YOU HAD FORGOTTEN)...
OH AND PLUS BAGUETTE OF COURSE

I AM MAKING A VEGETABLE LASAGNE AS A VEGETARIAN OPTION........USUALLY UNHEARD OF HERE. I SUGGESTED AT OUR MEETING THAT WE SHOULD OFFER A MEAT FREE ALTERNATIVE..THE RESPONSE WAS...."WHY....YOU MEAN PEOPLE EXIST THAT DO NOT EAT MEAT......MERDE!!!!PAS VRAI!!!!

CHEESE COURSE...TRADITIONAL HERE TO HAVE IT BEFORE THE DESSERT!!! USUALLY SOMETHING VERY SMELLY AND VERY BLUE...BUT DELICIOUS!! PLUS....YES.. WELL YOU KNOW ALREADY.

DESSERT IS ENTITLED PERSIAN DELIGHT . A NAME OUT OF THE BLUE TO DESCRIBE A DESSERT IN A GLASS WHICH LIZ IS PREPARING. THE ONLY SURE THING IS THAT IT WILL HAVE A HOB NOB BISCUIT BASE (OH YES THE FRENCH ARE IN FOR A SURPRISE....WHAT...NO APPLE TART...MERDE), A FRUIT MIDDLE AND CREAM ON THE TOP.

APEROS OF NUTS CRISPS AND MUSCAT, FREE WINE ALL EVENING AND BLANQUETTE(VERSION OF CHAMPAGNE) WITH THE DESSERT.
FINISHING WITH COFFEE OF COURSE.

AN ABSOLUTE BARGAIN FOR 17 EUROS....ABOUT £15

LETS HOPE ITS A GOOD EVENING


THE GOOD THING ABOUT THESE EVENTS IN FRANCE IS THAT EVERYONE BRINGS THEIR OWN PLATES, CUTLERY AND GLASSES...SOOOOO...NO WASHING UP!!!!
NOW THAT IS SOMETHING I LOVE ABOUT FRANCE!!!!


HERES TO EATING, DRINKING, SINGING AND BEING GENERALLY TRES MERRY!!!!

FORAGING FOR SWEET CHESTNUTS AND RECIPES

"CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE"...AND ALL THAT IT CONJURES UP.  THE IMAGE OF THOSE FROSTY COLD EVENINGS, HUDDLED AROUND AN OUTDOOR FIRE OR AT A FESTIVE FAIR,,TUCKING INTO THE BAG OF SALTED ROASTED CHESTNUTS.

SWEET CHESTNUTS ARE USUALLY READY OCTOBER/NOVEMBER...AND TO BE HONEST I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THEM WHEN I WROTE THE FORAGING IN WINTER SECTION.

THIS IS MAINLY BECAUSE I AM NOT A GREAT FAN OF CHESTNUTS...(MARRON...IN FRENCH). IT IS ALSO BECAUSE THE TREES TEND TO GROW ABOVE A CERTAIN HEIGHT HERE...IE IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS. TO BENEFIT FROM FREE CHESTNUTS WOULD ENTAIL A ROUND TRIP OF OVER 2 HOURS DRIVE. IT DOESNT MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE AS THE CHESTNUTS WOULD NO LONGER BE FREE FOOD.
HOWEVER, IF YOU WERE HAVING A DAY OUT ANYWAY THEN IT WOULD BE WORTH DOING SOME COLLECTING WHILE YOU WERE THERE.
OTHERWISE, IF YOU LOVE CHESTNUTS,  YOU COULD BUY IN BULK AT THE LOCAL MARKETS WHEN THE NUTS ARE IN ABUNDANCE AND CHEAP!!


TWO YEARS AGO WE HAD VISITORS IN EARLY AUTUMN AND WE WENT WALKING IN THE  GORGE D'HERIC, WHICH IS IN THE NEIGHBOURING HERAULT DEPARTMENT. AS WELL AS FOR WALKING ,THE GORGE IS A FANTASTIC PLACE FOR BATHING IN ROCK POOLS, OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY ON THE WALK UP. (PERHAPS SAVE THAT FOR THE NICER WEATHER!! THE FURTHER YOU WALK UP THE TRACK OF THE GORGE FROM THE CAR PARK THE LESS POPULATED IT IS BY TOURISTS(TOO FAR FOR MOST TO WALK!!) AND THE MORE CHESTNUTS YOU WILL FIND READY DE HUSKED AND STREWN ALONG THE PATHWAY!!

FOR THOSE KEEN ON SWEET CHESTNUTS ( AND BE CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE THESE WITH HORSE CHESTNUTS WHICH ARE ACTUALLY MILDLY POISONOUS FOR US AND ARE ONLY GOOD FOR PLAYING CONKERS!!) HERE ARE SOME IDEAS AS TO WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THEM.

SHELLING....THIS IS NOT DIFFICULT BUT CAN BE A BIT LABORIOUS. PUT THE NUTS INTO BOILING WATER AND LEAVE TILL THE SKIN SOFTENS.
TRANSFER TO COLD WATER AND WHEN THEY ARE COOL ENOUGH TO HANDLE YOU CAN CUT AND PEEL THEM.
IF YOU ARE ROASTING THEM THERE IS NO NEED TO PEEL AS YOU WILL ROAST THEM WITH THE SKINS ON.

FREEZING FOR LATER USE.
AFTER SHELLING PLACE NUTS IN A PAN OF BOILING WATER. BRING BACK TO THE BOIL AND BLANCH FOR 5 MINUTES.DRAIN THEM AND IMMEDIATELY PLACE INTO COLD WATER FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES TO STOP THE COOKING PROCESS. ONCE THEY ARE COOL BAG IN FREEZER BAGS IN THE QUANTITY SIZE THAT BEST SUITS THE WAY YOU WILL USE THEM IN THE FUTURE....SOUPS, STEWS, STUFFINGS OR SOAKED IN SYRUP FOR MARRON GLACES.

THE TASTE OF CHESTNUTS ARE SO MUCH BETTER WHEN THEY ARE ROASTED SO IT IS BEST TO DO THIS BEFORE YOU USE THEM IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RECIPES.

SWEET CHESTNUT SOUP

COOK ONE LARGE ONION IN A LITTLE BUTTER OR OIL TILL SOFTENED.
ADD 2 CUPS OF PEELED CHESTNUTS AND 2 PINTS OF STOCK (EITHER CHICKEN OR HAM)
SEASON WITH SALT AND PEPPER , BOIL AND SIMMER FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES.
DELICIOUS WITH A SWIRL OF CREME FRAICHE ON THE TOP

CHESTNUT PATE

COOK 1 LARGE ONION, 2/3 CLOVES OF CRUSHED GARLIC, AND SAUTE IN A LITTLE BUTTER UNTIL CARAMELISED.
ADD HALF A TEASPOON EACH OF NUTMEG AND ALLSPICE ..COOK FOR 1 MINUTE.
ADD 1 CUP OF ROASTED CHESTNUTS, 2 TABLESPOONS OF OLIVE OIL , 2 TABLESPOONS OF CIDER VINEGAR AND QUARTER OF A CUP OF WATER.
COOK FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES .
PUREE IT TOGETHER AND PUT INTO MOULD TO SET.

SERVE WITH CRUSTY BREAD AND SALAD!!

THE FRENCH ARE VERY FOND OF MARRON GLACE..WHERE THE CHESTNUTS ARE CANDIED IN SUGAR SYRUP, THE ACTUAL COOKING TIME FOR THIS IS RELATIVELY SMALL BUT IT TAKES A FEW DAYS OF COMMITMENT TO GET THE DESIRED GLACE FINISH. ITS NO THE KIND OF SWEET TASTE THAT WE LIKE IN THIS HOUSEHOLD...WE GO FOR THE FULL FAT CHOCOLATE...IF YOU ARE HAVING CALORIES THEN I PERSONALLY WOULDN'T WASTE THEM ON MARRON GLACE!!


HAPPY.....WELL....HAPPY NUT HUNTING!!!!

NATURAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME KNOW THAT I AM NOT A GREAT FAN OF CHRISTMAS...BAH HUMBUG AND ALL THAT.
ITS NOT THAT I DON'T GIVE GIFTS
ITS NOT THAT I DON'T ENTERTAIN AND SOCIALISE
MONEY IS OFTEN SPENT ON GIFTS THAT PEOPLE DONT WANT

ITS THAT I DON'T LIKE THE PRESSURE PEOPLE ARE PUT UNDER BY COMMERCIALISM TO CONFORM TO A CERTAIN IMAGE OF "CHRISTMAS CHEER"

FAMILIES END UP IN DEBT. CHILDREN ARE OVERLOADED WITH PRESENTS THAT THEY WILL LARGELY IGNORE AFTER A DAY.
ALL THE WRAPPING PAPER AND CARDS THAT FILL THE BINS IN THE WEEK FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS.

MOST OF ALL I DETEST UNNATURAL PLASTIC CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!!

CHRISTMAS WAS ORIGINALLY  A PAGAN FESTIVAL..IN FACT THE DATE OF DECEMBER 25TH WAS CHOSEN A FEW HUNDRED YEARS AGO TO BE "CHRISTMAS DAY" ONLY BECAUSE IT ALREADY WAS A POPULAR PAGAN HOLIDAY.
NOW THEN...BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT...AND THERE WAS YOU THINKING IT WAS THE DATE CHRIST WAS BORN!!

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE EASILY MADE WITH NATURAL THINGS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON A NICE COUNTRY WALK AND NATURAL PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE USED AFTERWARDS.

I ALWAYS MAKE A CENTRE PIECE FOR THE DINING TABLE

A DISH WITH A CANDLE IN THE CENTRE SURROUNDED BY PINE BRANCHES, PINE CONES HAZELNUTS,WALNUTS, CINNAMON STICKS AND BAKED ORANGE SLICES

 THE SAME THEME IS CARRIED ON WITH THE FIREPLACE IN THE LOUNGE.

WE DON'T OFTEN BUY A TREE BUT WHEN WE DO OUR TREE IS DECORATED WITH TWINK LY LIGHTS...BECAUSE I LOVE TWINKLY LIGHTS...WE ALSO PUT LIGHTS ON THE BUSH OUTSIDE OUR FRONT DOOR BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBOURS LIKE TO SEE THEM. HOWEVER WE DO HAVE SOME WOODEN AND GLASS BAUBLES THAT WE HAVE BOUGHT ON VARIOUS HOLIDAYS TO REMIND US OF PLACES WE HAVE BEEN TO.
I AM PARTICULARLY FOND OF THE 7 GNOMES THAT WE BOUGHT IN NORWAY ON OUR FIRST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TRIP.
WE NOW HAVE ONLY 3 LEFT.....ITS A STRANGE THING BUT SINCE WE CAME TO FRANCE ..WHEN WE TAKE THEM OUT.... THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE ONE THAT HAS ESCAPED!!!!
SO IF YOU SEE ONE ON THE RYANAIR FLIGHT TO OSLO?????????

THERE ARE SO MANY WEBSITES THAT YOU CAN VISIT WITH MANY IDEAS FOR NATURAL DECORATIONS FROM SPRAYING PINE CONES TO MAKING DECORATIONS WITH SALT DOUGH.
IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR TASTE...JUST GOOGLE NATURAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND YOU WILL FIND SOMETHING TO LIKE.

I LOVE THE SMELL OF THE PINE AND CINNAMON IN THE HOUSE...AND I LOVE ALL THE NATURAL GREENERY INSIDE THE HOUSE....ITS LIKE BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS DECORATING

HOW TO KNIT A DISHCLOTH

YES I KNOW....DISHCLOTHS ARE REALLY CHEAP AND YOU CAN JUST THROW THEM AWAY!!!

HOWEVER...WHERE IS THE CREATIVITY AND FEELING OF SATISFACTION OF HAVING MADE YOUR OWN. BESIDES ITS A CHEAP AND EASY PROJECT THAT YOU CAN DO WHILE WATCHING TV ON WINTER NIGHTS.

NOW...I HAVE TO SAY AT THIS POINT THAT KNITTING IS NOT MY FORTE. DISHCLOTHS ARE PROBABLY ABOUT MY LEVEL OF EXPERTISE.

I DID KNIT A CARDIGAN IN PREPARATION FOR MY FIRST BORN. HE DID WEAR IT ONCE..POOR SOUL
AFTERWARDS IT WAS A BIT LIKE  THAT LINE IN SOUND OF MUSIC...WHEN MARIA SAYS...I GAVE ALL MY CLOTHES TO THE POOR...CAPTAIN VON TRAPP ASKS ABOUT THE ONES SHE IS WEARING AND SHE SAYS "THE POOR DIDNT WANT THESE ONES"
SAME FATE WITH THE CARDI.

IT ISNT ALWAYS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE KNITTING HOWEVER..ITS THE THOUGHT AND TIME SOMEONE HAS PUT INTO IT.

FOR MY DAUGHTERS 21ST  I WANTED TO GIVE HER SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM HER GRANDMOTHER MOFFETT. SOMETHING PERSONAL
.
I KNITTED A CUSHION COVER IN HER FAVOURITE COLOUR THEN ADDED ON LOTS OF BUTTONS. THE BUTTONS CAME FROM THE BUTTON BOX MY MOTHER HAD KEPT IN THE SIDEBOARD (EVERYONE HAD ONE YEARS AGO..YOU KEPT THE BUTTONS FROM OLD CLOTHES BEFORE YOU GAVE THEM TO THE RAG AND BONE MAN)
OK..ITS NOTS TOP QUALITY BUT IT IS SOMETHING SENTIMENTAL.



BACK TO THE DISHCLOTHS.......

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO??

THEY ARE USEFUL. ECO-FRIENDLY..JUST STICK THEM IN THE WASHING MACHINE...KNIT THEM IN WHATEVER COLOUR OR PATTERN YOU WANT TO CO-ODORDNATE WITH YOUR DECOR....STOPS YOU EATING WHEN YOU GET THE NIBBLES WHEN WATCHING TV.

I GOOGLED KNITTING A DISHCLOTH... I WAS AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF PATTERNS AVAILABLE. I ENDED UP USING THE ONE FROM WIKI HOW. IT WASNT EASY...HAVE A LOOK!!!!
A SET OF 6 ROWS EACH ONE A DIFFERENT COMBINATION OF PLAIN AND PEARLS AND THEN REPEATED 7 TIMES.........OOOOOHHHH...NO RELAXING WHEN WATCHING TV HERE. I NEEDED A PEN AND PAPER HERE TO KEEP TRACK. EVEN THEN WHEN WAS ON THE 5TH REPEPTION ,THE PHONE RANG AND I LOST TRACK OF WHERE I WAS!!!
ADDED TO THAT I SEEMED TO HAVE AN EXTRA STITCH ( TOLD YOU  I WAS HOPELESS).
MY BRAIN WAS TOTALLY FUDDLED AND I HAD GONE CROSS EYED!

I JUST FINISHED IT ALL WITH PLAIN KNITTING!!!!!!

HERE IS THE RESULT......NO COMMENTS PLEASE...

IT WORKS JUST THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

INFACT IT WORKS REALLY WELL......

NOW THEN.....WHAT SHALL I DO FOR VERSION 2

HAPPY WASHING UP XX

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