Wednesday lunch date with Susannah  find her www.languedocretreats.com
house all spring cleaned smelling just wonderful orange oil.  odd fluff ball hanging about but can't do it all in a day!  lunch prepared all the best crockery and china/glass.  Why not use everyday...everyday is a special day after being so ill.
My grannies champagne bowl for starter, fish plate for the salmon actually a fish only 6 left....a special purchase by my dad all those years ago...how they have survived all the packing and unpacking in the move.
dessert on glass plate with apple juice/water in glass.
french cake no butter - dunkin doughnuts vanilla coffee for elevensis.  the best coffee cups and saucers - victorian gold and green royal doulton - HARRODS my grannies best.....yellow cloth and napkins.  red roses....and my gift from Susannah yellow roses how lovely.
So much to say ...tour of the house fabrics to see and touch.  My dad was in the trade - I collect fabric like others buy shoes.
then a massage....such a luxury.....so much pain and side effects from the cancer pills.  I am so fortunate.
cup of tea and then she left with home made marmalade easter eggs and a hug.
Someone for me to lean on and support me just in case!  What friends are made of after all these years!
All into the dishwasher OMG just thought we didin't take photos.

Lovely day opening all the windows and french doors onto terrace for breakfast.....time to plan.  Must go shopping I have got a college friend of Sarah my daughter coming for lunch tomorrow Susannah Cartwright.  She lives in Roquebrun and runs her own business massage/retreats for well being.  Time for re energising and of course spoiling ones self.  She will even travel to you how amazing is that. She also has workshops and trains.
Will keep the odd spider to eat the bugs just need to play MABLE and rid the cobwebs.
Planning menu for lunch.
Must buy roses for table.
Already made fatless sponge flour sugar yoghurt and oil...light and airy..just delicious.
Serve with"dunkin doughnuts vanilla coffee from States".  A treat a present for me from my daughter!  Just wonderful.  No need for sugar or milk if preferred black!
Shopped for veg in season - asparagus - wonderful and green, local produce.  A little salmon, melon and oranges in season for starter.
Segments of orange and melon cantaloupe balls.  A drizzle of vanilla and juices to steep.
Salmon sealed in foil envelope with lemon juice seasoning and butter, then baked in oven.
Hollandaise for both asparagus and fish.
Asparagus spears gently steamed al dente.  Side dish of bulgar wheat with diced with cucumber with vinaigrette made with pear balsamic vinegar.
Home made cream caramel....and so many people don't know this is an English dish - side dish to accompany of fresh Spanish strawberries delicious red and juicy ready for Easter celebrations.
Decided on yellow napkins and cloth, bit of spring.  Roses for the table.
Every where clean and tidy...I feel at home again so quickly the changes from Wales to France.  Just to have the sun.  Can it be so cold in wales still all that snow and the problems that have occurred.

Picnic up the mountain

Picked up mamman and papa [our neighbours, the Aznars] and went up the mountain to their land and house....can you imagine the snow in Wales and UK and here we are lighting a fire and having a picnic on their terroir!  Glorious views over Bedarieux valley and the haute Languedoc and surrounding mountains most of all glorious fresh air.  Just to laugh enjoy good food and company.  Met the neighbours, [plumber and wife] and catching up with life.  The first of many days to come as the spring arrives and turns to summer sunshine.  Went home with bouquet of spring flowers a little chilly as the after noon progresses but hey we are here and settling into the most amazing life ahead........... back home to escalope of turkey breaded topped with lemon juice served with rice a la maison adding chopped onion, courgette mushroom, fennel and leek garlic and fresh ginger.  Dessert baked bananas in rum and dates fresh orange juice, oranges are delicious at the moment ...marmalade season here ...

Friday 22nd March 2013

Just started to blog and hope to post up a scrapbook of day to day life in the South of France.  Very exciting.  Up and running very soon!