Monday, March 2, 2015

Few minds wear out; more rust out.


Some dogs exude elegance.....


.... others don't.  Could be the crumbs on Bobs beard that ruin the image. 


Mandarine Pistache at the fancy bakers. 


The fancy baker is in one of his glum moods. I ask him how things are going. '' Like France " he replies. '' I'm thinking of moving to Portugal. The taxes are lower there ". He then launches into a fervent critique of the government.


We buy a Tarte Tatin, a Mandarine Pistache and an Aumoniere Framboise. Aumoniere a word I've never heard before. The baker says it's a pancake with raspberry filing.

As we go he pulls out a large bottle of Armagnac from behind the counter. He offers me a swig. It's barely 8.00 am.  A 'thanks but no thanks' moment.  



22 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We think Bob will get those crumbs just after he finishes cleaning off his nose. Then he'll be back to his elegant self....or something similar.

Duke and Petite-Chose at 2G said...

A good way to start the week - a slice of Tarte Tatin followed by a power walk TWICE round the lake?
Maybe Bob is saving those crumbs for later. A mid-morning snack, in case he doesn't get offered a sliver of Mandarine Pistache or Aumoniere Framboise.......

WFT Nobby said...

Oh but that is a most elegant tongue.

Anonymous said...

Hi ANGUS: If I may - AUMONIERE (literally) means purse or pouch or little bundle. Often a soft crepe, holding a savory or sweet filling - then gathered up like a little pouch and held together at the top in some fashion. Often with a long chive serving as the "tie" in a savory version. I see (in your photo) that your Fancy Baker tied his little pouch - the AUMONIERE FRAMBOISE- with a gilded silver string. Enjoy them all! Warm regards from the Westcoast of Canada.

Anonymous said...

PONs exude character.
Oh those cakes...!
x

Julie said...

I want cake, let me eat cake !

Brinley Westie said...

Oh, but all dose goodies look delish!!

VirginiaC said...

Okay okay, this is not what I signed up for when I started reading this blog....Angus those tempting gateaux photos are not helping me at all....I try to grab one off my pc screen and reach only thin air.....I can't take this anymore.
Tell the fancy baker he can move here...I'll see about arranging lower taxes for him.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Yum! I hope the glum mood does not seep into his baking.....

Robin Larkspur said...

With the fancy baker, perhaps inquiring into his health and business should be omitted from conversation.

Angus said...

Bob lives in hope...

Angus said...

Not elegance ?

Angus said...

Me too !

Angus said...

Sadly, no chocolate for dogs. Tarte Tatin is a good alternative.

Angus said...

Somehow don't think the bakers the sort that would be happy anywhere .

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

The "Fancy Baker" (among other things) are why I'd love to visit deepest France Profonde!

Jake of Florida said...

I remember so clearly, when I worked for an engineering firm in Paris, all the workers crowded into the bar next door enjoying their armagnac or calvados at 8 am!!! On aother subject, I am so distressed by the murder in Moscow! Learning that you knew him makes it all the more poignant. xxx

Kari said...

PON's and pastry! What could be better?
(Petting the PON's and eating the pastry!!!)

Louise said...

Well, his temperament and his alcohol do not seem to inhibit his ability to create lovely things. A tortured artist maybe.

Angus said...

I first met him when he'd just been elected governor of Nizhniy Novgorod in 1990 . Like all of us he had faults - his, as it turned out - a love of truth that blinded him to danger. Not a bad way to live.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Gotta love French bakeries!! I need a vacation!!

Whispering Walls said...

Delicieux!