Sophie is up early. From time to time I catch sight of her as she chases blackbirds across the lawn. The blackbirds are in no danger of being caught unawares. Sophie is not a stealthy hunter. Why be quiet when you can shriek ?.
There are wild boar about. We are under strict instructions from the vet to keep our wits about us and the dogs on a lead. The PONs have taken to this new routine as well as can be expected. As we turn out of the house half a dozen deer walk across the lane ahead of us and head off through the high corn. In single file they follow the canyon made by the tractors wheels. We are downwind so they appear oblivious to our presence . Not even Sophie's yelps of excitement causes them to pick up speed.
Sophie has the mud cleaned from her paws and then we head off to the bakers. Angus asks for a Tarte Tatin but is told in no uncertain way that it's a winter dish. ' At this time of the year you should be eating a Fraisier' says the bakers wife with a sleep deprived abruptness that indicates that the latest child is teething.
The Fraisier proves to be delicious. The sponge soaked in strawberry juice, the marzipan thin, the berries fresh. We've bought the smallest of the batch but it'll be big enough to last us until Tuesday. There are rumours that the bakers isn't doing well and that they're thinking of closing. Slowly but surely many of the small firms that make life in France so special are going out of business. Supermarkets and the fact that both parents work is now catching up with the old relaxed routines.
Despite the bakers wife's surliness Bob and Sophie get given some croissant crumbs.
All is well with the world.
13 comments:
Oh my, what a cake ! Sorry PONs, but that takes precedence today - much as I adore you both.
Oh my goodness. That baker deserves to be in business, surly or not .
I adore the way the French lay down the law about what to eat and when.
My gosh the cake looks delicious, although i am not a fan of marzipan. It is good that food is based around what is available seasonally, a way we should all live. We hope they don't close, we enjoy looking at all of the treats they sell.
All would be well with my world, too if it included such a cake. I'm hoping that the rumors of the bakers closing will prove empty. Lovely pictures of Bob and Sophie and the wisteria.
The cake! Sounds so good. I am sad to hear that these little places are disappearing. France is catching up with all of the small towns in our province. Convenience is winning out. What a loss.
Holy moly.
That looks delicious.
Oh that cake! Looks delightful! I would be on the lookout for wild boar to be sure....nasty creatures!
O that cake would not make it through the day with me!
For sure all's well in a world where cakes like that one are still available!
Yummmmola! That cake looks so good. (Oh yes and the dynamic duo does too.)
Hugs to All. (except those nasty boars)
Oh My Goodneess!! That is the most gorgeous looking cake - I could actually smell it as I salivated!! What a disaster if the shop were to close! That's to be avoided at all costs - you'd better start exporting their produce to us all - I'll be first in the queue!
Just look at that cake! Wonderful, wonderful.
Nothing like it here. Delicious AND beautiful.
I'm so sad I'll never have a chance to taste it.
Irritable child, failing business but still finds the spirit to produce excellent baked goods: have mercy on this woman.
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