Monday, November 27, 2017

Brass and glass.


Warm and mild. Winter, for a while, on hold. A line of cloud over the mountains. 


Bob and Angus sit on the storm drain and put the world to rights. Angus observes that President Trump has spent more time with Japanese Prime Minister Abe than any other world leader. A quiet pivot to Asia.  Bob leans into me and is told ( as he's told every morning ) that this is 'his' country. We wave at the young garagiste on his motor bike. Sophie finds a twig that she's keen to show me but not share.


Back at home the family diva sits on the garden table and is groomed. The hair round here eyes is cut so she can see. Sophie lies on her back , waves her legs in the air and emits loud banshee howls. This is her way of letting us know she's happy. 'The Font' observes that this is most unladylike. Sophie does a reprise of her slaughtered pig impersonation. Her hair is in one of its growth phases. It seems to be adding an inch a week.


'The Font' uses the good weather to start cutting the rose bushes back. Vases are filled with blooms. The house awash with scent . A strangely religious looking vase is found in the cellar. Neither of us can remember ever having seen it before. The body is made of glass, the inside of the neck and the base made from brass. The picture on the front is some form of transfer - surely it can't have been painted on ? It's difficult to tell whether the image is a religious one ( there's a serious figure in sack cloth looking skyward ) or very pagan. Most of the figures seem to be drinking or in the process of what a younger generation might term ' making out '. The art of pouring bronze into glass to make the neck and base surely a difficult one. We give up trying to work out the processes involved in its manufacture.


To the chocolate shop for an advent calendar.


And a difficult decision between an Opera and a Caroline. We choose the Opera.


Bob and Sophie get to share a wholemeal biscuit which, all things considered, is a pretty good start to the day.

A cure for that Monday morning feeling :

15 comments:

MOPL said...

Lovely shots of the morning. Are they Gertrude Jekyll roses. That chocolate cake looks very enticing. Clearly another best day ever

Coppa's girl said...

Bob's beautiful country - what a lucky boy he is.

WFT Nobby said...

Is this a first? The adjective 'quiet' used with reference to a certain president...
Those roses do look beautiful in that unusual vase.

Taste of France said...

The writing on the cakes seems a bit less artistic than the hand of the old patissier. Though visual good taste and gastronomic good taste don't necessarily go hand in hand.

Poppy Q said...

Was the opera yummy? Looks great but have never tasted one - too posh for me, and they don't stock the in our bakeries.

Your roses are beautiful - the vase is a bit odd, but I like the colours in it.

Anonymous said...

An Opera, always a good choice...I may have said that (several times) before.
Enjoy.
x

Swan said...

The roses are so big they remind me of Peonies.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Loving the vase and the roses and the mental image of Mlle Sophie rolling in glee. YAM xx

I'm a Sophie Doodle Dog said...

I can find a description of an Opera Cake, but not a Caroline Cake. Would one of you be so kind as to enlighten me? Thank you! Sophie the doodle dog appreciates your kindness.

Unknown said...

Your pictures are beautiful; such light and clarity.
I too must admit to not knowing what a Caroline cake is.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Would have gone for a fruit flan. Cherry season here....large black juicy cherries. And mangoes. Hope your mild weather continues.

Angus said...

Next time I.m shopping I'll ask. Think it's an Opera with a praline biscuit base to make it crunchier.

I'm a Sophie Doodle Dog said...

Thank you. Everything looks scrumptious! I'm a bit jealous I don't live close to such a bakery!

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

Could the vase have been in the cellar when you moved in the ROF, and ended up being placed with the ones you unpacked? The roses are lovely in it.

Angus said...

Quite possible. The cellar at TROF has an ability o swallow and then later disgorge things at random. It has yet to disgorge eight years worth of Christmas lights that are carefully put away so that they'll be easy to find next year.