The poulterers mother is running behind schedule. We'd arranged to pick up the turkey first thing but when we get to the market she's not ready. She's only got to the letter J on her order list. Anyone with a surname starting with the letter M will need to wait for their bird to be gutted and decapitated. We are told to come back.
The greengrocer has a shipment of truffles from Perigord. These are wrapped in a silk scarf and kept in a cardboard box in the store room. We spend ten minutes choosing one. Texture , sheen and smell are discussed. The PONs look on . The greengrocer wonders if Bob would make an excellent truffle hunter. I explain that it's more likely Bob would make an excellent truffle eater. The man laughs. Bob gets a tickle.
The fishmonger hasn't prepared the lobster for Christmas Eve dinner. '' My family are visiting from Perpignan " he says by way of explanation. We settle for enormous langoustine.
A final detour to the florists. The youngest daughter has moved in with her boyfriend. Mother and eldest sister remain unconvinced that the young man in question is 'wonderful'. The youngest daughter is in no doubt. The intimacies of the relationship are discussed in front of an apparently invisible Angus.
Finally, the Turkey is ready. We collect it and head home. Later this morning Sophie will drive off with 'The Font' to the vets to have the growth on her muzzle checked. She's been in the drainage ditch and has gleaned not one but two dead voles. These have been swallowed whole. She now has the look of one of those abandoned dogs you see on Christmas animal charity adverts.
So starts a Christmas Eve morning in deepest deepest France profonde.
Did anyone see the light cast by the winter moon ? It was spectacular.
https://www.space.com/42673-december-full-moon.html
And almost the last Christmas Carol. This time a Bavarian favourite with peculiar choreography :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GV-V_kXLjo
12 comments:
Do tell how the truffle is. I have never seen a truffle so clean and shiny. The weather hasn't been ideal for them. Too warm and wet.
The kitchen is out of bounds as fresh pasta is being rolled out for lunchtime linguine and truffles. Will let you know if it was worth it.
I hope the vet finds that Miss Sophie's addition is nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps she's allergic to dead voles?
Your holiday menu sounds wonderful. Best wishes for a very merry Christmas, and here's hoping for a peaceful next year.
Miss Sophie you do look a little windswept today.
We are admiring your exotic menu. Ours will be a simple roasted chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and other veg, followed by Pavlova with cream and strawberries.
Merry Christmas to you all. Please pat the pons for us.
Unfortunately I have to go out this morning to get a few last minute things. I'm hopeful that the earlier I go, the easier it will be. I hope for an "easy" vet visit for Sophie too.
Have a merry Christmas Eve celebration.
Hari OM
Okay, I'm thinking lunch has been and gone and truffle tasting done... how was it? Ah that moon... as luck would have it last evening, I had to go through to the kitchen for something and before I put the light on was faced through the window, full on, with that golden orb - yes it was low enough, but just above the trees, to look like butter. Or cheese if you prefer. Stunning. As I went to bed, it was high in the sky and pure platinum. Have a most wonderful and comforting Christmaas eve over there in the ROF!!! YAM xx
Merry Christmas to all at the ROF. Thinking of you, not much is worse than a Christmas trip to the vet's.
At 1:30 am the orchard was bathed in a silky white light that cast long shadows. The sort of light you see after a heavy winter snowfall. Quite simple but remarkable.
And a Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Hope there weren't many other folk who also thought of getting it done early
This year we are going to take everything slow.
As to that final sentiment I'd like to think it possible.
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