I can't help railing at being here at times; the life we had in Oz was at least ours, to with as we pleased. But like any medicine, France is hard to take at times...And when I come to my senses and see how we have lived I have to agree that a bit of discipline (in all areas of life) is a good thing.
No I don't want people commenting on why my shutters are perpetually closed - its cold for goodness sakes, but on the other hand, I've become more aware of my existence in the world and therefore my responsibilities...for example, take a look at how we lived at the in-laws over the Christmas break.
At the in-laws
We set the table for every occasion and not once sat down to eat in front of the telly, despite having countless kids around. TV just wasn't interesting to the kids, they were far more entranced with each other and their new toys (sing a ma jigs went down a storm by the way - easily one of the top gifts this year!)
We washed up after every meal.
The majority of the drinking was done at the table.
Every morning someone hoovered and someone else mopped the entire of the downstairs area.
Every morning the kids bathed, cleaned teeth and then came down for breakfast at the table. As soon as the table was cleared books were put down and study began - even for Alex.
Every morning someone collected fresh baguettes from the boulangerie.
Study included learning to read out loud, dictation, learning conjugations, maths etc. Anything they had struggled with at school was fair game.
Study was always accompanied by an adult (no running off to clean the house or go on the computer!) and did not finish until lunch time.
Lunch was a formal affair of hot food, cheese course and dessert. Examples are thinly sliced carrots (squared not rounded!) sauteed in butter, accompanied by pure mince steaks (again cooked in butter) and steamed rice (with butter added!!!!). A fresh pineapple had been bought and was cut up in chunks and served with a thin drizzle of honey. The kids had runny cheese with a bit of bread or 'kiri' which is like an individually packed cream cheese. There was yoghurt as well. The drink was mineral water (still).
Again the table was cleared and everything washed up. Clothes were pulled in and out of the washing machine/ dryer or arranged on a dryer.
Just when I thought I could relax and have some me time, the announcement was made that we would go for a walk and get some fresh air. 2 hours later we finally got in. More clothes were washed as the kids played indoors. The TV was allowed on and the kids played the new xbox kinect.
Someone went to the boulangerie and bought a galette (puff pastry filled with frangapani), for gouter. This was warmed up and served with hot chocolates at 4pm. Que washing of hands etc.
Not once did I go on the computer/watch TV or even pay a bill.
When my kids were around the focus was 100% on them - I had certainly laxed out a bit on this front in the past.
Me time became a quick cup of bitter coffee (it's almost a joke!!)
It got a bit strained in the afternoon - longing for the blokes to come home and inject a different sort of energy into things.
Then champagne would be popped and kids would be chased and business would be discussed and dinner would still only be a slight anticipation in the back of ones mind.
Finally, around 7 ish the dinner would be started. By then we would be assured of no visitors interrupting procedures or awkward moments of 'would you like to stay...'
Raw foie gras was cut into smallish strips ready for sauteing. Oysters were shucked and the red wine vinegar sauce and shallot sauce made (beautifully by Ange). In another bowl giant gambas (prawns) would be covered in olive oil, garlic and other seasonings ready for pan frying.
The main course would then be discussed, from a variety of options and then once the starters were under control the meat for the main course would be bought up and prepared.
We had a whole Turbot one night which I gutted (and removed the fins), put on a bed of aubergine, zucchini and tomatoes, probably in champagne. Certainly the oyster were served warm with champagne. There was another night we had smoke salmon on toast rounds, more giant prawns, followed by lobster and crab. Interestingly enough, the portion sizes are smaller, so no small lobster or even half per person. More like a taste of this and a taste of that. Not out of stinginess, but common sense. Starter, sorbet, main, salad, cheese, dessert, coffee and roll under the table to sleep.
We ate like this almost every night / weekend we were there save for the sorbet course. Every meal was served with champagne and on special nights the magnums (big boys) were pulled out of the cellar - like this 1995 Chateau Haut-Marbuzet.
Delicious, but a bit upstaged by the pallet of champagne downstairs - p.s. it reads 'quality is my truth'
Sommelier of the day
Sneaking in an english christmas cake - thanks Nigella
Foie gras on toast with onion conserve
A lobster ready to be portioned out
Gambas
Foie Gras before cooking - being seasoned
After cooking - melts in the mouth
Sorbet
Frogs legs berfore...
and after
Tiny scallops - much sweeter and more delicate than the big ones. Yum
Summer pudding, made with the myrtilles frozen during summer
mmmmmm
Winter's day's walk
Sometimes running is better in the cold!
How to make a salad dressing - step 1 - ingredients
Step 2 - whisk, et voila
Ange's quail. Cooked with the heads left on (for the jus).
The cepes and girolles were from last autum's mushroom picking.
It has not always been easy, being squeezed into a french shape. Some of it I love and some frankly, I hate. Some of it I would get anywhere - being 'etranger' and not understanding the nuances of what is being said, being taken advantage of, being abused by small minded people...
It's definitely been enriching for us all so far. I must liken it to boot camp. I love the results but I loathe the workout. Bear in mind we are in profound France - the middle of nowhere - but with a large extended family - and thus the experience is both familiar and intense. However much I want my children to grow up with sand in their feet and a laid back life, I also want this. If only we were 12 hours away and not 24!
Tonight in hommage to my new found sense of direction, we ate freshly prepared guacamole and tortilla chips, steak hache (7.99€ per kilo and freshly ground in front of us by the boucher) and sauteed carrots, a salad of endives with vinaigrette (my own) and lardons, three cheese and cancoillotte (the runny cheese), followed by petit suisse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petit_suisse_%28cheese%29).
Bron, for your info I stumbled across the coconut yoghurt and it looks like it is made with an essence. The esters are so strong that they went through the whole of downstairs. It was delicious though, and the kids fight over who gets the last one!
Cheryl I will pluck up courage to go the posties this week - more about that one on another blog. Ambre LOVED the card! So sweet, thank you.
We are thinking of those suffering in the floods in QLD and hope that things get better soon.
We miss you all and wish there was a way to be with all of you over Christmas, but alas it's not been invented yet. In the meantime, in the words of Orange - who supply my mobile network and were kind enough to text me this week -
"De merveilleux moments à vivre en famille, des rires à partager entre amis, des moments magiques tous les jours, nous vous souhaite une belle année 2011"
Ange, Ruth, Ambre and Alex
Gros Biseous
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