It Almost Stopped!

Two things I adore doing are sitting at a long dining table with friends eating and discussing the world and....

going to the lively Saturday market in Uzés.

This Saturday, however, was a sight I have never seen. The Place aux Herbes was snow covered, quiet and without its normal excitement and activity.

Terriors, our favorite outdoor restaurant, hadn't even opened its doors.

 

There was the pasta and Italian cheese vendor,

three fish sellers,

 (Can you imagine how cold her hands are, but, how oh, so delicious those fresh scallops will taste.)

one hat and ear muff salesman who was constantly busy!  Don't you love the bright umbrella for display?

Snow had curtailed the market.  No wine, honey, fresh mushrooms, linens, purses, pork, and all the other vendors who were at home warm in front of the fire.

Yes, meeting friends, we did find one café that had remained open and were ready for us to warm ourselves.

Next Saturday the market will be taken over by pigs, omelets, scales, and strange little gems called truffles.  I can't wait.  For lunch Saturday, our son in law prepared delicious scrambled eggs with the first truffle of the season which was given to Amy by Francoise, a choir friend.  YUM!

Here, a lady, buys a truffle at the market.A scale which was constantly cleaned and a brush dusting away dirt for true weight are the buyer's friend. Next week we will find out the going price for these treasures. 



  

 I do hope it warms up for next weeks fête.

Cindy

Ah, Provence...

Ah, the south of France.  Close your eyes and picture that small café, the bustling crowds at the market, the warm coffee to take the chill from the early morning.

Now, picture a blustery snowstorm, covering those tables with six inches of snow, bending the trees in a wild dance,

 and drinking hot chocolate in front of a warm fire.

Glistening pods twirl like ornaments from the plane tree in our neighbor's garden.

I viewed that snowstorm in my warm slippers.  Pictures were taken through the windows and I cuddled in my blanket with my book, The Dream of Scipio.

The cypress which reaches toward the sun in Provence---now bends, snow pulling it downward swaying in the harsh winds.

The lonely sounds of northern winds gusting tumbling snow through the air, swaying branches in its shivery roar.

Schools closed for two days in anticipation of winter's wrath.  Our street shows signs of some brave ones who walk to the boulangerie for their morning breads, head tucked low against the gale.

Lights disappeared several times leaving us enjoying the glow of candlelight.

Silence returns this morning to our village.  The winds have gone their way and the sky, still gray, offers hopes of warmer weather and -----Spring, which is on its way----soon!

I hope you are all warm and enjoying you view.

Cindy

One of Those Perfect Days....

Yes, Christmas Eve day was about as perfect as one can ask for. It didn't rain, the sky was intermittently blue, and the day was full of surprises.

We all, except Billy who was working, hopped on the train into London. Our first stop the
Borough Market to shop for beef for dinner. This market has been in the same place for 250 years and is the London's oldest market. Ah, the foods! Not at all like Safeway. Walk through the market with me.

Gammon, which we had for brunch, is a fresh ham.

...and a taste of mulled wine?

A wonderful market to buy your fresh gammon.

You don't even have to bake these game pies.

Have your choice of freshly baked breads.

A floral bouquet will brighten any table.

A wide choice of seasonal animals.

Turkey will definitely be on many British tables.






Our bags were filled with a standing rib roast, fresh dill, and English cheeses from Neal's Yard.

Off we went, walking to lunch. Meeting a friend of the girls who they swam with at the University of Denver, we had a delightful English lunch.

And now for the surprise, off to Shakespeare's Globe Theater. We were going to see Footsbarn's Christmas Cracker.

(A cracker is found at the English dinner table. One holds one end, crosses arms with your neighbor and pulls ones neighbor's cracker and ones own. A pop, and a small trinket emerges along with a crown and a note with jokes to share.)

The Globe is a re-creation of the original Globe spearheaded by American, Sam Wanamaker. One would originally pay one penny to be a groundling and stand in the pit by the stage. The price increased by a penny with each flight up you sat. We were at the verrrrrry top! (Today, I don't think these remain the highest price seats) Now, as this is as close to the original as possible, the roof is open to the sky and dripping at times.

One could rent a blanket and of course, a cushion to sit on the hard boards.
The place was wonderful---great costumes, comical characters, and a wonderful way to spend a Christmas Eve afternoon.












After the performance we were back on the train to Egham, all ready to cook our evening dinner and

wait for Santa. (I cannot get this picture to turn the correct way!)  He did find us all.
....A perfect Christmas Eve Day and evening with my family.  What a gift to remember.

Cindy

...T'is the Night Before Christmas....

From England we wish you a...................

The fire tries to take the chill from the air and we wait patiently for the stockings to be hung.

Maggie sits waiting for Santa to slip down the chimney.

Snowflakes fell creating a slippery path down Egham hill to the village and train.

Village streets are narrow with trees at a precarious angle above.

Molly's food box has arrived from the English countryside. The treasures inside? Bacon, gammon, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, onions, garlic, butter, eggs. We are almost ready.

A lingering stop at Neal's Yard for our English cheeses. The crowd gathers for a tiny taste to find the perfect country cheese for the holiday table. Now to savor!

Carnaby Street continues to have the flavor of yesteryears. It brought smiles.

Finally, I read The Christmas Carol and saw Scrooge flying above the streets of London.

No snow right now for Christmas---just London rain. Poor snowman!

Cookies were made---and all of them have been eaten. Some did arrive at the neighbors' doorsteps.

We wish all a .....

Happy Christmas to all. May your holiday be filled with good friends, foods, and lots of laughter!

Cindy