…Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! And a belated Happy Hanukkah too…
Our big evening was last night, as is traditional in France. Amazingly, for the first time in the thirteen years that we have lived together, we found a turkey, une dinde, for our Christmas dinner. Remi cooked it, in his own unique way. The stuffing had meat, chestnuts and grand marnier in it along with so many delicate spices…the same that he used to make a crunchy brown crust for the turkey skin. I didn’t have to do anything besides bougie patrol…and there were nearly thirty candles lit on the main floor alone. Instead of carols, we listened to Miles Davis and sipped white wine that we had bought earlier in the day from our favorite winery near Uzès. The Baccarat crystal goblets were clinked repeatedly and it was just the most lovely and love-filled evening.
That same spirit drifted into this morning, where bisous and wishes of Joyeux Noêl were exchanged just after having opened our eyes from slumber. We managed to surprise each other with our presents, a delight, as were those that came from family and friends. And then, pour se mettre en appétit, or to work up an appetite, we took a long walk with the dogs in the sun. Ben padded along at our side and Kipling ran amuk, as per usual. And it worked. We have popped a bottle of crémant and Remi is now cooking again, a seafood cassoulet – one of his specialties – stuffed with crab, shrimp, petoncles (think tiny scallops) and cod all cooked in a creamy white wine sauce within their own individual pots. If we can, we will taste a bit more of the triple cream Brillat-Savarin with summer truffles then the buche de Noêl for dessert! While other families will go exploring this afternoon, we are planning to stay home, quiet and cozy and content. After what has been, at times, a challenging albeit fascinating year, it feels so incredibly wonderful just to be at peace.
I hope that wherever you are that you are finally able to relax and take in the joy of the season. You all have been a wonderful gift to me this year and I am so grateful for your kindness, support and shared laughter…
Sending much Love and Good Will from Provence,
Heather
What a wonderful Christmas in France. We drpve through the area of Uzès back in September. We were staying with Corey Amaro outside Marseilles and traveled everyday throughout the region enjoying the beautiful scenery. I have enjoyed reading your blog this past year, and wish you a happy New Year in 2015.
Dear Heather,
good food, good wine, the right company, music, candles everywhere, rest in your Wonderful house… it's Heaven!
We had the same atmosphere and enjoyed a lot. Happy Christmas season and Happy new year!
P.S. I like to be one of your readers thanks for your photos and words! Soul food.
It all sounds scrumptious!
Wishing you a lovely, peaceful holiday week et bonne annee 2015!
xo
Hello Helen! It sounds as if we had similar Christmas Eve and Day celebrations – just that we ate our turkey first and then the seafood feast (which we finished yesterday and it was even better). Wasn't it a treat to not have to cook for once? I loved it.
Thank you for your kind wishes…Let's hope that 2015 is filled with…Health (always) and Creativity!
Loree! Did you just sleep away Christmas now that your exam has passed?? I hope that you had a happy day – and thank you because I feel the same about your writing – it is always a little vacation without leaving home. 🙂
Via Email:
Thank you for your lovely word-and-photograph gift on Christmas, Heather. Every one of your posts is a gift, but this evocation of your 2014 Christmas Eve and Day was particularly wonderful. You, Rémi, Ben and Kipling know how to celebrate! Happy Boxing Day (when you awaken) to you all, Leslie
Hello Heather
Sounds like a wonderful Christmas Day. Your seafood dish sounds delicious too. We celebrated with our friend's on Christmas Eve at their beach cottage with 7 fish in a Zuppa De Pesce. Yesterday we had a traditional turkey dinner at friends. It was the first time in over 30 yrs that I did not cook Christmas dinner. I am sure your dogs loved their long walk. Wishing you a very Happy New Year and looking forward to your adventures in 2015
Thank you for your visits
Helen xx
A heart-warming post, dear Heather. So happy yo hear that your Christmas was wonderful. It is always a joy to come here and visit your sweet corner of Provence.
Yes, that is the front door. It really needs to be painted but we got the go ahead from the owner too late. But we have the paint here just waiting for when it heats back up enough to "take" – something you probably never have to even think about in sunny CA. As for your lunch guest? I hope that they know how lucky they are… 😉
And to you Karena! Oh, for a few adventures (the good kind!) – I most certainly would be up for that…
Gros Bisous.