…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
My comments are being eaten by a cyber cat but in case this get through, very best wishes.
What a beautiful house it is. I particularly like your red light cords and the crystals on the chandelier. Agree that with all the Christmas hubbub, less is more.
Belatedly, Joyeux Noel, and best thoughts for a happy and healthy and calm (very calm) new year.
We worked in the overgrown garden while pruners did wonders with our small olive grove. Yes, being Yanks in Greece is a wonderful thing. ..what an adventure we are having! I can appreciate your posts more with each passing moment. Glad you had a wonderful day – we did as well; you might say we spent it unwrapping the present we gave ourselves! Xoxo Jackie
Your Christmas sounds just wonderful…Miles Davis! Perfect!! You are so lucky that your Remi sounds to be the perfect chef!:) Did you make your wreath from your olive tree? Love the simplicity…and also the puppies! I cut branches from our olive tree and mixed the in with some yellow kangaroo paw for our inside flowers too…love the symbolism of "peace" 🙂
Enjoy your Christmas time…and look forward to what adventures the new year holds!
Gretel xo