The last post of 2013

Another year is nearly over, the animals have had their last feed, the dogs their last walk where we came face to face with a lone deer we were on the road it was in the woods walking parallel to us before it decided to run in our direction. Not sure who was more startled him or the dogs as they all looked at each other for a split second before he shot of down the field, only hope he doesn't run into the hunt who will probably be out tomorrow being a Wednesday and holiday.

Our New years Eve meal is prepared, snails in garlic, fillet of beef with fondant potato, mushrooms and spinach with citrus pannacotta with blackberries frozen from the Autumn for dessert. Oh, and of course a nice bottle of wine with champagne in the fridge to toast 2014 in. We are staying in, just the two of us with smelly dogs who seem to be suffering with over indulgence of tip bits - they finished the turkey up and the TV in front of the wood burner.

I wont be making any New Year resolutions, instead goals these being:

* Using my time more wisely.
* Having a productive well kept veggie patch.
* Moving on from crochet squares to other bits of crocheted items (not sure what yet)
* Learning to weave
* Be a bit more crafty in the textile way felting, knitting and spinning (and crochet & weaving)
* Make my textile crafts useful (something i can wear outside the house??)
* Be tidier
* Rediscover my Delia Smith cookery books and maybe get rid of the ones collecting dust.

Happy New Year, may it bring you a healthy one.

Comments

2ENJ093 - FRANKLIN

Eight years ago today Franklin came into our family, a rescue dog from the SPA in Rodez we drove to see if they had a dog to re home. He had been there a month after being left tied to a bin in the town centre, chosen because he didn't bark, he came to us to say hello and was completely different from the dog we had lost days before Christmas. 120 Euros he cost, a young boy still a pup, very thin but with a look of take me home please. A collar put round his neck, forms completed, cheque handed over and a kiss from the manager and he was ours. Five minutes down the road in the car he threw up. Five minutes in the house and he had weed up the settee and collected an assortment of treasures including socks, toilet roll inner tubes, tissues and soft toys all placed in a pile under the table and garded. He ate at an amazing speed, fearing he would loose it to our other dogs. Then he started to bark, he has a fine bark on him. He barks for his tea, when a visitor arrives, the

Parisot lake

As it is a holiday today here in France (Bastille Day) we took the afternoon off an popped over to Parisot lake for a walk with Sorrel. It has all changed, since the lake was emptied and cleaned up this year you can now swim in it, as well as inflatable toys to play on, a life guard, bikes to hire, a new fenced in play area for small people and a total spruce up. But there is a price we were charged! 3 euros an adult, which I guess is OK if you are using the facilities but Sorrel didn't fancy a dip. The cafe is still open but that would of been too much for Sorrel to cope with being so close to people and music so we opted for a bench to sit on in the shade before walking around the lake. Sorrel opted for being Billy no mates and laying by herself, if be it for a short period of time before bikes and people went by. We are now waiting for the free firework celebrations over the chateau tonight - if we can stay up that late.😃

Lavender

One plant that does grow well around the gites and garden and that I don't seem to be able to kill is lavender. In the summer the bushes are swarming with bees, hummingbird moths, butterflies and other flying insects, lot of holiday photos have been taken by keen photographers, some setting up chairs and waiting for ages with big cameras and lenses waiting for the right moment and right insect to land. It does give a lovely show and smell as well, its picked and placed in vases in the gites by guests. Its very tactile and difficult to pass without a rub of a flower that's if you like the smell. I think its very much like marmite you either love it or hate it, a smell of memories of grans and old aunts who use to get given Yardley's old lavender smellies for presents. I like the smell but it can be quiet overpowering, especially when this year I have finally been able to save the dried flowers. Previous years other things have got in the way and its bee

The English Paysanne

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