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Yearly Archives: 2011

deck the halls… today’s job…

December 21, 2011
image – vicki archer

Not with ‘boughs of holly’ but branches of oak… that’s what I have been doing since the early hours… Traditionally I wrap the staircases in olive branches but because I love change… the curse of someone who loves houses and decorating… I decided to try the oak leaves instead… So far I am thinking it is going to look very country like and festive when I have finished…

On the other hand not all change is a winner. This year I swapped all my fairy lights for new ones… obviously I didn’t think about the colour of LEDs… Our beautiful Christmas tree, instead of twinkling with a subtle glow is a full on blue/white light show… It’s all too late now, I should have tested the lights before I put on all the decorations…. a smart person would do that… Right? The upside is that the tree is very pretty during the day and we will just have to wear shades at night…

This afternoon when I have five seconds to spare I am going to download Sleeping with Paris, by Juliette Sobanet on my new Kindle (early Christmas present… I think we all need a little pre-Christmas spoiling… ) I have just read great things about this delicious and cheeky read… and I think this might be the perfect way to relax for an hour or so… a little Paris and a little girl chat… sounds good to me…

Enjoy your Wednesday… xv





Posted by Vicki on December 21, 2011 | Labels: Uncategorized

58 Comments

what’s on my french christmas menu…

December 21, 2011

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I am thinking about the Christmas menu… There is not a whole lot of new to think of because our family is very conventional when it comes to the turkey and cranberry sauce feast… The only exception is that we add a few French traditions on top…
In a perfect world I am hoping it will run something like this…

smoked salmon and creme fraiche baby blinis topped with fresh dill
freshly shucked oysters with a dash of shallot vinaigrette
fois gras and champagne jelly on toasted Poilane bread
bite size fruit mince pies… just warm
***
roast turkey with chestnut stuffing
chipolatas (if I can find them)
seared duck breast with an apricot glaze
brussel sprouts with pancetta and fresh sage
sauté carrots and parsnips with a touch of lavender honey 
oven roasted potatoes
gravy and cranberry sauce to accompany
***
flaming plum pudding
brandy sauce and brandy butter
home made vanilla ice cream
bûche de noël
***
glacé fruit from our local confiseur Lilimand
chocolates from the lovely Joel Durand


***

Reading back it looks highly ambitious… but I’ve done it before and I am sure I can do it again… As soon as I finish decorating and wrapping … the food shopping is my plan…

Ready, set, go… 5 more days… xv


Posted by Vicki on December 21, 2011 | Labels: Uncategorized

37 Comments

a french christmas hamper…

December 19, 2011

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Something I love to give and to receive is a Christmas hamper… The most fun is thinking about the goodies to place inside… what my friends enjoy to drink or to eat… what they would find interesting to try and new flavours they might appreciate… I like to include a scented bulb or two to make the parcel smell delicious… There are so many ways to let someone know that you have thought about them… they don’t have to be costly, they just take time and thought… and taking time over those we love is the greatest gift of all…

For my ‘French’ hampers I am using either wooden wine boxes that I have been saving up, or wicker baskets… I like to line them with a cute linen tea towel and then lots of colourful tissue…  My basket looks just like this… or there are some cute crates here if you need to make more than one hamper…

These ideas for the ‘foodies’ amongst you are from my French pantry to yours… I have been mentally emptying my cupboards to come up with this list. I seem to be forever travelling between France and London with a carry on bag full of sugar, sea salt or on too many occasions chocolates and caramels. Every year one of my resolutions is to carry less when I travel back and forth… to have what I have in France and leave it there… But do you know what?… I can’t… we love these tastes and don’t want to live without them even for a day or two… so with me they come. One of my first great discoveries in France was the supermarkets… for me they were filled with unimaginable extravagances… yes there are the basics too… but so many of the products were exotic and I found it incredible that I could buy such things amongst aisles and trolleys… Even now many of my friends who visit take a trip to our local supermarché and stock up… (Don’t worry… that’s not the only place I take them…)

If you need ideas for your hampers or want a taste of France in your kitchen these holidays, here are some suggestions… (right click each time to open a new page and view the links )

*sea salt from the Camargue… my cooking essential…
*a ceramic pot of mustard… typically francais, 
*fois gras de canard… a French taste sensation I have grown to love with a dab of champagne jelly… an extravagant gift but one that any gourmande would adore…
*dried chanterelle mushrooms… for a delicious risotto
*red rice from the Camargue… a crunchy, nutty flavour that is the perfect accompaniment
*a bottle of Ruinart champagne… my very, very favourite…
*french syrup to pour over a little gateau or a scoop of ice cream…
*for those who love a night cap… a bottle of Poire William brandy is a fabulous thought…
*no Christmas hamper would be complete without some sweeties… caramels and carambars…
*haribo gummi bears… don’t get me started…
*chestnut puree… delicious any which way…
*chocolate powder for those chilly afternoons by the fire
*la peruche sugar cubes… the best of the best…
and from our farm I love to include a bottle of our own olive oil and some of our apple and pear juice… for that extra personal touch…

*a couple of hyacinth or amaryllis bulbs and some plant markers… with a special note…

For European readers you will find many of these products here, here and here…

To finish up add a porcelain tag to the handle of the basket or one of the bottles inside, tie on a pretty bow or a loop of tinsel and the hamper is ready to go…
And if you are still thinking about the girls … here are my ideas… and for the boys…. here… And most importantly if you are in need of a beauty pick me up… then this is for you… Happy creating… xv

Posted by Vicki on December 19, 2011 | Labels: Uncategorized

27 Comments

a fun ‘french’ read to add to the chistmas stocking…

December 18, 2011

Thinking, thinking, thinking of gift ideas… I suddenly remembered this little gem… Bringing Home the Birkin… a cute and funny tale for all us girly Francophiles… you will love it… I might just have to put one in my own stocking… UK and European readers can find it here…

For my other French favourites have a browse here or here…

Back to the gift wrapping…  and I promise not to interrupt the weekend anymore…xv


Posted by Vicki on December 18, 2011 | Labels: French Reads

23 Comments

golden threads and a favourite carol…

December 16, 2011
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I have always loved this Christmas carol and can never remember all the lines… so now ‘the Twelve Days of Christmas’ will be on my screen and I have no excuses… It’s very nearly the weekend… and that means final shopping and wrapping for me…

If you are still searching for inspiration then for French inspired ideas look here, here and here… for something deliciously wicked… try here…

If you are dreaming of an Italian Christmas look no further than here…

Have a golden weekend… See you Monday… xv

Posted by Vicki on December 16, 2011 | Labels: Uncategorized

16 Comments

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