The Wanderer Returns

To this blog, if probably only for a while.
Also, we have returned to France. To live. Maybe also only for a while, who knows what the future holds, but let's settle down first and unpack some boxes.

I trust everyone has had a lovely Christmas (or whatever it is you celebrate), and let me, at this time, wish you all the best for the upcoming brand-spanking New Year !

What has happened ?
We sold our house in Ireland and moved just over a month ago into our new abode. Well, the first few weeks we spent in the holiday cottage on the property we bought.
The Département Corrèze is where we've settled and we're still finding our way around and trying to install ourselves and prepare for our upcoming big project.
The project being, running a small campsite (25 pitches), a holiday let, and bar/resto for holiday guests.
The land, the buildings and the surrounding area are all beautiful and I will tell you more about all of this in a later post.
At this time it is very difficult for me to write this post as I am already missing my dearest friends in Ireland (you know who you are), my mother hasn't been well and at the moment our dog Millie is at the vets, where she has to stay till Friday, at least.

The cats have found their groove, as you can see, even though they haven't been outside yet.

Blackie would like nothing more than to go back home,

but then Santa Ikea arrived on Christmas Eve with some sofas.

He couldn't believe his luck when the arrival of a sofa could make it into 'home'

I am about to start work on a website for our new adventure and will post a link on here, once it is ready.  From then on I think it is time to really round off this blog, as it has come full circle. It started its life in France, almost 12 years ago and there will be a blog on the new website too.

Until next time,
Salut
Patricia xxx...x

Merry Christmas !

I feel like I've let down my readers. Not only that, I've let myself down by not posting here in a very long time. You know how it goes, you have 'writer's block' or you think nobody is waiting to read a bit of drivel.  And before you know it, months and months have passed.

Anyhow, I just dropped in to wish you all a very Happy Christmas !

Patricia xxx...x

Finally !

The windows fitted, some of the walls re-plastered, ceiling and all walls painted.

And the Christmas tree is up and bedecked. 

It took us longer than expected to get here and that's why I have been missing from the blogosphere  for a while.

I have a lot of catching up to do with reading all your blogs. I'll get to it shortly.

Patricia xxx....x

Remember ?

Remember  the Christmas presents ?

I think I can now show you some of its contents.

 An insect/bee house for my brother, who loves this kind of stuff.

 A beautiful cushion for my mum, who loves chickens.

 For niece and nephew retro toys that are probably more loved by adults than this generation's children.

 This little bear in its sleeping bag, knitted by Pam Muller was just what I thought my niece Sarah would adore. Apparently, it hasn't left her side since.

For my sis in law I had a couple of fat quarter bundles of fabric and a notebook, which I forgot to photograph.

I got all of the pressies in The Green Chair in Sneem. Fantastic little shop !

Patricia xxx...x

The Party People.

Such serious faces ! You've got to wonder about the standard of the food. 

 Serious faces ? Maybe I spoke too soon.

The perfect hostess ! Showered, hair pulled back, no lipstick, no mascara, pinny wearing and exhausted. Very photogenic ! 

But always up for a giggle and a good old belly laugh ! 

We have some wine making enthusiasts among our friends. I don't drink alcohol (anymore), but I take great pleasure from  Richard's  wine labels.

It's all I can do to show my appreciation for their unconditional friendship, stuff them with homemade fayre.

Patricia xxx...x

The Party Food

Salmon paté with dill pickle. In the background : Tiger prawns with garlic.

 Pork Rillettes (potted pork from our own pigs) not made by me but by the French charcutier who is on the Wednesday market in Kenmare.

Pork paté with a very boozy gelatine.

Porchetta. Rolled pork belly with herbs. Serious crackling.

 Panzanella

 Green bean, feta and pomegranate salad with a lemon, ginger and mustard dressing.

 Nigel Slater's pears and shallots to go with the ham. Big, big hit !

The best ham ever ! Thank you piggies.

One of the many loaves of bread.

 Talk about a retro kitchy cake.  The last time I made this was probably when I was 16.

I bought the tacky embellishments especially for this cake.

There was more, much more and there still is. So time to portion off some food and vacuum seal it ready for the freezer.

I will be putting up recipes further along the road of some of these dishes.

I've got achy bones and muscles.

Is it worth it ? All that work for a binge fest that lasts all of 5 hours?

Definitely ! Love my friends !

Patricia xxx...x

The Party is Over Now.

The aftermath 

More on Tuesday.

Pooped 

Patricia xxx...x

Season's Greetings !

Best wishes to you, my lovely readers.

Whatever you'll be celebrating, have a peaceful time,

a roof over your head, a belly full of food, a glowing hearth and your and dearest near.

Patricia xxx...x

More Christmas Stuff

By the time everyone is taking down the decorations, I will be just finished putting mine up, the way I'm going.
Normally, I am more organised and slightly earlier than this time round.  The boxes with decorations exploded two weeks ago into the hallway and are still there. Every now and then I will pick something out and 'enhance' a corner here and there.

 Today, I managed to throw a bit of greenery on top of the mantle.

The painting above is from my friend Jo-Anne . We've got a few of her's around the house.

 The tree in the kitchen went up a few days ago.

Bubblegum pink.

Now it's just the banister in the halway that I need to finish. The greenery has gone up, now it needs more beautifying. 

There is always tomorrow.

Patricia xxx...x