il est arrivé! de la France!

So excited that I had to make a post this morning - even if the photos are not that great - I just had to share! My shipment from France arrived yesterday and I have grabbed a few shots as I was unpacking. As I am diving between crates, and opening them, and remembering all the fun I had sourcing all these goodies, the terms "pig" and "mud" springs to mind constantly!!

And some of the many wonderful stories come to mind also.  These flags are from a deceased estate of a man that was well known in the valley.  In 1945, when the Allied troops came through France at the close of WWII, there was typical confusion as to who was on who's side.  

This man had scavenged old fabric scraps, and made for himself these flags: the first is the American flag, the second is 'the British allies' and the third the French - 'le Tricolore'.  He proudly displayed them on a carved wooden shield on his house, showing his allegiance, as the Allies came through to reclaim the French territory.

My neglected little boys were busy 'helping' me all afternoon [translation: playing rugby around me until I chased them outside].

And we were all having so much fun that we forgot what the time was!

The sun had gone down, moon come up, and it was dinner time.  Enough fun for one day.

Must go, have a big day ahead with sorting and relocating all of this.  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!  And if you're in Brisbane - welcome to the wonderful warmer weather and the start of the school holidays!

Jennifer.

x

Les Tatin aux Echalotes and a busy weekend!

With the warmer weather arriving in Brisbane, and the school holidays coming up, we have launched back into dining outside on the verandah.  It's still a bit coolish as soon as the sun dips, so I was looking around for inspiration for an early Sunday evening dinner, that would work for children and adults, and that would be a little hearty.

{image Vintage Finds}

Et voilà! my lovely friend Sharon Santoni, who writes a gorgeous blog My French Country Home, about her life with horses, children and dogs in the heart of Normandy in France, posted a fabulous recipe for tarte aux échalotes - slowly caramelised shallots made into an upside down tarte (similar to tarte tatin but savoury).

I made these in individual tartlets to accompany a lemon and garlic roast chicken, homemade chicken gravy, roast potatoes - and to lighten the meal a little - a 'fresh from the garden' lettuce salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.

I had every intention of taking 'cooking in progress' photos, but after a few Pimms and lemonades in the lovely weather, and chatting to good friends, as always - that went out the window!   So instead I only have Sharon's lovely photos, and her post and recipe can be found here!

Ooh, and my shipment from my buying trip in France in May has now arrived at port and will be arriving here shortly - so expect lots of lovely photos to come both here and on FB!


Have a lovely start to your week!
Jennifer.
x