Musings

The Canard Trail ...

My rare and rushed visits home (Malaysia to those of you not in the know) usually end up somewhat frustrating as I never seem to properly catch up with good friends -- we're never able to do more than quick hugs and cry a hurried "How are you?" before having to rush off to other engagements or distractions. So one of the unexpected pleasures of living so far away is the quality time I get to spend with those friends who come over. Slow conversations, humour, the beautiful countryside, and relaxing over good food take centre stage, and the company is satisfyingly appreciated.

Last week a close friend came over to visit and as she's a lover of all things canard, we went in search of the Provencal duck ... not too difficult to track down, although it is here served with honey rather than the better-known orange sauce. Here's where the trail led ...

First to a little restaurant in the village of Lourmarin, where she had Magret de Canard with Honey of 1000 Flowers:

Next, to a small restaurant in the village of Gordes for Magret de Canard with Honey & Balsamic Vinegar:

After which she decided to try her hand at duck herself, and served one up at home in an Orange-Wine Thyme sauce:

Which proved so succesful (it was delicious!) that she produced another a couple of days later, this time with a more Asian-flavoured Tikka sauce that was superb as well:

I am now trying to convince her to return and live with me full-time ... for her own sake you understand, so as to benefit from the lovely fresh air and food ...

A message to certain members of her family (you know who you are): your sister/aunt is a great cook! You are welcome to visit soon and cook for me so as to prove the stories that you are relatively decent cooks yourselves. Perhaps even almost as good as she is. Cheers :)

Strawberries & Roses

I have a guest over, so the first thing we did was go shopping for food and she bought a huge box of strawberries. We're still making our way through them. Delicious.

I'm still trying to balance work and Real Life. It's not easy dragging myself away from the computer but the brilliant sunshine helps, so I've spent a bit of time puttering about in the garden. Here's a shot of my new peach coloured roses:

And my new finds from the local supermarket:

Aren't they quite gorgeous? Dented, aged, adorable. They'll be replanted with herbs soon and I'll tuck them into corners in the garden.

I love warm weather, I'm a hot-weather person (unlike my sister who would be comfortable living in Alaska!) and thrive in it. As I walk around the garden and watch the plants unfurl and bloom, everything within me responds with great joy. The winter hermit-self is preparing to emerge into the bright world ... well, at least the dogs will appreciate the daily walks. Cheers!

First Outdoor Lunch

I started last week off with a cold, tucked under a blanket on the sofa, a blank mind and magazines and the menagerie for company. Not happy.

Then two days later we had visitors and the sun was out and it was gorgeous. Healed by good company and the lovely weather, I turned into a semi-Domestic Goddess (extremely unusual to say the least) and produced a lateish lunch that, for the first time this year, we enjoyed out in the garden. Simple: roast chicken, salad, brown rice, liberally sprinkled with sunlight. Glorious.

Please excuse the already-chopped into chicken, as I of course thought of taking photographs only after it was sliced into. Still, it turned out quite delicious and the meal thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing, so much so that the visitors decided to remain for an extra night. Perhaps the weather was more to blame for that.

I did try to take the rest of the week off in order to do absolutely nothing and allow inspiration to somehow seep through, but ended up working after all. I may have to face the fact that I'm addicted ... to my art, online stores, zazzle ... yes, work. Am hoping to find a way of balancing it with Real Life -- not sure yet if it's at all possible, but will update as new discoveries, if any, are made. Cheers.

Off We Go Again

It's been busy. Still. I've moved in and am happy. I've had visitors non-stop since then, and still do. And in a couple of days I'm traveling once more in order to go through visa submissions again. The final steps I hope, toward a peaceful life spent at the drawing table and in front of the computer :)

Here's a photo of my present guest who is, unfortunately leaving back for the UK today. She's been lucky enough to have experienced cold but brilliant Provencal sun during her stay so I think she'll be missing it once she's home in the lovely English countryside and its er, slightly less sun-filled weather.

I'm now off to do a huge house-clean for the next guests who are arriving tomorrow and are going to keep a close eye on my pups while I'm away for a couple of weeks. I'll hopefully manage to post some photos and news while in hotter and far more humid climes. Cheers!

A Breather

 

I'd hoped to take a bit of a breather yesterday. Even went out and purchased a pile of newspapers and magazines so that I could rest, relax, read, do the Herald Tribune weekend crossword which I haven't done for ages (The NYT Sunday crossword for all you New Yorkers out there!) and flip through magazines for inspiration and ideas. What did I end up doing? A major house-clean instead! Yes, it took ALL DAY :)

It's a huge and wonderful relief to be in my own home again finally. After over a year's worth of temporary spaces, I now have spaces into which to organize (well, I try) all my accumulated clutter. And I've moved the den into the main house as I said I would and am extremely pleased at the result! Here's another photo of it:

There's still a lot of organizing and sorting to be done and I'll probably move furniture around a few times before I have it just right ... and then keep moving it anyway once every few months as I always seem to end up doing! Helps to clear clutter :)

I inherited the old tile fireplace with the house. I confess that I wasn't too sure of what to think of it when I first moved in, but it's growing on me. Next winter I may even light a fire in it!

And here's the kitchen, finally completed! I love it. Love the sink, the nice large oven, and (however silly this sounds), I even love my tall Brabantia garbage bin that is hiding behind the pillar ... it's one of those press-top ones and it's great, and just the right height.

And finally, here's the living-room, where I intend to unfold myself and relax later on this afternoon though I really should be drawing. I haven't opened a sketchbook for over two weeks now and the therapy is going to be much-needed, but I'm still a bit blocked so ...

I am shamelessly going to blame my latest visitor, Za, whom we already miss, the pups and I! We had a wonderful time with her despite the drizzly grey weather that swooped upon us on the second half of her stay. At least we managed a bright, sunny, almost warm and glorious day in Aix and a few lovely lunches at the Salon de The in the village. Here's Za polishing up the remains of her yummy duck lunch:

And here she is with a friend whom we visited in St Maxime ... and were rewarded with a delicious curry lunch too. Yes, food was definitely a priority. I really must run out and buy one of the citron tarts we got addicted to so I can post a photo of it just to remind Za of what she is missing ...

And last but not least, my last drawing was that of a pair of baby booties, so I thought I'd post a couple of photos of the twins it was meant for, Isabelle & Hugo:

Cheers!

Visitors: Izan, Ulla & Myriam

It's been busy! Have had a wonderful time with visitors ...Izan was here for a week at the end of May and here's the proof!

This was after the Lennox Head market, when we sat down for a coffee to recover and enjoy this view:

I do sometimes forget how wonderful it is living here only a short car ride away from the sea! We did tons of catching up and yakking and eating.

Before Izan's visit, Ulla and Myriam came over for a week. Had a great time getting to know them ... also lots of yakking and eating and drinking involved ...

Lunch at the 'regular' cafe, The Urban, with Ulla, Myriam, Za and Diane. Life here seems to involve lots of good conversation and food ... I am not complaining, I love it.