23 December 2009

J oY e U x N o ë l


* * * * *** ** J oY e U x N o ë l * * ********


We wish you a very happy Christmas and may all your dreams come true in 2010.

****************

Nous vous souhaitons un joyeux Noël et nous espérons que tous vos rêves se réalisent en 2010.

Leeann & Trent

15 December 2009

Christmas/New Year 2009

{image from here}


We have been getting a few inquiries re eating out on Christmas and New Years Eve.

The Chateau in Eymet will be lit up by lasers for New Year's Eve and the council will be offering an aperitif to all reviellers.

La tour des vents in nearby Monbazillac have fabulous menus for both days, please visit their website for further details.

La cour d'eymet, the fabulous restaurant literally a minutes walk from Maison No. 20 will be open on both days but have yet to provide us with menu details.

Les pieds sur terre, the new and very chic restaurant situated on the Boulevard National will be open new years eve, menu details are as follows:


New Year's Eve Menu 45 euros per head
A selection of canapes
****
Jerusalem artichoke veloute with truffle oil croutons
****
Foie gras terrine with accompaniments
Or
Crayfish tail cocktail with toasts and Marie Rose sauce
****
Fillet of beef "Wellington" winter vegetables, port gravy
Or
Pan-fried tuna steak, cauliflower puree, winter greens, monbazillac wine and saffron sauce
****
Plate of assorted cheese
***
Plate of home-made mini desserts
****
Coffee
Also a reminder re the Marche de Noel which will be taking place on Sunday throughout the day on the village square. Pere Nooel will be available for photos, should you require one.



Nous vous souhaitons de très joyeuses fêtes

Leeann & Trent

14 December 2009

Mulled wine


At this time of the year I adore the smell of Christmas.....the tree, scent of Christmas candles, freshly baked gingerbread biscuits and my favourite smell, mulled wine.

I thought that I would share our secret recipe with you.

Ingredients
1.1 litres/2 pints red wine
3 cinnamon sticks
6 star anise
6 cloves
3 oranges, sliced
3 lemons, sliced
150g/5oz brown sugar (you can use honey instead if you prefer)

Method
1. Bring all of the ingredients to a simmer in a saucepan, then continue to simmer gently for 6-8 minutes, without boiling.
2. To serve, pour the mulled wine into six heatproof glasses.


Santé

Leeann & Trent

2 December 2009

Live music evenings In Eymet



‘Le Off’, is the 2009-2010 winter season of live music evenings in Eymet (24).

The box office opens at 7pm and doors open at 7.30pm. You can eat and there is a bar. Music starts from 8pm. Places are limited.


21st November 2009: Dois Da Bossa (percussion and guitar duo; bossa nova /samba) 10€ Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

5th December 2009: Le Free Du Hazard Trio (new jazz) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

19th December 2009: Robin NOTTE Quartet (jazz funk) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

9th January 2010: Barbara LUNA Trio (world music) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

23rd January 2010: Tribal Voix (vocals / percussion) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

6th February 2010: Emile PARISIEN Qtet (jazz) 12 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

20th February 2010: Post Image (jazz fusion) 10 €
Salle des Fêtes - Eymet (24) rés

See www.maquizart.com for more details.

Christmas in France



{Bûche de Noël, image from here}

I thought that I would share some facts about Christmas in France......

Nearly every French home at Christmas time displays a Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints." An extensive tradition has evolved around these little figures which are made by craftsmen in the south of France throughout the year. In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters.

{Santons in Avignon}

The craftsmanship involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the seventeenth century. Throughout December the figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix.

The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the Bûche de Noël, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le rveillon.

Le rveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras.

Here in SW France, the locals feast on foie gras, canard, oysters which is all washed down with a glass of local wine - we have many to choose from as the area is reknown for its wine.

French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard. Pre Fouettard reminds Pere Noel of just how each child has behaved during the past year.

In some parts of France Pere Noel brings small gifts on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and visits again on Christmas. In other places it is le petit Jesus who brings the gifts. Generally adults wait until New Year's Day to exchange gifts.

The count down has begun, only 23 days to go.....

L x