I had a bit of a stressful week, with work, the garden and socialising all competing for my time. I got a new project for a client that already had an outstanding project, both equally urgent of course. At the same time, my Australians came back to me for more changes on their site, and that too was a rush job. There were also a number of small jobs for existing clients that I managed to get done at the weekend. Things have picked up a bit for Will, who is starting on a new site for my cousin Marnie, a naturopath in Washington state.
On Monday after work and before choir, I prepared a Middle Eastern meal. I should have chosen a day without an evening activity, but that’s how it worked out food calendar-wise. I had recently found a good falafel recipe and decided to make that plus hummus and tahini. The falafel are a bit of a chore, and difficult to get the consistency right. So they were a bit crunchy on the first night, but better the 2nd after I ran it through the processor again. Since store-bought tahini isn’t to be found in these parts, I made my own and then the hummus. It was all fairly good for a first attempt, and there are some leftover falafel in the freezer.
We did a number of garden-related tasks earlier in the week. It’s been raining a lot, so they take priority during the rare nice days. I mowed the back last week, and the front today. Will completed his annual hedge-trimming in one day, and raked up the trimmings a few days later when he wasn’t as sore. On Tuesday, we collected Anne and Andrew and went to a couple of bricos in Nontron, looking for fencing. It was all cheaply made and expensive, so we went back to theirs empty handed. Instead, since we know a good carpenter, we decided to do it ourselves and ordered posts and boards from the lumber yard where we get our annual wood supply. It’s meant to be ready in mid-May, but we’ll be lucky to have it before the end of the month.
On Thursday, we had A&A and the Beaufils over for dinner. Normally, it’s not a problem to have guests during the week, but it was a bit difficult juggling that and work. I went to the shops in the morning, and also had a check-up re: my new contacts. I worked until four and then made the meal, which started with carrots and the hummus that I’d made earlier in the week. Next was courgette, leek and spinach soup, followed by turkey escalope with roasted potatoes, then cheese, and strawberry tart for dessert. The Beaufils speak no English, so it was a bit of a workout for A&A but everyone managed to communicate and Will and I were rarely called on for translation help. The Beaufils were on good form, and it was nice to have them over after a 1.5 year hiatus due to Mauricette’s stomach problems.
Our other social event was Sat night when we were invited over to Francoise’s for dinner and cards. Paul and Natalie were invited too, and gave us a lift. I made salsa and guac for apero, the former perhaps not the best choice for this time of year. Francoise made the rest of the meal which was a new invention of melon and hearts of palm in a fromage frais and curry sauce. It was an odd combo and only Will and I finished ours. The main was much better: chicken legs in a cream and mustard sauce with roasted potatoes, and sauted carrots, mush and garlic. The main was her now-famous crumble with banana and chocolate, served with ice cream. After the meal, we played a few games of cards. My reputation is still intact since I won both games. We got home around 1 and stayed up till 3:30 with a film and a cleanser.
Yesterday was quiet and our only activity was band practice. We were a bit rusty and still working on a few songs, but we should be ready for our concert. I will close with some sad news: The Fete du Printemps in Brantome is no more. It would have been this weekend but there was no mention of it anywhere. Our winery people said it didn’t look like it would continue after last year, and it appears they were correct. Looks like we’ll be taking a road trip out to see them again shortly.