Home at last

Snow and an extended period of sub-0C temps greeted Kaye's return; nevertheless, she is very happy to be home again. In her absence Ed kept himself busy with lots of chores. Among other things, he cut down more wood to the proper size for the wood stove; he sealed the gaps in the shed, so it should now be water- and mouse-proof; he replaced the bathroom window by himself (we had been prepared to pay for this); he welded a bit back onto the wood stove, which seems determined to fall to bits this winter; and he took the dog and cat for long walks.

Pogo and Sophie both enjoy playing in the snow, but poor Pogo isn't getting his usual daily exercise. In the morning we just let him into the yard to relieve himself. He gets a longer walk in the afternoon and a quick one at bedtime.

Today was finally above freezing with a bit of sun, so we took ourselves (carefully) to a marché de Noël in nearby Chassenon, only to find that it had been cancelled because of the weather. Fortunately some of the vendors were set up in a public building, but the olive seller we were looking forward to patronizing wasn't there. We did buy a chunk of the foie gras wrapped in dried duck breast that we've had before. Last year, when we arrived at this market in the early afternoon, this was sold out. This year there was lots still to be had. We'll be eating our bit through new years. We also got a pair of cailles chaponées (do we say caponed quails in English? or caponized perhaps?) and two figs stuffed with foie gras. The quail will be part of the main course for our xmas dinner, and the stuffed figs will either be part of the salad/starter or served as an entremet. Now, what will we have for dessert?