Candes Saint-Martin, my favourite spot in La Touraine.

Sunday 22 December 2013

A White Christmas?

No, I don't think so. Our weatherman Frank is quite adamant about it. No snow this Christmas, but lots of wind and rain; yes, even a full gale storm on Monday night. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope it's only a storm in a teacup ...

There's not much going on here: it's the same humdrum life, going into the office three days a week, working harder and longer than before on my Thursday teleworking day and getting organized for Christmas and New Year. This includes putting menu's together, finding the right ingredients, doing the shopping ... Btw, I had a bit of luck yesterday finding the perfect guinea fowl which I have planned for Christmas. I was afraid I would have to return to the stores on Monday on my way back from the office to get the right bird. I wasn't looking forward to that extra shopping expedition, as I guess the shops will be full on Monday and Tuesday.




I've also sent out my Christmas cards and have had confirmation that they've made it to the other side of the Atlantic well in time. This probably means that the cards I sent out to friends in France, the UK and Sweden have also arrived. If you didn't get a card, it simply means that I don't have your address*. So please don't take it personally. I hereby send you my warmest and sincere Season's Greetings!

Today's photos are from this year's June Loire Valley trip. I thought they were perfect to illustrate today's post, although they have nothing to do with snow or Christmas.




In fact these two shots were taken at the Petrified Caves in Savonnières. The 'curtain' of icicles is a natural phenomenon created by the water of the Cher River, dripping through the limestone ceilings of the caves. I was especially intrigued by the 'Perles des Cavernes' (Cave pearls), which look like tiny snowballs and would look lovely in a ring or on a chain ... Just in case you didn't know what I wanted for Christmas, besides friends, family, a good health and peace on earth.

(*) Or maybe your postman had trouble with my handwriting :)!

10 comments:

Carolyn said...

Martine, if I find pearls in my oysters, I will send them to you.
Happy holidays!

Susan said...

Your card has arrived with us. Thank you and hope the guinea fowl turns out well. It's our choice for this year too.

Bob said...

glad to hear everything is fine with you. must be trying to get all the last minute business finished before the new year. snow makes Christmas so much nicer, sorry it will be a wet Christmas. Here it's about 21C but yesterday it was around 24C. Waiting for the cooler weather, but snow is the exception here. To all your followers, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Amanda said...

Busy time of the year for everybody, full of delicious culinary indulgence and amazing gifts but hopefully merry and peaceful!

Jean said...

Your card arrived safely Martine, thank you for your kind wishes.
I do hope you have a lovely Christmas and wouldn't it be wonderful if we could look forward to meeting up again next year?!

GaynorB said...

Happy Christmas! Martine.

We are dreaming of a White Christmas as well. There is a distinct lack of snow in our little corner of Switzerland!

Leon Sims said...

No white Christmas for us Martine.
Great weather for a seafood festive lunch with nice cool white wine. Touraine naturally.
All the very best from Leon and Sue

VirginiaC said...

My island is made of limestone too, and we have some beautiful underground caves....I must write a post soon.
Wishing you and your Mum a wonderful Christmas....enjoy the guinea fowl dinner.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Martine and a happy new year. Yes, the storm is already whipping up here on the south coast of the UK but us Brits just love to talk about the weather!
Veronica

ladybird said...

Carolyn, Happy holidays to you too! And thank you in advance for sending me the pearl-yet-to-find :)

Susan, Guinea fowls seem to be very popular this year. Good news for the turkeys, I guess! :)

Bob, Thank you on behalf of all my readers. Hope all the chores got done in time and that you'll enjoy a sunny Christmas!

Nadege, Christmas requires careful planning, but the joy you get from it afterwards, makes up for all the hard work.

Jean, Thank you. I'm really hoping we can meet up again next year, but chances are that it may not be possible. I'll keep you posted.

Gaynor, Snow in your corner of the world is expected for the second past of the week. Let's hope it arrives before you leave. Enjoy your holiday!

Leon & Sue, Have a glass of white Touraine on me and enjoy your seafood. It sounds lovely!

Virginia, Thank you. I'll pass on your kind wishes to my mum. Looking forward to you post about the limestone caves.

Veronica, Weather is such a thankful conversation topic, isn't it? Thanks to the lousy weather heer, I got talking to a nice lady this morning when we were both waiting for our Christmas order at the bakery. The waiting didn't seem that long then.