History of a home continues. . . . . . .

A house is a collection of objects, but a home is a collection of stories.
Favorite pieces often come to us with a history.

Antique, hand stitched  table linen from Carcassonne, France

I'm ready to get some serious Spring cleaning underway as my role of 'Nurse Grandma'

 (Jasmin returned home and is doing well and should be driving/working by mid-week)

 is over - many thanks again for your get-well wishes, she read them all.

During the' nursing' period, while Jasmin recuperated from her Appendectomy

 surgery, I was also a landscaper.  Bob and I moved, and spread, 10 cubic yards

 (imagine a small Mt. Everest arising from the driveway) of cypress wood chips

 around the back garden for water and weed control, clean walking areas etc.

 I recall when we could do it in a day, this time it took most of the weekend in

 such intense heat! Aching backs and hips, but we survived, finishing up  

yesterday afternoon after brunch.

 I was actually the impromptu Mother's Day Brunch 'chef' - I'm a glutton for

 punishment, right?  Served in the gazebo despite temperatures reaching

 the high 90's by early afternoon. It was so much nicer in many ways -

 requiring no standing outside in a restaurant line in the raging heat, fighting

crowds at buffets, or being served perhaps not such great food, and at those

 huge prices they charge on such family occasions.

A French pear and blueberry Gateau de Mamy - Mother's Day dessert - whipped up

Sunday morning. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . after fresh fruit smoothies, Muesli with strawberries, warm croissants

 with scrambled local farm eggs and Manchego cheese, hot coffee, and

 of course a chilled, very chilled, rosé from Provence with dessert.

I'm hoping your weekend was lovely whether you were part of the 

Sunday's celebration as a mother, or enjoying time with, or memories

of, your own dear mother.

Eggs, pasta ------------- and bacon perhaps!

Happy Boxing Day to all my British, Canadian,

Australian, New Zealand, African readers - any and all around the world who 

celebrate this fun day.

 I rarely eat a 'cooked breakfast' preferring a bowl of oatmeal with fresh berries, 

yogurt (my current favorite being Noosa brand's strawberry rhubarb), or just a 

slice of toast (must be really crunchy bread, dislike soft toast) with English thick cut, 

slightly bitter orange marmalade. . . . . and coffee, lots of strong black coffee.

Bob enjoys making his own breakfast most mornings - cereal with berries 

and banana, yogurt, a toasted English muffin and orange juice.

On Christmas morning I decided to surprise him with this breakfast

dish simply called Bacon and Egg Linguine. It kicked off a relaxing morning 
with something unsweetened to tide us over until dinner in the early evening. 

Recipe is simple and would be easy to make for a small brunch crowd.

 Cook linguine until al dente.  Meanwhile dry-fry pancetta or thin sliced bacon 

until crisp, drain on a paper towel and keep warm

Drain pasta, add a little olive oil, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, finely 

chopped parsley and good grinding of black pepper. Serve in warmed bowls, 

topping pasta with the bacon and a fried or poached egg cooked your favorite way.

My own version is without the bacon of course. I enjoyed it and think this would 

make a good Boxing Day brunch, lunch---------or a light supper dish with a green salad alongside.