CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

We are now in the second week of our New Year, where does the time go? we have been reminiscing about our lovely family Christmas and this photo epitomised the most delicious Christmas day breakfast all sitting around the kitchen table no fuss no frills just great food. Our son knocked up this in hardly any time, he couldn't remember which celebrity chef he'd seen doing creating this on the telly, so apologises for not giving credit to them.

You need stale butter croissants 2-3 days old, one per person,  slice them into 5 or 6 slices then in a large frying pan which you need to heat till its really hot no oil fat needed the butter in the croissants is all you need, the butter slowly comes from the pastry slices and caramelises. Remove from the pan and keep warm, lightly whisk 2 eggs per person in a bowl season, scramble in the used frying pan add smoked salmon to the eggs or add to the plates at the end, which is what my son did. We of course enjoyed it all the more with a glass or two of bucks fizz. Try this next time you have any spare croissants. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A very happy new year to all our lovely clients, I am sitting here in my cozy kitchen contemplating what 2014 may bring, and it made me focus on what is important and what really isn't. So here I have put together my wishes for you all.

I hope you appreciate what you have & not worry about what you don't have.
I hope you count your blessings regularly throughout your day.
I hope you find moments of contentment in each & every day.
I hope you have dreams which will challenge you.
I hope you enjoy the gifts which each day brings you.
I hope you find time to stop and breath deeply.
I hope you take time to feel grateful in your day.
I hope you appreciate your health and celebrate being alive.
I hope you invest in the now.
I hope you resist the opportunity to be judge-mental.
I hope you are kind to yourself.
I hope you learn a new thing every day.
I hope you make good choices.
I hope you notice the beauty in your life starting with yourself.
I hope you seize every opportunity that comes knocking at your door.
I hope you find moments of peace in your day.
I hope you have quality time with loved ones
I hope you take time out to relax in your day.
I hope you have moments where you see how special you are.
I hope you know you are timeless.
I hope you understand how awesome you are.
I hope you value yourself.
I hope you use your words kindly.

Finally I hope you have many many GOOD MOMENTS in 2014.
Love and best wishes, Karen & John xxxx

LES PORTES FERMES

Phew! what a busy end to our 2013 season, we went out with a bang, a lovely group of 19 lively Yogis have been staying. They certainly understood the meaning of enjoyment, a perfect blend of Yoga sessions, relaxing meals together, walking, swimming, drinking, snoozing, need I say any more!

Its been an action packed year with lots of great people, some new, many returning for a second or third visit, we must be doing something right. The enquiries and bookings are coming thick and fast, I have a feeling we will be in for another busy year, and I can't wait to see many of you again, however not before a well earned rest. John and I are off to UK soon see all our loved ones, then its back to our winter job, writing. We have two books to finish, fingers crossed we can achieve our goals by next spring.

Who's for dinner?

Drinks on the terrace.

SWEDISH DELIGHTS

I love all things kitchenalia, if there is such a word! Give me a gadget and I am in heaven, my family know that when it comes to buying me a gift it's easy, just browse around a kitchen shop and you are bound to find a little "gizmo" which will entertain me for hours.

This week I was very kindly given a gift all the way from Sweden, an ancient waffle cookie iron for making Strouvor! Now it's fair to say I very nearly consigned this little metal contraption as a kitchen decor destined to be hung or nailed to a wooden beam, and very nice it would have looked, but after time to reflect and a good old search on the Internet, I discovered a lovely short video on the correct way to use this implement. I had a recipe for a rich sweet batter, and the knowledge as to how to prepare my little iron, so I challenged myself to a cook off. The weather was 35 degrees and much too hot for cooking but I wouldn't be put off, and I am glad to say that after a very enjoyable 20 minutes, yes start to finish that's all it took me, I had made almost 50 light fluffy cookies. A quick dredge with icing sugar and they were ready to eat, perfect with either tea or coffee.

The lovely Glynnie (the gift bearer) decided she wanted to host a Swedish evening, we enjoyed Gravalax, Reindeer which was a first for me, tasted a little like pressed tongue, very good, there were many other delicacies, it was so nice to eat a different cuisine as nice as French food can be, a change is always a refreshing change.

Outdoors in 33 degrees heat!

Swedish Buffet

My plate of delicacies

STROUVOR COOKIES

FRENCH MARKETS

French markets

king prawns in whisky

It has begun the long awaited night markets, a great favourite with the French, as well as the holidaymakers. Generally from the beginning of July till the end of August each town host's a weekly night market as well as their weekly morning market. The night market is mainly about eating drinking & music a lovely combination any time!

Duras has their evening soirée on Thursdays & they do it well I think. Long wooden tables are set up by the commune to allow the visitors to sit together & enjoy their food. The many stalls sell food, from duck tournedos with foie gras, to burger & chips. The beauty is that you spend as little or as much as you like, depending on your wallet & appetite. The entertainment varies, from folk music, to basque traditional, even the Beetles. The entertain is free all paid for by the commune. They generally kick off about 7.00pm & I do recommend you get there early, they can get very busy. The wine merchants sell bottles at an affordable price, soft drinks & beer is generally on sale too. Bread is on sale as is fresh produce so almost every ones tastes are catered for.

vegetarian dinning at chateau Perroterie

some of our yoga clients

Yet another lovely group of bubbly Yogis have been here at Château Perroterie. They decided to go vegetarian as a group which is an interesting ask for the meat eaters, but a good way to experience vegetarian over a week. We try our best to accommodate dietary requirements where possible, the big no no for us is nuts, as we cannot guarantee traces of nuts or nut oil is in "innocent" foods bought from outside ie pastry biscuits etc. to date we have had no problems and I enjoy experimenting with vegetarian dishes. As France is not a country known for its vegetarian cuisine I tend to get inspiration from Spain and North Africa, they are clever with their seasoning's and help elevate the humble vegetable or grain to a higher level.

melon mozzarella tomato starter

 

lentil and roasted vegetable salad

sweet potato almond tangine 

THE NAME IS BOND! SINDY BOND!

Put your back into it

The residents of Château Perroterie have been more than a little sweaty this week! Partly due to the lovely sunshine but mainly due to the planning & researching of a Boot camp week which is taking place here this autumn. Course leader Sindy Bond has been getting ideas together for the activities she has in mind. She is well named "Bond" as her boot camp has a some what dare devil espionage theme running through it.

No problem

My John ever quick to take any opportunity for help which requires brute strength suggested they build him a large log wall, & no sooner said than done, Sindy was on hand to whip some of the guys & a petite but willing Anna into constructing a fine log barrier. In the evening a relaxing game of "drink pong" where bottles of beer were strategically positioned on the table tennis table, any ball going out was deemed to be a drinkable offence & a sip was taken, on the loss of a game the entire bottle was consumed, sunset celebrations can be viewed below. 

A visit to Château Perroterie can be both hard work, fun & sometimes relaxing. I cannot wait for Sindy's boot camp retreat this autumn it is guaranteed to be  challenging & great fun. 

Anna in safe hands

Good morning Miss Bond. Your mission, Sindy should you choose to accept it is to run a boot camp here at La Perroterie. As always should any member of your team be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow

all knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck Sindy 

"Drink pong rocks"