Sundays

Hello All
Well with me being off out all day butcherying, marketing and delivering  poor Gavin was bored and lonely so we had some more babies (of the 4 legged variety) for him to look after. This is number 8 and has the most enormous ears I have ever seen. Maybe it should be auditioning for a part in Dumbo.
I have been travelling this week and managed to choose the only foggy day for weeks to drive up to Jarnac near to Cognac, for deliveries. It is usually a very attractive drive going through the vines and the little villages in Charente. However on arrival I was met with smiley faces, tea and freshly made cake. And by the time I had left the sun was shining which made the trip home simpler.

Emily was home last week and after examining the cupboards in the house for anything nice to eat and then having failed with that, anything to eat, was forced to resort to baking something herself. Thanks to our trusty Good Housekeeping recipe book she found the recipe for pastry (I was not in at the time, seems to be a feature for me at the moment) and made epic Mince pies

Just in case you were unaware it is 9 weeks today until Christmas Day. And to get some of you really uncomfortable I have actually been out and done some shopping in preparation for the event. I feel one of those annoyingly organised Christmases coming up where I manage to be super Mum....mainly born out of necessity as I will be at work right up to, and including 24th December. So to get you all hot under the collar and panicky there are 9 Saturdays left to hunt the perfect gift, and I will also mention at this point, that for those of you who like a practical shopping experience rather than the more soulful centre of Bordeaux option, there is a very large shopping centre in Bégles, Rives d'Arracin attached to a Carrefour. 
Other news from our house is that Number 3 is officially no longer small as she attended her first disco last week and stayed out til midnight. And so it begins again....
Patrick is settling in to Holland by the sounds of things and has done his first days work in a kitchen doing food prep. My opportunity to crow at how all those enforced skills they have learnt at home stood them in good stead for future employment. I do believe they find me rather annoying at that point...It's great being a parent.
Both the big kids have exams and tests coming up so it will be a good measure for them on how things are panning out. With any luck we will all be together for Christmas. Today has been a typical Sunday morning..the sheep escaped and Gavin has spent 4 hours fetching them home and moving fences. Luckily someone else is cooking for us today.
See you all soon
​Helen