A Saturday in Mid-October
I’m politically exhausted. This weekend I don’t want to hear about Trump, Theresa May, Spain’s lack of government- or François Hollande (France’s version of lack of government.) So let’s talk about more pleasant things.
I haven’t gotten it yet, but I hear Canek Sanchez Guevara’s (yes, Che’s grandson) book is excellent. It’s available in Spanish, English & French and is called 33 Revolutions. Also on my list is Raphaël Glucksmann’s new book, Notre France- only available in French. His wonderful answer to extremist right wingers’ mantra that the real French descend from the Gauls is: Every single one of us descends from a chicken thief. And finally Jeremy Paxman’s autobiography is out. There’s an article about it today in The Guardian.
In other good news I found a very early 18th century English oak chest… locally (in Castres). I could hardly believe it. They had no idea of its value and sold it to us for just €50.
It’s got a replacement escutcheon and a replacement back-plate and handle (top row centre), otherwise it’s in decent condition.
I’m considering looking for a sort-of pair, something of the same period and also in oak, and then having them in the dining room. One on each side of a window.
I made paneer and was pleased with the results. Much easier than I had imagined. I think next I’m going to try mozzarella. And we tried Mazamet’s new Asian restaurant, My Lovely Sushi. The owners are charming. They’re from Cambodia. They’re also opening an Asian supermarket in a month or so, which is great. Nam-Pla is not something you find at the Leclerc.
Paneer!!!!
My Mazamet 
Love the chest! That was a real find but…cheese making? Just for fun or are you percolating a business idea?
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I like to stay one step ahead 😀 Few things satisfy me more than outdoing other people 😀
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-grin- You’re certainly doing that, PInky! What’s next, jam? Actually, jam making is something I wouldn’t mind doing myself, just for the flavour. Commercial jams are just pure sugar. 😦
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I love the oak chest of drawers, what a bargain, unbelievable, I would have snapped it up instantly too. Bon weekend!
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You too. Enjoy the sun today!
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Finding an antique gem is a pleasure unto itself. Congrats! And it takes courage to make one’s own cheese… not so much for the product but for getting through the process without forever altering the aroma of one’s wardrobe.
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I thought it was going to be terribly complicated. Turns out feeding Ms. Muffet couldn’t be easier!
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Is buffalo milk available where you are? Every Friday in Italy my dinner was mozzarella di buffalo with French fries. Mozzarella di muca just isn’t the same.
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Unfortunately no…
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Beautiful chest, and what a great price! On a different note–my sister and I for the last six months have been discussing buying a house in Mazamet for family vacations–so nothing too large. I was wondering–if you already have my e-mail–if you had suggestions as to which real estate agents to contact. We’ve been through all the on-line ads already, but are getting very serious–in fact, she and her husband are headed there from New Orleans, leaving this coming Thursday.
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Hi,
I’ll email you this evening. There’s a really great selection of properties at the moment, and it’s still a good time to buy. Best value (price p/ square metre) in the region. It’s also a town that has everything you could need.
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Thanks.
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Thank you for the respite from politics. I’m very impressed by your fromage 😉
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I do like the chest of drawers…you can pick up bargains when something is outside the seller’s context.
Paneer is surprisingly easy…I was a bit flummoxed at the idea of it, but it worked well, as you found.
Mozzarella is on my list but I have to study the temperatures required. I can get the buffalo milk from the national farm school which involves a trip over a bridge with more gaps than slats…
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I’d kill for a good asian store near-by. As it is, we have to drive 45mins to an hour for an adequate one. Paris is too far to go for a good one.
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Facebook has me politics-weary too. Glad to hear you have so many good things happening. 🙂
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