Thursday, December 23, 2010

A special French Christmas.





A glance at the calendar and mounting panic turned into outright terror. Time to do the Christmas shopping. While 'the font' headed off to Ikea for those Swedish staples - raw herring and lingon - yours truly dealt with the important matters. Champagne, Chablis, and Yquem from the wine merchant. Oysters, foie gras, and a Christmas buche from the market. All the components of a typical French Christmas eve chosen and paid for in less than two hours.

Last year we had capon for Christmas day lunch, the local tradition. This year we've ordered a turkey. It should arrive in the butchers tomorrow lunchtime. The cheese will be ready later today and the flowers can be picked up from the outdoor market at lunchtime. All we're waiting for now is British Airways to get back to normal.

Wilf was determined to help with the unpacking. Upstairs in the kitchen, his head was to be found in every carrier bag, excitedly sniffing away at their contents. The word 'no !' conveniently forgotten. He sat contentedly in the middle of the floor noting, exactly, where each item was put away.

The family fellows last walk of the day has now been brought forward to seven o'clock. A small spoonfull of coconut ice cream at seven thirty as a bed time treat and he's sound asleep by eight. Last night he couldn't raise his back leg to christen the plane tree by the gate. The first time he's ever had this problem. Can a dog look downheartened ? Clearly a major boy dog thing. One of those inevitable milestones on his journey and a reminder to us to enjoy every minute of this Christmas with him.

23 comments:

  1. We were looking for the coconut ice cream on the list. Glad you had some tucked away. Everyone here is wavering between a traditional hot Christmas lunch and the usual Australian fare of cold meats and salads because it is supposed to rain. But whether it's hot and rainy, or cold and rainy is anyone's guess! Bon Appetit.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

    Even in our small city, the shops were filled with people buying enough provisions for weeks, instead of one or two days.

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  2. merry christmas to you, the font, and wilf! your menu sounds delicious, and clearly, wilf approves.
    i still have a few more rounds of christmas cookie baking left... may i borrow wilf to come be my taste tester? ;)

    the booker man and asa's mama

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  3. Wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas stuffed full of memory making moments to treasure.
    With Love
    Tea, Richie 'n' Ronnii

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  4. Yes, I think a dog can look downhearted, but it isn't showing in the picture of Wilf today!

    Your holiday is certainly coming together! I hope family members make their trip safely and you have a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas!

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  5. wishing you, the font and sweet Wilfie a wonderful christmas...i love your shopping style...couple hours and complete!
    xoxo

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  6. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas - enjoy, enjoy, enjoy every minute of it.
    Extra cuddles for the lovliest dog in France - mine are the lovliest in Italy... Wilfie, I am sure your Christmas Dinner will be special.
    Lots of Love Susannae, Daisy and Foxiie.

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  7. Merry Christmas to you all!

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  8. Oh poor old Wilfy. At some stage we shall all have to contend with the indignities of age and/or infirmity. At least he's still enjoying his food (as are his humans, it seems).
    Cheers, Gail.

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  9. I hope that British Airways gets straightened out for you... I have a friend who has been waiting a week to leave the US but can't due to those problems.

    Poor Wilfy. Knowing his love of christening, I'm sure that he can look downhearted. But, it seems that Wilf's spirit usually bounces back with vigor! He's an amazing lad.

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  10. Happy Christmas! Have the mongoslings made it home yet? Petey was scheduled for a Christmas bath yesterday but when the temperature hit 71 F, we opted for the beach instead where he made certain a bath would be worthwhile. He discovered a triangular formation of kids playing on the beach where one would throw the ball which he'd catch and take to the child in the next corner.

    Your superdupermarket is a thing of envy. I'm in charge of Christmas breakfast this year which means two eggy casseroles, one sweet and the other savory. Petey will be all a-quiver once the sausage starts cooking. Of course the Scoyyish shortbread is made and safely packed in a tin for tea time.

    Have a wonder-filled and wonderful Christmas with your precious flock and your faithful sheepdog, Angus and "the Font!"

    Love from Petey and Jane

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  11. Hey there Angus..
    Yeah, Wilf's reality will be in the back of all our minds as we marvel at the Christmas magic around us.
    I must admit...your pictures ignited something in my salivary glands. Oh dear, I'll have to raid the fridge!
    Sending lotsaluv and warmest Chrismas wishes from your friends...
    MAXMOM AND THE GANG IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  12. Wilf
    I'm so thankful that you awe thewe to enjoy the smells and excitement of this Chwissmuss wif youw family. I know you'we slowing down, but I also know that youw heawt and nose awe still stwong and full of love and excitement
    Happy Chwissmuss to all of you
    love and smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  13. What a happy face in the first snap! Tell Wilf not to worry, his Canadian pal Tucker can't really decide one day to the next whether to lift his leg or just squat. Sometimes in a day he does both...not to worry the old boy! He's doing just fine! Keep going Wilf! Remember where they put all the goodies too........

    Love your pals from Canada,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  14. Wilf looks pretty happy to me in the first picture- big smile on his face! Hope all travel will resume as normal and you will have a lovely family Christmas.Your shopping list has inspired me to do som late Christmas shopping so I have stocked up on the same goodies- yummie!!
    Have a lovely Christmas.

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  15. Wilf looks so happy it's hard to imagine he would be unable to cock a leg. It's sad for you as it's a reminder of what is happening. But it looks like you will be having a wonderful Christmas together.

    I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

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  16. Ooooo, those deserts looked delish Angus. Poor Wilf, maybe he was just'dog tired' after his evening walk - lets hope that's all it is. Sue x x x

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  17. I used to have a female fox terrier who raised her hind leg to go potty. It was so funny. She did it her whole life.

    Those deserts look soooooooooo good!

    Wilf looks happy.

    Merry Christmas!

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  18. Happy Christmas Wilf. We hope you sample all the delicacies you helped supervise from the shopping bags to the cupboards and fridge.

    Molly, Taffy and Monty

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  19. Well, I'd say that coconut ice cream must be a bit of a balm to the wounded pride. Perhaps it was just a little crick in the back and things will be back at half mast today.

    Blueberry informs me that after that list, she is definitely ready to go to France!

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  20. Champagne, oysters, buche de Noel...memories of Christmases past -- gone but not forgotten!!

    We hope the leg-lift derangement is a temporary thing -- but our boyz sometimes do a macho squat so no shame attached!!!

    Joyeux Noel to all!!

    xxx Joan

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  21. enjoy your french christmas and enjoy Wilf. we're hoping beyond hope for more christmases with Wilf.

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