La Creuzette Part 2

LA CREUZETTE 

Part 2

Art & cookery classes in France

Some of you may have read my first post on La Creuzette - if not see here

When I wrote the first post,  I used my own photos which were taken a couple of years ago.  So much has changed at La Creuzette, and when in France a few weeks ago,  Louis invited me over to "re-fresh"  my photos.   Luckily for me,  a group was arriving the following day which meant that the Chateau was looking tip-top!   For those who have not linked back to my original post,  La Creuzette is a beautiful Chateau, owned by Louis and Hardy.    La Creuzette offers residential art and cooking courses as well as many other activities.  Please have a look at their website here

It was a rainy day so photographs of the garden were difficult.  I hope you enjoy the new photos below ... but be warned - there are many and you might be kept busy for a while!  

The entrance hall

The Salon

The magnificent dining room

The kitchen

View of the garden from the kitchen 

Beautiful staircase leading up to the bedrooms

Piles and piles of magnificent antique French linen

Then down the stairs and outside- a short walk to the Summer kitchen which has been updated

Hardy's pride and joy - the industrial cooking station - wonderful for the cooking classes

The living/dining area off the summer kitchen where students relax between classes and eat more informally.  There is also a Bistro area in the kitchen

Very stylish yet more informal setting

Part of the garden alongside the Summer kitchen

There is a small shop to tempt one!

La Creuzette - an experience never to be forgotten!

FOR THE LOVE OF A DOG | MAN'S BEST FRIEND

THE VALUE OF OUR DOGS

I watched a documentary on TV  earlier this week which illustrated the value of using rescue dogs in a  training programme by inmates of a low security prison in Australia.  Watching it actually brought tears to my eyes.  These inmates are not repeat-offenders and being in a low security lock-up, have have been given this wonderful challenge.  

These adorable dogs bring with them the gift of companionship, purpose and unconditional love.. very lacking in a prison environment.  The relationships that develop between the inmates and their dogs,  allow so many of them to 'feel' again, also resulting in them being able to re-connect with family and loved-ones in a deeper way after their release.  

Some programmes work with local animal shelters, selecting homeless dogs which might be good candidates for becoming service dogs for people with disabilities.  They also provide educational grooming facilities for inmates, enabling them to find a job in the pet industry after release.  The double benefit of these programs is inestimable.

I did a bit of reading on the subject, and was  amazed to discover just how extensive the use of dogs in prisons has become, world-wide. I watched a video which was aired on the Oprah Show, of fairly hard-core prisoners training puppies to aid wounded soldiers.  Have a look here and you will need a tissue or two!

As a family,  we have always had dogs.  Our first dog was "Chomper".. a Beagle who was with us for years.  He died on the day we sealed the container for our move to the UK.  Chomper was going to live with Mr R-I's brother.  On that day, he accompanied us to the park with the children for our last visit, when he was knocked down and killed by a service vehicle driving through the park...It was the saddest day.  

When we moved to Australia 8 years ago  we were all kind of discombobulated!  After some nagging by our youngest daughter,  we brought Lola home with us.  She was a cross Shih Tzu/Maltese.  That little dog brought untold joy to us all and helped us settle and feel like we were 'home'  again.  We were desperately sad when she was run-over accidentally by a lady on her cell-phone 4 years ago. 

Lola

We have since acquired "The Girls" - two Shih Tzus.  These girls are our constant companions and bring such laughter and joy into our lives.   

This madam is Penny Lane

Bunny on the left and Penny

Studies have shown that in the elderly,  those that own pets, are less likely to visit the doctor and are therefore less likely to be on medication.  This can be attributed to the benefit of exercise during  daily walks as well as the companionship and happiness that owning a dog can provide.  Taking care of a dog gives old people a goal and an every day purpose in life.

The category of 'working dogs'  is extensive.  They have proved to be invaluable in working with the disabled, with the blind, and are even being used to help children with reading problems.  They also provide 'therapy' for the old and mentally handicapped.





Dogs herd and hunt,  guard and search.  The friendly Beagle in the Customs  is an expert at sniffing unwelcome 'imports' from arriving passengers.  They are also trained to detect bombs during warfare, and work extensively in the military.  Dogs are invaluable to the police.  They assist in general law enforcement often helping to detain suspects and are trained to detect drugs and explosives etc.

But mostly,  dogs are here for us all to love.  To give us companionship, amusement and above all,  unconditional love.  What would this world be without them... 

              

Couldn't post this without Hugo... Claire's new little pup!

TO TILE OR NOT TO TILE!

TILES OR WOOD? 

I can't tell you how many hours I have spent on my computer in the past few days researching tiles - all tiles - but especially en caustic tiles! I know I've brought this subject up before, but I still haven't resolved this issue yet and after today's site meeting,  I now have a day left to do so!

I have now developed a 'thing' about these tiles but  Mr R-I is convinced that I 'will grow tired' of these tiles and that it will cost a fortune and be a 'helluva mess' to rectify this in future. He is certainly right about the mess side of things! 

I am usually hugging the safe-side of traditional and yet I think these gorgeous tiles are traditional in a way and are also fun!   I am all for colour and moving away from the eternal safe neutrals.

The most important part of this decision is whether to use timber or tiles in the kitchen.  The kitchen flows into a sitting area as well as into a pantry.  I had a timber floor in my kitchen on the farm and grew to love it.  Tiles are more hygienic I know and easier to keep clean too.  I dont necessarily want to use a neutral tile or slate but perhaps something colourful - ie en caustic.  Bathrooms probably lend themselves to tiles of colour..but mostly on the walls 

What do you all think and are there any tile or timber owners who have strong views on the subject?

I like this tile


Colourful Bathrooms below 

Various kitchens with various floors

Slate floor

Love this tile!

Warm timber

Black and white

Lovely wooden floor

Grandma's chicken soup

GRANDMA'S CHICKEN SOUP

Google images

A few of you have asked for this recipe and I am delighted to share it.  I tend to dole this soup out at the drop of a hat - and always at the birth of a grandchild or in today's case - to my son's family as their daughter Izzy is sick.    

Chicken soup is wholesome, nutritious and delicious, and we all believe that it has   amazing curative qualities!  It certainly is warming and comforting and just seems to hit the spot when one is unwell.  My children and grandchildren love this soup and it is so easy to make and freezes like a dream.

Google Images

I always use the very best chicken one can buy - Free Range/Organic/ with bells on! In fact I buy the best brand possible, as I find that this choice affects the taste and quality of the soup enormously.

Google Images

For one large pot of soup:-

One chicken

Two onions (white or brown)

6 carrots.

3 large leeks.

6 large sticks celery.

Fresh corn cut from 2 cobs.

Lots of flat leaf parsley.

Chicken stock - the very best quality (home-   

  made) would be best or Mordough.

Noodles - any kind - I use a small handful of                  

 spaghetti which I break into bite size pieces - the idea is to have just a little pasta as too much alters the taste of the soup.

Wash the chicken thoroughly and cut away any excess fat or skin and place in a large pot.  Quarter the onions, and roughly chop two carrots and 2 sticks of celery.  Add to the pot and fill the pot with water until the chicken is just covered.  I also add a little chopped parsley at this stage as well as a few black peppercorns.  

Put the lid on the pot and bring it to the boil. Once it has reached boiling point, turn it down to a simmer.  The chicken will take about an hour to cook. After an hour, use a wooden spoon to lift the chicken a little and if the chicken starts coming apart, it is ready.  Turn the heat off and allow the chicken to cool off in the pot - about an hour. 

In the meantime, chop all the remaining vegetables and cut the corn off the cobs.  Chop the parsley as well.  

Google Images

Then, lift the chicken carefully onto a plate and begin de-boning it, being careful not to overlook tiny bones.  Pull the chicken into bite size pieces. 

 Strain the remaining liquid in the pot, discarding the cooked vegetables and carefully retaining the liquid.   Pour the retained liquid back into the pot and you might have to add more stock.   If so,  add a very good quality stock.   I use Moredough chicken stock.  

Add the chopped vegetables as well as the corn kernels, and the pasta.  Cook slowly until vegetables are just tender.  Taste at this stage, and add salt or perhaps one or two Massel Salt reduced Chicken stock cubes.  Once the taste is good,  add the chicken pieces and heat through once more, being careful to not allow the the soup to boil too much as the chicken will shred.   Add more chopped parsley just before serving.  Obviously this recipe can be adapted and many more vegetables or flavours can be added.  Bon Appetit!

I made two pots today and we've just ours for supper!

Thank you for stopping by and I would love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment!...