I may not have mentioned food for about twelve hours or so and must keep you up to speed.
Everything is freshly prepared in the beautifully traditional French farmhouse kitchen and it's not unusual to find Kay (Dunbar) doing some of this,
I can only apologise for the absent picture of the finished objects, the chocolate Brownies, but let me describe.
Soft, melt- in- the- mouth disappearing little miracles.
I went on the supermarket run with Kay and Steve this morning and would suggest it's made an Olympic sport, we have two Gold medallists ready trained.
I've done some kitchen support work today which involved sitting on the back step in the sun and topping and tailing the French beans.Lizards were skitting around my feet as the group discussed The Road Not Travelled aspect of their memoir writing with Penelope Lively under the shade of the preau (pronounced prayo). This is a beautiful outdoor area, a sort of a barn with a roof but with a few sides missing and a fine spot for lunch too, pictures to follow.
This afternoon we gathered to discuss Hilary ('ilary) Mantel's memoir, Giving Up the Ghost. Unanimous in our admiration for her writing and her courage in addressing such a difficult subject, we had a great debate about how the book had affected us. It was useful to have Julia Blackburn's thoughts on how cathartic writing a book like this might be for a writer and what it may then free them up to write next. Sort of baggage folded, ironed and put away scenario.
There was also a general and undisguised envy at 'ilary's elegant turn of phrase.
Preparations now underway for tomorrow night's end of week dinner for twenty, it's a lot of chicken and carrots so far and some very delicious smells.
Anyone feeling vaguely stirred to investigate sampling some of this wonderful Ways With Words hospitality in the future can explore further here.
PS I must also add a message to Bookhound ...Happy 32nd wedding anniversary, you can take me out to dinner when I get home.
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