Saturday, December 24, 2016

Saturday 24 December - New Year's Eve with a silent haircut


The Batignolles Organic Market was busy but not crowded. There was a low buzz of conversation but nobody was talking loudly.

I went to get a gougere. The lady said that they were a local specialty Bourguignon but were not very common here

Gougeres


There was a brisk trade in oysters

Nothing like buying a carpet off a truck (SUV)
My hair was beginning to get long and, bearing in mind we are going to be away for another six weeks, I went to the barber down the street. I walked in and asked for a haircut. The barber looked to be from north Africa but he was playing Indian sitar music.  With a fierce scowl he motioned for me to get into the chair and began to work. His hands were shaking, either from old age or from drink. He had some difficulty getting around the chair and would motion for me to move my head from time to time. I was apprehensive when he got out a cut throat razor and inserted a new sharp blade but he managed the task without nicking me. I was relieved when he brought out the mirror which signaled the completion. I paid and gave him a small tip which produced a big grin but he didn't speak a word the entire time.

Our Christmas Eve Meal
Comparison tasting of regular Oban (right) and Small Cask Oban (left). They are both very good, the small cask has possibly the more intense honey flavor.

Champagne

Pate de foie gras with pain d'epices and confit de port

Darnes de saumon

Pate en croute de canard a l'orange

Camembert, Mont d'Or and Valencay cheeses

A baguette and a gourgere

Buche de Noel de Diva et Chocolat

Callissons, crystalized fruit (Kumquat), marrons glaces, shortbread, crystalized ginger, chocolates, financiers, crystalized fruit in chocolate
It is a tradition in parts of France to have 13 desserts on Christmas Eve. We only had nine.

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