Summer is flying past….. I can’t believe I am writing for the August magazine! I hope that you’ll all enjoy some sunshine. I’ve booked three trips to France. The most exciting is when we fly to the south to help celebrate my son and daughter–in-law’s silver wedding anniversary.
Their wedding seems like last week in its clarity. Both of our children were married in France. This was possible because we owned a property! I worked for the Mairie (Town Hall) as interpreter so they made it very special for us. There were even red white and blue plants with French and English flags. The 11th August was a market day and as we left our cars to walk across to the Mairie the crowds parted, like the Red Sea, and people were clapping. Unforgettable!
As usual I am writing as though we are having a “chat” - I always write too much and half of it has to be left out. As school reports sometimes say “must try harder”. I’ll do my best to be brief, especially as I am doing an extra session about fashion. Why? It’s because several people have suggested it. As with the cookery ideas—I’m only saying what I think—there are no hard rules!
Fashion “La Mode” - that’s an inappropriate title for a start as I never follow it! I only take ideas from it. We all have sayings that we dislike. One of mine is “Mutton dressed up as lamb”. Mutton is such a derogative word—although cooked properly it can be delicious!! I certainly don’t like “mutton dressed as mutton” Forget about age—it’s more important to dress for the OCCASION and to flatter your SHAPE. You are dressed appropriately if you feel comfortable and at ease in your outfit. As for getting the style right, I suggest you look at yourself in a full length mirror. Don’t regard your ‘difficult’ areas, but appreciate your best features. For example, I’m quite pleased with my waist. What do I do? I often wear belts to draw attention to it. Then hopefully, my less attractive parts will be in the background.
When I was married, my waist was 22 inches. I designed my wedding dress and guess what happened? The Duchess of Cambridge copied it! Two big differences—her lace was hand-made (mine came from Dingles—big department store) and I didn’t have a train! One of the best dresses I have seen was in Harvey Nicks two weeks ago. I took one of my granddaughters there for coffee hoping to show it to her. There had been 3300 reasons why I didn’t buy it—but it was sold! I wonder if someone chose it for their wedding dress? It was sky blue and it shone in it’s stunning simplicity. Afterwards Madi and “mooched” around another dress shop. She’s 23 and I am very ancient, but we both chose the same tops! Our manner of wearing them will be the reason they will work! Madi will be able to use hers as a beach cover up or over a camisole and leggings. She’ll probably wear it with jeans or shorts or just as a mini-dress. All superb on the young! On the other hand I shall wear mine tucked into a flowery skirt (as I did yesterday when I “Christened” it at Church) or perhaps with my gauchos on holiday. It’s not what you wear—it’s the way you wear it!
Food for Summer - “La Nourriture pour L’Été”
Important—shop not only for what is fresh and in season—but buy what you enjoy! If you like asparagus why not put some on your barbeque? I have friends (yes, in France) who took us around their new venture—fields and fields of asparagus. You need plenty of patience as it takes years to get established. Normally I snap asparagus and only cook the edible top half. However for a BBQ cook the whole thing - then you can hold the tough end whilst nibbling it! I advise spearing it with a fork as it will be hot! Parboil it—then glaze it on the BBQ. You’ll need some interesting “dips”. Have fun!
My Thought for August… “Ma Pensée pour L’Août”
When you are thirsty and make yourself a drink—it’s often too hot to drink instantly. However it only takes a small amount of milk or water to cool it down and make it just right.
Isn’t that like life? It only needs a small amount of confidence and hope to change your whole outlook! May August be good for you all!
“Le Dîner de Noёl” Christmas Lunch
At Tortworth Court Wednesday December 18th 12.15pm
We shall be in the Orangery as usual. Please see me if you would like to join us. Tickets £16 for Mulled wine, a three course meal, coffee and mints. EVERYONE VERY WELCOME
“Bienvenu” Esmé
Their wedding seems like last week in its clarity. Both of our children were married in France. This was possible because we owned a property! I worked for the Mairie (Town Hall) as interpreter so they made it very special for us. There were even red white and blue plants with French and English flags. The 11th August was a market day and as we left our cars to walk across to the Mairie the crowds parted, like the Red Sea, and people were clapping. Unforgettable!
As usual I am writing as though we are having a “chat” - I always write too much and half of it has to be left out. As school reports sometimes say “must try harder”. I’ll do my best to be brief, especially as I am doing an extra session about fashion. Why? It’s because several people have suggested it. As with the cookery ideas—I’m only saying what I think—there are no hard rules!
Fashion “La Mode” - that’s an inappropriate title for a start as I never follow it! I only take ideas from it. We all have sayings that we dislike. One of mine is “Mutton dressed up as lamb”. Mutton is such a derogative word—although cooked properly it can be delicious!! I certainly don’t like “mutton dressed as mutton” Forget about age—it’s more important to dress for the OCCASION and to flatter your SHAPE. You are dressed appropriately if you feel comfortable and at ease in your outfit. As for getting the style right, I suggest you look at yourself in a full length mirror. Don’t regard your ‘difficult’ areas, but appreciate your best features. For example, I’m quite pleased with my waist. What do I do? I often wear belts to draw attention to it. Then hopefully, my less attractive parts will be in the background.
When I was married, my waist was 22 inches. I designed my wedding dress and guess what happened? The Duchess of Cambridge copied it! Two big differences—her lace was hand-made (mine came from Dingles—big department store) and I didn’t have a train! One of the best dresses I have seen was in Harvey Nicks two weeks ago. I took one of my granddaughters there for coffee hoping to show it to her. There had been 3300 reasons why I didn’t buy it—but it was sold! I wonder if someone chose it for their wedding dress? It was sky blue and it shone in it’s stunning simplicity. Afterwards Madi and “mooched” around another dress shop. She’s 23 and I am very ancient, but we both chose the same tops! Our manner of wearing them will be the reason they will work! Madi will be able to use hers as a beach cover up or over a camisole and leggings. She’ll probably wear it with jeans or shorts or just as a mini-dress. All superb on the young! On the other hand I shall wear mine tucked into a flowery skirt (as I did yesterday when I “Christened” it at Church) or perhaps with my gauchos on holiday. It’s not what you wear—it’s the way you wear it!
Food for Summer - “La Nourriture pour L’Été”
Important—shop not only for what is fresh and in season—but buy what you enjoy! If you like asparagus why not put some on your barbeque? I have friends (yes, in France) who took us around their new venture—fields and fields of asparagus. You need plenty of patience as it takes years to get established. Normally I snap asparagus and only cook the edible top half. However for a BBQ cook the whole thing - then you can hold the tough end whilst nibbling it! I advise spearing it with a fork as it will be hot! Parboil it—then glaze it on the BBQ. You’ll need some interesting “dips”. Have fun!
My Thought for August… “Ma Pensée pour L’Août”
When you are thirsty and make yourself a drink—it’s often too hot to drink instantly. However it only takes a small amount of milk or water to cool it down and make it just right.
Isn’t that like life? It only needs a small amount of confidence and hope to change your whole outlook! May August be good for you all!
“Le Dîner de Noёl” Christmas Lunch
At Tortworth Court Wednesday December 18th 12.15pm
We shall be in the Orangery as usual. Please see me if you would like to join us. Tickets £16 for Mulled wine, a three course meal, coffee and mints. EVERYONE VERY WELCOME
“Bienvenu” Esmé
RSS Feed
