The Chateau Diaries #305 2 containers full of junk and off to the brocante to buy more. Weeee!

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As I'm sure you're all aware by now, last night there was the most extraordinary northern lights display over parts of the world that usually never see them. Lalande was no exception! The I glanced out of my bathroom window at 1:30am, I noticed strange pale whitish streaks in a pinkish sky. I'd heard that the lights are more visible on photos, so - not expecting much - I took a photo of the dark night sky on my mobile, and the first photo above was the result! I couldn't believe it! I threw on my dressing gown and ran out into the night. Half and hour - and one drenched pair of slippers - later, I had taken all of these stunning photos around the chateau. It felt totally magical. In spite of travelling to the arctic circle, I've never seen the northern lights, and I can't believe that my first experience of them was from my bathroom window at Lalande!

Please feel free to download these photos for your own personal (but not commercial) use - I think they'd make marvellous screen savers!

Lots of love to all of you from Lalande,
Stephanie x​
 
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I'd get my head together first, noting this is an aberration from 25 years of working together and living together, for which I am so very grateful. Keeping an open mind, I'd ask him if he thinks it's time for one of us to get a different job working for somebody else. Or take a vacay. Or is it bigger, and would you please get a physical to see if it's physical? Do you think events in the middle east are tearing him down (many people I know can hardly walk, they're so bereaved and so sad and angry.) I can't stay angry at you but I can't be disrespected in front of staff, it's our livelihood, and that of our workers, and bad for the business.
 
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Thank you, you summed up beautifully what I think about the food and lack of hospitality at the dump.
We know that Stephanie Jarvis was bought up by a distant, inhospitable and a non-cook mother. She lacks basic cooking skills and knowledge of nutrition. I reckon Marie is the same. Faffing about with platescapes instead of serving real food.
What Marie doesn't seem to get, due to lack of experience and childhood knowledge, is that the food she serves has to be nutritious and tasty. I can't stand all those little droplets of mush on a plate, the Nike swirl of mush, or the cover-up of flowers and the meagre portions. Just bloody ridiculous.
Last week I had a lunch for 7 ladies with several eating disorders -OMG. Then one of them started on about her kids, 2 are vegan the other vegetarian. She was so terribly proud her kids were "different", just like the idiot child and his eating disorder (dislikes). The conversation descended into 1st world eating problems and one upmanship.
 
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You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din. I'm so crabby I can't eat with people like that, not even in a restaurant where they're disrespecting somebody else's food.
 
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@mrsp67 - if you need a safe space, Cowboy and you are always welcome to come stay at Casa de T Rex. Or if you just want to get lunch or hang out, let me know.
 
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@mrsp67 - if you need a safe space, Cowboy and you are always welcome to come stay at Casa de T Rex. Or if you just want to get lunch or hang out, let me know.
Thank you, I may take you up on this offer.
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I am angry & sullen today so I shall sleep In guest room, thanks for the great advice I’ll Address the problem in the am! Love to all of you friends!!!! Xxxooo
 
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Hope it's a good productive chat. Definitely better to have it out and know where you stand. Sorry I don't have words of wisdom that might help x
 
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@billybudd - you and @Hedda Hopper hit the nail on the head- FRK only knows what she knows, and is stuck in a rut. People become chefs because they are passionate about food- they eat everywhere from "hole-in-the-floor restaurants" to Michelin-starred venues because they want to experience and learn something new. They know what produce is in season, and where to source the best meats, cheeses, baked goods and wines because they've tried them. While we are not all fans of Stuart, whose personality is as big as Texas, she knows what is in season, and continually experiments with dishes.

When is the last time (if ever) we saw FRK go to the weekend local Farmer's Market? While the weekends are when she is making guest meals, she could carve out a few hours to buy produce, chat with the locals (make new friends), and discover new local products (cheeses, wines, etc.) Additionally, while she probably does not make much money (if any), it wouldn't hurt Fanny to step up and take her out to a restaurant (not Maccas) for lunch once a week so she can at least experience French cuisine and try new things. This would also provide her with the one-on-one time with Fanny that she so desperately craves, and Fanny would have an actual clue about what restaurants there are in the local area for a change. I'd rather see FRK go to the Farmer's Market than watch another Brocante shopping excursion!
 
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The local farmers' markets are open almost every day of the week. There is no excuse.
And Romain Moreau is right there in Crozon. When he's not at the farmers' markets.
 
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Lipton is only good for American style sweet tea.
 
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Going thru similar with my hubby. Last week he started having a go at me in the supermarket checkout. I very quietly said stop everyone around us is looking at you abusing me. Stopped him in his tracks.
I think it's a bit of grumpy old man syndrome, and also his need to be in control. I think he feels a bit insecure after my weight loss and people complimenting me about it etc. Didn't you lose weight last year too??
Anyway it's not acceptable and I was getting mad back at him, which just made everything worse. I have now decided to just say STOP and then walk away, and then talk about it later when he and I are calm. Not sure if it's going to work... but hoping it will.

Looking forward to others insight to this as well.
 
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Does Marie speak French?

sorry to edit just saw the posts re husbands moods - my friend experienced the same - sent husband for a full medical (bloods and stuff). Nothing serious except very low on some vitamin - can’t remember what. Anyhow a slight change to diet, bit of mental health guidance, no alcohol for a month or so. He admitted later how better he felt and his manner did improve.
 
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Learned something new today from Julie at Mapleton ( thought she was saying it wrong) but caschepot. is pronounced cash po..... so there you go Snorts. It's not cash pot as you say all the time. Not a smart as you think you are Mr. Pretentious..
 
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I think it's a bit of grumpy old man syndrome, and also his need to be in control.
This is probably true too!
When a husband has his own business they need to be "in control" all the time...... even when retired!

Wish me luck next Thursday as his other bad knee is going to be replaced finally.
 
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Lipton is only good for American style sweet tea.
Oh my beloved @MRShavershamsdress - so true! With Florida's "pre-heat of Hades Summer" on, it's back to sun tea season! (Not going to lie- this is one of my favourite American summer traditions!) And yes, it has to be Lipton! I'd never make a proper cuppa with Lipton, but this is the magical tea for southern-style sweet tea!
 
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Happy Mothers Day to the Aussies , USA and I think NZ??

I am off to my daughters for Afternoon Tea made by my grand daughter. she is 13.
 
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