Been mad busy since I last posted something on Wednesday. Susie's 'end of reception years' ceremony on Thursday (well done sleeping beauty!) last morning at school on Friday (followed by pancake lunch as start of holiday!) and food prep for the weekend.
Thursday night was turkey schnitzels with Duncan's home made chips and salad and on Friday eve Nonno (my dad - all the grandchildren call him Nonno which is Italian for grandad) treated us to a lovely al fresco meal at the local Brasserie Louis, preceded by a couple of cold beers in the warm evening sunshine on the terrace of our favourite bolthole the 'Refuge' (good name too!). What a start of the children's summer holidays!
Saturday lunch time my sister arrived with her new loverrrr Diederik! Lovely man! Great to get know him a bit. So nice to see my little sister happy again!
We all had a relaxed time hanging out in the garden drinking rosé, enjoying the new herring, more baby squid (see last week) followed by lamb skewers & Za'atar chicken from the BBQ. Made jewelled couscous, pickled cucumber with dill and a tomato & herb salad on the side. Home made vanilla ice cream with summer berries and framboise & rose liqueur for afters. Cornettos for the kids ;-)!
Then mad rush to get ready for the Chieftains concert in Brussels. Sorry Eline (new babysitter) for arriving in such a hectic mess..!
Concert was amazing. Was very touched by the opening tune... And I wasn't the only one.. And not JUST the opening tune..
So many memories of my time in Ireland came back to me. Wouldn't mind living there again one day I think. Good thing Duncan and I are going to Letterfrack in two weeks time to stay with my friend Nicole and her husband Jeremy. The good times....!
The Chieftains
Matt Malloy on the flute
Glass of red and some cheeses when we came back from the concert. Nice chat and some more Irish and bluegrass music. Oooooh the lovely Alison Kraus...
Late to bed of course so a big breakfast this morning! Fruit salad to start (to just feel healthy again after big day/night) and scrambled eggs with crispy bacon to follow (for a bit of power). Strong coffees in the garden for everyone after tidying up brekkie stuff- and of course that long awaited Holland-England game of table football...! Duncan & Matthew beat Nonno & Diederik... Much to the delight of Matthew and for that matter all of us as we would've ended up with a very grumpy boy for the rest of the day!
Everyone left after that, including Duncan & the boggins (for Bday party) so I went out to pick the very first soft fruit from our own garden: gooseberries, blackcurrants (black gold!) and a few raspberries - see picture below. Am very proud of our first little bowl of produce!
Now having some much needed peace before my three lovelies come back for a bit of a leftover feast. Think will have Eton mess with the just picked berries for afters..... Yummmm...
Hope to stay awake for footie final... Leftover gorgonzola dolce feels like an appropriate companion for that part of the evening. Forza Italia!!!
Alas...no school tomorrow. Not for another NINE weeks..... Can you believe it..?
Much needed long sleeps for boggins and I hopefully. Duncan off to UK early (wish you were here with us darling for your 'even more needed' long sleep...!).
Duncan back late Friday night.
Lots of washing to do this week.
Then Saturday to pack and Sunday off to Blighty: HURRAY!!!!!!
Checking out now.
Enjoy the game later!
Love,
XB
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