Meiki, Heaven Just Got a Little Happier

I remember when I first saw her and how incredibly cute I thought she was.  She wasn't only cute though, and sweet, but she also had something magical about her.  I just didn't know what during those very first moments.
As the years passed, she taught me so much.  She taught me patience. She showed me what it meant to have a good heart, and most of all, she taught me that unconditional love exists.
Boy, she was so intuitive! I'll never forget how she kept sniffing me with a worried look the day before I had my miscarriage. Or how she ran upstairs the minute Kirstie was born. And when I was afraid after some idiots broke into our house, she sensed it and stuck by me night after night, waiting until I would fall asleep.
You should've seen the energy that doggie had!!  She could run around the dunes relentlessly and she would follow us on the bike or the scooter without even blinking an eye!
She was with us for fourteen and a half wonderful years. And yesterday as we stood around, saying goodbye, I tried to think of all the good moments.  I tried so hard to be brave for her. I didn't want her to sense how I was crumbling inside. I just wanted her pain to end and I wanted her to go to that better place.
I bet she's digging holes in heaven now.
How we loved her. How we'll always love her...
05-17-2010

Petite Fleur

Yes, a new blog that proclaims my love for France!

                                      

Chicken with Balls!

In case you're short of ideas for the everyday chicken breast, here's a recipe which is easy and incredibly delicious!  I served it with a bulgur salad (love bulgur!), but I might try it in a wrap with some fresh veggies and a good dollop of greek yogurt and chopped spring onions soon! Or maybe I'll add some peas or green beans at the end and serve it over some basmati rice! YUM!
PS: I call it "chicken with balls" because it's spicy, manly and super ballsy!

Chicken with Balls
Serves 3-4
3 large chicken breasts, cut into chunks or thick strips
1 tbsp ras-el hanout
good glug of chilli oil
2 tsps pink peppercorns
salt and pepper, to taste
3 tbsps mild olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 glass dry white wine


Put the chicken in a shallow bowl and sprinkle with the ras-el hanout, the chilli oil, pink peppercorns and salt and pepper to taste. Rub the marinade in with your hands making sure you really massage it into the chicken.  Allow to marinate for at least 4 hours and up to a day.
Heat the olive oil, add the garlic and saute for a minute or two.  Now turn up the heat, add the chicken nd brown evenly. Add the wine, cover and allow to cook for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

A Tick for Antique

Besides having a love for anything culinary, I am a major sucker for antique and brocante. Fortunately, I have a house that lends itself perfectly to this tick, which hubby, be warned, might soon be getting out of hand! Here are my latest finds. I am especially proud of the wooden Maria image from Belgium.  That detail makes my heart sing!

Plates from Bavaria. Look at the gorgeous rose design!

Part of a 9 piece cake set.

Silver dessert forks in original box. Now to polish them!

Stunning wooden Maria from Belgium.  I fell in love with her right away!

Impressive detail on her face. And that blue is so peaceful...

How gorgeous is that??!!

Bringing France to Our Home

I have this amazing dream.  In that dream, it is beautifully sunny and I am harvesting tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes.  In the background I see the pale blue shutters that grace the windows of my little French house, and I smile.  We did it!  We've bought our own piece of paradise in my heart's home! 

As I walk back to the kitchen, I am greeted by my neighbor who has just surprised me with two bottles of her husband's wine.  You see, my neighbors own the vineyard next to us and every now and then they treat us to a bottle of their fantastic wine.  I invite her to join me for lunch.  I am making ratatouille and it would go perfect with the wine.

But, for the time being, this is just a dream.  In the meantime, we're doing all we can to bring France to our home.