November ‘25

Even more than January, it’s a time for lists!

We’re spending a fortnight in Brittany at our little Beach House. It is so very quiet, the summer holiday makers have long departed, and many houses are locked up until the spring. We love to come here for a few off-season weeks. During the winter, on days without appointments, we have a simple routine; a dog walk, breakfast at 9amish, a little grocery shopping, then coffee at midday. We take a second walk on the beach, my husband may even choose a dip in the ocean, the dog and I, who are both more sensible do not! Once home again, I’ll start cooking - I’m never sure if it’s a very late lunch or an incredibly early supper! We do like to eat our meal while there is still daylight. Whilst I cook, my husband prepares the fire, the house does get chilly as the sunsets. After our meal, there’s plenty of time to sit beside the fire and read.

On other days we catch up with friends during the Aperitif Hour, or we may treat ourselves to lunch in our favourite Brasserie Le Surcouf in Roscoff. Occasionally, no more than once per visit to Brittany , we may really push the boat out and have a fabulous meal at the Michelin Starred Pomme d’Api in St Pol de Leon.

I am really enjoying buying seasonal French food. Vacherin Mont d’Or is one of my favourite winter cheeses. The other day I roasted an incredibly fresh, local cauliflower, some scrumptious sandy carrots and tiny Breton potatoes, I heated a Mont d’Or and we had the tastiest Cauliflower Cheese imaginable.

I wish I could take one of the large Mont d’Or back to Richmond, but there are still restrictions on importing a variety of foods, including meat and diary products. As it is a seasonal cheese, it isn’t always easy to find. ( I have bought it from Waitrose in the past, and having done a quick search, have found it in Marks and Spencer.)

I will buy plenty of soaps and Percarbonate, the very best thing for keeping laundry clean. I have bought a couple of new notebooks- a pink one for all things wintery/Christmasy and a black one for everything else. I’ve mentioned before that French Supermarket stationary is an absolute delight. Even our little local Super-U Express has a few of these delightful Moleskin type notebooks, with gorgeous French dotted paper, as well as the classic elastic band to keep the notebook together.

At the beginning of the year, I decided to keep a list of the books I read through the following twelve months, rather like the Reading Diaries I used for the infants I taught. I have no one to place stickers or stamp stars in my diary, I thought I would add my own various embellishments, I have included postcards, notes and various stickers. It’s been such a simple project, and brings me joy every time I open the notebook. I can look back at all the books I have enjoyed, as well as the one or two that were a struggle.

I recently read an academic book, ‘the Feminine Middlebrow Novel 1920s to 1950s’ by Nicola Humble. It is such a fascinating read, exploring novels aimed at women in the mid-twentieth century. Nicola Humble referenced many novelists whose books had gone out of print, fortunately many have since been republished, by either Virago Books, Persephone Books, the Dean Street Press or British Library Publishing.

Next year, to replace my 250th Anniversary focused Jane Austen reading, I’m going to spend part of each month reading a selection of ‘Feminine Middlebrow Novels’. Over the next two months I will compile a list (in my new black notebook!), I will try to include one novel per month from each of the publishers above. I’m moving from the Regency to the 20th Century- however I firmly believe, that as she was writing during this period, I can include 1 or 2 10 or 12 Georgette Heyer novels!

(If you are interested in reading mid-20th century novels A J Pearce published a useful list back in July, a great jumping off point, I think!)

My new Christmas notebook will now include my card and present lists. I’ve not really kept my address book up to date, as I write cards this year, I will endeavour to transfer the addresses from my ancient, falling apart, book to the Contacts list on my phone, and make sure I know who I have sent cards to.

We have four family birthdays around Christmas time, I am now going to keep more detailed notes on both Birthday and Christmas gifts, to ensure that my dear daughter-in-laws do not get fed up with mountains of cashmere socks (I think they get a pair every year!)

I’m also going to record more detailed planning for both Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Following last year’s success, I think that we will host an annual Thanksgiving meal. There is something wonderful about having a celebratory day without gifts, and I really believe that taking time to think about all the positive and joyful things that we have in our lives, is good for us all.

My lovely Turkey dish (for Cranberry Sauce), was bought on a trip to California many years ago. I love its Smokey-amber twin on the front of the Williams-Sonoma Thanksgiving Recipe Book!

As we’re not American, we have some flexibility and this year, we’re shifting our meal from Thursday 27th to Friday 28th, my daughter can then join us ( whilst at University, she has a part time nannying job and works on Thursday evenings). As with last November it will be a small family gathering, my older son, his wife, my daughter, my husband and me. I have had some time to plan this year, I therefore have a Turkey on order. Last year, with only a few days notice, we ate partridges - which were lovely, but not quite the thing.

One of the lovely things about Thanksgiving is decorating the house; the fairy lights, candles and wreaths can make an early appearance, indeed in many homes in the USA, families put up their trees for Thanksgiving, I’m very tempted!

Last month I made my Mincemeat, two Christmas Cakes and a Quincemas Cake, the Christmas Pudding is now top of my list when I return to Richmond.

November will, as always dash past in a rush, I have a few things planned. The most important being a couple of days in Norwich with my younger Son, his Wife and my Grandsons.

I will miss my monthly bookclub meeting as I’ll still be in France. The fabulous ladies who organise the bookclub also arrange a pre-Christmas lunch, towards the end of November, in a local restaurant, inviting many ex-staff from the school we worked at. It’s always a delight to see old friends, especially as we all taught each other’s children, I just love to hear how everyone is getting on.

I think this may well be becoming an annual reminder. Today, November 1st, is the day to open your copy of The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater. His writing and recipes are a perfect companion throughout the next couple of months. (As I’ve mentioned before the Podcast accompanying the book is worth listening too, it’s the perfect calming escape from the madness that can occasionally overwhelm during the next two months.)

Whilst you’re re-reading The Christmas Chronicles, don’t forget these four essential books. Using a selection of recipes from them all should ensure a successful and very happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year!

I hope your month is busy and full of fun, these next two months are, perhaps, my favourites of the year! Don’t forget to take some time to read a good book, sip some fortifying coffee and munch a mince pie - it is after all November!

See you on December 1st.

Judith xx