We were invited to spend New Year's Eve with friends who hosted a fondue party.
I took the dessert, a pumpkin and mincemeat cake.
Both artists were born in Descartes and the paintings are in the private collection of a local person.
Guests were invited to dress up in rubber duck/bath time costumes.
Considering that January is one of the longer months and usually fairly dull, we had a very busy time!
We had some pretty cold weather and even some snow.
We stayed home during the coldest weather and did a jigsaw puzzle.
It turned out to be one of the hardest we have ever done, but Yvonne helped.
There was the invitation to the Mairie for the annual New Year greeting in the salle des fêtes in our letterbox.
It was well attended.
The speeches were short this year, the wine and servings of "galette des rois" generous.
Afterwards we went to a friend's house for a convivial evening of food and more wine.
She refers to the Maire's annual greeting as "the state of the nation address".
There was an exhibition of paintings by two local artists in Descartes.
Both artists were born in Descartes and the paintings are in the private collection of a local person.
The paintings were mostly of scenes around the area and lovely to see.
We felt very privileged to be able to view them.
There was a "Soirée Montagne" at the hotel bar in Abilly.
There was a "Soirée Montagne" at the hotel bar in Abilly.
It was well attended and the food delicious.
Each person had their own pot of melted cheese and bits to dip into it.
I doubt that many people realised that January 13th was National Rubber Ducky Day.
Guests were invited to dress up in rubber duck/bath time costumes.
Some were more inventive than others.
A "parmentier de confit de canard" was served which is a kind of duck shepherd's pie.
It was delicious.
More dressing up was required for a Burns Night supper at the home of more friends.
Thanks to Jim Craig for the photo.
It was an evening of music, songs, poetry and a quiz centred on the life of Robbie Burns.
For dinner we had cullen skink, a delicious haggis shepherd's pie, tatties and neeps followed by Scottish tart. I haven't had genuine haggis for a while and had forgotten how good it is.
Much of January has been cold, grey and damp but there has been some sunshine.
I was in charge of dog walking on the day that we had a new window fitted.
(More about that later.)
It was a beautiful morning to enjoy a walk around the park at Paulmy.
We sit out in the late afternoons whenever the weather is half decent.
Wrapped up in hats, gloves and blankets we have been treated to some fabulous sunsets.
And now we are into February, one week almost gone.
Although it is the shortest month it often feels like the longest.
Not much happens in February but the winter is nearly over.
1st March is spring in my book and we look forward to more sunshine and some warmth, at last.
