Monday, September 14, 2009

Vide Grenier by Bike, and Cooking Round the World

I did a lot of cycling this weekend - maybe it's to make up for my wonderful Italian chocolates which will be winging their way here soon, thanks to the lovely Michela and her theraputic autumn giveaway...

Son 1 has some Rentrée Resolutions too, and I thought I'd let you know how some of them are working out. Firstly, he's joining a Gym Class. He used to play rugby like his brother, but team sports are not his thing, and after a year with only dog walking for exercise, he's chosen gymnastics as a good addition. He adored the first class, despite (or perhaps because of) being the only boy there! They spent a lot of time on the trampoline.His other resolution is to cook at least one dish from this cookbook (with me) each weekend. Have you seen this book? It's awfully good...
He has to work out shopping requirements in advance and let me know what he'll need, and I'm also available to help in the kitchen. For this first attempt, he chose a Hungarian Goulash.
I did some of the work, and was available for advice, but he did most of the cooking...
We used Ben's ancient slow cooker ('Crock Pot', for the Americans), which makes the meat so tender.
While the Goulash was cooking, he made some dumplings. I think this is an odd addition to Goulash, but I have to admit they were fantastic!
Here was his finished dish, which he ate with me and Ben in the garden on Saturday evening. His brother was staying with a friend, which was no bad thing, as we're not sure he would have liked the goulash...
But the rest of us did!
On Sunday afternoon I had to cycle to see a new pupil in town - not for a lesson, just to pass her some work to prepare in advance. I decided to cycle all the way to the next village, which was having a little festival including a Vide Grenier. There weren't many stalls, but two items caught my eye... Firstly, these lovely enamel jugs are very desirable and are, in my opinion, overpriced at the moment. Ten to twenty euros, depending on decoration, is more than I am going to pay at a VG.
When I saw one on the floor in front of a table, rather than in pride of place on the stall, I was hopeful that the stallholders hadn't caught up on current values. I was right - five euros for this plain but pleasing (and very large) jug!
The second item was overpriced. This great red, white and blue crochet throw, which will go so well on our sofa this autumn, was stained and needed some mending. The stallholder asked me to pay ten euros for it - sorry, no go. She suggested eight and I declined and moved on. She then ran after me offering it for five, which is what I was prepared to pay, so I was a very happy shopper and I hope she was a happy stallholder - after all, most people go to the VG to get rid of stuff, so she had got rid of one fairly bulky item, hadn't she?
Cycling home with it all was a bit clanky!
g
Have you been following Ashley's One a Day craft challenge? Pop over to her blog, Peacocks and Dragonflies, if you want to see some lovely creations, at a rate of one a day!!! I'm lucky to manage one a month in the summer...

17 comments:

Elizabethd said...

I love the jugs, and they would be rather more than 5 euros if you saw them in Country Living!

Selfsewn said...

hehe I'd love to have seen you clanking all the way home! xx

Unknown said...

That throw is gorgeous! People do over price things, don't they? It gets tiresome picking something up and having plans for it, only to find out it's too much!

That's great that your son likes to cook- the only thing my brothers learned to make when they were little was oatmeal and cookies. :)

Michela said...

I'm really envious of Son no.1...I'm 28 and can't cook..
Hope son no.2 is on the mend now!
I agree with you, the enamel jug would be perfect for sunflowers! I'm off to Lululiz for her lovely swap, many thanks for the useful link!

Cal said...

What a great cook. It must have tasted delicious judging by the empty plate. The Usborne Books are always good. Super throw. I know what you mean - do they want to sell or not! Thanks for the link - just had a look - what a talented lady. x

Anonymous said...

Oh, Floss, actually I'm speechless...Did you really cook Hungarian Goulash????????
Well, we quiet like it, but I never put dumplings into it.I'm happy you liked it.Did you make it with real Hungarian hot 'paprika'?

hugs:Manka

Lululiz said...

The goulash looked ever so yummy, your son is a right little star, perhaps a Jamie Oliver in the making?

And as to your vide greniers finds, well, poo, I am so envious, the enamel jug is gorgeous, such a good size! And just 5 euros, thats brilliant. The blanket really was a bargain buy! I am so impressed that you dared to walk away from it, lol, , mais madame, vous etes tres dure, I could almost feel sorry for the stallholder, lol.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

That is great that your Son is learning to cook. Looks like you got some great finds.

Josie-Mary said...

Can you spare your son to come & cook for me?? It's great you're teaching him to cook.
The jug & blanket are lovely, well done :) x

Pomona said...

You are obviously good on the bargaining front - I think you did pretty well! And it is a lovely throw - really unusual!

Pomona x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

My comment disappeared! Urrgh!!! Anyway fabulous meal No.1! So glad to see Manka read this post. Great score at the Vide Grenier. Love that jug!

Unknown said...

How wonderful that your son enjoys cooking, It will be with him for life. It looked so yummy too, those dumplings, its made me hungry again! Love that cover, its all cosy and cuddly. I got an image in my head of you clanking home laden with goodies. So funny. Suzie. X :)

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Your crochet throw is really something!

Victoria xx

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

Lovely Vintage trow and jug... And great bargains! My favourite word! Lol
Your little boy is so gorgeous... Maybe a celebrity chef in the making?

ENJOY LIFE`S SIMPLE TREASURES,
DEBBIE MOSS

Thecraftytrundler said...

It's amazing what great bargains you can get home on your bike, well done!!
Congratulations to your son on his Goulash!! It sounds just delicious with those dumplings too!!
My son is making cheese straws at school this week, and really looking forward to it! I told him he must bring some home, and not eat them all!!
Have a lovely week : )

Sharon xx

karenshopes said...

Well done to your son the goulash looked yummy.
Hope he keeps it up. My son has just started catering college he's 17 and I'm praying he likes it, he's a bit of a lost soul not knowing what he wants to do.
Karen

Mami said...

It's a nice cooking book,isnt it? I want it!!Is it for kids?As learning i could make other countries food.Wow i'm dreaming!!