I know it has been months since my last post. As an excuse, I’ve been away…a lot. And, I was thrown an emotional curveball since the election. My usual cheerfulness deserted me. Traveling helped, as did taking a break from the endless chaos of the news.

Where have I been? Since the beginning of this year, I have been to France twice, Scotland, and Florida. It’s been over six weeks of travel since January. I’m not going to chronicle any details in this post. But the trips have influenced my kitchen and cooking. As well, we were nursing a very sick dog back to health. She had what they call ‘old dog disease’ or vestibular disease. It’s been a long four months nursing her back to health. She still exhibits the characteristic head tilt and is unsteady on her feet. At fourteen, we feel lucky to still have her with us.

During both visits to Paris, I ate at the restaurant Des Pres.

They serve water in what they call ‘Grandmother Jugs’. We were told that they can be found at flea markets, however searching was unproductive. On researching them we found they are vintage Portuguese Majolica animal pitchers. Luckily we were able to find new ones in an online search.

It now sits proudly on my open shelf in the kitchen.

Sitting next to it is an antique porcelain soup tureen, found in a flea market on my second trip to France.

During that same visit I found this lovely vintage tablecloth.

I was inspired to do more French cooking and purchased a couple of books once I was back home.

There have been a few memorable home cooked meals, but many more memorable restaurant meals during my travels.

Just to share one dish I had a Tabak in Paris.

The most delicious, richest, creamiest hummus I have ever tasted.