Tasty Avergne Lentil Recipe, Lace-making, and More Fun Touring around Brioude

November 24th

Soline's kitchen

Breakfast was yogurt and an orange! After all I ate last night, I never thought I would eat again!  It didn't look like we would be doing much, if any, cooking today! Soline had to lead the signing at Basilica St. Julien, so we left for church at 10 with mass to begin at 19:30 (to take an hour).
I figured it would be cold, as it was in the low 30's outside and raw! However, I had forgotten she said that the heating system was broken with a projected $2million repair cost! BRRRR!!! The grand 12th century building had a special childrens' service, so there was a good crowd.

St. Julien

On the way home we stopped at the Brioude chocolate sale. These seem to be held everywhere! Soline said it had fewer tables than year, but we both managed to find some interesting things to buy!
Lunch-we did eat mid-date meal,which Soline prepared-was sauteed potatoes, zucchini, and eggplant with beefsteak. I gave in and ate some cheese, but none of the leftover wonderful chocolate mousse!
I had spotted an ad in the local paper for what sounded like a Christmas bazaar. It was in the Monastery in Lauoute-Chilhac. Soline had never been to the second floor of this building, so she was glad to see it. She learned that this had been at one time a school dormitory for children. And it was just like Christmas fairs I have seen in churches in the US-candles, decorations, hats, etc.

Lauoute-Chilhac Monastery

We returned home with full intentions for a light
supper. However, Soline's friend Babette invited us to come for dinner, which was lasagna, salad, and apple tart. The traditional tart is like what Regine had served, which is baked with the apples on the caramel filling on the bottom and crust on top,and the pie is flipped onto a plate. Everything was delicious, of course!!






November 25th
Our first stop today was Reagir43,

which is similar to Goodwill or any organization which collects old furniture and household goods for resale. Soline is the volunteer director of this organization. She usually stops in daily to oversee what is happening and the various projects where people refurbish furniture for sell. She needed to talk with some folks, so we were there for about thirty minutes.
Next was the fascinating Hotel de la Dentelle, which is a lace museum. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.hoteldeladentelle.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhotel%2Bde%2Bla%2Bdentelle%2Bbrioude%2B43%26biw%3D1183%26bih%3D559
I cannot imagine the concentration, not to mention patience which is required to master the skill of making lace! The woman who started this museum was there, and Soline introduced me to her. It was so interesting to see such an old craft of the area still being practiced, as there were women making their own lace projects. Those who are really into it, just flip the bobbins back and forth. Their work is so involved and well-regarded that they are recognized by name designers. Fascinating!

And we were home for dinner, which was lentils with sausage and three pork ribs, salad, and fruit. Soline's friend Clare came, so I met another friend! And, of course, always three kinds of wonderful cheeses with bread!
Lentil recipe
Melt butter in the bottom of the pressure cooker to brown 4 big sausages. Add 3 pork ribs and one onion cut in half with a piece of clove in each half. After these ingredients are browned, add piece of fresh thyme, salt, and 1 cup of water. Put pressure cooker on to cook for 1/2 hour. Afterwards, Soline put the pan under running cold water to be able to take off the pressure cooker knob.
Separately she had cooked the lentils-1+ cup in cold water. When cooked (1/2 hour?), drain, and add to meats in pressure cooker for 5 minutes.

After dinner, Soline wanted me to see some local sites. Our first stop was the 12th century monastery of LaVaudieu. She had to call ahead to arrange for a woman

Neighbor and Soline

who lives nearby to let us in.

Then we walked around the charming little town, which some use as a vacation home. Many of the homes have been renovated; some have not. But it was all fun to see!

An old farmhouse from days of cattle walking through the streets

Of course, we stopped by a friend's home to say hello! He had just had shoulder surgery, so he was glad for our short visit!

French and American flags in front of Lafayette's home

We drove on to see Lafayette's home in Chavaniac-Lafayette where he was born. Unfortunately it was closed, because as the woman who came to the door told Soline, one day no one came, so she closed for the season! We had looked on the internet, and it was supposed to be open until the end of November!

On our way home we stopped for tea at Helene's, another choral friend, who also runs a gite with her husband. Gites are similar to Chambres d'Hotes, which are homes or rooms which people can rent very reasonably.

We came home in the dark to get ready for supper, after Soline made a cherry apricot clafouti! I will post this recipe separately...VERY tasty and very easy.
Thanks for coming along! Next stop....Le Puy-en-Velay.