… of joy. An unexpected gift (thank you, Mrs. PC!) arrived in the post the other day, “A Thousand Feasts” by Nigel Slater. As the cover blurb describes it, this is a memoir of sorts, and, if the first few chapters are any indication, an utter delight.
I really enjoy reading Slater even if he can (sometimes) come across as slightly fussy. I prefer to think he is simply being particular. I would say that, as I’m certainly particular about particular issues. But never fussy, oh no…
Can we all agree that strong, black coffee should be just that, and if a warmed croissant isn’t served with an offering of apricot jam on the side (ok, or strawberry at a pinch) then it probably isn’t (another) sign of end times? No need to fuss. Although, if we are going to hell in a hand basket at ever increasing speeds, surely apricot jam isn’t too much to ask? Anyway, I’m not fussy, oh no…
Back to small moments of joy. I often recall a favourite breakfast we shared with friends on the road many years ago. We’d taken the overnight boat to France, and (some of us, no names) had probably explored the outer limits of how many pints a person should consume in a ferry bar on a choppy cross-channel trip.
Designated drivers aside, we were feeling a little worse for wear as we rolled up to a small railway station cafe somewhere in Picardy. It was just as you might imagine – wicker cafe chairs, red check cloth covered tables, and a dapper waiter. The waiter was poised in every sense, happy to take our breakfast order, and never mind our mangled French.
Petit déjeuner? All the essentials – strong dark roast coffee, chewy country bread with a firm crust, and warm flaky croissants. Oh those croissants! I get warm and flaky just thinking about them. (And yup, for the children, they were served with apricot or strawberry jam on the side!) How I enjoyed that restorative spring sunshine breakfast – nothing fancy, and a perfect meal!
Right, enough with the reminiscing, I’ve got to go make a cup of strong coffee and get back to reading “A Thousand Feasts” – both are recommended! I’ll finish by saying this is a splendid book if you enjoy wonderfully descriptive writing on people, places and cuisine. It’s often amusing, very observant and it celebrates the joy found, home or away, in small moments. For me, that’s most welcome in these broadly troubling times!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
The small moments are often the big ones!
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Agreed!
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Ahh, those small joys are most often the big ones. Enjoy devouring that book Adam, it sounds absolutely divine, and the weekend coming up too. To joyful times and croissants! (with apricot jam). 😋
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Thanks, Miriam! We had a wet weekend, but maybe there were warm croissants (with apricot jam) to get us through…
I hope your week is going well!
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Oh boy you had my mouth watering here, pc. A French croissant buttery and flaky, I’ll be thinking about that all day. yum. I loved this post and how you deftly weaved the small moments in. And I had a hardy LOL about the fussy moments. This sentence got an extra big guffaw: “Although, if we are going to hell in a hand basket at ever increasing speeds, surely apricot jam isn’t too much to ask?” Cheers to you and special moments, my friend. P.S. – thanks for the book recommendation.
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Thanks, Jet! If all else fails, reach for the apricot jam… (and when that’s gone? No idea – end times?!)
I hope your week is going well!
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What a beautiful setting to have coffee. Gorgeous view! It sounds like the book would appeal to me, with descriptions that would help you see and even taste the food.
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That coffee was taken on the Plains of Abraham, towards the citadel.
The book is a good read, great descriptions of what’s on the plate!
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A small moment but a wonderful aside from that handbasket bound for down under. Tasty and refreshing, with a new book to discover and enjoy. Thanks!
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Thanks, Walt! If we’re heading at breakneck pace towards oblivion, I’ll be armed with a good book and a pot of apricot jam…
I hope your week is going well!
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Loved the wonderful photos this week and the debate about fussy vs. particular!! The book sounds great and I tried to add it to the pile of books I discovered at the bookstore today, but it was out of stock. Wonderful celebration of small moments of joy and hopefully I’ll be celebrating Capitals and Leafs wins this week!!
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