My First Big Fat French Wedding!

 OK, admittedly, it's not my big Fat French Wedding, but it is certainly my first wedding.  After 8 years of living in sin (whatever that is!), Granddad John and Gran Kat finally tied the knot, there by setting a much better example to the young people.

There were lots of people at the wedding besides me, including Great Auntie Sonja and Great Uncle Dave - (Gosh - that makes them sound positively ancient, doesn't it?)  Although Granddad complained a lot, I was the only one who cried.  I believe it is traditional for weddings - however, I should point out, I wasn't overly emotional or disapproving.  It's just that 3.30pm is prime nap time for me, and I didn't appreciate being woken up.  I didn't get any of the pink champagne either.  

WAITTING!!  WHY AM I WAITING?

Things did however look up once we moved onto the reception at Bastide des Magnans.  Dating from the 18th century and surrounded by mulberry trees, this attractive restaurant with rooms was originally a monastery, and now provides a most charming setting for a gastronomic adventure.  


Baby Led Weaning rules OK!  Yes, Yes, YES!!  I had it all.  Three hours of delicious tasty morsels, as I careered through the 4 course menu.  Who else but a baby led weaner would have sat so patiently?  First there were the nibbles (l'amuse bouche, if you want to get all technical on me).  I especially enjoyed the polenta cakes.  The starters were fabulous too: asparagus tart (white and green) in a creamy sauce.  I managed to work my way through a large slice, before scoring this delicious chilled tomato soup.

The garden in the summer - we MUST go back!

No one thought I would have room for any main - but it was delcious garlic roasted lamb with a rosemary jus, with baby veggies.  I even managed to squeeze in some of Auntie Sonja's baked cod.  Then there was the cheese course - a bit of a worry, I'm afraid - I mean - what happened to pudding?  Then it arrived after all - raspberry mouse, chocolate tart and icecream.  However, the real delight, which left me (literally) squealing for more was the lavender scented creme brulee.   Heaven on a plate - even though Mummy wouldn't let me try the sugar topping.  I am only 8 months old, after all.


So, it is official - I am a gourmet baby.  Tsshhh...  everyone was amazed...  but it is only custard after all.  I didn't get to try the coffee - but just when it seemed the Fat Lady really had sung, they turned up with the petit fours - that's French for even more dessert!  The little lemon meringue pies were divine.  The only calamity of the evening came when Daddy ripped the Rum baba from my sweaty grip, panicking in case it might actually contain alcohol.  It didn't.  Boy, did I protest! 

The Bride and Groom!

So there you go - my first gourmet dinner and my first wedding.  On the whole, I liked it.  I liked it a lot.  


Here's the happy couple.  I think they look rather lovely, and I love their taste in food.


Big kisses to Grandad and my new Gran 


Love Madeleine  X x


Les Bastide des Magnans is open daily for discerning diners of all ages. 

Miss Madeleine's Most Excellent Gifts

A week of chilling winds and cold February drizzle is enough to keep me inside, all cosy with Mummy and Ginger Cat, getting acquainted with my things.  It is quite amazing how quickly a little person like me can acquire stuff.  Only seven short months ago, I had virtually nothing, and now my things seem to fill most of the house.  So today, I thought I would share with you some of my most excellent gifts.

Uncle James made Rabbit and I a blanket!

First off, may I invite you to admire this excellent pink blanket, woven by Uncle James.  Yes, Uncle James actually wove this for me on his loom!  That's right - he actually has a loom in his sitting room.  I was amazed too.  It is doubly amazing as it is practically the first thing that Uncle James made, and demonstrates he is both extraordinarily clever and has remarkably good taste.  He also chose this fabulous pink colour, (Auntie Junia may have helped) which co-ordinates with lots of my outfits and with Rabbit (who was a Christmas present from Auntie Dorothy and Uncle Peter). 

River Cottage Baby!

My second treasured possession for your perusal is the River Cottage Baby and Toddler Cookbook.  Nana Betty bought this for me when I was born, even though I wasn't really very interested in eating then.  Nana Betty has great foresight, you see!  So, since I hit six months, this gift has really come into its own.  Mummy has lots of cookbooks - I do mean lots - there are so many, that she uses them to prop up the monitor on the desktop.  (That's a very old-fashioned computing device that will be obsolete before I'm old enough to read this).   However, this book is special as it is the only book which has recipes especially for me!  Mummy likes the way each recipe comes with adaptations for little babies (like me), older babies and small children.  Apparently it means she doesn't have to think too much.  These are some Apple and Oat Muffins that Mummy made the other day - however by the far the best hit has been the breakfast pancakes.  They were delicious.  When I'm a bit older, I'll get them with a wee drop of maple syrup too, but for now, they were yummy with fresh strawberries.

Talking of my talented Nana Betty, do cast your eyes over my most excellent Fair Isles cardi.  Nana Betty knitted this for me, even though she has been poorly lately.  In fact, she has produced so many lovely cardigans and jumpers for me since I was born, I think the Inland Revenue might soon become suspicious that she is going into full swing industrial production without the relevant licenses.  She doesn't even have a loom, like Uncle James.  Maybe Granddad will buy her one?  It suits me though, doesn't it?  I think it probably means I am very, very loved, and extremely fashionable, which is rather a wonderful combination.

Talented Gran Katia can paint!

Finally, I just have to share this.  Gran Katia has painted me.  All I had to do was pose for a quick snap in my pretty red outfit, and that was sufficient inspiration for her to produce this rather flattering portrait of me.  Mummy and Daddy have been debating whether my eyes are really that blue, and whether my lips are really that red - a bit of Max Factor going on there, we suspect.  Over all I think I have one hell of a talented Gran.  I'm really looking forward to seeing her and Granddad in the summer when I can get down and messy on the beach for real.

I have some really lovely things.  How kind everyone is.  Lots of hugs and cuddles to everyone who has so generously given me such nice presents.   Mummy however has reminded me, I'm not to get too materialistic - it is never a flattering quality in a small child.  So I'm going to finish up with a little video of me getting one of the best presents of all - the gift of fun and giggles.  We are playing peek-a-boo.  Fabulous game - you should all try it!   Giggles and smiles - one of the few things that the more you give away, the more you have.

Lots of love,
Madeleine  X x

Babies Who Brunch: The Swing

Today I have invited my Mummy to do a guest post.

From ladies who lunch to babies who brunch, The Swing - Colinton Parish Church’s community cafe - is quite the place to be.  Staffed entirely by volunteers, the emphasis is on home baking and local sourcing, whilst all the profits go to charity.

A gentle walk down the Water of Leith, either up from Juniper Green and through Spylaw park, or through Colinton Dell (but lots of steps if you go this way) might make you feel better about sampling  the homebaking - daily fruit crumbles, cakes and scones. Whilst £3 for a baked potoato and filling, £2 for a homemade soup, or £1 for a scone with jam is easy on the purse in these credit crunch times.

It is not just Mummies who use this place, but we are clearly welcome.  The bright and airy space with pleasing views across the river, also boasts a safe place to leave your buggy (though you could wheel a sleeping child into the seating area without attracting dirty looks), lots of highchairs, and a playmat with toys.

Madeleine impressed the “waitress” - oh, did I not mention, there is table service too? - by being a baby led weaner.  “Never” she said sceptically, as I tried to explain this new fangled approach.  However, no one raised an eyebrow, even after Kate and her had boldly decorated the floor.  We did clear up after ourselves of course!

On the way back, we nipped into Spylaw Park, which has recently had new play equipment installed.  There’s now 2 baby swings.  Perfect.  So here it is, Madeleine’s first swinging experience after lunch at The Swing:

She loved this swing too!

The Swing Cafe, Colinton Parish Church opens weekdays during term time.

Great Railway Journeys

Getting up my strength 

Another busy week!  


Friday was the occasion of my first great rail journey over the Firth of Forth.  Here I am, a lady in waiting, at Haymarket Station, trying to get my strength up for the excitement to come, with a sneaky nap before we set off.  Mummy did her best to impress upon me the significance of the occasion by holding me up to the window and gesticulating wildly as the train approached the Forth Bridge.  Unfortunately, I was more interested in my first Starbucks Breakfast.  Having disposed of the croissant in timely fashion, I was still occupied investigating the bag!

Generally, my learning to eat is going quite well, though my favourite food continues to be yoghurt and bread.    This week, I have tried asparagus, strawberries, spag bol, Danish pastries from Falko (possibky the best bakery in all of Scotland), cottage cheese, pear, porridge, braised pork belly, chive sausages, steak pie, pea soup, boiled eggs and Turkish mezze.  I liked everything, except the porridge.  I did give it a fair go, but quite frankly, I prefer toast in the morning.

This week also saw an unscheduled first visit to the National Gallery.  Mummy forgot the rain cover for my buggy, so when it started to sleet as we came down the Mound last Thursday, she bumped me down St Mary’s steps at speed, and dived in.  There are about 114 steps, so together with the rain cover crime, this is probably the bad parenting equivalent of a Greggs sausage roll and a can of coke. 

Once inside, having totally failed to interest me in Turner’s Water colours, which were gifted to the gallery on the basis that they are only exhibited in the cold light of January (next year, maybe?), she moved to the Catherine tried and tested formula for small children in big galleries. It’s called Babies and Bosoms.  The object of the exercise is to see how many of each you can spy.  It’s a little disconcerting at the moment, as there’s actually a picture of St Agatha, who had her breasts cut off to prove how pious she was.  So there they are: on a plate in the foreground. Eurghh!  

Apparently, if things becomes really serious, you can also move onto spotting dogs.  We also found two lobsters.  Perhaps we can work those in for when I am older?

Anyway, I thought I would finish up with this picture of me looking gorgeous.  Apparently red suits me!

Doesn't it just!

The exhibition of Turner Watercolours is free to visit and continues until 31st January.  Older visitors may appreciate it more.

Big Bad Bard

Burns wrote aboot Haggis

Alls the Bs today.  Today I attended my first storytelling performance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in the Royal Mile.  All the Bs today, as the topic was Robert Burns or as the Scots would say, Oor Rabbie, who infamously wrote some impenetrable poetry aboot haggis and fieldmice.

The second B is for the storyteller.  B here definitely stands for BRAVE.  Imagine being asked to entertain twenty under 2s for forty minutes with nothing but a finger puppet hen and a model of Nessie.    All told, she did remarkably well, and the performance, although (in my humble opinion) not half as amusing as the Singing Kettle, wasn't the disaster those kill joys (like Granddad) would have predicted.  Instead, we all listened to the Scottish songs and rhymes....  I may even work my way up to a story eventually.  The story teller also has an extremely impressive wooden chair.  One needs a little drama in ones life, I think.

Inspired by the Scottishness of it all, tonight I ordered Haggis for my dinner.  Although Haggis, Scotland's national dish, is made up of sheep offal all simmered up nicely with some oatmeal and spices in a sheep's stomach, the B here is not for Bugger that... Like my Big sister, who was mightily partial to it, I actually also thought it wasnae bad at all...  Here's me pontificating on my first taste....

So, the final B is actually for Bucket List.  Mummy and I are finalising it at the moment: 100 things to do before you're 5.  It takes some time to think of the top 100 priorities, but trying haggis was definitely one of them.


Tiny Tales for babies 6 months to 2 years happens once a month at the Scottish Storytelling Centre Edinburgh and costs £6. 

Weekend in the Borders

View from the back door 

Had a great weekend trying to trash Auntie Dorothy's lovely cottage in the Borders.  Beautiful sunny morning - even though it is Scotland and January - perfect for a brisk walk across crisp frost-covered fields, though Mummy was less than sporting, and point blanked refused to mount the stiles with me in the backpack - even though that would have been more fun.  However, this weekend was really about chilling out in front of the woodburner, good friends and eating monstrous amounts of food....

This is the weekend where I discovered Oxtail Stew (courtesy of Auntie Junia) and bread pudding (thank you Uncle James).  Fortunately (for Auntie Dorothy), there is a nice big wooden wipeable table and nice virtually indestructable wooden floors.  You can't even mash things into the leather sofas that well.  


I am also learning how to hold court, and get everyone looking at ME adoringly.  Isn't it working well?  I love it when a plan comes together....  

However, forget the local pub with award winning food and open fires; forget the stunning views over the hills; forget the stillness and quiet, apart from the brook burbling gently beneath your window.. because there is one thing in the cottage which is better than any sunny January day, or view, or bracing walk...

What joy it was to sit on this window seat... how happy I was to reach for it...

It is definitely the most exciting thing in the place....

It's....

Oh yes!  I just *love* this wooden fish.

Kingfisher Cottage is available to rent at hugely reasonable rates.

Beginnings

My name is Madeleine, and I have just turned six months old.

So far, life has been jolly exciting.  Since being born at home, unexpectedly, in the bathroom, it's all been fairly damn eventful.  I have fallen asleep in the Sistine Chapel, completed a scary term of Water Babies classes, which seem to involve having my head dunked under the water an awful lot, ridden on trains, planes and automobiles, pulled some sizeable chunks of Ginger Cat's fur out without admonishment or injury (to me at least), and watched an awful lot of other people eating, everywhere from rustic pizza joints to fancy French restaurants to chocolate shops in Tallinn.  (My parents like their grub).

crepe is messy!

However, in the last month or so, as I have begun to wake up to the world, things have really starting hotting up.  First off - none of this sitting idly by whilst everyone else chows down - no Sirree!  On 23rd December, it suddenly came to me in a blinding flash of inspiration, and I made my first full grab for my Mum's BLT whilst airborne, en route to Heathrow.  (Three weeks later, I'm pleased to report I've had my teeth in an authentic French Chocolate and Chantilly crepe, a full Christmas dinner and I even nearly got some ice-cream last night).  This is me giving the chocolate crepe my best shot.  I'm afraid my table manners possibly need a little more work....

Last month was also my debut attendance at my first theatrical performance (The Singing Kettle).  Darlings!  I LOVED THEM!!  And sat completely transfixed throughout the entire performance, despite all those gloomy predictions from well-meaning on-lookers who though I might be a "bit too young" to enjoy it.  Huh!  "You cannot throw your Granny off the Bus" (cos she's your mammy's mammy) was clearly the high point for me.  However, my Mummy assures me that once I have had a broader range of experiences, I will probably develop something called "taste" and become a little more discerning.

My Mummy has also been exposing me to modern art, on the off chance I have talent.  Here I am, engaged in some early art appreciation with my Daddy.  Scary Big Baby eh?  Bet she got stuck in the birth canal!

Anyway, that's a bit about me.  I'm led to believe The World is a totally spiffing place.  I'm also told I'm rather adorable, and not only  highly intellligent, but most likely hugely talented or especially gifted.  This exploring business is going to be a hell of a lot of fun.

This blog is all about my adventures in the big wide world!

Please feel feel to join me!  We are going to have a ball!

Love Madeleine

                X x