Michaelmas Day

Michaelmas Day is traditionally the last day of harvest and St Michael's Feast Day. By pure coincidence we enjoyed a meal last night that would tie in with this feast where goose is the traditional food.
We started with Foie Gras. We have been saving this since Beccy brought it back from her trip to France back in June. I don't recall ever trying it before but I have to say it was delicious. I do worry about the ethics of rearing geese but I guess it's the same for a lot of our food as Sam pointed out to me. So I might just be converted!!
This was roasted free range chicken I bought at another local market and Sam made a wonderful bread salad to go with it. She made up the recipe as she went along based on one she has used before. I can tell you it tasted pretty good. Now all I have to do is remember exactly what she did so that I can reproduce it!!
Of course we had a bottle of champagne to help the chef in the preparations and then a bottle of Gewursztraminer.
I'm really not turning into a food blog but with Sam staying I'm making the most of her culinary skills.

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September 29th 2006: what-is-today

What is today ?

Well apart from being Friday its actually Michaelmas Day. Did you know Michaelmas means Michael's Mass. The flowers (Michaelmas Daisies) traditionally bloom on September 29th which is 'The Feast of Saint Michael'. Saint Michael was the warrior saint of all angels.

I am sure you all know it's the feast of St Michael the Archangel who led the army of angels that hurled Lucifer from heaven for his treachery (I cannot take credit for this knowledge this is quoted from my daily read 'Daily Mail') I did however know that it is traditionally a time for feasting. I am still feasting on party leftovers and my friend, Tina, is coming for lunch to help out. Later this afternoon we will go swimming at my local pool which is about a 3 minute walk away. This is another of my new regular jaunts and it might use up some caleries gained from the feasting!! By the way the picture was also in the Daily Mail and is from a painting in the Tate gallery. The article written by A.N. Wilson is very interesting and I have been reminded of country traditions remembered from my childhood. Such as Michaelmas is traditionally the last day of harvest and beginning of autumn. Sam this may interest you and Fred given your penchant for 'fois gras', feasting was on geese as they were plump and plentiful. So to anyone who happens to be celebrating today enjoy your feasting.