Since it is only about a month away, I guess it is now ok to mention the word 'Christmas'. I try not to pay attention to it until we get closer to the actual date and I feel like a month is enough time.
We were in Belfast last weekend and got to marvel at the lovely Christmas market over there (I also wanted to eat absolutely everything but since it wasn't even 10am when we walked through it, French tartiflette and other savoury delights might have been a bit indulgent. I settled for a sugar crepe at a French stall, and it was really delicious with its orange blossom flavour). Visiting it really got me in the mood for all things Christmas.

This year, I decided to make our own advent calendar. I usually get one every few years but I thought a homemade version would be nice for a change.
I thought about what would my dream food advent calendar be like. Imagine waking up each December day leading up to Christmas Eve and finding some wonderful sweet delights. I would wake up to find some French pastries (croissant, pain au chocolat), desserts (Paris-Brest, tarte tatin, profiterole, chocolate mousse) or mini sweet things (macarons, meringue kisses, madeleines, chocolates), that would be the absolute sweet dream!

But let's face it, the logistics of it are a bit difficult (I don't think it would be a dream to find some days old desserts sitting in one of those boxes for a while) and I am not sure my stomach could cope with it. Let's leave some room for the Christmas feast!
Instead, I filled our advent calendar with various delicious chocolates and coffee capsules (I don't drink coffee but E. does so I thought it would be nice to have surprises that suit us both).

What would your dream food advent calendar be like? Sweet or savoury?

A couple of weeks ago, this happened: the most delicious crunchy cocoa meringues with a soft gooey centre covered in many indulgent delights. And when I say delights, oh my! It was so wonderful I wanted them for breakfast, lunch and dessert. I served them with a good dollop of whipped cream and drizzled not one but two wonderful sauces on top: dark chocolate with tonka bean and salted caramel.
Let's just say it was so deliciously rich and indulgent that 'oohs' and 'aahs' of food happiness resonated in the living room a whole afternoon.

Over the past few months, I have made a bigger effort to take regular morning walks, rain or shine (even though shine is much much better for obvious reasons). Because it is getting colder, I know that I will find myself wanting a few more minutes in my cocoon/warm duvet. But those walks get me all energised for the day and surely, I can keep the lazy lie ins for the weekend. So, I put on many layers of clothing and wrap myself in my new gigantic super fluffy and warm scarf et voilà! Ready to tackle the cold and head out for a refreshing walk.
The other thing that also makes me want to go out in the morning on that walk is the view. Kilkenny Castle Park is just so beautiful this time of year and I love the quietness of it early in the morning (well, it only opens at 9am this time of year so that's as early as it gets!). I always meet the same people: dog walkers, joggers, the eventual few visitors and other people having a nice calm walk with some music on, just like me.
I have become familiar with the different corners of the park but as the months pass by, nature keeps varying with colours changing, leaves falling, different time of seasonal plants and flowers growing. I even spotted some holly already packed with its red berries. I really hope we get some snow this Winter because I would love to see the park covered in white and hear the sound of crunchy snow under my boots.

Do you take walks during the week or at weekends? Where do they take you?