Sometimes it pays to take a siesta.
Blissfully unaware of visitations–even deaf to the invasive sound of the garlic drying fans at work day and night,
in our neighbour, Pierre-Louis’ vast new barn–I slept in the cool, behind closed shutters, sheltered from the afternoon heat.
When I awoke–Meredith–who got up a little earlier–told me there was a gift waiting downstairs.
Alice, our neighbour, who earlier this year was the bearer of much sought after morels–had brought another seasonal gift.
I was still half asleep and didn’t immediately twig what it might be.
In fact I found myself showing scant interest.
Alice had already departed, so there seemed to be no rudeness involved in staying upstairs and wrestling with an idea for a blog post.
Eventually thirst got the better of me (not curiosity) and I came downstairs for a glass of cool water.
There it was on the counter in all its rough beauty–a stack of new garlic–pulled from the earth a couple of days ago, now offering itself for use in the kitchen.
What a thrill for someone who cooks!
Robin Ellis 
What a thrill indeed! Everything’s better with a little garlic in it. 🙂
Well most things!
Perfect neighbours…. they bring inspiration for cooking ánd for writing with one gift. You must feel very lucky with such friends.
We don’t grow garlic here in Holland, but my neighbours across the street do bring me flowers from the garden sometimes, for which I’m gratefull too. And I have a neighbour who is 92 (!) years old, who loves to cook for me sometimes. Imagine that…. And with the food came many stories about her younger years. Wonderful stories, wonderful lady.
Have fun cooking up a storm with the garlic!
Dieneke
Alice–Meredith says–is making garlic soup tonight.
Does her soup come with stories too?
For us Italians have garlic as gift means “good luck” and we use done a plait and put behind the kitchen’s door. Enjoy!!!
Thanks for telling me that, Beatrice–garlic given as a gift brings good luck–lovely!