Moi, flâneur

I was born to flâner. Whether on foot or bike, I prefer to stroll, unlike the anxious traveler who obligatorily shoots hundreds of photos, spends way too much on trinkets, or darts from here to there at a break-neck speed. Pas moi.

One particular rue to flâner the next time you are in Paris is near the boulevard Haussmann in the quartier de l’ Opéra. I discovered Rue des Martyrs quite by chance; I soooo craved an English scone! (I cannot eat yummy british food with a frenchman around) Within a few footsteps from the coude-à-coude crowds along Haussmann is a pocket of tranquility, a street where one can dawdle. There is une fontaine, une boulangerie, une poissonnerie, une boucherie, un fleuriste, and an English Bakery!

Mon Beau-Père once told me that Paris is full of surprises like this and it could take a lifetime to discover them and once you do, start over.

Le Petit Nicolas

Paris is quite mad about les livres Le Petit Nicolas and so am I. Written by René Goscinny and illustrated by jean-jacques sempé. The series of books written for jeunesse, remains utterly popular even though published in the late 40s. I usually find these books in libraries, supermarchés, and bookstalls along the Seine river.

Each year I add a new one to my collection, they are perfect for those wanting to read en français without needing un dictionnaire! And we all still need to laugh as we did as kids, non?

En France...

Alas, we (and our boys) are in France! It took mon mari no time to pick up again where he left off as a Parisien, either. Today, he instinctively tucked freshly purchased crusty baguettes (not bagged here in Paris) under his arm and tore off the tip to savor for the long walk home. If you’ve spent any time in France, this endearing quality is one your heart will skip a beat for.

Our little men are assimilating in the City of Light, too. They are gesturing charades, playing cards and skate boarding with French kids. They gladly eat pink macaroons or Madeleines instead of chocolate-chip cookies, trade Orangina for Coke, cram into the crowded Metro instead of automobiles, or boldly counter “merci”, not “thank you”.

Me? … Sipping a bowl of café au lait each morning, watching les (damp) Parisiennes walk undaunted under their umbrellas along the Champs Elysées, relaxing at the country house outside of Paris, fingering Rhodia notebooks in the many papeteries, reading livres en français on the Rive Gauche, or simply standing in a long line for fresh baguettes… I adore France. It is not really what I’ve accomplished or what I’ve seen here – rather a “state of mind” where I’d like to linger for a while.

Marshmallows = Summer

Voilà! My first attempt at marshmallow-making

When I eat marshmallows, I think of backpacking trips deep inside of Montana’s breathtaking forests. By night, I am usually huddled near a warm campfire, my fingers sticky with burnt marshmallows. Here’s to l'été (ma saison favorite)!

10 Days & Counting

In ten days, we’re off again to Paris to visit Maman and experience a little joie de vivre!
Follow us as we nibble our way around France.

Les Fleurs

Our newest chocolates: Montana Chokecherry

April (Snow) showers brought May flowers