November 30, 2010

One of My Most Favorite Photos of Paris. Ever.

Dubonnet Sign

I really fell in love with this little café in the 5th during our 46-hour whirlwind visit to Paris last week.
And this photo perfectly captures its atmosphere.

I love the color of the walls and the way the salt shakers are all lined up in a neat row on the shelf.
I love that they have books.
I love the sturdy glassware and that yellow Pernod pitcher.
I love the light fixtures and old signs decorating the interior.
I love the puffy gougères they serve with an apéro in the evening.

And I loved that they happily gave us their wi-fi code, as the Internet in our hotel was annoyingly en panne during our entire stay. 

November 24, 2010

Travels

Barcelona

Barcelona Jamón

Been busy!  Lots going on around here.
A few days there, a couple of days here, and leaving tomorrow for two more days someplace else.
But please believe me, I am not complaining!

Sunset Glow

Boulangerie

Paris

November 18, 2010

What is Your Favorite French Wine? The Twitterverse Responds

French Riviera

Twitter is one of my favorite ways to stay connected with real friends (those of whom, like me, can't resist constantly updating their status in 140 characters or less) and virtual "friends" who share links, recipes, thoughts, jokes, restaurant reviews, travel information and news.

From time to time I like to throw a question out into the Twitterverse and see what people have to say.
Last January I asked What Dish Says "France" to You? and in March I posed the question, If you were a French cheese, which one would you be?

Most recently I asked about your favorite French wines.  Here's how you answered;

  Champagne for me, please! Closely followed by Bandol, Faugeres and Viognier...

I keep wanting to contribute to this but I barely drink so my idea of a good wine is one that is slightly sweet!

  Champagne. Definitely.

  Florenbelle, a crisp citrussy white wine from the Gers, is my favourite

Champagne!

  Chablis of course. Or Sancerre

  always discovering new wines...  but I do like the Côtes du Rhône Beaumes de Venise (muscat, sweet for apéritif)

Red Wine

dry and palest brick-orange rosés for me 1998 was just lovely & very local :)

  I'm really into Bandol red lately, but it's a bit heavy in alcohol content, drinker beware :)

  if can cheat, ; for coolest name+taste, ; else 95=1fav

  Much as I love Burgundy, a southern red would be the top wine for me - Bandol.

Gevrey-Chambertin.

 Pinot Noir!

champagne
 
Mas De Daumas Gassac, Ch. Figeac (St. Emilion), or Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes. I just can't decide

Clairette de Die!

Vins

  Chateau Simone
  
  I love of course & toured Vadin Plateau where I fell in love w/it in France. Gr8 price & gr8 taste!

oooooooh Gewürztraminer vendange tardive. without a doubt. pure decadence in a bottle.

  Chambolle Musigny

  mine a crisp Sancerre or a pudding sweet Monbazillac as an aperitif with ice x

louloufrance Viognier or Muscat St Jean de Minervois

And my favorite Tweet: 
Champagne. Yesterday, today, and always.

Paris

November 15, 2010

Simple. Satisfying. Soup.

Bacon, Bean and Pasta Soup
This is the only decent photo I took. I was in too much of a hurry to dive in.

I am a serious believer and lover of soup.
As soon as the evenings start getting even a slightly bit chilly, I happily grab my favorite soup pot, head to the fridge, freezer and cupboard and start concocting soup recipes.
Almost a different one every night.

November 12, 2010

La Fête du Fromage - Tome des Bauges

Tome des Bauges

Simply put, Tome des Bauges is one luscious cheese!

Its flavor is well-balanced, unassuming and full of mushrooms, salt butter, mild yeast and soft grasses and its texture is creamy and smooth.  I served it with slices of baguette and juicy pears, which matched the flavors perfectly.  It was a tasting that I would happily repeat!

November 10, 2010

Meanwhile, Back in France...

November Colors

November Colors

November Colors

Looking Toward the Montagne Noire

Beautiful Day

November Colors

I'm home!
And I have so much to write about. 

For the moment though, I'm so tired I can hardly think.  So until I get my exhausted self in order I thought I would share some of spectacular, south of France autumn colors that I came home to early Tuesday morning. 

(All of theses photos were taken in 2008, but the vineyards look exactly the same this year)
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