My Mélange

On My Favorite French Memoirs

I love to read.  I especially enjoy other peoples travel experiences and accounts of their lives in my beloved France and Italy.  

Today, I have decided to share some of my favorite memoirs that any francophile will love.  

I should preface the list by saying that Peter Mayle was the original Provence memoir author and it goes without saying that his series is the the best of the best about Provence.  If you haven't read any or all of his books, than they should top your list!

A true story of an English girl who sets up a life in Paris and ends up starting a blog of the same name, Petite Anglaise is a recent favorite.  Catherine Sanderson has a way of making the City of Light come alive in her writing.  She reveals all of herself in this honest look into cultural differences, her life, her relationships, her blog, and her daughter, adorably referred to as Tadpole in the book, and of the city that she loves so much.

Cookbook author and cooking school teacher, Susan Hermann Loomis writes candidly about her love of France in On Rue Tatin.  The book covers many years of her life from attending Culinary School in Paris, working and living with a family in Normandy, meeting her husband in the States, and finally settling with family in her beloved quaint village of Louviers, where she restored a dilapidated convent into her dream home.  Her words mingle with some of her classic French recipes from the Normandy region, which makes it even more delicious.

A stunning book series, of Carol Drinkwater's delicious and inspiring life in the South of France, includes The Olive Harvest, The Olive Farm and The Olive Season.  Movie actress by trade, famous for her role in the BBC's All Creatures Great and Small, she moves with her then French boyfriend, Michel, to their newly acquired property in the hills above the French Riviera.  Together they restore an abandoned villa and its property, make friends with the locals, experience the woes of French home ownership, nurture their olive vineyard and entertain countless friends and family. It reads like a French-country dream come true.

Australian native meets the love of her life and moves to France.  Almost French is fun read about an outsider's struggles to fit in, in France.  Stories about trying to get work as a journalist (her trade) in France, struggling with the language barrier, attempting to understand and fit in with her boyfriend's life and friends, making her own friends, and making sense of the cultural differences while living in both the country and right in Paris, are told with wit and humor.

Georgeann Brennan, cookbook author who also runs a seasonal cooking school in California, writes about her experience of moving with her husband from California to Provence in the 1970s.  A Pig in Provence focuses on food and food adventures in the South of France.  Among the highlights are deciding to buy, raise and milk goats, attempting many times to make goat's cheese and the joy of finally getting it right, selling said goat's cheese at the local markets and cafes and joining the neighbors for a centuries old ritual of killing, gutting and preparing a pig.  Many of her delicious recipes are woven throughout the pages.

I need a few more to add to my list.  What are your favorite French Memoirs and why?

My Inner French Girl

Last week it dawned on me that it has been a little over a year since my last trip to Paris.  

*Sigh*

It is sad.  I miss the city, I miss my friend, I miss the food and the language. 

So, I have to get creative in order to bring back that lovin' French feeling.  To get in touch with my inner French girl, if you will.

Here are some of my favorite ways to keep France alive in my heart:

Pop in my favorite French movie, Amélie, for a tour around Montmartre, like no other.

Practice speaking French.

Throw five French CDs  in the stereo, hit shuffle, close my eyes and allow myself to be transported.

Make some crepes. Anything with Nutella.

Splurge on some expensive French wine.

Drool over a slideshow of my hundreds of Paris pictures, pausing to savour memories.

Delve into a new French Memoir.

Buy a bouquet of all-white roses or tulips for the kitchen table.

Visit one of my  favorite local French cafés or restaurants for an authentic French meal.

Treat myself to some French skin care, Caudalie is my favorite.

Leaf through my many French Décor books and magazines, longing to make the changes in my own home.

Visit The Paris Apartment- she always has the best trade pictures.

Go shopping for stylish chic clothes, with that French flair.

Throw on a black trench and a scarf and go for a walk in the rain.

By a new French cookbook.

Take a trip to my local flea-market and scour it for Frenchie finds. 

Visit gourmet markets, scooping up all the French products I can find.

But,the most exciting thing I am currently doing is planning a new trip, but not to France.  I am going to Montréal and Old Quebec City.  Three weeks and counting.  

It's not France, but hey, it is French.  French-Canadian counts right?!

It is only a six hour drive, the dollar is actually worth something, I'll have no airline stress to deal with and it will be a great way to get in touch with my inner French girl.  And hopefully it will hold me over for yet another year.

Hopefully.

***

So, what do you miss most about France?  What are some of the things you do to keep your Frenchness thriving until you can visit again?

Armchair Travels: Stunning Venice

Photo courtesy of Earth Photography.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.  Really good pictures, that is.

Mine, well, sometimes I think they are not worth a hundred words.

For those of you who have not visited, Venice is a city like no other.  It is hard to capture that special feeling without actually spending time there. 

I was perusing the internet, as I often do, and found a photographer who has managed to capture the magic of Venice, through his lens.  Whether it be stunning night shots on the canals or a rarely captured shot of the Piazza San Marco, without a soul in sight, these photos will take you on a magical tour of Venice.

This site, called Earth Photography, also has great photos of Rome, Florence and a few others in Italy.  And if you are sucked in, like I was, you can visit other countries like France, Greece  and Morocco.

It's like eye-candy for travelers.

Enjoy!

NYC...What is it about you?

You're big.  You're loud.  You're tough.

Some of you might remember those lyrics.  They are from a song from the Broadway play, Annie.  They hold a special place in my heart.  

Annie was the first Broadway play I ever saw, and I was lucky enough to play a part in our high school's production of Annie as a teenager.

My first trip down to NYC to see Annie convinced me that I wanted to live there when I grew up. People rushing everywhere, giant buildings, deliciously creative store windows, lots of shopping, hustle and bustle.  

What is not to love?

It looked so exciting. Everybody always in a hurry to get somewhere.  I wanted to be a part of it.

As I got older, I realized that I am a county girl at heart and am happy living close enough to NYC that I can visit anytime I want.

The excitement is only a train ride away.

Our day trip on my birthday did not disappoint.  

We arrived at Grand Central Station.  I made a bee-line for O&Co.  Tasted some goodies, including two of the most delicious and grassy Tuscan olive oils and purchased basil oil and green olive tapenade.

Then it was off to the Central Market. I must tell you, this food market located within Grand Central terminal, has the most wonderful quality produce.  I stood in awe.

We gathered picnic fare like cheese from the King of all cheese shops, Murray's, lobster puffs at Pescatore Seafood, a baguette from Zaro's, white donut peaches and raspberry plums from Greenwich Produce and a little treat from Li-Lac Chocolates.

From here we hopped the subway to Spring Street and exited up the stairs into the bright sunshine with no plan to speak of.

We wandered around SoHo and shopped at some of my favorites.  Sur la Table, Lush, Sabon, Kate's Paperie, Mango, Zara and of course, Sephora.

What girl's trip would not be complete without a Sephora visit?

Shopping bags in tow and stomachs growling, we strolled over to Washington Square Park, grabbed our bench and dove right into our most delicious picnic lunch.

You may ask why we picked this park?  Here, let me show you...

 

Look familiar?  It is a replica of the Arc du Triomphe.  

Always looking for signs of Europe.

Unfortunately, they are replacing the sidewalk here, so the area is fenced off.  This is the closest I could get.

After lunch, while walking along the park perimeter, I spotted this lovely facade.

Upon closer inspection, the plaque told me it was Eleanor Roosevelt's home.

Look at the delicious doorway.  Just lovely.

And another facade.  In honor of our upcoming Moroccan dinner, I thought seeing this was a good sign.

Those colorful mosaic tiles really stood out from the red brick.

Those ornate sconces and detail on the awning completed the look.

Next stop was gelato at Grom.  I will have a review on this in an upcoming post, but I can tell you, it was downright scrumptious.

We strolled toward the East Village in order to get to dinner and we passed some other tempting restaurants.

Oh, if we didn't have reservations already.

We stopped often to window shop at boutiques like this.  This was a great store and I just loved this retro vintage window display.  The church in the background was just as grand.

We were approached many times on the street by people either asking directions or in one instance, looked a bit lost ourselves, a gentleman actually offered to help us.

And people say New Yorker's are rude.  I beg to differ!!

Another observation revolves around change.  New York is a living, breathing, changing being.  

The cafe that once graced your favorite corner, is now an empty space, windows boarded up or whited out.  That boutique relocated and a new florist now occupies it's spot. Businesses come and go, only the best and most well-established carve out their niche and are able to withstand the ever-changing New York market.

We completed the evening with our dinner at Zerza.  Our Morrocan meal was just fabulous.  The spices, the flavors and the mint tea.  All were wonderful.

I would certainly recommend this place for the food.  The service is a bit brisk, so don't go for a leisurely meal, visit for the flavorfully spicy food at a great price.  Our dinner, with appetizers, main dish, drinks and mint tea to finish it off was under $80.  For two.  In NYC. That is a steal!

We were exhausted when we arrived home, after 11pm.  But such is life when you spend the day in the big city!

And it goes without saying that we can't wait to go back and see what the Big Apple holds for us the next time!

On Pastis

photo credit: enjoyart.com 

Vintage Pastis posters, like the one pictured above, scream classic French Riviera to me.

With summers arrival in the south of France, there is a good chance you'll see an increase in the Pastis being passed around the tables at local Provençal cafes.

Grab your slice of real estate on the terrace, overlooking the square, or the Côte d'Azure if your lucky and order a glass of Pastis to take the sting out of the blistering sun.

Pastis is a close relative of Absinthe.  When the French outlawed Absinthe, some manufacturers, like Pernod and Ricard, changed the formulation to be more anise-forward and less alcoholic.

Typically, Pastis is consumed diluted with water, as drinking it straight would most likely singe the hair off your esophagus.  

The waiter will pour a generous amount of the cloudy chartreuse liqueur in the bottom of a glass and bring it to the table along with a separate carafe of cool spring water.  This allows you to add the proper amount of water for your palate to the Pastis and create your own strength of the beverage.  

I love the anise, herbaceous,black licorice flavor.  It is pure refreshment on a hot day.  More subtle and lighter than the Italian Sambuca, which is usually sipped straight up, with out anything to dilute it, as a digestivo, after dinner drink.

Nothing in the south of France should be rushed and Pastis is no exception.  It should be sipped and savoured, like a French meal a fine wine or a summer romance.  Perfect for an apéritif.

It may be more of a fashionable French statement, rather than the best tasting drink on earth. But, as they say, when in Rome Provence! 

Have you ever had Pastis?  What did you think of it?  

Newport : Chateau-sur-Mer

When I heard that there was a mansion on Bellevue Avenue in Newport called Chateau-sur-Mer.  I flipped!

What true Francophile wouldn't?

Chateau-sur-Mer translates to mansion by the sea and that it is.  That it is.

The mansion itself was originally built in an Italianate-style, but converted by the owners in the 1870's to the Second Empire French Style.  It is in under a bit of construction, but I took it upon myself to sneak around and snap some pictures anyway.

That delicious blue-green trim just exudes French decor to me, not to mention the Mansard style roof. It is known for its high class Victorian architecture, furnishings and wallpaper.

The mansion was the grandest residence in Newport, for almost forty years.  That is until the Vanderbilt's came to town and constructed The Breakers.

I snuck around back and found another little cottage.

And some beautifully manicured gardens.

As I came to the end of the property, I saw this gate.  Trés French non?  I walked up slowly and heard men's voices.  I took the shot, but hurried away, as I did not want to get caught.

I did wonder what was on the other side.  Guess I will never know.

Through the trees, I saw the neighboring mansion.  Same delicious French blue.

These massive graceful trees are scattered about the property.  They are European Weeping Beech trees and the pictures don't do them, nor their size, justice.

You could fit your head in that hole.  I think it is only fitting that the birds living on the grounds of these mansions have a bird-house fit for royalty too, don't you?

This side of the house showcases a lovely covered veranda, complete with a wooden awning painted to coordinate with the trim on the house.  I imagine that this is the side of the house where the Fete Champetre, an elaborate country picnic for over two-thousand guests, took place.  

The weathered white stone urns, aged with sun-ripened green moss, stand symmetrically in a row, just begging to be filled with flowers cascading down the sides.  Ivy, petunias, bacopa perhaps? 

A closer look reveals the back of a gold French cane chaise, elegant window dressings, creamy white shutters and a gold curtain tie-back as big as my forearm, in the living room.

A peek through another window shows the small slice of a candelabra with crystal garland and clock resting on a fireplace mantle.  A gold mirror reflects a rose pattern wallpaper on the other side of the room.  I wonder if this is the way it looked in 1889 for Miss Edith Wetmore's debutante ball?

An upholstered ivory linen french chaise is centered in the window while an ivory silk balloon valance is pulled up to let in some light, while a second layer of cream draperies pool on the floor below.  

And this is the adorable little guest house, located in the front of the property.  That little French green garden bench is calling my name.  That would be plenty of room for me to live.  I wonder if they need a gatekeeper?  Or a caretaker?

You leave with the same elegance in which you arrived.  Those arches and urns are just so graceful.

Though I always prefer to tour the outside, tours are available inside as well.

If you are just interested in touring Chateau-sur-Mer, one ticket is $11.00.  You can tour five mansions in the Preservation Society Group for $31.00.

Click here for more information on tours and hours of operation.

Chateau-sur-Mer

474 Bellevue Avenue

Newport, RI  02840

We have progress...

Finally.  Progress.  Garden Progress.

Another little peak at the porch.  Mon petit jardin.

Slowly, but surely we are plugging along.

I found an old rusted wrought iron plant stand at local junk shop, which is a perfect home for my Boston Fern.  We are still sans Frenchbistro table and chairs, as well as a shabby cream chandelier that I imagine hanging from the porch ceiling.

But, we now have shutters!  This is to block the view from the other side of the porch, which belongs to our neighbors. 

Let's just say their side leaves something to be desired. 

Chris worked hard this weekend hinging both shutters together.  Now he just needs to add decorative cast iron feet, so that the wind doesn't blow them over.

I think I may try to find a little old distressed french sign to hang from the shutters. Maybe some ivy dripping down the front in a hanging wall pocket.

What do you think?  Do you see possibilities?  Please share.

Hooray Le Creuset!

Martha has one.  So does Ina, Giada, Emeril and pretty much any chef that is worth his sea salt in the foodie community.

What I am talking about?

The Le Creuset Dutch Oven, of course!

You can spot the ubiquitous cast iron jack-of-all-trades pot in all the colors of the rainbow in magazines, cookbooks and cooking shows the world over.

Ever since I started watching the Food Network I got hooked on the versatility of this quality piece and have dreamed of one day having my very own multi-tasking French Dutch Oven.

Yeah, sure some of the popular celeb chefs like Rachel Ray, Mario Batali and even Queen Martha have created knock-offs of their own, for about half the price, but there was always one thing missing.

It was not a Le Creuset!

Sorry folks, but in this cooks opinion, nothing can compare to that classic French quality and reputation of  Le Creuset. 

Nope, not even Queen Martha or Molto Mario.

Le Creuset is a French brand that has been around since 1925 and is the world's leading manufacturer of quality Enameled Cast Iron cookware. They are the mainstay of French chefs.

The crème de la crème of cookware.  They have that je ne sais quoi.

This particular Dutch Oven is made from a cast iron mold.  The inside is coated in the highest quality vitreous enamel, the lid has a perfectly tight fit which ensures the moisture and flavor are retained in the cooking.  The knob is made from a heat resistant material which is oven-proof to 375*, so you won't get third degree burns stirring your soup.  Yep, we have all been there!

They are very versatile pieces as well.  You can cook on the stove-top, bake in the oven or store leftovers in the fridge...all in the same pot! 

Can you say easy-peazy clean up!

So, why I am I blathering on about all this you might ask?

Well, after 5 years of wishing and hoping, dreaming and drooling, today with a gift certificate in hand, I hauled ass over to Warren Cutlery this morning to be first in line for their 20% off sale. Needless to say, I am now the proud very proud owner of a new Le Creuset Dutch Oven in Cherry Red.

 
courtesy of Warren Cutlery

Isn't she a beauty?  I feel like a teenage boy with his first new shiny red Camero.  Can't wait for a test drive!

My only dilemma now? What recipe I should use to christen my new cookware?

My options are endless.  Risotto, soup, stew, Italian tomato sauce?  Or perhaps something I have never attempted before, like a Beef Bourguignon or Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic?

Oh, the possibilities...

Tell me, do you have a Dutch Oven?  Do you love it? 

What is your favorite recipe to make with it?  What do you think my first dish should be?

Sangria

You all know I am a wine lover, but even I can't bring myself to pop the cork on my favorite Cote du Rhone or Chianti in the  blistering heat of the summer.

No, at that point, it is time for something cool and refreshing. But still alcoholic.

I like to make Sangria.

I know, I know.  It's not French or Italian.  But we all love Spain too right?

Yeah, it is still ok to love other parts of Europe!

Sangria, is like fruit punch with wine, named for the word sangre, meaning blood, in Spanish.  This could be due to its dark ruby red coloring.  It is typically served at parties, picnics and informal gatherings in both Spain and Portugal.

courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

There are hundreds, probably millions, of Sangria recipes floating around out there, most of which consist of fresh fruit, red wine, fruit juice, brandy, ice and some type of carbonated water.

Some versions of white Sangria, called Sangria Blanca, are made with white wine peaches, sliced strawberries, even blood oranges. 

Mmmmm.

Sangria is so quick and easy to make, you can prepare it well ahead of time and you can double, even triple the recipe for parties! 

But, the best part about making Sangria is that you can use a basic recipe as a guide and then experiment with what you think might taste good - add a little twist of your own.  Use what you have on hand, and you might just find that you create your new favorite.

Obviously it is important to use a good quality wine for your Sangria  and make sure it is chilled before using it in the recipe.  Use a Rioja if you want to remain true to the Spanish version, but any dry red will work.  Just make sure you like the taste of it!

For a white version, try a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. 

Here is a basic recipe I used to make a delicious Sangria, found on MarthaStewart.com

 

Summer Sangria

4 oranges, 2 juiced, 2 halved lengthwise and slices crosswise
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup brandy
1 bottle dry red wine, chilled
2 lemons, thinly sliced
2 cups seltzer or club soda
Ice cubes, for serving

In a large pitcher, combine orange juice, sugar and brandy.  Stir well until sugar is dissolved.  Add wine, orange slices, lemon slices and seltzer.  Stir to combine.  Fill glasses with ice before serving.  Serves 8.

 

I prefer to chill mine in the fridge for at least a few hours so all the flavors can mingle, but hey, that's just me!

Ahhh, summer refreshment doesn't get any better than this!  Salud! 

 

>>Other great recipes to try are a Peach White Wine Sangria or the Party Sangria.

>>For more delicious, authentic, creative Sangria recipes visit Spain Recipes or Wine Intro.

 

 

A Chandelier Fantasyland

Chris stumbled into this tent and ran to find me in the pouring rain.

He said I had to come.  Now! 

"Chandeliers, all chandeliers" he whispered. A Chandelier Fantasyland.

I dropped everything.  He led me by the hand, we sloshed through the puddles and wove through the tents.

There it was.  A stepped into the tent. He wasn't kidding.  I gasped, loudly. Took a deep breath in. My heart skipped two beats.

Chandeliers, everywhere!  What more could a girlie-girl Francophile want?

And then there was the artist.  Dorinda.  She hails from Atlanta.  She tells me she is not on the Internet.  This is only her third time at the Brimfield show and she loves doing it.

Her creations are unique.  These aren't just antique chandeliers. She takes an old chandelier metal base, rewires it, adds her own new 100% leaded crystals (which reflect more light) maybe some crystal garland and voila.  A one-of-a-kind chandelier. All wired and ready to hang once you get it home.

Her creations are amazing and she gladly makes custom orders.  She brings her tools and supplies with her and creates during shows. 

Since I have no other contact information, you'll have to visit the Brimfield Antique Show to find her.  Or look up Dorinda  in the Atlanta yellow-pages.

Which one would you pick?