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Linda
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We've got the big ones too. When Maurice was a child he was raised on a farm by his grandmother. Every time it rained the children were sent out to gather snails for a meal, so I'm guessing this guy is edible. The white ones, I've been told, aren't. Not that I would be eating them anyway.
Punchline
Once, there was once a snail who was tired of being slow. He went out and bought himself a really fast sports car... ... and asked the dealer to paint a big "S" on the top of it. When the car dealer asked the snail why he wanted the big "S" on the car, the snail said: Because when I...
It was great to watch that ceremony even on TV. I've visited that cemetery. I don't think there is any place more beautiful and more moving.
On this day, 1945
This afternoon, I have been watching (via TV) the D-Day ceremonies being held at the American Cemetery just off Omaha Beach in Normandy. President Obama is there, along with Prince Charles and Gordon Brown of the U.K. and Stephen Harper of Canada, hosted by France's Nicholas Sarkozy. I decided ...
I haven't tried twitter yet. I never use my cell phone that much anyway. Maybe one of these days...
Reproductive Twitterquette
So you all know about Twitter, right? It's this new internet thing where you are essentially "micro-blogging" in 140 characters or less. People sign up to "follow you" and you can "follow" others, which means you can see what they're Twittering (or "Tweeting") about. Really, it's just another ab...
I read a book a while ago called "Loving What Is" which basically says, if something bothers you and not the other person, you fix it or you do it. I've tried this with my husband and can go along for a while doing the things that bother me but, of course, I blow up now and then. It's hard to not be bothered. It sounds great on paper though.
June Cleaver doesn't live here. Try next door.
It is a clear blue sky day, with a breeze that makes it a bit chilly, but I don't care; I'm sitting outside at the small table in our courtyard, loving the freedom this netbook brings me to work anywhere I choose, in or out of la maison. The good weather is just one compelling reason I'm out t...
I noticed right away that you weren't speaking in 3rd person. I think it's great but I like it either way--whatever you feel the most comfortable with. I just enjoy reading about your life in Marrakech no matter who tells the story.
Marrakech: and a tale of shishas, hookahs and the legal funny stuff
Oh, I know it's not right. Oh, I know it's wrong. Smoking. I mean, my mother is a doctor. My brother is a doctor. My father is a health specialist. There are no excuses really. But there's something about smoking.......smoking an apple shisha that has me throwing caution to the wind. Now ...
I need to increase my vocabulary as well. Right now most of my newest words have to do with driving.
Roundabout
I seem to have discovered a rather roundabout way to expand my French vocabulary. I am teaching English to a 13-year-old girl. She's the daughter of a good friend of Georges; she is learning English in school but she seems to have been struggling with it, and her parents decided a tutor was in...
Happy Birthday! I predict that this will be you best year yet.
Deep breath... I. Am. Forty. [ugh] Eight.
What do you mean, one day I'll be 48? Are you freaking nuts?
Joan Rivers is another celebrity I saw once, this time in NYC. She is so tiny. I used to love her on Johnny Carson, etc. I'm so out of American culture now that I don't think I've ever even seen her daughter and her on TV. Ah, the age thing. I'm just trying to make every year-and day-full and interesting so I don't have any regrets when I can't zoom around anymore.
What I think of birthdays
Blech! I spit on birthdays! Yeah, it's next week, on Tuesday. Am I excited about it? Not on your life. I think I have now officially reached the age where it is just no longer fun or cool to get another year older. I am very fortunate to be living my dream to be in Paris and to have a wonde...
I like the glamorous and luxurious myself. It's fun to see how a place is decorated if money is no object.
Let's try this again: your advice needed on my Moroccan interior design book
She had been hard at work. On her Moroccan interior design book. Because the deadline was looming and the editor was waiting (gulp). But she thought she'd take a breather and find out what you think. This book was for you after all:-) Online Surveys & Market Research Oh dear, not sure if t...
I never "got" cheese and some people's obession with it until I moved to France. I often make cheese and wine my dinner now. The milk used to make cheese here isn't always pasturized and it sure does make a difference.
Cheese For Dinner
Murray's Cheese is often celebrated as the best cheese shop in New York. Frequently I walk past it and wonder, "If I go in there, what will I buy? And how can I make a meal out of that?"
Keeping my fingers crossed for you. It may indeed be too late but you never know until you try. I'll light a candle for you two next time I'm in a church.
Pluses & Minuses
I just took a look at my blog to see when I last posted something. It was on Friday. Today is now Monday Wednesday shit, what day is it? Tuesday. I am clearly losing track of the days. Time is slipping past me and I'm barely noticing, even when I forget scheduled appointments or nearly forgot to...
I'm another who loved West Wing. I need to keep a lookout for the series on DVD. I've had many "sightings" in my life for some reason. My latest was Paul MacCartney in Paris. It certainly brightened my day.
Starstruck (or, more reasons to live in Oxford)
There are lots of reasons to live in Oxford. The way the streets look when the chestnut trees are in bloom on a sunny May afternoon. The lovely architecture and the relative peace and quiet of the grounds of the Oxford Union. And, well, the opportunity to meet Toby Ziegler. And hear P...
My two oldest grandsons living in Switzerland now speak perfect Italian with no accent and, it seems to me, very little effort, the little sponges-in less than a year. Sigh.
Happy, happy, happy
Lately, the Little Guy has been surprising us by randomly coming out with new words and phrases... in English! He is not yet learning English in school as his maitresse is teaching the class the fundamentals of German (I guess at this age, the kids learn whatever their own teacher knows best),...
For a minute there I thought he bought you a dog. What a nice surprise. He sounds like a great dog.
Operation: Khaki Attack
On Saturday morning, something strange occurred. Fauxhawk awakes at 8:00, showers, dresses and leaves the house smelling fragrant and wearing a pair of pressed khakis. Pressed khakis. Who knew he had a pair? “But where are you going?” I ask. “A lotta of moving parts today, P," he says, ...
I think anyone who is an artist at heart-that would be you-is entranced by changing light. I certainly am. I don't notice it as much in a city but I sure do in the countryside.
The Light
The light plays a role when you live close to nature. The light plays a role in my life, and the older I get, the heavier the long, dark winters seem to become. Spring, with its light mornings and long, late nights is a blessing. Late one night Terje and I decided to let the suncell lamps res...
Isn't it fun to see the differences? Just looking at what the French eat for breakfast is intriguing to me.
Thou Shalt Know Thy (French) Husband
Okay, Linda... you got me. Your post with the meme, "French Husband" was very timely, as I added a discussion topic to my Facebook Fan Page to talk about what it's like to be married to a Frenchman and was wondering what to post there as an opener. Problem solved! So of course, I had to do the ...
I certainly hope you get some flowers on mother's day, you deserve some. I had to laugh--I was looking at an old post that I wrote about 3 years ago and saw your comment:
You certainly make me feel much more optimistic about my dating prospects when I move to France in November. I have never been married but after my last serious relationship ended in 1998 I guess I took what ended up being a very long break from dating, too, focusing on my work instead. I did once have a vacation fling with a Frenchman when I was about 22 but he ended up not being such a nice guy, so it\’s really good to read so many bloggers who are married to wonderful French men. Just goes to show you can\’t generalize about people–thanks for that reminder, and if a French guy asks me out, who knows?!
Who knows indeed.
Oh, I'm a real Mother now...
It is 12:19 am on Sunday as I begin this post. Yes, it's unusual for me to be blogging at this hour, but I have just had to go upstairs for the second time in 20 minutes, following Georges making several similar trips earlier. Why? Because the Little Guy and his sleeping-over best friend were ST...
What a fabulous view. A nice way to relax.
Lazy days and a tempting soup.......
A short visit of summer is the best thing that can happen on May 1st and a few days before and after. The birds woke me early, and ever since then I have been outdoors. Alot of the time writing, reading, knitting, dreaming.......even sun bathing.... The rhuburbs are groing high, and for di...
I almost set my hair on fire once with an American curling iron and an adaptor in Europe. I don't have any trouble now, years later, with an American curling iron since it is dual voltage. Glad they figured that one out.
Reader Mail #2: Will it fry if I plug it in?
Reader Paulita sent in a comment on another post with questions that I thought were worthy of a more in-depth answer so that other travelers might benefit. She asks: Do you have any trouble using American electronics in France? Do you just use an adaptor when you plug in? Worried about my hair s...
I'm late with my congratulations. I'm sure you will settle in very quickly, especially when you are having help from on high.
My angel showed up
I was in Oslo yesterday. The day started with mass in the basement chapel of the old Bishop's Mason in the old part of Oslo. In a niche, back in the chapel, there was an angel. His eyes met mine as soon as I entered the room, a tiny wave with his wings was meant to be seen only by me. "Fly" h...
My favorite potato salad recipe:
Using potatoes and a few boiled eggs cut up into eatable pieces, add finely chopped onion, finely chopped dill pickles, some chopped red bell pepper-grilled, seeds and skin removed. To all of this gently stir in a vinargarette made of olive oil, vinegar and mustard, a small amount of mayonaisse and even a little bit of mustard if you like the taste. Salt and pepper to taste. My mother use to only use mayonaisse and mustard and a little pickle juice which was ok but I really like the taste of the vinegarette.
PS-no problem accessing here. Maybe it's because I have a typepad account.
Two Blue Garden recipes from The Blue Café - and a question
Boil the potatos. Peel and dice. Mix with extra virgin olive oil, Maldon salt and fresh chives from The Bue Garden. A winner. Boil the eggs. Peel and dice. Mix with majonaise, lemon juice, sat and garlic. Another winner. Focaccia. Always focaccia. -------------------------------- Do you...
My parents have never been to France, not even for my wedding. They are at the age where travel is difficult so I don't think they ever will. I would love to take my Dad to the WWII sites in Normandy but I never will. Sort of sad but what can you do?
Not according to plan
Well, it's my last day in New Jersey -- this time around, anyway. Funny to think it's over already, although at the same time I'm feeling ready to come back to Paris. Seems like my toleration limit for country life is about 10 days; after that I start getting antsy for the city again. Even my in...
I love Cornwall and I'm sure it is your sort of place-perfect for photos, walks and dreaming.
Where my travel dream might take me.........
Did you ever read Daphne du Maurier as a young girl? I read Rebecca, was transported to Cornwall and the world was never the same. Ever since then a small seed has been patiently waiting in my travel garden. Waiting for its time. Waiting to grow. To bloom. Many years ago I got one of these sm...
I just saw this woman on the French news. She is now world famous. It just makes you happy.
And now, a cheesefest
When you watch this video clip, four things will happen: 1. You will lose any small shred of respect you may have for me. Les Miserables? Andrew Lloyd Webber? Really, P.? Is that how we roll now? 2. You will then jump out of your seat and start pumping your arm, Arsenio-style. Trust me, it wi...
I cried like a baby. What a surprise. Never judge a book by its cover, huh?
And now, a cheesefest
When you watch this video clip, four things will happen: 1. You will lose any small shred of respect you may have for me. Les Miserables? Andrew Lloyd Webber? Really, P.? Is that how we roll now? 2. You will then jump out of your seat and start pumping your arm, Arsenio-style. Trust me, it wi...
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