Happy Holidays
Bells are tinkling as the draft horse makes its way through downtown, carrying passengers in its pioneer-style wagon, a fixture at Christmas and New Years’ in Louviers. Cars clog the streets, people dance along the sidewalks balancing parcels and shouldering bags, patisseries and boulangeries are full-to-bursting as people pick up their mini, moyenne, and grandes […]
Nutmeg Logs
Its’ almost Christmas, but there is time for one last cookie recipe, and here it is. These little treasures are a tradition in my family and I’ve made them every year since I can remember. They’re quick and they fill the air with their nutmeg scent. Waste no time – get into the kitchen so that, […]
Academie du Talent
The Academie du Talent of Louviers highlights young, local talent who, during their one-year tenure at the Academie, meet professionals in their field, perform, and travel together. The goal of this unique program, created by Louviers’ mayor Francois-Xavier Priollaud, is to help set these talents on their professional path, through whatever means are available. When the mayor […]
Exciting Times and Gift Ideas
It’s on the radio, it’s in the papers, it’s probably on the television: the results of the COP21 is THE topic of conversation here. Along with the French regional election of course, where the socialist party elegantly moved out of the way in regions where it risked dividing the vote, potentially making room for far-right candidates.* What […]
First Christmas Cookies
Baking Christmas cookies is not a French tradition, unless of course one is from Alsace, where traditions are much more German than they are French, thus cookie-oriented. But baking Christmas cookies is clearly part of our tradition, and I just finished my first batch. Now, the kitchen is redolent of cinnamon, cloves, chocolate and toasted […]
Happy Thanksgiving Memories
It hardly seems possible that Thanksgiving is already a memory. Wasn’t it just summer? In any case, happy times need to be shared, and so do luscious recipes. I’m using a few photos here submitted by guests (notably, photographer Francis Hammond), because when I’m the cook, I am concerned with one thing – getting food on […]
Thanks and Praise
We’re getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in a very small way, then in a very big way, then a third time in a medium way. That’s Thanksgiving when you’re an expatriate; you get to do it when, where, how, and as many times as you want! As I plan for the upcoming meals, shared with […]
Concarneau – Brittany’s Best
Brittany. It’s a magic land. I just returned from a few days respite in Concarneau, in the Finistere, a bustling sea port of 20,000 settled around its crown jewel, the Bay of Concarneau. City planners long ago knew the beauty they held in their hands, and specified that houses on the coast could be of any […]
Resilient
This is how I describe the French. Despite the events of Friday night they are out in the streets and cafes in force, somewhat subdued but present; there is time for drinks and laughter, hugs and solidarity, the force to say “Meme Pas Peur”, “I’m not even afraid”, a phrase kids say to bullies […]
Details from the Week
November and another delicious class has just ended at On Rue Tatin. It is always hard to say goodbye when so much has been shared, even for a few days. It is amazing how attached we become through cooking and eating together, visiting the market and marveling at the details of life in a French town. […]
