Life Lessons


"Figuring out our gifts in life is part of our journey to becoming enlightened human beings.” – Allison DuBois

Showing posts with label Croissant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Croissant. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Returning to France - Day 13

Song - Moon River by Clapton & Beck




The morning began with the death of a croissant! 
It wasn't pretty but it was delicious.  




Then we were off to see the gardens of Villandry.




Beautiful as ever but they were kind of in between......the bulbs were mostly finished and they had just done some new plantings that hadn't begun to bloom. The "bones" of this amazing garden are still intact and beautiful.







As I walked around the greenhouse to take a peek inside I stumbled upon these little beauties growing wild along a stone wall.







We had lunch in the courtyard near the entrance to Villandry under large umbrellas.



Quiche and a salad for me and salad with prosciutto for Mr. B. 




We both decided that we were a little too tired to go to Chateau d'Usse (the sleeping beauty castle) and returned to our hotel in Chinon to rest.  I had been up coughing for the last five nights and had laryngitis. It's always best if the navigator on the trip and can't speak above a whisper! 




Later that night we dined outside at L'Entrepotes in Chinon.

While the service and food were delicious, they had AstroTurf on the ground and bright fuchsia colored pots scattered about as well as plastic table lamps.  But as night descended and several glasses of wine later.......I mellowed out!



Here is their wine list that they bring to your table!

I'm thinking I'll get over the fuchsia glasses as well.



Mr. B had a huge platter of salmon as a first course.



And prawns in a Provencal sauce for his main.



While I had a humongous plate of duck!




And an amazing chocolate cake.




The light from the moon guided us back home along the rivers edge.....




"I've never seen a moon in the sky that, 
if it didn't take my breath away, 
at least misplaced it for a moment."

-- Colin Farrell 


Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Returning to France Day 7

Song - These Are the Days by Van Morrison


Jackie, Sydney and I got up early and headed to Pierre Herme's bakery near Saint-Sulpice.  We stood in line, in the rain to get a fresh croissant.  They are popular and go very quickly!


It was so hard to choose once I saw all of that goodness in front of me!




.....but it was just breakfast time!


 So I stuck with my original decision and got a croissant....but it was a Passion Fruit crossiant!



 Oh my graciousness was it wonderful! Every last crumb!




 With our souls having been filled by that yummy croissant we ventured around the corner to Odorantes - a tiny flower shop filled with sweet peas, peonies, ranunculus, freesias etc.  They were not quite open for business yet so we headed over to some other local shops.



Cire Trudon a candlemakers shop.....


Souleiado a Provencal fabric & clothing shop.......


 A few posies were around the corner in Le Marche Saint Germain and begged to be photographed....





 After dropping off our purchases at the hotel we Ubered over to E. Dehillerin in the 1st Arr. for our copper fix!




 I have been known to bring home copper pots for Mr. B in my suitcase - large ones too! This time I spotted a small pan with a very beautiful shape but figured that I would wait to buy it until Mr. B and I return to Paris in a few weeks. No sense lugging it around France for all of that time.



And guess what time it is?   Yup.  Lunchtime!  We wanted to eat at Cinq-Mars near the Musee d'Orsay but there was a 30 minute wait as we did not have any reservations. So we walked around the block and did some window shopping.....well maybe stepped inside a few places.  Like this cheese shop - just for a quick sniff!








By then it was time to be seated at the cafe and eat.........something yummy!



Sydney and I each ordered the Morel mushroom omelette...... 




And Jackie had the asparagus and terrine......




Once again our souls were happy!


Sydney took off to explore while Jackie & I headed back to our hotel to wash our hair.  No dinner tonight as we were all too full!


"In France, cooking is a serious art form
 and a national sport." 

 -- Julia Child

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Fields of Gold

Song - Heart of Gold by Neil Young




Monday I took a leisurely drive up to Napa Valley to see the mustard in the vineyard and to walk with a dear friend.  I passed some Belted Galloway cows or better known as Oreo Cows!!!

Since I was early in meeting my friend, I decided to head on up to Yountville as a "Krwa-son" had my name on it!



While I was at Bouchon, I decided to get a couple of croissants to share with family and friends.  After thoroughly enjoying the buttery, moist, light, flakey roll, I placed the bag with the remainder of them in the far back of the car so I wouldn't be tempted to nibble as I drove.





My friend, Helen told me that the mustard had just opened up last week and it is beautiful. Actually it was a lovely warm winter's day. We had a delicious lunch and then walked around downtown Napa and past the Victorian homes called painted ladies and through the park.





We stopped by the Gallery where Helen shows her jewelry and hand dyed silk scarfs.  She is incredibly talented, brilliant, creative and has a heart of gold...... 



This morning, I woke up early and ran into the kitchen and grabbed a perfect croissant and ran back to have breakfast in bed while Mika gave me the stank-eye. 

Two lovely days after a tough month! Thank you Helen...... 




Scratch & sniff HERE........(jk)






"It's your road, and yours alone.  
Others may walk it with you, 
but no one can walk it for you."
 --Rumi

Monday, November 9, 2015

Ahh....that Smell....

Song - Life is Just A Bowl of Cherries by Rudy Vallee





Woke up to a warm Fall morning in Napa and this was the view outside of our hotel bedroom. And while Mr. B attended a business conference, I drove up to Yountville for a little breakfast and to people-watch.



The line to get into Bouchon Bakery was down the street which is normal for them.  I waited in line anticipating what was inside while enjoying the bakery scent wafting from the door. Mmmm....




Once inside the door I could get a glimpse of what I might want to order.....definitely a loaf of bread to take back to Mr. B and a couple of plain croissants.....and......




...I might need one of those chocolate & almond croissants......and.....




.....they had a few things ready for Fall celebrations.....
(Sorry I can't let you scratch & sniff....it was so wonderful that you will just have to believe me!)



The baker was just pulling out some fresh bread from the oven to test and turn.



Nuff Said......




Quote for the day:




Friday, April 8, 2011

Pierre Herme

Yes it really was an incredible croissant! Yesterday morning for breakfast we walked over to Saint-Sulpice and found Pierre Herme's beautiful little shop. They only had 5 croissants left by 11:00am. My friend Sydney got one with rose jam in the center! All I can say is...Yum and we will be back!
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