An Afternoon Around Opera in Paris

Last Saturday I returned to Paris to visit the Grand Magasins as they call their department stores. I was more than a little disappointed as the area seemed a little dull. No wonderful shop windows to lick. Everything seemed to be very low key, trying not to attract attention. I'm not sure if this is the result of the terrorism that has unfortunately hit Paris or I just chose the wrong time to visit.

However this is a pretty impressive Apple Store.

Printemps in the sunshine.

I had the most amazing lunch in Place de Madeline. Salmon with dill creme and lentils

and with my cafe creme I was given a spoon that was a biscuit.

Even Place Vendome was a let down. I found myself only taking pictures that took in the blue sky.

And I finished with a picture of the amazing glass dome of Galerie Lafayette.

​ The French Aren't Litigious They Just Take Responsibility

​On Sunday Charlotte, the children and myself visited Salon International de l'Agriculture in Paris. Yes in Paris not in the countryside.

​It was HUGE. Live sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and anything else edible all inside and accessible to all and amazingly it was all spotless. Fresh hay replaced any soiled hay in seconds. I have no idea how they do it but it bloody works.

​I have never seen so many different breeds of animals in my life. Most were massive. In fact it was more like a Mr Universe competition.

​The food halls were separated into French Regions and the fresh foods on sale and the ready to eat versions were to die for. We had a Normandy Duck Sausage Sandwich each which we could have fed an army with. A glass of regional wine was €2.

​The children are only 6 and 18 months but they had a ball. Tiana did a blindfold tasting test and was rewarded with a kid's cookery book and some goodies. Josh was just happy to run around and look at the animals. 

​The children were allowed to touch the animals but it was left up to the adults to keep them safe. After all isn't that what adults are supposed to do? To be honest the children seemed to instinctively respect the animals which I suppose comes from being allowed to be free around them.

​We British are too quick to blame the EU for our Nanny State, this proved to me that it's not the EU it's the crazy litigious society we have created. Too quick to sue someone instead of taking responsibility. We have stolen our children's childhoods from them for money and for that I feel very ashamed.

Inspired by Food

I'm constantly asked where I get my ideas from and I always say - by looking up, sometimes however I get it by looking at food. Nature's pantry is truly inspirational. The colours just sing. Totally possible to copy these colours onto your interiors. Images found on Pinterest.

Killing Time in Longpont

 I love surprises and yesterday I had a very pleasant one. I decided to take a short trip (20 minutes) to Longpont for the simple reason that it looked pretty. Well it was a lot more than pretty it was stunning.

 I walked through a square enclosed at one end by this gorgeous buildng.

A pretty hotel was serving food on the terrace outside so I stopped for lunch. I was given a superb amuse bouche which I was told contained beetroot. It was delicious to be honest I could have eaten a bowl full.

I ordered a simple salad containing avacado, smoked duck and salmon. Delicious. Of course accompanied by a glass of vin rouge.

Along came the local groom and loaded the most beautiful horse I have ever seen. Huge stables are just down the road.

I ordered cafe creme but the milk didn't turn up. Not being a lover of black coffee I wasn't to pleased. However I tasted it and it was perfect. If all black coffee tasted like that I would be a convert. The hot milk did eventually turn up by the way.

The hotel was a typical old French establishment named after the abbey in the village.

A stunning building it is as well.

I wouldn't say no to livng in one of these houses that face it.
Now all this plus 2 types of bread, creamy butter, nuts and fruit, amazing black olives and of course the obligatory bottle of water came to 15 Euros. The view alone was worth that.

Le Weekend - Celebrating a Bean

The French have a habit of celebrating anything. In Soissons at the weekend it was the Haricot Vert Fete. 3 days of celebrating a bean. See I told you so. 

I took Tiana, my granddaughter, who enjoyed every minute. And as is the case at every fete in France

food was there in abundance. Tiana chose Crepe Chocolat and I chose frites with red wine. The bean casserole looked amazing but when I saw the size of the portions I thought I would never make the walk home.

The walk home was beautful as it had been a hot day and we walked along the river in the shade of the trees. Perfect!

Neat Little Delights at Talita's Kitchen

I do love baking but I very much doubt that I could turn out perfect little confections such as these from Talita's Kitchen. Yum!

A Day In Soissons

Today we stayed close to home but went into the city of Soissons. One of my favourite supermarkets is unique. Foods from all over the world and plenty that are home grown. Above is a form of aparagus I have never seen before.

Vapour streams from each counter. 

After shopping we popped into the Cathedral

It is stunning as you can see.

Tomorrow Charlotte and I are off to Paris for a couple of days. Well why not?