Recipes

We are going to a 4th of July party on Tuesday. The party is a neighborhood tradition.  It is very low-key and fun.  Most people come up from the beach just before the party starts so it is very casual.

It is potluck.  My assignment was a main dish or large salad.  At first, I heard that I had a dessert assignment.  Desserts are not my forte.

The first assignment sent me running to my recipe file.  I have lots of cookbooks if necessary but I prefer to offer something tried and true.  I actually have two recipe files, one from Paris and one from the US.  They have some redundancy, probably 50%.  Since this is the 4th of July, I hit the US file first.

The file is a trip down memory lane.  I can remember when, where and for who I made each dish.  I often write on them to note the date, any changes I made to the recipe and if it worked out or not.  Many of the pages are stained and tattered.

Finding the dessert recipe wasn't hard.  It is the recipe from Terry's Mom for a "14 Carat Carrot Cake".  Nice.  The cake is delicious and very large so I knew this would work.  My mother-in-law was a good cook and baker and she always made a homemade cake for Sunday dinner when we were guests.  I put the recipe on the counter so that I could buy the ingredients. Then, I heard back from the hostess/organizer that my assignement is now salad.

Back to the file for my Mom's "Palm Valley Chinese Chicken Salad".  Again a time-honored winner. Every time I've made this I've been asked for the recipe.  My Mom used to scour the LA Times Thursday Food section (it doesn't exist anymore) for interesting new recipes.  The salad is going to the party and I think it will be a hit.

The most fun part of this exercise was the recipe research.  I thought happy thoughts about my Mom and Jean, my Mother-in-Law and I miss them both.  I'm lucky to have all their recipes.

Having Too Much Champagne

is never a bad thing.

I try to wait for champagne to go on sale and then take the caddy to the local Nicolas and stock up. 

Emma With Voltaire

We took a walk in St Germain des Pres a few days ago.  I wanted Emma to meet Voltaire.  His statue is on rue de Seine.  She seemed impressed. 

Addicted To My Fitbit

I have been using a Fitbit since 2014.  I received my first one as a birthday gift.   At the time, it was hard to set up and I wasn't sure I would use it. 

Suddenly my phone would light up with a walking achievement -- 20,000 steps in one day, 35 floors climbed in one day.  It started to take hold.  Cumulative weekly achievements and daily goals now are my everyday thoughts. 

I should add that I'm on my 3rd Fitbit.  

Yesterday before going to the airport to fly, I took off my Fitbit and I thought I carefully put it away in my purse.  On arrival, I couldn't find it.  I searched and searched.  About half way through the day, I gave up and ordered a new one, scheduling the arrival for the same day because I can't miss too many days.

Then, I was tinkering on my computer and realized that my Fitbit had synced.  I don't think it can sync from far away.  So, back to the search.  I tore everything up again and finally found it, tucked safely in my coin purse.  Yeah!

But, now I have to return the new one that I ordered.  I guess that's a good problem to have.

Test

French Dog Park

Our preferred dog park is the Luxembourg Gardens. 

Dogs are allowed to go in about 1/6 of the garden.  It's not the nicest part of the garden, not many flowers, not much grass.  A lot of dust at this time of year.  A large area has old horse chestnut trees that provide a beautiful green canopy in the Spring and Summer.  In the Fall, they provide mounds of dead, brown, fallen leaves that the dogs love to sniff, jump in, roll in and play.  Dogs walk home from the garden with dead leaves hanging from their mouths, bellies, ears, feet.  Once in awhile, there is a dead bird that can be sniffed by all the dogs before it is cleaned up by one of the gardeners.

There are guards that patrol all areas of the garden.  They don't have much power, they don't have guns, but they have whistles.   There is a little grass in the dog area.  But neither dogs nor people are allowed to step on the grass.  It's really hard to keep a dog off a patch of grass.  If the dog takes one step onto the grass, there is an immediate and persistent sound -- the whistle blowing from a distance by one of the guards. 

If you break a rule, you can get a ticket and will have to pay a fine.  Some of the guards are relaxed and lenient.  A few are filled with importance at the sound of their whistle.  These guys also seem to have eyes in the back of their head.  Whistle blowing, I've got to quickly think up an excuse, in French, when he approaches to tell me that dogs are not allowed on the grass.  He never believes my story, but I've been spared the ticket so far.

Imagine, you can't go on the grass!  It's just not fair. 

Found Pumpkins, Early This Year

It was easy this year. 

Normally, I spend several weeks running around town trying to find a pumpkin or two to help celebrate the Fall.  In the past, I've found them in weird places like a little shop on Avenue du Maine and in normal places like the Marche aux Fleurs.  The marche doesn't have them until mid-to-late October.

Yesterday morning, I was at the outdoor market at the metro stop, Corentin Celton near the end of the Line 12.  It is a great little market and the travel is easy for me.  I had a list of things to get because we are having guests over this week.  As I rounded the corner with a bag already heavy from the stop at the poultry butcher, heading toward the produce stand that I prefer (there are about 7 or 8 at this market), lo, pumpkins.  At first I only saw the typical little orange ones but as I looked around, I saw these beautiful squash too.  I asked the man for these three.  He looked at me like I was nuts.   Why would this woman want three of these?  These are Fall decorations in our household, not food!

I am so happy that I found them so easily this year.  They will grace our apartment until after Thanksgiving and, maybe, if they're still fresh enough, they might become dinner.  

By the way, I had a very heavy load on the metro after this shopping excursion. 

Kinda Depressing Here...

Everyone I meet that lives here in Paris is complaining about the bad things that are happening right now. 

Strikes
Demonstrations
Terrorist Attacks
Bad Weather

When will it end? 

This isn't just friends talking, it's complete strangers.  I was in the vet's office with Emma today.  A woman came out with the same breed and we talked for a few minutes. At the end of the conversation she reminded me that Paris isn't always like this, we'll have to live through it.  I agreed. 

Then the vet said basically the same thing, almost apologetic.  

It's pouring rain right now.  Pouring, not just rain.  It's June 16. Isn't it supposed to be getting sunny?  It's not even really warm.  At least when it rains, the demonstrations aren't as big.  Who wants to run around demonstrating in the driving rain. 

When there's a strike the buses don't run as often, so we have to take the metro.  Now, on the metro, I look at every person in the car.  As the train is pulling up, I look into each car and do a quick assessment of terrorist threats.  If someone looks a bit odd and has a big backpack or suitcase, I pass on that car.  I haven't sunken so far into the fear zone that I let that metro train go by and take the next one, although I've considered it. 

OK, now it's sunny.  What's that all about?  Now I have to take my sunglasses, my umbrella and wear sensible shoes just to go out.

Trash Strike

In addition to rolling transportation strikes and demonstrations, higher levels of security and the normal bureaucracy here, we are now having a trash strike in my neighborhood.  This is on rue Vaugirard at rue Cassette.  The street was blocked for repair work.  Immediately homeless immigrants set up shop (maybe 7 of them) on the sidewalk.  Now everyone must be dumping their trash here.  There's plenty of trash on the sidewalk too.  It's starting to get warm here and the trash has been out for days.  The inevitable leaks are starting and making the sidewalk pretty gross. 

I hope it's over soon.  It is really hard to walk a dog in this kind of mess and I'm afraid to open my windows on the street side of the apartment. 

Shortage Of Fresh Food

I've been the the local G20 twice this week, both Monday and today, Wednesday and both times, I've left almost empty-handed. 

I'm glad that I went to the outdoor market at Corentin Celton last weekend or we'd have been in trouble by now.

As I was checking out today, I asked the cashier why there was such a limited supply of fresh food.  She replied that they get their shipments on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  I guess they have sold out of the good stuff by the next day.

I guess I have to adjust my shopping days but I'll also have to adjust the hours that I shop I guess.  Probably the shipment doesn't come first thing in the morning and if it does, no one will put it all out on the shelves right away, so I will have to consider a T/Th/Sat afternoon trip I guess.

The flower market has the same schedule, so maybe this is something French?  No idea.  I'll have to ask around.

Waiting For Godot

Here in France, it's almost a hopeless exercise to assume that a package will be delivered properly.  On time, in good condition, the right product is my definition of "properly". 

This morning, we're waiting for our UPS package of mail.  UPS is our preferred carrier for this kind of thing.  DHL is horrible and Fed Ex is more expensive.

We get emails that tell us exactly when the package will arrive.  By 10:30 today.  But, it's 10 AM and no package yet. 

Sometimes the guy that delivers it is in a hurry and he doesn't even buzz our door.  Hours later, after we've been waiting all morning, we get an email that we weren't home when he came so we need to deal with it. 

Once we really weren't home and the guy left it with our guardienne who gave it to one of our neighbors in error.  That had to be recovered too. 

Well, I'm wrong. Today, he came within the time window.  I've only waited for about three hours, but it was all worth it. 

Happy Birthday

Emma is one today.  I think back one year ago to realize how hard it was to get her.

The first breeder fell through and I scrambled to try to find another puppy.  I didn't know for sure that I'd get her until I got to the breeders and fell in love with the little girl that has now chewed up the furniture, requires walks when I'm tired and has generally changed the pattern of my life for the better.

She's traveled with me, shopped with me, slept with me.

It's been a wonderful, invigorating year.

We Survived The Windstorm

An El Nino storm blew through town yesterday.  First we had rain.  It was nice, not too hard, didn't last too long.  Then the wind whipped up.  Howling, growling wind.  Things were banging outside and the house was shaking.  The lights were flickering on and off.  I lit candles and charged all my electronics, just in case. But, the lights stayed on and we enjoyed staying inside.

Emma is little.  I tried to get her to go outside.  She got to the door, the wind gusted in and she decided to wait.  Afraid that she'd blow away, I finally had to put her on a leash to take her out.  We all survived.

And the best part of a big storm is that when it's over, we get to go outside on a nice sunny day.

Here's Emma enjoying her morning walk in the park.

Emma's First Christmas, In Her Words...

Can you believe that she put this on me?  I can't imagine being seen outside like this, of course.  I had to act quickly so I pretended to be impaired.  I walked sideways with my tail and my head down.  This got an immediate reaction and this stupid Christmas bow is history.  (I hope it doesn't show up again on the 25th...)

There are many things to do around here that aren't Christmas related. I've been keeping in shape with several dreadful forced marches per day.  I've added yoga to the routine and it seems to have made me much more "zen".  I almost forgot to chew up the chairs today I was so relaxed.

My favorite activity continues to be sleeping on the furniture, which I do about 20 hours per day.  They have really soft furniture and it washable so if I jump up and put dirty prints all over, they don't get too upset.  I try not to chew my bully sticks on the furniture, they might stain.  I'm learning manners even without that silly class they make me attend every week.  Basic Manners, ha!

Merry Christmas!
Love, Emma

Flying The Flag

I've seen several French flags over the last few days.  This one is wonderful. It is on a beach house on The Strand in Hermosa Beach, CA. 

The American flag is on the right (hard to see) and the French flag is on the left.  It makes me feel proud that Americans are showing their solidarity with France.  We all need to stick together at this time. 

I Don't Think The Pilgrims Were Gluten Free

I haven't been in the US for Thanksgiving since 2007.  Celebrating Thanksgiving in Paris is a combination of difficult and easy.   Ingredients like cranberries are becoming easier to find in local markets.   I used to go to the store called "Thanksgiving" in the Marais with my cart and stock up on cranberries, stuffing mix, pumpkin and evaporated milk every year.   It was a wonderful ritual. I ordered the turkey weeks in advance from the butcher and I always got a very nice, small "fermier" turkey. 

The beauty of Thanksgiving celebrated in Paris is that no one else is celebrating so the stores aren't crowded and everyone goes about their business on the day after Thanksgiving.  No Black Friday madness, it's just another day. 

This year I've already ordered the turkey from Bristol Farms.  It will be excellent but it won't be "fermier" even if I get one that is free-range, organic, and ate only GMO free food.  It will still have the fat body of an American turkey.  I will have to start planning my shopping around the holiday, leaving enough time and energy to get everything done. 

In Paris, I don't have to worry about the parking lot being full, there is no parking lot.  But in the US, everyone comes out at once and the lots are full.  My brain switches immediately to US standards as soon as I pass through US immigration and I strive to park in the closest parking spot possible.  No walking to and from the car for me when it is possible to park close to the store.

Two things are different here in the US.  I was in the gym yesterday when the well-meaning trainer was giving a lecture on not indulging during the holidays.  Not very French of him.   In France, people live for the holiday meals and relish them.  They can make up for it tomorrow (or yesterday) but the feast is to be savored.  I am in agreement with this and I will enjoy the traditional foods that we eat only once or twice a year.  The other thing that's different here is "gluten free".  In France, I'm starting to see some packages of food with starbursts saying "sans gluten" in the stores.   You would never hear someone talking about eating gluten free or requesting a gluten free meal.  It doesn't exist. 

Thanksgiving is laden with gluten.  Not sure if wheat was even a grain that was around during the first year in the New World.  Corn was around.  Is corn gluten free?  I'm not sure. 

French people love stuffed food. It's called "farce" and anything from meat and poultry to veggies are stuffed with a variety of ingredients.  A stuffed turkey is a once a year pleasure.  Yes, the stuffing is gluten-laden.  I can't even imagine what stuffing would be like without bread as a base.  And, I guess you can make gravy with something other than flour but I am not sure I could figure it out and perfect it in time for Thanksgiving.   People that are gluten free can avoid the gravy.  What about the pies?  Laden with gluten.

So, we've strayed from whatever the Pilgrims really ate during their first Thanksgiving but we have our traditions.  I will enjoy the holiday in the US. 

Shopping On Sunday

When we first came to Paris there were two things wrong here.  A cup of coffee was too small and all (or most of) the stores were closed on Sunday.

I learned to enjoy "un cafe" and now I drink a small amount of very high quality coffee.  Starbucks invaded Paris years ago. There are several within walking distance but I've never been inside a Paris Starbucks, no need to go.

The Sunday shopping is another story.  When we lived on rue de Seine, the Buci market was nearby and a Champion supermarket plus the outdoor vendors were right there every Sunday morning until about noon or 1 PM.  Yes, it was really crowded but I didn't have to worry about not having something for dinner.  The stores and boutiques were all closed. 

We now live in a neighborhood that is very strict, there is one small bodega that is open on Sunday.  There used to be two but one turned into part of the Bread and Roses upscale restaurant, gallery and market and it is closed on Sundays and every imaginable holiday.

While I've learned to do other things on Sunday and not plan on shopping, the ability to shop still seems important to me.  I understand that the French get together with family and friends on Sunday.  I still want the ability to shop. 

Fairly new is a law that opens several parts of the city to shopping by deeming them "touristic".  Tourists may only have one day in Paris to shop and if all the stores are closed, opportunities for revenue will be missed.  The Champs-Elysee has shops that are open but I would never go there.  Too difficult, too easy to get pick-pocketed, too many tourists.

But a new shopping area in the 15th has been built near the Seine.  It was a shopping center in the past, but it was a run-down area that was a bit far from any metro or bus.  The only time I went was when I had to go to Darty.  Darty moved when they redeveloped the area and I stopped going entirely.   Now I have a new shopping destination on Sunday, Beaugrenelle.   I think it has over 100 shops, most of which are open all day today. 

Travel With The BT

This Summer, Emma has traveled five times.  They were all car trips.  She stayed at the Park Hyatt Aviara, The Homewood Suites, the Four Seasons Residence Club and now she's added a trip to Cambria and Ventana in Big Sur.  She didn't complain too much about the long drive back from Big Sur.  It took all day on Saturday. 

Now, we have our big trip coming up.  Our flight to Paris.  Emma likes to travel in style, as you can see from our Summer's adventures.  So, we just upgraded to Business Class which will give her a little bit more leg room.  She will also get to visit the Air France lounge both in LA and Paris, lucky girl. 

She's been groomed and she has a new crate with wheels for secure travel.  I think she's ready.  My purse is now filled with treats and poop bags, both of which, I'm sure will be needed at some point.  I've got her matching leashes and collars.   She'll have to wear a harnass on the plane so that she is more secure.  But once we're in Paris, she can revert to her purple collar and leash, they look very good on her.

I also have a folding cup for water for her and a small blanket.  I think we're ready to travel with the BT.  Her pet passport is even up to date.

The USDA

To take an American dog to France, you have to have your dog examined by a USDA accredited vet and then take the (extensive) paperwork to the USDA for approval.  You have to do this not more than 10 days before your arrival in France.  So, if you weren't already busy enough, this adds some excitement to the trip preparation activity.

The vet went smoothly.  They have a "concierge" who is knowledgeable about the paperwork and completed it (for a $$$ price) for me.  I had to be aware of what Emma needed to have done in advance but it wasn't too difficult.  I got the paperwork yesterday but we didn't finish our appointment until after noon and the USDA is only open from 7:30 to 11 AM.  So, I got up earlier than usual in order to get to the USDA when it opened. 

When I arrived, they had a "take a number" machine.  Having been in France for a long time and also being a Cost Co member, I am familiar with these machines.  I got #23 and it was 7:31 AM so I guess everyone has the same idea about arriving on time or early for this activity. 

I took a seat and looked around.  It seemed that the majority of the others in the waiting room were professional animal movers.  They talked and joked among themselves, telling stories about the Jack Russell that got away or the cat with the claws.  At 7:30, this isn't funny at all. 

They finally got to #23 and I went to the window.  Bullet-proof glass, like someone might try to rob (?) the USDA or kill someone.  I'm not sure which.  It was relatively serene.  The woman behind the glass enclosure took my paperwork, my credit card and my driver's license and then announced to the group that she was going on her coffee break so she'd be gone for awhile.  Perfect!  Maybe that's why the need the bullet-proof glass.  I was salivating for a cup of coffee. 

The time passed.  I ended up sitting next to another woman who was relocating with her dog to France.  We chatted.  Her name was called, she got her paperwork and left.  I waited.  Eventually a man called me up to the window, handed me the most official looking set of papers that I've ever seen.  He was a USDA vet.  He answered a few of my questions and off I went with Emma's French paperwork.