First you swirl, holding the bottom of your wine glass, watch the fluid stick to its sides, and then you smell the bouquet. Finally your lips touch the wine, and your eyes widen, as you taste one of life’s simple pleasures. There is art in wine tasting. You need a good palette to detect…
In the midst of a new country at the most family oriented time of the year, we contemplate what traditions we might adopt from the French and what family traditions made along the way that we might keep. Do you have a family tradition that is unique to your family? French Christmas Traditions #1 Yule Log –…
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 2 days away, we travel with our friend M to the markets in Narbonne in search of specialty cheeses, fresh vegetables and seafood for Friday’s special meal. Bigger with more variety than our little Capestang market, crowds of last minute shoppers search for the perfect meal…
My inner mantra of inspirational thoughts keep me on track pursuing happiness. These are the top quotes that inspire me. #13 If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten – Tony Robbins #12 Go take on the day – Dr. Laura Schlesinger #11 I want you to get excited about…
What a fabulous birthday! Sushi, shopping, singing with the choir, I couldn’t have asked for a better day! The Polygone in Beziers is an outdoor shopping centre on the edge of the city, not 20 minutes from Capestang, France, where we live. An interesting idea, that has quite a following, and are among the must-sees…
After reading dozens of other family’s stories living with less on the road, I thought about what we were living without and how our family was coping and feeling about it. After 5 months travelling throughout Europe, and living out of 2 suitcases, we learn to live without many creature comforts; high priced books, lattes,…
Canadians. We are a quirky bunch, eh? Being from Canada, more specifically from the West Coast of BC, living in France has been an adjustment. There are a few things that I miss from my kitchen back home that I hunt around for, and other things that I will never be able to replace….
I am not a patient person. My nature is to mow to the end, with little thought of consequence. Always been more important to me to finish, not finish finely. It is my biggest personality flaw. Patiently I wait for patience. #1 Patience While Learning A Language I cannot convey every thought that goes racing…
It seems simple right? Flour, water, salt and yeast; 4 ingredients that bakers spend much time trying to master, the art of the perfect French bread. You can mix them together and put them long and narrow in the shape of a baguette and get the simple version or there are different ways to pre-ferment…
What I have noticed about French recipes is the endless steps. Take the meat out, reduce sauce, add back in this ingredient, separately brown in pan, reuse drippings, marinate over night, add back the browned bacon or onions or both, and hold in a container until time comes. The result is worth it of course…