Joyeux Dimanche- Paris: Life & Luxury

Lady Fastening Her Garter

(also known as La Toilette)

1742

François Boucher

Just one week left to see the beautiful exhibition, Paris: Life & Luxury, at the Getty Center.

Before The Ball

1735

Jean François de Troy

Have a beautiful Sunday.

Orange-Flower Pavlovas With Strawberries-Bon Appetit

I found it! I knew I had found a recipe that included Orange Flower Water but I couldn't find it.

Then, yesterday, I was looking at my April issue of Bon Appetit Magazine and there it was. For the full recipe go here.

It was my first time making meringues. They came out perfect.

My first time making strawberry coulis.

Perfect.

Mmmm. Strawberries and whipped cream.

Put it all together and serve.

La Vie En Rose Restaurant- Brea, California

Photos are from La Vie En Rose site.

We had a fun spa day that ended at a restaurant in Brea called La Vie En Rose.

I had Escargots Bourguignone (Snails Baked in Garlic Butter and Parsley) and then a divine Lobster Bisque served under a pastry shell. The rolls were baked fresh and served with butter. Of course! For dessert, we all shared a warm chocolate soufflé. When we left, I was able to practice my terrible French and the French hostess was very gracious. It was a wonderful, wonderful day.

Nectarines and toast

Before we went to spa day, Rosalie, my sister-in-law, served this to me for breakfast. I love her pretty plates.

Back at Grandma Dee's house, the hummingbirds were in full force. Seriously, twice as many as last year.

I felt very French that day!

Summer Camp Was Making Me Fat

Now that 5 is going to Summer Camp my life has become more sedentary. I drive him there, come home, write, drive back, pick him up and drive home. We felt swim class is important so I drive him to swim class and sit on my butt while he exercises. All of a sudden I noticed my pants were getting tight. I also didn't feel very good. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my fists clenched. Too much sitting makes me stressed? Weird.

This is a mommy's life in Southern California. Things are very spread out.

Last year I had it all worked out. I just hung out and did what he did. Run around the block, walk to the park, chase each other, play ball? Yes! Picking up a 40 pound kid 30 times a day, making sure my core is strong, adds up. He's the best trainer I've ever had!

But things have changed and so must I.

There's always a solution.

Now, I drive him to summer camp, walk to the grocery store, walk home, do some writing and walk back to pick him up.

This adds up to a minimum of 5 miles a day.

I have also changed one other little thing. Instead of picking up things by bending over with my back (which was really hurting) I do a squat. I call them Lego squats. I must do 100 Lego squats a day.

My legs feel awesome and my pants are happy again.

A quick summer meal

Shaboom writes from Paris, France:

The weather here this summer has been quite strange with temperatures in the 50s and 60s most days since April. So the soup I posted yesterday has been perfect. But I've been reading about the massive heat waves on the East Coast in The States so I thought I would share with you my favorite hot summer dinner fix.

I make a salad based on tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. I sometimes add either tuna, chunks of ham or chicken strips but tonight it was strictly vegetarian. I added green olives, artichoke hearts, cucumbers, salt, pepper and "velours de balsamic". I always do a lot of chopping but you can save yourself a lot of time if you add the cheese, olives and cherry tomatoes whole...

10 minutes tops. It's easy. Try it for yourself!

Ramen for One

Shaboom writes from Paris, France:

When I need a quick meal or when I'm feeling too lazy to cook, I sometimes make Ramen soup. It's not very French Skinny but I don't eat it like I did in college. Back then I'd crush up a package of Top Ramen noodles and barely add water before heating it up for 3 minutes in the microwave. Then I'd add the flavor package and stir it up. It had less of a soup consistency and more of a mac 'n' cheese consistency. A very salty non-cheesy mac 'n' cheese.

Now I actually make it a soup. I add tons of water, heat it on the stove and throw in whatever I have in the cupboards - canned corn, frozen peas, chopped up deli meats, hot peppers, you name it.

Today it was cold and grey so I felt like soup. I added veggies, hot sauce and an egg. It was tasty and took me about 5-10 minutes from start to finish.

Try it for yourselves!

Joyeux Dimanche- OaKoAk

I was introduced to OaKoAk, a French street artist, at My Modern Metropolis.

I love them.

Have a wonderful Sunday

Paul Martin's Bistro

The Sgt. Major and his wife took me to Paul Martin's Bistro.

Their motto is, "Eat organic. Believe in sustainable. Buy local."

We started out with oysters on the half shell and calamari. It was gone so fast I couldn't take a picture.

I ordered the appetizer size ribs that were so tender, I could have eaten them with a spoon.

And an order of fries that are on my top 3 list best fries of all time.

If you're ever in El Segundo and want a wonderful dining experience, go to Paul Martin's.

In Case of Emergency: Whipped Cream

5 and I are home from our week at Grandma Dee's house.

I hit the ground running yesterday with 2 appointments and book club. We read Tina Fey's Bossypants for the book club. I loved it. Smacksy hosted it at her house and everything was gorgeous and perfect. Her husband and little boy came home before we were finished and this is what happened. "Spies"

This morning I woke up and the cupboards were bare. I couldn't quite get it together to go to the store at 6:30 AM for supplies so I decided to pretend we were camping and "make do".

For breakfast, I managed to find a single frozen Trader Joe's waffle for 5.

I found a random can of whipped cream in the door of the fridge so I dressed up the waffle a little and then used it in my coffee. Talk about roughing it!

This happened once before and I believe it was Mrs. Moon who commented that sometimes we have to settle for the best.

I read this post by Sarcastic Bastard this morning and it made me laugh for 10 minutes. SB curses just a little. I love an honest rant.

Then I went over to The Rich Life (on a budget) and was inspired to make lavender bath salts.

Happy Camping.

Yogurt Dip For Artichokes

At dinner the other night, my sister, Tammy, asked if I would make a dip for the artichokes.

She wanted me to make the base half yogurt, half mayo and a spoonful of dijon mustard.

Here's what we came up with.

Half a cup of yogurt

Half a cup of mayo

2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard

Garlic Salt

Celery Salt

Fresh Lime Juice

Fresh Basil

Fresh Thyme

Cilantro flowers

Chives

Success!

Fresh Peach Ice Cream

I was craving peach ice cream today.

Which is strange because I've never craved peach ice cream.

I found a recipe here.

This is all you need.

Fresh Peaches

Lemon Juice

Cream

Sugar

Vanilla

Simply Delicious

Joyeux Dimanche-Eva Prima Pandora

Eva Prima Pandora

by

Jean Cousin the Elder

1550

Bonjour Cerises

Breakfast

Due to the impending "carmegeddon", we are in hiding at an undisclosed location.

Everyone is very nice.

Apparently hats are in.

And all things fluffly.

Stay safe.

Lemon Sorbet

With the lemons from my tree I made this refreshing Lemon Sorbet.

Simple syrup with lemon zest.

3 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

One ice cream maker.

Delightful.

---------------

Next stop. Peach ice cream or peach sorbet? Hmmmm.

Joyeux Dimanche-Paris Girl Couture

I am absolutely in love with these dreamy creations from Elie Saab.

I found them on the lovely blog, Paris Girl Couture.

How I incorporate these into my stay at home mommy lifestyle is going to be difficult. But I'm up to the task.

Happy Sunday.

Too Much Thyme On My Hands

Now that I have flourishing herbs, for once in my life, I'm going a little crazy with them.

Pasta in a white sauce (Butter, cream, onions, herbs and parmesan).

Garnished with a tree of Thyme.

"I don't know what this tree is doing here, Mom, but this is the best pasta I've ever had."

Street Photography In Paris

I love this link: Street Photography In Paris.

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It's so hot and humid here, we haven't turned the oven on for weeks. Dinner is often little bits of cheese, sopressata, baguette, brucshetta and a lot of ice cream. I was going to attempt some French meringue cookies until I read that they have to be in a 200 degree oven for 3 hours. I'm dying to do something with the Orange Flower Water I bought.

What's your favorite cold summer dish? Any ideas on the Orange Flower Water?

Have a great day.

Maison Bouche - And a note to Hair Clip

Shaboomy sent me this yummy link to Cool Hunting.

Need some now.


_

On a personal note.
Dear Hair Clip,
When I started the French Skinny Experiment, I was forced to throw all my hair scrunchies away. It was a painful breakup but Shaboomy felt it was necessary so I went along.
In time, Shaboomy introduced us. For me, it was love at first sight. We were happy for awhile. Always there for each other, effortlessly at arms reach........
Recently I've noticed you haven't been around much, you're never in the silver bowl, I thought you loved, but find amusement elsewhere. Here are just a few places you have been spotted.

• The Scooby Doo Mystery Van with Velma.
  
• Attached to the giant hairy spider.
• 5's Superpower bracelet.
  
• In the middle of the Ninjago Lego's battle.
• A part of the monster trap.

I really don't mind you having friends, but it's hot here and I need you. Did you break up with me and not tell me? Please get back to me A.S.A.P.
(If you can drag yourself away from the spy catcher.)

Sincerely,
Karen

Happy 4th!

God Bless America.

Joyeux Dimanche

Here's a little split screen love story. Have a great Sunday!

Have a great 4th of July! We don't celebrate it in France but I hope you're all having terrific French Skinny picnics!!

Holy Tired, Batman. Vikings Like To Party!

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

Norwegians stay up late. Maybe it's the fact that it barely gets dark in the summer. Maybe it's all the alcohol. Who knows. At 3:30am I looked up through the skylights and thought, "Holy crap, party animals. It's like 8am!" But it was just the deceptive light nights.

I got to bed around 4:30am.

But I was up bright and early at 8am for breakfast at my hotel!

Here was my lunch of fruit and cakes. Not very well balanced, but oh well! It's what I was in the mood for. That and about 17 cups of coffee!!

Another beautiful day in the Norwegian mountains. I better soak it up! It's back to Paris tomorrow...

Wedding Day

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

We woke up bright and early. The bride had butterflies in her stomach, so all she ate was one piece of crisp bread with Norwegian brown goat cheese before heading over to start the hair and make-up process.

I was not as dainty of an eater. I had to get some energy for all the work to be done. I was the official wedding photographer.

The bride was nervous it was going to rain but as of 9am, it looked pretty clear...

Wedding time - still no rain. Yay! But I was still running around in a tiny dress and stilettos freezing my butt off. It was about 48 degrees outside. Of course I did not bring a coat. But I had a pashmina... and a sweater... and a nice gentleman's jacket that I borrowed. I basically looked homeless, but with very expensive shoes.

Hors d'œuvres

Appetizer...

Main course (venison again but YUM)...

Sorbet, to cleanse the palate

Chocolate mousse