Joyeux Dimanche - I love Paris in the Springtime

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France :

April is one of my favorite months in Paris. I hope you're enjoying the spring colors wherever you are.

Happy Sunday!!

Lull You to Sleep

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

In France there is a program on television that starts at about 3am where an attractive, young woman reads to you in her gentle, soothing voice. It always makes me laugh. You would think it'd help me with my insomnia, but no. This week she's reading Homer's Odyssey. It reminds me of college when Greek classics succeeded in lulling me to sleep. These days, not so much.

Where Am I?

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

You can often find me in the Starbucks near Opera Garnier in Paris working on the book, or blogging...

No Pants SexySultry Tuesday Birthday

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

Today is SexySultry's birthday!! Have a great one, my sweet friend. I can't imagine what my life would be like without you!

Food For Thought

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

I hope everyone had a great Easter/Passover weekend filled with chocolate eggs, bunnies, family, good food, and fun. The French celebrate Easter much in the same fashion as you do in America. They also have (surprise!) a special cake for the occasion. Read about that HERE

Last year, Cashew and I celebrated Easter with a bunch of Expats in Paris and I don't remember much beyond the fact that there was way too much champagne served at a point way too early on in the day. Those Expat friends got together again this year but I rsvp'd no. Cashew and I broke up a few months ago and I didn't want to be reminded of him and yet another failed relationship all weekend long.

But much to my surprised, Cashew made an impromptu appearance on Good Friday. He hopped a flight from Chicago to Paris and came a knocking on my dog house door with roses and a chocolate croissant. "Please talk to me. Let me fix this. I can't bear to lose you." Oh, yeah... I guess I should tell you that I went completely MIA since January and have refused all contact with him. Drove the poor man insane.

We spent the weekend together walking around Paris and eating some mouth-watering food in some of my favorite restaurants.

We went to JaJa in the Marais...

Truffle Risotto Appetizer

Pumpkin Canneloni

Seared Fois Gras Appetizer

Utah Beach Oysters

Langoustine Salad

We went to Atelier Maitre Albert de Guy Savoy in the Latin Quarter...


cute placemat


Cream of Artichoke Soup with Mushroom Biscuits


Shrimp Salad


a delicious fish the french call BARBUE


the peas and rice that came with the fish


a wonderful red wine from bordeaux


chocolate mousse (Cashew's favorite dessert)


goat cheese with sour cherry marmalade


the menu

We went to Le Comptoir in Saint Germain des Pres...






Cream of Artichoke Soup with tapioca and fois gras


Pot de Paté de la maison


Seared Tuna


Stuffed Cabbage (I swear that is what it was called on the menu)


Rhubarb panna cotta


Café Crème


the menu

We also went to Café le Baron, Corso and Mariage Frères.

It was a delicious weekend on all accounts.

Mama's Cooking

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris Copenhagen, Denmark:

I'm sure you're all familiar with the term staycation, but I'd like to coin a new noun describing one of my favorite kinds of vacations, the gourmetcation. (Shove everything within arm's reach into my mouth-cation is more fitting but it seems to me that it's supposed to rhyme with "vacation," so excuse me if I'm a little limited, people.)

We started with what's known in America as "Danish" but known in Denmark as "Vienna Bread." (Don't ask me what it's called in Vienna. When I was there with Cashew this summer, I tried to figure it out but with no luck.)

Then we enjoyed one of my favorites, filet mignon of pork with Danish potatoes and a delicious salad.

We had lunch in town with a girlfriend and enjoyed an amazing potato sandwich - another item from my list of favorites. I know it sounds weird, but don't knock it until you try it.

We had Thai food last night that we made at home with my mom. She also made a rhubarb pie for dessert which we served with ice cream. Yum!

Loving Life

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France :

There's nothing like a good chuckle from a gratifying case of people watching. One of the best things about living in a major city is the amusement, wonder and awe you get from the earth-dwellers around you.

This morning, I had to smile when I saw a man wearing ski goggles on the tram. Paris is nowhere near the slopes but hey, might as well get as much use out of those goggles as you can!

I guess the cold weather is keeping people cozy and warm at home. It's rare to see no one on the metro platform.

I rewarded my braving the cold with a lovely raspberry tartlet!