We went to H&M to get Max another pair of jeans. (Thanks, Bob & Mim!) You know, because it's so hard to find 29x32 jeans in the U.S.... French people are so skinny, it's no problem here.Eva entertained Lucas and myself as we waited by the dressing rooms by improvising interpretive dances to the hip hop music they were playing in the store. I got the whole thing started by getting into a Tabitha & Napoleon groove myself, embarrassing Lucas to no end. She ended her performance by doing some suggestive hip gyrations, embarrassing me to no end. When I asked her what she was doing, she replied, "hula hooping." Of course.
We saw the Christmas windows at the grands magasins again. We had to, because we were right there. We were surprised to see some subtle changes since our last visit -- new wigs (pale blue and yellow) and outfits for the mannequins.
We finally went to Blé Sucré, a bakery I have been wanting to check out for over a month now! It did not disappoint. We got salted butter caramel religieuses (Max, Marc, me) and chocolate eclairs (Lucas, Eva). I adored the caramel, but discovered that I prefer eclairs because the ratio of pastry to custard is more to my liking. Eva proclaimed her eclair the best that the world has to offer!
Also glazed madeleines. Yes, I said glazed. Usually, I can take or leave madeleines, but these... these are a whole new world of madeleines. I was only sad that we didn't buy more, as I only got to sample one. Sometimes I wish I didn't have a sharing policy.
Also baguettes. This is what the best baguette of my life looked like. See the crumb? With those uneven, elongated holes? Ever so soft? The crust, with its perfect blend of crunchiness/chewiness? Yeah, that's it. I told Jill I thought I was getting tired of baguettes, but that was before today. I might be able to eat these ones forever.(And to clarify, this was my breakfast and lunch.)
We ate our treats in the park directly across from the bakery. Eva played for a little while, but we had to leave because it started to rain. She was not happy about leaving, but then we met a pug named Snoopy that we all got to pet, and happiness was restored.
Today we left the stroller behind. It was purely delightful. I could get used to this.
Today I talked to Jessie on the phone. It's been far too long.
Tonight I made Flemish Carbonades. Marc informed me that carbonades is made in Belgium with horsemeat. I probably did not need to know that. And I'm glad we ate it in France, with good old-fashioned beef chuck roast. Tonight I remembered, again, that cooked carrots with butter and salt is one of my favorite foods in the world.
Tonight Max went to his last seminary meeting in France. His teacher baked a cake, and gave them all early Christmas gifts.
Tonight we watched The Corpse Bride, rented from the library. It was cute. It bears a striking resemblance to The Nightmare Before Christmas, but then I love The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Today was a good day.
11 comments:
Tired of baguettes?! I'm going to throttle you. It's funny you say this, though, today--because just 2 hrs ago I bought a la Brea baguette and thought of you, wishing my dumb Smiths Marketplace baguette was a PARIS baguette.
Le sigh.
(I also bought carrots today! I now know just how I'm going to prepare them. Thanks!)
Grands magasins is one of the only terms I remember from college level french-- how's that for useful? pathetic, I know!
I only WISH I could say cooked carrots were a favorite!
I'm so glad that you and your family had a great day. Just reading about it makes me happy, too. I love how simple things like dancing with your family in public and eating good food can create such happiness.
I hate to see your visit to Paris end. I have lived vicariously through your trip and loved every minute of it. You have a great photography gift.
I'll say it was a good day! Look what you ate!!! My mouth is watering, Michelle. May I please come eat eclairs with you?! Actually, I think I might choose to go with the salted butter carmel thing. Sweet and salty is the perfect combination, and carmel is my favorite. What a happy place to live!
Oh my, glazed madeleines? I chocolate dip mine already but now I will need to learn how to make these.
Seriously 29x32 jeans?! That's just crazy skinny, how funny/sad that it's hard to find that size here.
Speaking of hip gyrations, Whitney has been doing some crazy dance moves around here lately in an attempt to be funny (which they are) but they are bordering on stripper-like choreography which has me alarmed!
The best baguette of your life couldn't have come at a better time eh?
This does sound like a lovely day! Those eclairs are making my mouth water, and the mental image of Eva hula hooping without a hula hoop is hilarious. Laughing out loud at work hilarious.
Oh, I miss those Paris baguettes. I wish I could have seen Eva's dance moves. Watching kids dance is truly great therapy!
I am obsessed with salted caramel desserts. I have yet to have one, but I just love the way it sounds. 'Salted'. I'm waiting to find one worth eating.
OHHHH my, I just love FRENCH BREAD...wE used to drive to France to buy our bread when we lived in Barcelona, I love everything, but My dad was very keen on getting it at the border...there is just something sooOOO french ABOUT IT. AND SOOOoogood.... maybe you need to step back a few days and eat bimbo bread and then go back!....
Post a Comment