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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Scarf-Foulard-Echarpe-Châle: A Fashion Statement


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A scarf is such an iconic, French fashion accessory, for women in all seasons & for men in winter. Have fun feeling “French” when you next wear a scarf, and enjoy trying all these different styles!

How many do you already know how to do?

Note: French men generally wear the European Loop and Basic Loop style.


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Monday, January 14, 2013

What’s Your Dream?

Book Cover
Can a dream really come true?
OR
Is a desire just a solitary dream?

The author takes us along on “one woman’s journey,” as she narrates life events that spin and weave an emotional tapestry, with threads of adolescent imagination and adult life situations. A true story of twists and turns of events that forged her path and the courage to follow it.

Book launch – coming soon to an e-reader near you!

(WHAT’S YOUR DREAM ?)


Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Authentic Italian Cooking Class


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Created and sponsored by Silvia from “beataMente,” meaning blissful mind: a cultural association representing the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, providing activities, tours, tasting classes, and much more, “aiming to share knowledge and human experiences through the spirit of community and conviviality.”

I recently attended their first, small group cooking class, given by Paola Ricchi, a “spirited chef” from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Born in Bologna, Paola loves to cook and share traditional recipes from her area: today’s recipe was “Tagliatelle Bolognese,” with everyone getting their hands involved in making the tagliatelle pasta from scratch!

First, we learned how to make the egg & flour pasta, the correct way to knead it to just the right elasticity, the rolling method, repeated to get just the right thickness, the rolling pin method in preparation for slicing, and finally the un-raveling of the pasta to make the ribbons of tagliatelle. In the meantime, the sauce was simmering, as we tasted “Lambrusco,” a refreshing, red sparkling wine, as an aperitif. In keeping with the region, a delicious Emilia-Romagna dessert was also served, called “English Cream” – oops, it was so delicious that I ate it before thinking to take a photo!

Held at the lovely apartment of friends, Cristina and Don, in support of the “slow food” movement in Italy, we all shared laughter, lighthearted fun, and a luscious experience. BUON APPETITO!

For more information:
beataMente
email: info@beatamente.it

(website currently under construction)




Chef Paola
Me with Paola





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La Vie en Rose…Petals




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The French Riviera is well known for its Mediterranean-style cuisine, featuring tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, and its beautiful, azur blue sea: ingredients, indeed, for “la vie en rose”! 

But, there is an additional specialty, specific to this area, included in MY “vie en rose” — jam made with real rose petals – it actually smells and tastes like roses.  This jam, made and sold by Florian is one of many flavored-jams, made from flowers, at their main candy factory, “Confiserie Florian” founded in 1921, located just outside of Nice; they also have a smaller facility at the port in Nice. They provide free, guided tours followed by a free tasting of their specialties.

Here’s a silky, piano bar/jazzy version of this iconic song, to listen to while looking at the below photos:

I did a guided tour of their main factory years ago, which was very interesting, and their candies and jams make lovely gifts — special souvenirs to savor from this area!



Rose jam
Rose jam
florian jam 
Orange, Lemon, & Grapefruit jam



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Friday, January 11, 2013

2012: My (not quite) Year in Review




 
A last, quick look back to my first blog almost-year with monthly highlights!

Monthly picks of the year


 May:     A Bubbly Sunday

June:    Cannes  & Croisette

July:     Villefranche

Aug:     Petanques

Sept:     Wine Feeling

Oct:       Nice

Nov:     History of the World in 2 Minutes

Dec:     Royal Ballet


 


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Vide Greniers: Attic Sale / Flea Market / Car Boot Sale

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Just next to the racetrack near Nice, there was a day-long flea market that I decided to stroll through. Although I didn’t see anything I couldn’t live without, there were numerous, amusing items for sale and a lot of people (and dogs) in attendance. Which item amuses you the most ?



Public toilets




Coffee grinders

Co-habitation





Shoe watching

Porcelain
Calibration tools




 


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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Jamais deux sans trois! (Things come in threes)







1.  We had a roof leak a few weeks ago that required major repair!

2.  One door closes & another opens – literally !
Out with the old…..meaning literally out(side), since I was locked out of the house last evening!
In with the new…..meaning literally a new door lock installed this morning!
After drilling out the keyhole, it turns out that the exterior side of the lock was broken, but once inside we could lock the door – who knew a lock had two independent sides?
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The locksmith came back this morning to install the replacement lock, which I think is too new and shiny looking, not to mention an ugly key.
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3. Clogged tub and sink drains – plumber here now.
What can one do!? C’est la vie! At least maybe I’m done now and have my 3 things out of the way for 2013!
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