I have a pretty large selection of personal Christmas music on iTunes…so much that a couple years ago, I decided to organize each song into vocal/instrumental and like/love/adore categories. This year, I purposefully saved my adore playlists for Christmas morning listening. I am full of joy and happiness as these songs delight my head and heart and yes, even toes…I am dancing! I wish you the same.
(u) x(o)x
Nope, it's not Disneyland!
July 2020
Lunch at Lauza was a treat. A limited menu means the chef is dedicated to making something seasonal, fresh, and perfectly “accessorized” and balanced. My entrée was a frothy, room temperature zucchini soup topped with a langoustine…it worked as anticipation for my plat! Tender filets of sashimi tuna covered with a tomato/greens salsa and served over taboule paired very well with the Provence rosé in my glass. The dessert was full of flavor…three tiny creampuffs (choux) with vanilla bean crême and raspberries. I LOVE the restaurant scene here, particularly for lunch. TripAdvisor lists 1,493 restos in Bordeaux – there’s no end to choice, style, price, ambiance, and location!
June 2020
Le Regallion is the perfect place to go for a “gourmet” 3 course lunch priced at 19€ (about $22). The portions are perfect for enjoying every last small bite and the food is created rather than processed. My entrée was four spring rolls, filled delicately with foie gras and duck, and served with a soy/sesame dipping sauce. My plat was artistic with four grilled and juicy morsels of veal accompanied by grilled lettuce topped with parmesan shingles. Déssert of baked cherries and pineapple topped with vanilla chantilly cream was the finale. Combined with a nice wine list and a cozy ambiance, this restaurant deserves repeat visits! And the best part of all is it’s only a 10 minute walk from my home.
Bon appetit!
July 2020
The summer of rosé continues and not only am I liking them more, I find I am longing them with light lunches and afternoon conversations. My palate is a little more discerning now. I favor more expensive bottles, in lighter shades of salmon, with noses of stone fruits, little minerality, and so far, the terroir hasn’t mattered. But my main test is whether, on the very first sip, I experience joy, or a certain distaste that I get used to from the second sip on. For while I get used to the latter and end up liking the bottle, the formers are my favorites.
June 2020
Rosés are meant for lazy hot summer afternoons. I have a plethora of choice… sourced from Provence and Languedoc and Bordeaux… but I’m not a huge fan – yet! This summer, if it ever gets truly hot, I’m going to sample some recommended names and first up is Mirabeau. They have three in their lineup: Azure, Etoile, and La Folie (sparkling) and I aim to find and taste all of them. Three lazy afternoons coming up soon! Care to join me?
July 2020
My problem with owning a Kindle is the ease of buying more and more books. Yes, they are titles I’d like to read, but without the visual stimulation of the book on a shelf, I forget I even have them in my electronic library. Reading more might be an answer but then I’d have to forego ironing my sheets :)
June 2020
George RR Martin has greatly influenced my reading habits. His character studies in the Fire and Ice series are incredible, and up until now, no other author in my present reading realm can compare. Until I recently read the first book in the First Law Trilogy written by Joe Abercrombie titled The Blade Itself. I dare you to put this book down. The character, Inquisitor Glokta, will come alive in your imagination – no movie version needed. The narrative flows even though each chapter takes you to a different part of the fantasy world. Human emotions are both overstated and understated in the dialogues and the use of italics to let us know what minds are thinking during the conversations is brilliant. I’m actually disappointed I can’t dive into book 2 – but a book club selection needs to be read by June 30. Thankfully, the Abercrombie characters are unforgettable.
Early Spring (29-4-2018)
Ah the jasmine, thousands of stars sky climbing, their oriental perfume lingering while bundles of lavender wisteria bow to the ground, rain dropping petals in purple puddles. The horse chestnut trees are plumed in frilly unopened pink parasols that only a breeze can sway and send floating down, a blossoming magic carpet.
lightning less (june 7, 2014)
thunder rumbled
exploding forth through narrow streets
rain sheets illuminated
by stalwart street lamps
pounding pavement, bouncing back
walkers drenched
without intuition
to bring umbrellas
seeking shelter, finding none
cars splashed
while slippery roads
hold onto tires
for cover
splattering rivers onto sidewalks
night darkened
going coastal…
glistening…listening, shhhhh
sea to shore
humpback whale or humpback wave,
the spout, the spray
the slam of water on rock or sand
frothy surf
white, gray, green, blue
horizon beckons
what’s beyond and what’s before
glistening…listening, shhhhh
waves put their arms around each other
as they swell and break,
their necks racing to shore.
kelp anchors sea otters
…………….
I ought to stay
what’s the hurry? the sea birds ask
as they follow retreat of surf and sea.
you cannot be the wave you were
but you will always be water
seeking another shore.
julijoyeux
I can picture it! I made mini cinnamon rolls that I think you would like. All you need for the dough is a tube of crescent rolls!
LikeLike
Ahhhh if only…
LikeLike
Merry Christmas Julie. I’m wondering if you’ll be around anytime from March 7 to the 20. And what is it like with Covid-19 lockdowns. Ann is turning 60 on the 12 and we would like to be in France. And I definitely would love to see you. I don’t have an address or email or phone number for you. Glad I have this blog. You can shoot me an email at dlggreen@hotmail.com Your loving cousin, Diana
LikeLike
Exciting news! I’ve sent an email….
LikeLike