Back in Paris after a month in the US. My brain, and my stomach - are completely jetlagged. I thought I'd give you the comparative visual. Exhibit A. My parent's fridge in the US - stocked to brusting with every salad dressing known to man, three containers of cream cheese, but little actual food. (If there was one aisle that I could banish from the supermarket forever - it would be the salad dressing. Out, out, damn Fat Free Blue Cheese. Ranch, be gone!
Exhibit B. My fridge in France - cleaned by G. and awaiting my arrival and a trip to the Saturday market. G basically lives off pasta, onion and lardons (slab bacon) when I'm not around. One red bell pepper and two carrots could last him three weeks. I'm dreaming the bouquet of fresh herbs (flat leaf parsley, dill, mint and coriander) that usually lives in a mug of water on the door...
Exhibit B. My fridge in France - cleaned by G. and awaiting my arrival and a trip to the Saturday market. G basically lives off pasta, onion and lardons (slab bacon) when I'm not around. One red bell pepper and two carrots could last him three weeks. I'm dreaming the bouquet of fresh herbs (flat leaf parsley, dill, mint and coriander) that usually lives in a mug of water on the door...I'm doing a reading at WHSmith in Paris next Thursday, March 11th at 7pm. My desk is a catastrophe. I know there's a game plan under here somewhere, darned if I can locate it just at the moment...
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just finished your book last night, a really lovely story. There are several recipes I hope to try. Now I just have to wait till May for our farmer's market to open!
Welcome back. I hope all is well, and you'll enjoy the trip to the market. Best of luck with the upcoming WHSmith reading.
ReplyDeleteWell at least there are two bottles of wine in the fridge :) Yes, I hate the taste of any Fat Free dressing. So easy to make your own dressing and the taste is a hundred times better, but the US is all about convenience. I cannot wait to go to Paris and shop there...the produce looks like a work of art! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteCoucou/Salut/Bonjour EB,
ReplyDeleteMy sister bought and gave me your book literally 1.2 hours before boarding a plane aiming for Charles de Gaulle airport. She had read about your Lunch in Paris (in ELLE or Marie Claire or a similar title) and said, "this is your life, now go and live it" as she tossed the book to me, kissed my cheek, and whisked me to the ticketing counter. I was, much like you describe in your work, going to Paris not simply to visit the wonderful city but, instead, to move there, to live with my...ding ding ding, you guessed it... darling, love of my life, Frenchman.
So now I find that I'm an American girl, living in Paris with my French boy, wondering how you made it work with so much class, humor, and gourmet fare. Hopefully my story pans out as lovely as yours did...though I suspect it may have just as many fun speed bumps and cultural roadblocks (already experienced a fun one over a HUGE Religieuse pastry and a French grandmother). I look forward to keeping up with your Parisian exploits on your blog/facebook/etc. (I imagine, despite your new found author-dom and the glory that inevitably comes with it, you will stay loyal to the internet world as much as to the written word).
I am happy to be one amongst an already distinguished crowd of capable, fearless, and open women who moved an ocean away to give living, loving, and eating a chance. Thanks for your story!
p.s. I wonder if you have any advice about finding measuring cups in Paris (I find for some reason it's becoming difficult to use a scale to measure out grams).
Sincerely and with gros bisous for the work and its author,
<3 christa
I picked up your book at WH Smith a couple of weeks ago. I am on my second read through. Obviously--loved it. My story is one very similar, only I didn't leave the U.S. A "little girl from Little Rock" moves to Boston and falls for a Connecticut Yankee. Cultural differences ( and cuisine) are furthered due to upbringing--Baptist vs. Jewish. Almost 22 years later, I will be hosting my 15th seder the 29th of March.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I make my own chicken soup(from the chicken.)
I am in Paris at least once a week. Unfortunately, won't be there on the 11th. Wah! However, I will be there several times before Passover. If you are in need of College Inn, I would be happy to import it for you. I am exempt from liquid restrictions because I will be working the flights from the states to CDG as a flight attendant.
Just bought 3 copies of your book to give to friends! I can't wait for them to read it.
Carol
Christa - Welcome to Paris! Your best bet for finding American measuring cups is Thanksgiving on rue St Paul. They have all sorts of (outrageously priced)products for homesick expats! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Carol! Hope to see you at the WHSmith reading on Thursday (March 11th)!
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving...what a great name for a shop :)
ReplyDeleteI cannot WAIT to get your book...and one for a friend who will be tickled :)
That whole refrigerator thing depresses me! What to do, what to do LOL.
You know...when I eat lunch out here (Ky/Tn border) I'm choosing between all the boring chain spots...thinking...if I were in FRANCE I could get something GOOD to eat!
I know this is an older blog. But as I am in the US for the moment, I can relate to the frigo AND the salad dressing remark. So true. Would never buy bottled dressing again in my life!
ReplyDelete