Êtes-vous Nanoteur / Nanoteuse?

[Photo source.] 

This week's Sundays in Paris photo should have some kind of bookish theme. Why? 

Call me crazy, but I signed up to participate in NaNoWriMo this year (click here for an explanation in French; the NaNoWrimo site is also available in French).

Care to join me?

For links that might help those creative juices start flowing, visit my friend K.'s blog post about gearing up for the big kick-off this Sunday (we get an extra hour to write our little hearts out - daylight savings!).

For an inspiring article by Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Junot Diaz for all writers who have ever struggled with writing, see here or check out pp. 190-191 of the November edition of O magazine.

Folks in the states are having kick-off events and write-ins all over the place.  For Paris folks, info for "la kick-off party" can be found at http://www.nanowrimo.org/fr/node/3291304, and "write-in officiels" will be happening on Tuesday Nov. 3 at Starbucks Capucine (Paris IIe) from 3-10 p.m., and at Starbucks Pépinières (Paris VIIIe) at various times on the 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th, and 15th. Check the NaNoWriMo site for details.  

À vos plumes, tout le monde!

"The Pumpkin Risotto of Mme. Farigoule"

"The secret is in the preparation of the pumpkin. After removing seeds and fiber, cut the flesh into chunks, leaving the skin still attached. With your hands, mix the chunks in a bowl with 2 or 3 tablespoons of the best olive oil, salt and pepper, a tablespoon of fresh marjoram and a teaspoon of dried oregano. Lay the chunks on a baking tray, skin side down, and put them in the oven, which you have preheated to 425°F. When the chunks of pumpkin are soft and the edges are tinged with brown, remove from the oven and allow to cool, scrape the flesh from the skin and shred with a fork. Prepare your risotto in the usual way and once the rice is ready, stir in the pumpkin, along with freshly grated Parmesan and butter. (Mme. Farigoule’s tip is to be extra-generous with both cheese and butter.) Add a sage leaf for decoration, and a sprinkling of Parmesan, et voilà."   -Peter Mayle.

Click here to read Mayle's full article, "Pumpkin Eaters," in the New York Times, on the celebration of Halloween - or "alowine" - in France.

Photo source here.

Best Croissants in Paris

Adam who writes at www.alifewortheating.com was kind enough to post the results of his taste-test of Paris croissants yesterday. Just reading his post made wish I could hop on the métro and get some for myself. The ones at Au Levain du Marais sound like just my type.

I don't know about you, but I LUUUUUUUUUVVVVVVV croissants and am very excited that someone took the trouble to check them out in the croissant capital of the world.

My husband and daughter don't have a special approach for eating their croissants, but I recently realized my son and I both eat ours in layers (at least, in the privacy of our own home).  Genetic?! :)

[Photo source.]

What a Blah Day in Paris Looks Like

I'd take a "blah" day in Paris any day. 

I actually enjoy my "blah" days here too. Cozy couches, fire in the fireplace, warm soup or hot beverages to drink, baked goods, good books, family relaxed, work faraway, as much sleep as I want...Blah days are a gift. 

First School Dance

My daughter, who's in 7th grade, has her first school dance tonight.  I am at home consoling myself at my virtual Paris café, holding my little-one-who's-not-so-little-any-more close in the spiritual palm of my hand, not unlike Henri de Miller's sculpture in front of Église Saint-Eustache... :)

Sunset on the Seine

"J'aime bien les couchers de soleil.  Allons voir un coucher de soleil."  

-Antoine de St.-Exupéry

There's nothing like Paris at dusk. Click here to see another rose-colored Parisian sky. Or if you're more of a morning person, click here.

L'Amour

Paris really is for lovers...

This week check out Parisian Party: tales of an American wedding planner in Paris for a post and some photos of a couple's romantic Eiffel Tower elopement. 

Another French Book Store Lost

Spent the day in New York with my daughter and was bummed to see that instead of this

now there's only this

at Rockefeller Center where the lovely Librairie de France used to be. After 73 years. I guess that's what happens when the rent goes from $30,000 a month to $ 1 million a year.  :(

On the bright side, La Maison du Chocolat's just around the corner on  49th...but it's not the same.  As much as I love chocolate, I love a nice book store even more...

If You Could Play Anywhere...

This wouldn't be a bad place to spend an afternoon with the kids...

"Egypt Breaks Ties with France's Louvre"

Greece wants the "Elgin Marbles" back.  Egypt wants her stolen heritage returned too.  I don't blame them.

Paris: Fashion Capital of the World

The Sartorialist's fashion sightings at a Paris café reminded me of why I need so much wardrobe help  in Paris.  

Painting:  Paris Café Scene by Henri Gervex, 1877

An Angel on the Streets of Paris

Saw this a couple of years ago at the end of a stroll down the rue Saint-André des Arts (one of my favorite streets in Paris), near the corner of the rue de Buci and rue de Seine.

L'Ange Heurtebise, peut-être?

I couldn't decide whether to commemorate Paris Fashion Week or the Feast of St. Francis today, but I figured with this photo we have a hint of both...

"Fine Art Friday" Guest Appearance

It's Friday! Check out an expanded version of my earlier post about Suzanne Valadon, for my friend K.'s blog series "Fine Art Friday."

Photo source: http://www.aloj.us.es/galba/MONOGRAFICOS/LAUTREC/Valadon_obras.htm

The One Thing I Like Least About My Job

I strongly dislike being on-call.  I feel like a prisoner.  Away from my family.  Trapped in a place I can't leave.  Surrounded by stress. 

Can't wait till it's over.

[Photo:  Paris gate somewhere near the Quai St. Michel, if memory serves.]