Partager Thanksgiving Paris Style

The wind howled last night ... and whatever leaves were left on the trees on the avenue were sent flying in every direction.

It was a soothing sound that helped lull us to sleep after ....

We had returned from the annual Thanksgiving Celebration at our friends who live in the 11th, near Republic.  A fantastic celebration with people who had never known what Thanksgiving was all about until last night.  So impressed.  And it was ever so impressive.  
The one comment I kept hearing over and over ... "So much Food," Mais, oui!  There was every kind of salad, sweet potato, green beans, legumes, legumes, corn muffins, loaf bread,  ... the turkey sparkles, straight out of a Martha Stewart magazine ... (which I have read that she is really back in fashion with the young createurs in NYC and environs ...), and the dessert course was extravagant - apples pies with all kinds of decadent toppings, brownies straight from the USA, creamy pumpkin pies, and southern recipe pecan tarts, and don't forget the cheese course, which I managed to enjoy fully.   The champagne was our hostess's favorite, Ruinart Rosé.  Conversation was quick and smiles were all around.  A lovely evening was had by all.  We can't wait until next year to do it all again, Thanks mille fois to our wonderful host and hostess!  Having Thanksgiving in Paris is a true gourmand affair.  

Today, its quiet ... a perfect day to sit and watch those last few leaves of Paris whirl past you ....

by Collard Greens
Tuilleries

PPxx

Partager Les Maison des Metallos

Every now and then I venture out for a night out with “the girls”.  As you might know my husband and I are deeply in love with photography; me for the beauty and memory of the moment, and he for le meme, plus the science and technology of the camera  ... we each have our roles to play and teach.  So, while we have been living in Paris, we have been involved with the Paris PhotoMeetup.  He more so than me, because he has more to offer when it comes to teaching about the hidden secrets of cameras, lighting .. you know technical type stuff that he thrives on, and is patient enough to share with others.

The Photo Meetup is a great group of people.  We have made so many friends and have had the wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the world who share our common passion.  If you are of the same mind visiting Paris, please “meet-up” with us! 

“The Girls”  are a bit of a subset of the Photo Meetup ... one already a great friend, while the other 2 to 3 to 4  ... I met at the meetup.  We sometimes combine our “Girls Night Out”  with some culture.  This past month we were “invited” to a vernissage at the Les Maison des Metallos,  “Photographies Soudanaises”.  There is one more day left for this exposition, but the calendar of schedules events is worth taking a look.  
(Le Contraire de L’Amour for example)

Les Maison des Métallos is a cultural establishment of the city of Paris set up for the pursuit of creative endeavors - photography, dance, social and artistic discussions, you name it!  It is in the heart of the Belleville - Ménilmontant “neighborhoods vivant” and should be on your list of places to visit while you are in Paris.

A little history ... In the beginning, the Métallos was the warehouse for the fabrication of copper musical instruments.  Many years later it became the home to Couesnon, internationally famous for its musical instruments.  
It was also the home to many strong anti-war movements, before and after the world wars.  Many resistance discussions were held in this building.  Some led by the famous French resistance leader, Jean-Pierre Timbaud.
Today it still continues to promote social movements and heated discuter on political and artistic fronts.

So, back to the “Girls Night Out” ... A great time was had by all, the wines were poured generously, all type of delicious tastes were in abundance ... 

Thank you for a great night out, Girls!  

Waiting by the phone for the call for next month .....

Les Maison des Metallos

94, rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, Paris 11e

01 48 05 88 27

PPxx

Partager Paris - Marché Ave du Président Wilson

Cooking with the seasons

After a night out at the American Library, listening to Susan Herrmann Loomis  talk about seasonal cooking, which I am a great believer. 

I went to bed with only one thought for the next day ...
to celebrate the changing seasons ... be sure to make it to a new market.   Its my bi-weekly outing now.  

So, ...I just got back from the Marché Ave du Président Wilson, Also Called the Marché du Pont de l'Alma, an open aired market in the 16th. It takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning, from about 7am to 2:30 pm.   Its so close to the 7th, a bus 92 away.  

to be as red as a tomato (to be embarrassed)

What a market.  A real “total senses” adventure, the colors of the flowers, the fruits and vegetables, the spices, the smell of it all, the setting ... in the middle of one of the most affluent areas of Paris, right around the corner form the YSL museum (another something to put in your agenda), the feel of the excitement of what you are going to cook when you get home, tasting the seasonal fruits as you move from vendor to vendor ....  so, with figs, cepes, the last of the heirloom tomatoes, fresh thyme, regional honey, and a bit of autumn color in the form of one large hortensia bloom, I politely pushed my way onto the bus.  Thinking over that I really could have carried that polka-dotted scarf ... 

To put one's two cents in

This market brings me completely alive. I don’t care that it is raining.  I stay excited the whole time I am there.   Its one of the largest markets of Paris, one with the largest assortment of fruits, vegetables, clothing, spices, meats, fish, leather products, undies and socks, that I have encountered.  I have this small rule, not stringent of course,  which is to walk all the way through a market before I pull out my porte monnaie.    I want to see what’s fresh, who has the best prices, and where most of the people are gathered.  

I don't have any money!

I went there particularly to find a certain direct producer, Joel Thibault.  He is famous for his produce and many of the finest restaurants praise his produce.  I never actually found him ... 

la prochaine fois ... next time I will try to follow my own rules !

PPxx

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