Saturday Six #15

by Andi on March 20, 2010

Photo credit: pshutterbug

As I travel around the blogoverse on a weekly basis I am constantly amazed at the wonderful discoveries I make.  Each week is a new journey, a new adventure.

But oh you restless natives, you are too damn prolific!

I mentioned last week that I may have more than six posts to present to you and it turns out I wasn’t lying! So since I have a few extra, shall we start?

[1] Remember when I cam back from Paris and wrote the post “Three simple tips on how not to be the annoying American tourist in Paris?” Well my new blogging pal, Jake totally topped that with a special list to celebrate his 100 post.  His “27 things that will MAKE you American in France” is a more in-depth list that will give you clues to how the French can easily spot us Americans.  We are not saying that it is a bad thing, just if you want to blend in more, here are some things to avoid!

[2] In my continued quest to embrace my age and thrive, I seem to be drawn to people’s musings on the topic of aging.  It is clear that once again the French get it right.  I highlighted a post last week (see #5) on being 45 in France, and this week, Marjorie of My Inner French Girl has written a beautiful post called “Becoming older, becoming wiser.“  In my opinion as people age they become more beautiful, more comfortable in their skin (bien dans leur peau, in French). I would not be 20 again.  I would not be 30 again. I am happy to be the age I am and to each year add another layer of knowledge.  Apparently, Marjorie agrees.

[3a] And speaking of age, Lindsey of Lost in Cheeseland had a guest post this week who wrote an excellent post called, “10 Pieces of Advice That I Should Have Given myself in My Twenties.” Needless to say some of the items could also appear in post called “10 Pieces of Advice That I Should Have Given myself in My Thirties” which I think I may have to write!

[3b] In addition, Lindsey had a second post I wanted to mention.  In Saturday Six #13, I highlighted a post (see #1) from Lindsey on the topic of being childless. That was Part I.  This week she continues on the topic with a guest-poster who added her thoughts on “the choice.” She also encourages others to understand that we are not alone in this decision.

[4] There is no doubt that Julochka takes gorgeous, dreamy photos that I could just stare at for hours. But she is also a very poignant writer.  Her blog title, Moments of Perfect Clarity, is fitting. This week she wrote a great post that I wish I had thought of!  In “if passports could talk” she shares a little about her life the past couple of years via her passport.

I love my passport too.  When I got married and added my husband’s name onto my last name, I of course, had to change my passport. I was kind of bummed because the passport I had was full of memories, and every glorious stamp could tell a story.  I am slowly building up my new passport, but it will be awhile before it will be able to surpass the memories from the previous one.  Of course, I felt the same about the passport I had two passports ago, so I am sure it will be as equally loved!

[5] It has been a year since Kaisa met “him.” The man that made her leave her life in New York and move to Paris. In “One Year Later” she talks about how she feels fortunate to be discovering Paris every day.  I love the last paragraph, it speaks to me. I share it here:

I believe that you get what you ask for in life, what you truly desire. Often this is not so evident as it’s hidden deeply in our subconscious. But in a moment, or sometimes an entire lifetime of reflection, the answer becomes clear. Sometimes it’s as simple as smiling at a stranger.” – Kaisa (Love in the City of Lights)

[6] If you are ever lucky enough to be invited into a French home for dinner, be prepared for a treat, but don’t be unprepared!  In “Eating with the Frenchies,” Haven In Paris has got you covered with the information you need to arrive armed and ready.  Just don’t arrive too early or too late!

[7] I end with Diane from Good Morning Glory who had a simple little post on Happiness which I adored.  Both the image and the quote she framed it with are outstanding!

That’s it for this week.

Please share some of your favorite posts that you found in your blog travels!

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French Friday – Macarons

by Andi on March 19, 2010

French-Friday-on-Misadventures-with-AndiThis post is dedicated to Julie of Writing Roads who is fascinated with this cookie!

Tomorrow is the third annual Jour du Macaron. Yes. An entire dedicated to the macaron.

There seems to be a little mini-obsession over these little guys these days, probably due to the fact that they are hitting main stream America.

Starbucks sold boxes of a dozen during the holiday season, and it now seems that they may be coming to a McDonald’s near you…in this extremely well written post on the Wall Street Journal online they detail a bit of the history and share that the McDonald’s in Paris have been serving their version since 2007, but have only recently overtly advertised their presence.

I can only guess that it won’t be too long before they show up in McDonald’s here.  That will be a sad day.  Nothing is sacred.

Let me just put it out there that I am not a huge fan of macarons.  It’s not that I hate them, it’s just that there are many, many other French desserts and pastries that I prefer over them.  But I can definitely tell the difference between a well-made macaron and an industrialized version.

I bought a box of the Starbucks ones over the holiday season to share in the office.  They weren’t good.  Some people liked them.  Most people had never had them before. And nearly everyone said they looked like mini-hamburgers – maybe that is why McDonald’s is serving them??

In reality, the preparation is an art form and like most bakery or pastry items, they must be sold fresh.  In Paris, the recognized leaders in macarons are Ladurée and Pierre Hermé.  And of course there are many fine bakers with boutiques in Paris that do an exquisite job with these miniature delights.

Just a note on our American version, which we spell as macaroons, the coconut cookies that we know on this side of the pond.  All of these cookies, the French version, the American version, as well as versions made in other countries all trace back to an Italian (Venetian) recipe from the Renaissance.

More information for you on macarons:

If you are interested in trying one, please don’t try it at a fast food place.  Try to find a baker who makes them locally, I guarantee you it will be a much better experience!

Anyone have any good macaron stories to share?

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Post from one year ago today: NATO/OTAN Reunion

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This is your brain on drugs

by Andi on March 18, 2010

If you’re Generation X, American and watched either Saturday morning cartoons or ABC After-School Specials you will have no doubt seen this commercial.

A frying pan. A narrator saying, “This is your brain.”

An egg added. A narrator saying, “This is your brain on drugs.”

Totally freaked me out. So much so, that I still remember it!

I am a little fried right now.  Work is really busy, which has been really great, but I am really busy!  I have not had a chance to read too many blogs this week, but will definitely make up for it this weekend.

Hope everyone’s week is going well and hope to stop by to visit you soon.

Stay tuned for a yummy French Friday tomorrow!

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Post from one year ago today: Wordless Wednesday #4

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(Not quite) Wordless Wednesday #52

by Andi on March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Misadventures with Andi style!  I’ve got the green and (begrudgingly) the Catholic Church à la Pere Lachaise Cemetery. I have not been yet, but it is on my list of places to visit.

In all seriousness, for those who celebrate this day, enjoy and be safe!

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Post from one year ago today: St. Pat’s Haiku

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Shoes of Prey

March 16, 2010

Seeing photos of Sarah Jessica Parker from the Oscars reminded me that Sex and The City 2 is coming in May – yay!  And that makes me thing about Carrie Bradshaw.
I know a lot of people make fun of her fashion sense (and Lord knows, I have no fashion sense!) but I think she is [...]

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Democrats are spamming me

March 15, 2010

Dear Democratic Party,
This is a break up letter. I am sorry to have to do this so impersonally, but under the circumstances, I think it is for the best.
I was so in love with you two years ago. All fired up to help you win against the awful “R’s.” But now, I am no longer [...]

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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

March 14, 2010

Growing up, when I read a good book, my only options if I really loved it, was to read a again.  From time to time it would be made into a movie, like The Outsiders or a TV-series, like The Thornbirds. But that was rare.
These days, when you finish a book, there is the movie, [...]

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Saturday Six #14

March 13, 2010

Training over! Eight days of eight-hours of jamming content into my head leaves Andi a tired blogger.  What have I missed? What have I missed?
My favorite posts come from the first part of the week when I somehow still had time to read.  I may cheat next week and have more than 6 if I [...]

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French Friday – Fleur de lys

March 12, 2010

I always appreciated the wonderful photo montage posts of Cathi at Everyday Adventures of a Curious Girl and Laura at Under the Sheets, but after trying to do one myself for today, I have a new found respect for them! 
My intent was to complete the Venice tour with a post describing the cultural influences between France and [...]

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More Venice Tips – Murano Glass and Burano Beauty

March 11, 2010

Last week I talked about my arrival in Venice. And earlier this week I gave you suggestions on the best way to spend the first two days of a three day trip.
Today for Day 3 I am going to talk about Murano and Burano, two islands off of Venice that you can get to on [...]

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