Blogs I Like / Les Blogs Du Lundi

David Lebovitz

living the sweet life in Paris….

David Lebovitz - Blog

This blog is well known and has many followers. 

It is full of deliciously wonderful recipes.

                       David, a pastry chef, worked at Chez Panisse until 1999. He now resides in Paris full time and writes books.

I love reading David's blog but I must say that I almost prefer the articles and musings he posts on his Facebook page.

David Lebovitz - Facebook Page

He may live in Paris but he keeps tabs on the important news on both sides of the Atlantic and I love his wit. One must keep a sense of humor to withstand daily life in the City of Lights.

    David is keeping us informed on Paris' Hipster Gate...

       "Hipsters Ruined Paris"- Brooklyn Magazine

How to best store eggs….

 Americans- why do you keep refrigerating your eggs?

     To this most important post about cheese… 

 Babybel Cheese Wax is the Ultimate Artistic Medium- BuzzFeed

  So check out David Lebovitz's blog and Fb page while I grab a Babybel®!

November 22

Memories from 50 years ago are still sharp.

Tomorrow we will quietly remember this tragic day.

Philip Johnson's John F Kennedy Memorial

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Blogs I Like / Les Blogs du Lundi

Bloggers unite! 

I enjoy having a blog but what I love most is to follow other blogs. 

Some are well known and have millions of followers. 

Others are lesser known and often have a lot more to offer. 

Every Monday I will try to feature a blog that I find interesting.

***

Une amie, son merveilleux jardin et ses talents.

Jardiner dans la région de Houston demande beaucoup de patience et les résultats sont souvent tristes.

Joeby a un blog qui risque de vous plaire.

Il est en Anglais mais plein de bonnes idées et recettes.

N'hésitez pas à visiter son blog:

"Vendredis Dans le Jardin De Joeby"

Fridays In The Garden With Joeby

***

 Joeby has such a blog, and I cannot wait to see her messages pop up in my inbox every week. 

The name of her blog is: 

"Fridays In the Garden with Joeby" 

and I think you will like her posts as much as I do.

Fridays In The Garden with Joeby

Joeby is a fellow Houstonian and one of the most creative persons I have met.

 She is also a great cook and a fantastic gardener!

Let me start with her gardening talents. 

If you live in the northern suburbs of Houston you know it is quite a challenge to keep your garden thriving through those hot and muggy summer months. 

If you can do it you are working miracles! 

When asked how she does it Joeby claims "it's all about having good soil, good drainage and proper irrigation. That's all." Maybe….

I let you be the judge but I think there is an other reason besides proper planning or having a green thumb. It has everything to do with love.

As I mentioned earlier Joeby is also a great cook. 

(After all, she has all those yummy veggies to work with so I guess she has to be….) 

; > )

She is always willing to share her recipes and I know you will enjoy them as much as I do.

Sugared cranberries just in time for Thanksgiving.

Busy November

She is a talented decorator and crafter as well.

So, if you have a moment make sure you visit Joeby's blog.

Fridays In The Garden With Joeby

***********

My meager crop…...

Mes pauvres haricots verts….

Joeby's crop!

I definitely need a gardening lesson!!

Fall in the Forest

When you live in the Piney Woods of South-East Texas and the local state forest has a festival you must go. 

Today the W G Jones State Forest held its annual Fall Festival. 

By Texas standards it was a small affair.

Children were the center of attention.

 Smokey Bear was there to greet visitors.

There were many volunteers, face painting and game booths, a petting zoo and Texas style hay rides. 

But more importantly it was time to celebrate and support one of our natural treasures. 

Worldwide, fires have taken a toll on forests, 

and Texas was not spared.

Glad to see this sign stored in the barn for the next months.

I guess this one has done its job.

Soft drinks, popcorn, barbecue sandwiches.

You know you won't go hungry…

There were talented musicians!

But ??

Y'all, this is Smokey's party!

W G Jones State Forest

Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

Piney Woods Region of Texas

Texas Wild Life Almanac

Bonjour!

I cannot believe a year has gone by since my last post. 

It has been a year full of joys and heartbreaking sorrow. 

These feelings seem to follow each other.

But life goes on and this is the time of year to be thankful.

Thankful for what we have while aching for those we lost.

I hope you will forgive the grammatical mishaps and syntax errors in my future posts:

 I have lost my editor in chief of 35 years.

Thank you for following my humble blog about life in South Texas.

A bientôt!

Ecologie / Ecology

L'écologie vue par les Bidochon.

Un moment hilarant sur les lampes basses consommation.

Pour lire l'intégralité du texte cliquer sur le lien ci dessous.

L'écologie Vue par les Bidochon

Merci MLD!

Here as well we are told to lower our energy bills and think ecologically. Enter the compact fluorescent lamps. Across the ocean our French friends find themselves in the same predicament. A cartoonist has decided to put ink on paper to tell us the story of the Bidochon family going green.

The link to the entire cartoon is below. It is in French but some may find it interesting...

Les Bidochon

Buc-ee's

Une tradition texane.

Vous vous souvenez peut être de mon périple à San Marcos. En fait je ne vous ai pas tout dit...

Le moment le plus intéressant de ce voyage se situe à Giddings, une petite ville située à 1h30 de route entre Houston et Austin. 

Certains s'arrêtent pour faire le plein, d'autres pour acheter des boissons et d'autres pour utiliser les "petits coins". Bref les raisons sont nombreuses et quand vous connaitrez un peu mieux Buc-ee's vous comprendrez pourquoi c'est le lieu de pèlerinage des voyageurs.

Le Buc-ee's de Giddings n'est pas le plus luxueux ni le plus grand mais il fait largement l'affaire.

If you don't know Buc-ees you don't know Texas!

This Buc-ee's is in Giddings . It is neither the biggest nor the nicest but it is a welcome stop on the road between Houston and Austin.

For those who are not familiar with Buc-ee's below are at least 4 reasons why you should stop.

**

Raison nº 1: le plein.

Une belle station Exxon avec beaucoup de pompes et des prix corrects. N'oubliez pas qu'on est au Texas!

Reason #1: gas.

Plenty of pumps ready for those big Texas trucks.

**

 Raison nº 2: les toilettes.

En général très propres.

Comme vous le voyez, je suis délicate et n'ai pris qu'une photo de l'entrée.

Juste au cas où vous soyez perdu, on vous signale que vous êtes toujours au Texas.

Reason #2: bathrooms.

Usually very clean. And just in case you do not know where you are, they remind you that you are still in the Lone Star State!

**

Raison nº 3: la bouffe.

Crackers, bonbons, cocas de toutes sortes, saucisses du coin....

et popcorn camouflage!

Reason #3: food.

Are you kidding me? Sausages, kolaches, chocolate covered raisins, Buc-ee's salsa, jams, candied jalapeños...

 And the ever popular "caramel camo popcorn"!

**

Raison nº 4: la glace.

Si vous avez lu mon article sur les boissons vous savez qu'aux Etats-Unis il faut qu'on y mette beaucoup de glace.

$1.49 pour 9kg!

Reason #4: ice.

This is the USA and drinks must be cold!

Y'all know what I mean.

**

Et surtout ne repartez pas sans acheter des auto-collants!

This Buc-ee's was short on tee-shirts but they had plenty of bumper stickers!

**

Pour en savoir plus cliquez sur le lien ci dessous.

Buc-ee's

Les recettes du castor

Incroyable!

It's Saturday and it's Bastille Day. 

I am enjoying this blessed day peacefully, at home, minding my own business and listening to Rick Steves' weekly radio program on the local NPR station. 

Today, in honor of Bastille Day he is interviewing Olivier Magny.

Olivier is a sommelier, founder of Ô Chateau (a wine tasting and wine bar), an entrepreneur, a blogger, a food and wine lover and a best selling author.

It all started a few years ago with posts written in English on his blog. 

Then Olivier's new book "Dessine Moi un Parisien" came out a few months ago in France and the English translation has quickly become a best seller in the UK and the US. 

Titled "Stuff Parisians Like" the book is, according to a blurb, "hilariously perceptive".

 Olivier has a self deprecating sense of humor, and believe it or not, I get it. Even the French like a little Paris bashing now and then, especially the non-Parisians.

It's all in good (French) fun. Right?

But then the segment ends with Olivier answering Rick's question about Parisian women's "je ne sais quoi".

Apparently it is all a myth. Parisian women don't have it. They lost it.  

In order to avoid looking like sluts I hear that Parisiennes are the "most dull and depressing women on earth"! And living with them makes French men miserable!

WHAT? 

Aux Armes Citoyennes!

I hate to break it to you Ollie, but this may not be the best day to bash French women...

 Who the heck is this knucklehead? So, I Googled him and found a lot to read about Olivier.   I also read that he considers himself a little bit of a nut case.

Now that explains it all!

***

Olivier Magny is a very funny guy and what he writes about Parisians may delight some...

Stuff Parisians Like

Parisians on English Humor

Parisians on Waiters

Le Hamburger

One of my favorite blog entries.

Scroll down and do not miss reading Vivi's comment ( 3rd one down). It is absolutely true!

Calling People After Their License Plate

In case you crave more "hilarious perspective"from Olivier Magny...

Full List of "Stuff Parisians Like"

Joyeux 14 Juillet / Happy Bastille Day

Happy  Bastille Day to all.

The parade was held on the Champs Elysées this A.M, next come the various celebrations in Paris and in towns around France.

My mom must be thrilled. For the 4th year one of her favorite hometown band, the Bagad of Lann-Bihoué, opened the parade.

Le bagad de Lann-Bihoué

Weather permitting I am sure people will dance in the streets and champagne will flow.

Vive le 14 Juillet!

Celebrating Bastille Day in Paris

I also couldn't resist posting this link (below) about Bastille Day. 

Written by a Chicago Francophile it is a humorous history lesson....

Let me Tell You About Bastille Day...

Intraduisible!!

Some apologies to my English speaking readers. 
This post is only in French. The complexity of the text is absolutely impossible to translate.


*** 


Un peu d'humour pour fêter un Vendredi, 13


***
Un petit bijou de texte...

   


Au Père Spicace, 
  
 Un grand malheur est arrivé à l'abbaye et j'ai la pénible mission de vous en faire part.

   Mardi soir, pendant que l'abbé Nédictine donnait les dernières grâces, l'abbé Quille  perdit l'équilibre dans l'escalier et tomba inanimé dans les bras du Père Iscope. 

  Les révérends pères, en perdant l'abbé Quille, perdaient leur seul soutien.
  
  Un seul restait joyeux : le père Fide.

 Quant à l'abbé Tise, il n'y comprenait rien. Il aurait bien voulu que le saint Plet l'aide à comprendre ce qui s'était passé mais rien n'y fit.  
 
 Après l'accident de l'abbé Quille, on alla chercher le Père Manganate et le Père Itoine, les deux médecins de l'abbaye. 


Ils pensaient ranimer le malheureux mais leurs efforts furent vains et celui-ci décéda peu après. 

Le lendemain fut donc célébré son enterrement. Chacun fut appelé à  l'abbaye par les célèbres cloches du Père Sonnage.  La messe fût dite sur une musique de l'abbé Thoven. 

Le père Ocquet fut chargé du sermon et comme il n'y avait pas de chaire, il monta sur les épaules du Père Choir. 

A la fin de l'homélie, le Père Cepteur fit la quête et remit les dons ainsi recueillis à notre frère africain,l'abbé N'Pé.  
 
Après la messe, une grande discussion s'engagea pour le transport de la bière : l'abbé Canne et l'abbé Trave voulaient passer par les champs.  

   Le Père Clus s'y opposa. 
   L'abbé Casse en fut enchanté. 
   Le Père San avec sa tête de turc ne voulait rien entendre. 
   Le Père Vers et le Père Nicieux semaient le doute dans les esprits. 

Finalement on décida que, comme à l'accoutumée, l'abbé Taillière serait chargé du transport du corps du défunt.
 
Devant la tombe creusée par le Père Forateur et en l'absence du Père Missionnaire, l'abbé Nédiction donna l'absolution.

Le Père Venche et l'abbé Gonia avaient joliment fleuri la tombe.

Celle-ci fût recouverte d'une belle pierre tombale préparée par l'abbé Tonneuse. 

Sur le chemin du retour, le spectacle fut déchirant.
Le Père Pendiculaire était plié en deux de douleur et de chagrin. 


 L'abbé Vitré était lui aussi plein de larmes. 

La Mère Cédés , invitée pour l'occasion, fermait la marche en compagnie du frère du Père Igord.

 A l'arrivée, le Père Sil et l'abbé Chamelle préparèrent le repas tout en consultant les livres culinaires du saint Doux. 

 Le Père Nod et le Père Collateur servirent à boire et chacun pût se remettre de ses émotions. 


Signé : L'abbé BICI    

Great News / Bonne Nouvelle

My little blog has been selected by InterNations and featured in their "Recommended Expat Blogs: USA" section.

You can read their feature article by clicking on the link below.

Corinne: Une Zanatane au Texas

"Une Zanatane" vient d'être sélectionné par InterNations en tant que blog recommandé. InterNations est un site internet basé en Allemagne dont le but est d'aider les familles qui vont s'installer dans le monde pour raison de travail. "Zanatane" a été publié dans la section " Blogs pour Expatriés aux Etats-Unis".

Cliquez sur le lien pour lire leur article.

Corinne: Une Zanatane au Texas

Discover InterNations.

Découvrez InterNations.

InterNations

A Trip to San Marcos / Voyage à San Marcos

Yesterday, with a few friend I embarked on a special trip to San Marcos. To the Outlet Mall. To the "Premium Outlets Mall" to be precise. And there lies my dilemma. How on earth am I going to translate and describe the experience to my family and friends living on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean?

So first I googled the term and found the correct translation: un centre commercial discount.

That was easy!

But let's not forget we are in Texas and we all know everything is bigger and better in Texas!

I guess a few photos will help.

Premium Outlets

San Marcos 10:15 AM.
Ouverture des magasins.

Comment ai-je pu vivre plus de 30 ans aux Etats Unis sans avoir mis les pieds dans un " Outlet Mall"? Google me dit que le terme français est " un centre commercial discount ". Mais nous sommes au Texas et comme tout le monde sait, en général le Texas voit grand!

Comme vous vous en doutez l'excursion est bien organisée. Nous sommes 4 et Diane a pris les choses en main. Rendez vous chez elle à 7h. frappante. Elle sera notre chauffeur pour les 3h30 de trajet entre Houston et San Marcos. Mais avant de prendre la route il faut avoir un plan d'action et surtout imprimer des bons de ristournes. Heureusement Diane a de l'expérience et elle nous indique le pourquoi et le comment de l'affaire:

"Visitez le site internet, imprimez vos bons de réductions sans oublier celui qui vous permettra d'obtenir un livret de bons supplémentaires."

Now, I have to confess this was my first "Large Outlet Mall" experience ever! I couldn't wait and luckily I had some excellent guides.

It was decided that Diane would drive the 3+ hour trip from Houston to San Marcos. We were to meet at her house at 7AM sharp. But before the fun even started we had to prepare thoroughly .

Here is what our expert in charge suggested we do:

"Go on-line to www.premiumoutlets.com and sign up for the VIP Club.  You will need to tell it which outlet(s) you are interested in.  Once you are a VIP Club member (free) you can view and select which coupons you are interested in.  Make sure you check box and get the coupon for the VIP coupon book (yes, a coupon for a coupon book….) that has different coupons than the ones on-line.  We will go to customer service and get that before we start shopping."

Bons de réductions en mains nous avons commencé nos emplettes dans le magasin Brighton, puis dans celui de Vera Bradley, Clark's, Ralph Lauren etc, etc, etc....

Vers 12h45, le coffre de la voiture était déjà bien rempli et la faim nous tenaillait l'estomac.

Ceci dit, avis à la population. Les restaurants sont tous du genre "fast food" et croyez moi, on mange mieux sur l'autoroute A6 qu'à San Marcos! Mais là encore, on ne va pas à San Marcos pour faire un bon gueuleton.

Arrêt rapide: une tranche de pizza bien grasse pour l'une, des sandwichs Subway pour les autres, le tout arrosé d'un verre de thé glacé. 
On bouge la voiture: on est au Texas, au mois de Juillet ne l'oubliez pas! 
Et c'est reparti.

 Crate & Barrel, Carter, Converse, Nike, J.Crew......

Coupons in hand we started our quest for bargains. First we stopped at the Brighton store, then the Vera Bradley store, then the Clark's store, then we glanced at the Ralph Lauren's displays then... then...then...
By 12:45 we had already dropped a few bags in the trunk of the car and were famished.
Word of caution.
There are no good places to eat in this outlet mall. Don't forget you are not there to eat but shop!
So after a quick stop at the food court for a slice of pizza, some 6" sandwiches from Subway and tall iced teas, we moved the car-- hey, it's Texas and it's hot in July-- and started shopping again.
Crate and Barrel, Carter, Converse, Nike, J.Crew......

16h. Pause glaces.
Phew! By 4 PM we had enough and it was time to stop for some refreshments.

Nous ne sommes pas les seules fanas du shopping...
We are not alone....

 On rempli le coffre de la voiture une fois de plus et direction Houston.
Back to the car for the long return trip to Houston.

Douze heures, quatre copines, beaucoup de rires, un compte en banque presque vide, des maris inquiets (au boulot), des enfants affamés ( à la maison), une belle journée dans le sud texan!

Twelve hours, four good friends, lots of fun, empty checkbooks, worried husbands (at work), hungry children (left at home), a great day in South Texas!


*****
Phil's text message @ 10AM
"Happy hunting".
Phil's welcome @ 7:45PM
"Are we poor?"
@ 8PM
"Nothing for me!"