Memories of France ~ The Chateaux
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Tag Archives: Travel
Memories of France ~ The Food
Beef eye-of-round and Carrots cooked in mild ” ices (Voatsiperifery pepper, paprika and turmeric), cumin potato bubbles and sa % ron yellow zucchini, beef gravy and cress shoots to
Cushion of veal cooked like a boiled ham, with grilled bacon from the same meat, seasoned with lovage. Heads of broccoli and duxelles of finely sliced chard served on home-made wholegrain bread roll
Milk chocolate and pollen flavoured # reusel biscuit, organic honey parfait, served with a smooth peach-apricot cream. Sorbet comprising the
Dining my way through France
France = Fabulous Food.
A photo journey from the Jules Verne restaurant in the Tour Eiffel to the La Calife Seine dinner cruise to very best culinary experiences in Annecy and other French Alps locations to traditional French dishes prepared by daughter–my fabulous tour guide, translator, and personal chef–who was spending the summer in France with my granddaughters. The little ones enjoyed their own three course hot meals at the day-long French summer camps they attended throughout their stay. Lots of foie gras energy for those gondola trips to the top of the Alps, the museum visits in Geneva, and the usual smattering of forts, castles, historic and scenic sites in both Paris and Annecy.
the summer in Annecy with my granddaughters.
Chateaux of the Loire – Day Two: Chateau Sully-sur-Loire
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This gallery contains 17 photos.
Now THIS is what a castle is supposed to be! Visit the Chateau’s website and be sure to play the Presentation Clip and you too can experience what we did, traipsing up and down endless spiral stone staircases (hanging on … Continue reading
Looking forward to my journey to France
I will be joining my family in Orléans France two weeks from today. Here are some photos of the neighborhood of our Airbnb accommodations at the Place du General de Gaulle in the center of the city. 
And here is our lovely apartment with a very un-French American style kitchen, a delightful room for the granddaughters with a play area, and a couch for me should I still be sleeping sitting up for my broken shoulder. It’s got to hurt less in France! And all at an extremely reasonable price. Weekend trips to Paris, the Loire, and other destinations are very easy. And Drivy is our source for car rental (the European Airbnb for cars!). A nice elderly woman is renting us her car for the entire stay.
My sleeping accommodation if I’m still sleeping sitting up
Master BR
BR for Grandmas and Grandkids
Asking for prayers
- Last night up in Oregon to see grandson’s musical tripped and fell on gym floor and broke my right shoulder. All night in ED for X-rays and sling. Back to son’s at 4 am then passed out from trauma meds etc and 911 again. But checked out okay by son’s firefighter buddies. Today dealing with pain and not sure how I’ll get back to California. Or how this will affect my planned move in 2 weeks or summer travel to France. But one day at a time. If God led me to it, He’ll lead me thru it. And, yes, it was Friday the 13th!
Weekday get-away to Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur
I’m just back from my best ever mini-trip to Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur. Taking off on a rainy morning under dark skies, the sun breaking through in the distance promised stunning views, delicious meals, and a relaxing break. Enjoy.
Lunch was first on the agenda with a stunning table-side view of Anton & Michel’s flower-bedecked fountain courtyard in Carmel
A glass of Saint Hilaire French Brut brushed aside memories of a longer than usual trip down
…and a hearty bowl of lentil beef vegetable soup felt so welcoming
The smile of a charming waitperson added to the charm
An entree of blackened swordfish on a spinach salad did the trick
And as every woman knows, a well appointed restroom is an added bonus
After a bit of shopping, it was on to Monterey and checking into the Merritt House Inn with its fun room themes, mine Hawaiian
And admiring my shopping finds, a fringed suede shawl and an adult coloring book and colored pencils
Before dinner a two mile walk along Monterey bay over to…
…Cannery Row
Ending with a delightful shot of a dolphin sculpture outside the Monterey Plaza Hotel with a early evening moon above
Then back to Carmel. I had made a dinner reservation earlier in the day for Andre’s Bouchee Restaurant and Wine Bar, knowing that their mouth-watering seared Foie Gras a la Orange Sanguine would be on the menu but disappointed to hear that the duck confit was “out”, gobbled up by greedy tourists the day before.
But much to my delight when I arrived, the waitress announced that the chef, hearing of my desire, had found a way to make the Confit de Carnard just for me on a bed of skillet browned gnocchi with mini root veges swimming in garlic parsley butter. YUM!
And could I resist the Crème Brûlée
with Espresso and Frangelico…of course not!
The next morning called for a walk on the Carmel beach
Then as a last treat, a trip down Hwy 1 to Big Sur
And lunch at the Nepenthe restaurant…
…with its spectacular view
…and a cup of delicious tomato bisque soup. Even the dreaded trip home in Friday afternoon rush hour and holiday traffic couldn’t erase the memories, the tastes, the views of my relaxing get-away.
J’aime Paris
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This gallery contains 22 photos.
Favorite photos from my many journeys to Paris. Nothing can destroy its beauty, history and the courage of its citizens.
How not to think about packing…
Where’s Scotty when I need him? As the days count down and I’m surrounded by packing boxes, I desperately want to be beamed up to my new home. The best way to distract myself while I’m resting on the couch with various sore muscles being chilled under ice packs is to think back to some of my lovely trips to France. And look forward to another journey to my favorite French destinations next summer.
And, you MUST scroll to the bottom of the photos to see my the abode which I will share with my daughter and her husband and my two delightful granddaughters, ages 3 and 5. I know I’ll enjoy the fabulous view of the entire San Francisco bay from my little private patio. And what better than having two little people prying your eyelids open in the morning, whispering, “Are you awake, Mimi?”
Paris in winter
Eze during the Christmas holiday
Spectacular Bonifacio where my love of Corsica and my novel MOTHER TONGUE began
The gargoyles of Notre Dame in sight of our apartment a block away
Honfleur–the harbor master’s where my great-grandfather did business on his clipper ship the Llewellyn J Morse
The cottage at Chenonceau at the height of the wisteria season
The harbor at Cassis–gateway to the Calanques
Opera Garnier for the ballet–red velvet heaven
Dinner on the beach at L’Ile Rousse in Corsica
The fabulous Chagall museum
Visiting 113 rooms at Chambord
The Paris Opera costume exhibit at Chambord
Serenity…the harbor at Bonifacio
The Petite Hameau of Marie Antoinette at Verseilles
A stunning view of Mont Saint Michel
A cozy view of my new home at night. That’s my special space on the bottom right behind the wrought iron fencing.
The back patios.
The double terraced yard.
My little private patio with views of San Francisco bay
A view of San Francisco bay from the main level
My favorite Southern California outdoor room…
We’re on vacation in the San Diego area where I grew up back in the Fifties and one of my favorite places for a delicious meal amid the relaxed ambiance of Southern California is the outdoor room that my best childhood friend created at the rear of their modest, decades-old home. Not only does it offer al fresco dining for every meal but features cushy sofas and rattan chairs designed for interesting conversations and peaceful naps, all wrapped up in the warmth of Provençal colors and artwork, with every nook and cranny filled with pottery and potpourri. Created by putting a real roof with skylights over a patio enclosed by a half fence, it is both charming and relaxing, drawing family and visitors alike toward a small back yard chock full of fragrant flowers and colorful vines. Just imagine you’re there!.
Dr. Karen Stephen aka Doc Flamingo 