You might think my excitement about finding those tiny Bonne Maman jam jars is about the jam. You would be partially correct, it's fabulous. But, what really makes me happy is their project repurposing perfection.
With so many beautiful roses and prolific lavender at home in Cadrieu, I looked for something I could make that would put those babies to good use...rose petal bath scrubs. I'd begun with the large Bonne Maman's and glass yogurt jars, but in this case...smaller is better AND with a lid!
They were sweet, pretty, and well-preserved in their single size body scrubs. I found they were easy to use for one bath and made perfect thoughtful gifts to friends. I must confess, I felt like a pampered coconut cookie by the time I was done (solid coconut oil, rose petals, sugar and sunflower oil).
With this summer's trip home reduced from 4 months to 2; I may not have enough time to indulge myself in crafty projects. I already know there's lots of work to be done in the garden and another long list around the Chatette that should keep me busy...but, you never know.
Ever since a number of our friends passed away last fall; a gang of us who worked at City Hall together had been trying to get ourselves to the Napoleon House. It had been going on since late September-early October, but what did it take? It took other mutual friends, Ann and Marty Rudegair coming to town to finally make it happen.
I arrived to find Ann and Marty sitting at the bar. Soon Pat Morris arrived and we hung out at the bar till we could round up a table. By then, Pat Bendenbaugh and Jane Jurik made it too.
We ended up in the dimly lit dining area where we soaked in love, friendship, and memories; with our pimm's cups, sazeracs, white wines...and, just a diet coke for me after being sick most of spring break.
Here we were late (3pm-ish) on a Monday afternoon. The place was packed. We had to wait for a table. And, as you can imagine; there was just a bit of bemoaning the gone good old days when our wonderful "local" haunt was not so much on the map.
If I've learned anything in these three years that I've been back stateside; it's to savor these moments and get together whenever you can. I've teased that sometimes I feel like the only reason I've returned to the states is to be here when everyone dies. That's a tease that's not a tease. I hesitate to give you the three year count.
After saying goodby to Louis and our waiter Bruce; there seemed to be endless hugs and kisses right at that corner entrance. Louis had commented that he hadn't seen me in a while. Those good old days became new good days when I realized that I had been missed.
This post is dedicated to all my friends and family who I love that have moved on during these times...I'll always save a chair at the Napoleon House just for you. Thinking about each of you beside me, makes me smile...many Napoleon House Smiles.
Maille products are staples in my condiment cabinet when I'm home in Cadrieu.They are generally not to be found in the grocery stores that I haunt regularly. That was, until I found my favorite Maille Cornichons Extra Fine Gherkins at Terranova's recently.
On my recent trip to the "country" Mike and I stopped in at The World Market...what a treat! I'd never been before. I found treasures galore. I managed to restrain myself until I saw these two special Maille "moutards"...I had to have them. As much as I wanted the tiny jars of Bonne Maman confiture-I controled myself.
I know I'll be ready for another visit sometime soon, and this time I'll come prepared!
Last year I began participating in National Letter Writing Month with the Egg Press/Hello Lucky Write_On Challenge: 30 Letters in 30 Days in the Month of April. In addition to special friends, I chose to try to reach other individuals in my life who probably tended to write the least. I'd hoped that getting something fun and creative in the mail might get them off their "devices" to try something a little different for a change. Did it work? I don't know, but I do know they enjoyed it. So-what to do for this year?
I haven't decided if my approach will be the same or something different. I do have a whole new batch of students, so we shall see. I'd chosen my photos and a favorite quote that seems to match the photos perfectly, and went to work yesterday. Afterall, April 1 is just around the corner.
It took a little time to get everything just right (write) on the cards that I'm going to send. Since I've dispensed with lining the envelopes this year (a la my sister, Kat); I've added other sweet touches. Last year it was New Orleans Angels and antique French Postcards. This year it's Kisses from Paris and views of the Stravinsky Fountain in light with gold!
Here's just a little tease for April!
Write_On! Go to www.writeoncampaign.com and learn more. Join in and you can receive your own Write_On starter kit from the team at Egg Press and Hello Lucky!
Would you like to be on my "Write_On" List? Just drop me a note with your mailing address, et voila!
...to Cadrieu; Monsieur Winkelmann made his way to us by truck in pieces. It hadn't crossed my mind that Monsieur Winkelmann would have been difficult to sell in Paris. Places are so small, and a big boy like him needs a lot of room. In fact, after looking at many many options for his new home at the Chatette; I decided that he was to have a room all his own.
Monsieur Winkelmann's piano room was born.
Of course, getting him into the Chatette to begin with was going to be no less of a challenge. I was impressed with these guys beyond belief. The guts of my guy was hauled up the 10 stone steps from the garden and then rolled across the uncovered and covered terrace, so he could be gently swung into the piano room.
These pictures are worth more than a thousand words.
I looked on in awe!
But, we were ready. I'd already had special spots for Mom and Grandma.
On that day; the Chatette, Dali, Sammie Cat,
Monsieur Winkelmann and I, became a "we".
He so enriches our lives. I miss him every day. But then, as Monsieur Jolly told me when he finished tuning him up for me before I headed back to the states in 2014: "He'll be waiting right here for you whenever you return."
And, he is...that's more than I can say for most men that I know!
The first time I met my Monsieur Winkelmann (who was not so named at the time); I'd taken the midnight train from Cadrieu to Paris to "try him out" at Monsieur Jolly's atelier before agreeing to the purchase.
Because he was a "big guy", he was out at another of Philippe's ateliers in the suburbs. I must confess that playing a baby grand was not what I expected after years of "spinet-ing". I wasn't sure I was crazy about the sound, but as Philippe said: "This is a piano that you will play for others." He sat down to play for me...
...and Moon River worked its magic again. No one had ever played Moon River for me before. I stood with my back to the windows of the atelier with tears in my eyes. He was right. The deal was sealed.
Getting over to Mom and her services that morning; I was most concerned about having a chance to practice and play Moon River on the piano at Valhalla before I actually had to do it for an audience. It went well.
Friends and family were arriving when I went over to the podium to put my Nat King Cole Song Book down. Jim, Tom and I would be sharing our Mom memories from there with the attendees and mine were in my book. We'd pulled together memories that we'd all shared with Kat that were included in a special gift she'd made for Mom's 80th birthday.
Jim and Tom were sharing theirs. I was sharing mine and Kat's. None of ours were easy to speak or share, so I'd revised the typewritten copies I had, and had re-written them by hand. When I opened up Nat-my handwritten memories were no where to be found-just the scribbly-scratched memories I had tried to revise unsuccessfully on the typed version. I'd grabbed the wrong memories off the mantle at 411.
It was still early. The service didn't start until 2. Here came John to my rescue! He was with me when I discovered the wrong memories. After a chat with Kat, off John and I went back to 411.
It was a strange visit. John stayed in the car. I ran in the door and grabbed the revised memories off the mantle. I put those new memories in the Nat King Cole Song Book and ran out the door. Locking the door on the porch, the wind blew up. A memory flew out of the book on the porch. I scooped it up, and got the door locked. Putting that memory back in the book, another memory blew out on the grass on the way to the car. There I was chasing Mom memories at 411. I even said outloud: "Okay Mom, that's enough...messing with me again."
I got in the car with John. We giggled about me chasing memories and agreed...
I tease about going to "the country", when Sammie Cat and I go for our overnights to Mahogany Oaks. It's really only across Lake Ponchartrain to Covington, but it feels like the country to me. We always have so much fun with Mike and John. Carmen joins us from time to time.
I know I've mentioned the MOB before-The Mahogany Oaks Bar...drinks, snacks, nibbles, dinners, and great company. Getting up a little later than usual on Sunday and still in our pjs drinking coffee; we began watching Original Sin with Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie. When it was finished, Mike began to show me how Direct TV can work. We searched movies that might be available. Next up, The Piano with Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel. And then I remembered: French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline.
Released in 1995, it was a favorite of mine. There were many films from that time period that I owned (on VCR of course) AND I also had the sound tracks. I thought I was ready for a trip down romantic comedy lane. It became so much more.
I really hadn't stopped to think that French Kiss had been released 21 years ago. Watching Ryan and Kline dashing through Paris carried me back to my first Paris trip in 1992, when I had a gorgeous ex-pat American walk up to me on the street in Paris and ask me if I had time for "a little conversation." I didn't know it at the time, but that was only the beginning.
I love Paris. I get very wistful for it from time to time, but these days I miss home most. As Ryan and Kline were heading south on the train to Cannes, they end up stopping in the countryside. They walk up a dirt path through the lush, deep forest, "Luc's" father comes to greet them, and it hit me: the first time I saw this movie I only knew Paris. I hadn't been to the countryside. I felt a huge hole. I burst into tears. It is impossible for me to imagine never having had Cadrieu in my life. I missed home even more.
These three plus years stateside have been difficult, but necessary.
I also realized that I completely missed the anniversary of the purchase of the Chatette on Februrary 22, 2002. This year, the Chatette and I have been a "we" for 14 years. But then, this year on February 22, 2016, Mike, John, my brother Tom and I were driving back from Mom's services in St. Louis. I guess I had other things on my mind.
So today: Happy Birthday to the Chatette; another HUGE MERCI to Mike and John; a celebration of gratefulness for the discovery that there is so much more than just "Paris" in France; and...
...an even huger anticipation to the day when Sammie Cat and I can be home and full-time French Girls again.
...azaleas, iris, and water lilies were the order of the days on our most recent trip to Mahogany Oaks. Mike and John outdid themselves again as usual, and Sam and I came back to Columbus Street this morning feeling the pampered girls that we were once more.
Of course you know there are more stories, but for now...A very HUGE MERCI to Mike and John!
As rare as it is for our whole family to be together, it is even rarer for our Dad to "get out". Kat had discovered through a very good friend of hers that you can actually rent handicap accessible vans. We'd talked about getting one and taking Dad somewhere, but he was never really interested. With Mom's passing, it was essential. But to be honest, it became amazing.
When the services were over, Kat asked if we all wanted to go to Applebees together? This same friend had given her a gift card to use as she chose, so off we went.
As Dad was being loaded into the van, it became clear that no one had actually asked him if he wanted to go to Applebees. Kat hollered: "Ask Dad if he wants to go?" Interestingly, Dad said yes and then: "Thanks for finally asking me."
Mike got on the phone to the closest Applebees, where not only were they handicap accessible; but, they even had a spot that could fit all 16 of us. We put Dad at the head of the table with Tom B. (Kat's husband is Tom M.), and the fun ensued.
Tom B. and Dad had burgers...the rest of us ranged far and wide in variety. At one point Dad said: "This is the best burger I've had in three years...it's hot!" It struck me that Dad had not left Hidden Lake for anything other than ERs, hospitals, and Dr.s appointments, in those three years that he had mentioned.
We all giggled, but then it hit me: Dad had not left 411 for anything other than ERs, hospitals, or Dr.s appointments either. I'm not sure the exact number of years, but I would guess that it has been close to 15 years since our Dad actually had dinner out in a restaurant.
Look at that smile on Dad's face. There should be no doubt...we will be doing this again!