This French pepper mill was a 1974 wedding gift from my sister’s friend, Janet. It works perfectly. I added a variety of peppercorns my friend Joanne sent to me.
Freshly ground pepper, yes or no?
If yes, on what?
Freshly Ground Pepper
Tag: France
Charlie’s Statue of Liberty Adventure
Sunday morning- New York City.
We’ve had a wonderful week visiting my sister for Thanksgiving. Today we split up and Charlie and his family took the 9:30 boat to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty. Charlie (2+) said she has her sleeves up! The weather was perfect. Mary and I were at the Holiday Fair in Grand Central Station when these photos arrived on my phone, Looked like a guest blog to me! Thanks James.
All of the photos are taken by my SIL James, Charlie’s dad, except for the one with the Park Ranger taken by my daughter Laura, Charlie’s mom.
“The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924. Employees of the National Park Service have been caring for the colossal copper statue since 1933.” from the National Park Service Webpage
Laura standing with the original torch. They could only go to the pedestal level as you have to be 4ft tall to go up to the crown level.
Patron Saint of Bakers and Pastry Chefs – Saint Honoré
Honoratus of Amiens (who died in 600) . The Feast Day is May 16th but no matter.
The nice woman at Jean-Marc Chatellier Bakery in Millvale said “Saint Honoré” when I asked.
Here he is, carved from wood, with his bread peel with some sheafs of wheat, watching over the baker
August 2 is the last day before the bakery goes on vacation. We just made it on our way to the Children’s Museum.
Saint Honoré at the French Bakery in Millvale
Santorini, Arles and Geneva Windows Via Omaha Nebraska
Windows.
When I posted for the Weekly Photo Challenge: Window Saturday night, within an hour’s time, I received an email from my good friend J in Omaha.
Attached to the email were photographs of interesting windows from her recent retirement European holiday.
I emailed back before midnight and invited her to guest blog. She sent a few more.
Since January first and the wordpress monkeys’ report telling me that I had 80,000 fewer viewers in 2013 than in 2012, I’ve been thinking about the purpose of my blog and reflecting on why this occurred. The decrease in viewers was astounding to me. It had been increasing, building, growing. And then it plummeted? Hmmmmm.
My blog followers numbers have increased. Doesn’t make sense. Thought maybe my posts mundane, not exotic enough, or the writing sparse or the writing boring or people just tired of seeing a pic of what I ate for dinner on a Tuesday when it was cold outside? People are rushed, stressed and don’t have time to look at the photographs? Not sure.
But hearing from my friend J in response to the gallery of windows photographs I posted, or receiving via email the Barred Owl from Shuey (which was #4 in the lineup for most viewed post this past year even though it was from 2012) or knowing that my son Mark sent Mt. Vernon photos he took of the kids after he looked at my post of him standing in front of Washington’s home all those years ago- and that was at 3:30 AM he was looking and sending current photos. It felt good.
Responding to photographs. It’s about dialogue, communication. I am always talking to the high school students about the purposes of photography. What makes a good photograph.
Maybe you wrote a comment after feeling something upon viewing an image. Or emailed me a story of a memory a photograph triggered (thanks Jack)
After all, I want people to look at the photographs I take or I wouldn’t bother to upload them and share. Didn’t my friend V just say that about why people post on FB?
They want a response!
I’m seeking some connection to others. Making sense of my life. Honing my eye. Seeing what is right in front of me in my world. Individual yet universal experience.
Most of the people I hear from via email don’t have their own blogs.
Cousin Paul sent a photo of his house in the moonlight, Rob sent a photo of a glass of wine on a table in an excellent composition and Bill sent the completed crossword. Okay, now who am I forgetting?
Matthew sent the pics from the Museum of Broken Relationships from Zagreb and Laura the photo of the Longaberger Basket Offices shaped like a basket and my sister Mary, I can always count on her to see something interesting. When I visit her in NYC she has lots of ideas about where to go and find things to photograph. Here’s one she sent of NYC signage.
The grandchildren have taken turns and want to be guest blogger as has my DIL Erika for Windsor the Rescue Horse– Anna with the pickup full of mannequin legs, Michael shooting into the sun at breakfast , Jack setting up the sock monkeys and telling them to smile, Maura with her drawing,
Friend from Florida Kristin with the Orchid Cactus brief bloom or the Alligators on Christmas Day. Euthemia with her Christmas mice.
I’ll l add more guest bloggers links in future posts but I’m grateful the blog has created a forum for exchange with one another!
Here are J’s wonderful windows she sent in response to the challenge. Thanks J.
Geneva Switzerland Windows
“From my window in Arles – J”
Le Cafe La Nuit
Santorini Greece Windows
Santorini Greece Window
Laundry Day in Marseilles
Arles, France – chandelier in window
Arles, France
Arles – peeking through the window to the sewing room of La Poule Blanche. The proprietor made everything she sold in her shop, and I bought an apron, of course.- J
Chambesy, Switzerland
Thank you Guest Bloggers, thank you blog followers and thank you occasional visitors for stopping by today.
I appreciate all of your responses.
xxoo
Ruth E
Macarons
Almost everyone’s crazy for Macarons these days. What’s all the fuss about?
Macaron stores popping up in NYC every few blocks. And in Pittsburgh!
They’re everywhere. “meringue- like almond cookies” says Jean- Marc Chatellier’s website
And they’re gluten-free.
Have you made them yourself yet? Most people don’t, but buy them at the bakery.
Preferably an excellent French bakery. In France.
I’ll skip the peanut butter and jelly flavor, though.
I was knitting at a friend’s for tea and she had a lovely sleeve of multi- flavors and colors including a lavender, a lemon and a salty caramel. (See the red box!)
My favorites are still Jean-Marc Chatellier in Millvale, PA, across the Allegheny River.
I read David Lebovitz- Living the Sweet Life in Paris blog I Love Macarons with terrific photographs and a multitude of links for more info on macarons you ever thought possible….and if you want to try making his French Chocolat Macarons click here for directions and recipe
New York City display
From Squirrel Hill French Bakery
West Village, New York City
Jean -Marc Chatellier Bakery Millvale PA
Independence Day Macarons in July