The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Flower Cat

Cats in Paris: they're not just ornamental. Read more →

Bouche de Noël

In French, you not only have to know the vocal and the myriad of conjugations... you've got to SAY it right. Or they WILL mock you. Even when it's about a freaking edible Yule Log. Read more →

Introducing: Fabulous Stuff I've Found

When I come across something this fabulous, I just have to tell somebody. Read more →

The Wrong Foot

Never in my wildest imagination did I think there would one day be a child in my life who would ASK, no BEG, to eat THIS. This, that looks like something I once dissected in 10th grade biology class (and is part of the same animal). He keeps asking me to taste it (he bugs me about never having eaten an oyster, too), but I just can't bring myself to do it. I had enough trouble keeping my lunch down while heating this up for his dinner (his papa wasn't home in time for dinner tonight, or he'd have done it since he knows how I feel about it)... and believe you me, I will never again be at the same table as this particular dish. (Et si ma belle-soeur lit ça: merci pour PAS servir ce truc pendant les vacances, LOL!) French people eat weird stuff. And yes, I know they think the same thing about Americans and, say, peanut butter. Although they now seem to love cheeseburgers and cupcakes over here. Chacun à son goût. Have you guessed what it is? Read more →

Jet-lagged blogging (uh-oh)

I have no idea if this blog post makes sense. But if not, don't blame me. It's the damn jet lag talking. Read more →

Recipe for Dazzling

Take eight or nine inches of snow, top with a layer 1" thick of ice and sleet, let sit overnight, then add a touch of blue sky and late afternoon sunshine. Read more →

Miss Manners & Company

Maybe you can't ever really go home again. But maybe you can travel back in time to your old school and get a nostalgia overload. Read more →

Crazy Jersey

This year's homecoming visit has been the biggest emotional roller coaster yet. I have been very good about NOT stress-eating, but is it too late to start stress-drinking? Read more →

After the Storm

It snowed again today, nearly all day long. When it stopped, I went out to run some errands, and just as I passed the Allen farm down the hill from my childhood home, the late afternoon sun broke through. Winter wonderland. Read more →

I have yet to spend an actual Christmas IN Paris

Taken in Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris. Notice the text is in English? And there's that white flocked tree. Paris: wish I were there. Even though I have never ONCE spent a Christmas at home in the city since I've lived there. I'm either here in NJ, or in the south of France -- this year will be no different, as I arrive back in Paris on the 18th, and we leave on the 21st for Saint Raphael. I'm not complaining about the other Christmases, and I'm not saying a Parisian Christmas would necessarily be any better. Just that I keep wondering when I'll get to finally find out for myself! Read more →