A trio of pain spéciaux from Coquelicot.
What We Have to Look Forward to Tomorrow Morning
We have been asked to come into the Bureau des Étrangers at the sous-préfecture in Béziers for an interview. The first time ever. Hopefully it has to do with getting the coveted 10 year cartes de séjours, but we really have no idea.
The thing is, they didn't give us an appointment. That means we need to leave the house by 7AM in order to arrive before 8AM to wait in line outside (morning temperatures are predicted to be about 32-34 degrees F) so when the doors open at 8:30AM we'll get one of the precious few appointments that they dole out to the smallest number of people possible to interview before closing for the day at 11AM.
Looking forward to it. You betcha.
I'm not even worried about the interview part. It's the thought of standing outside freezing while we wait to take a number that sounds so awful.
Layers. Must wear many layers. And a hat.
(of course, if they give us our 10 year cartes de séjours, it will all be worth it! Here's hoping.)
The thing is, they didn't give us an appointment. That means we need to leave the house by 7AM in order to arrive before 8AM to wait in line outside (morning temperatures are predicted to be about 32-34 degrees F) so when the doors open at 8:30AM we'll get one of the precious few appointments that they dole out to the smallest number of people possible to interview before closing for the day at 11AM.
Looking forward to it. You betcha.
I'm not even worried about the interview part. It's the thought of standing outside freezing while we wait to take a number that sounds so awful.
Layers. Must wear many layers. And a hat.
(of course, if they give us our 10 year cartes de séjours, it will all be worth it! Here's hoping.)
Sunday Reading (One Day Late)
(meant to post this yesterday...)
Delightful prints, postcards and posters.
Very excited about our upcoming wine tasting in Paris. It will be held in King Louis XV's sommelier's personal cellar that dates back to the 17th century.
Ditch your household cleansers. You can't go wrong with vinegar.
Where in the world are you? Test your Traveler IQ.
Friends and family will come running for a steaming bowl of this spicy Jamaican dish.
Fabulous tips and tricks if you live in a small space. Or even if you don't.
Delightful prints, postcards and posters.
Very excited about our upcoming wine tasting in Paris. It will be held in King Louis XV's sommelier's personal cellar that dates back to the 17th century.
Ditch your household cleansers. You can't go wrong with vinegar.
Where in the world are you? Test your Traveler IQ.
Friends and family will come running for a steaming bowl of this spicy Jamaican dish.
Fabulous tips and tricks if you live in a small space. Or even if you don't.
Don't Forget....
This Saturday, September 13, is the deadline for la Fête du Fromage blogging event.
Several have already joined in and sent me links to their cheesy (and I mean that is a nice way) posts. Come and join the fromage fun!
A few rules:
Here's the original announcement.
Several have already joined in and sent me links to their cheesy (and I mean that is a nice way) posts. Come and join the fromage fun!
A few rules:
- Photos are good, but not necessary
- Entries must contain the words La Fête du Fromage and contain a link to Chez Loulou
- send the link to your post to louloufrance (at) gmail (dot) com
Here's the original announcement.
Short of ideas? Be creative!
I was having guests for dinner, and had no time to plan. Plus, Xavier and Jia Lin are both excellent cooks; it is always difficult to match their talents! I had a look at my fridge and decided to do a "purple theme dinner"! 
My starting point was this beautiful (natural) purple cauliflower bought over at my local producer's at the Murat Market. I also had beetroot, a bit of trevise salad, red onions, and some pink potatos! The tone was set! I had bought the day before a "carre" of free range pork over at my usual Charcutier (his prok comes from a farm in the Sarthe).
I set a nice yet not fancy table (I have told you, 40% of the success of your dinner!) with this table cloth bought in Singapore's little India that I love, anthracite color dishes, the Ercuis stainless steel silverware, the tall mouth-blown water glasses from Cairo, and the as tall wine glasses I bought to match the water glasses. I put my thick, dark brown glass candle holders, and the pot-pourri I have made with the roses my husband gives me for my birthday, contained in a mouth-blown glass fruit bowl.
And here is my menu:
My "mise en bouche" was Pink Verrines in three layers: Bottom layer, cream of mushrooms bought from the Greek lady at my market. Medium layer, cream cheese with diced beetroot in mirepoix and freshly ground red pepper, top layer of green olives tapenade, and a "tear" of tomato concentrante on top!
My appetizer was a Lukewarm Cream of Celery Root with Diced Beetroot and Pink Dry Berries.
I will give you the recipe of this delicious and easy celery cream in a post to come soon! I took pictures "step by step"!
The main course was not so purple but delicious nevertheless, a
Carre of Free Range Pork in a Curry Sauce (yes, I peeled the pink potatoes and spread some pinck dry berries on top!)
The garnish was a Sauteed Purple Cauliflower simply mashed with a fork and served hot in a separate dish.
Lettuce and trevise salad, tossed with an olive oil vinaigrette was served after the main course followed by a fabulous Mont d'Or cheese, ripe and tender bought at my favorite cheese shop, Fouchereau on rue d'Auteuil. 
Baked Apples with home made blueberry jam (the one I made in Santa Monica last summer!) proposed with Calvados was dessert. 
My starting point was this beautiful (natural) purple cauliflower bought over at my local producer's at the Murat Market. I also had beetroot, a bit of trevise salad, red onions, and some pink potatos! The tone was set! I had bought the day before a "carre" of free range pork over at my usual Charcutier (his prok comes from a farm in the Sarthe).I set a nice yet not fancy table (I have told you, 40% of the success of your dinner!) with this table cloth bought in Singapore's little India that I love, anthracite color dishes, the Ercuis stainless steel silverware, the tall mouth-blown water glasses from Cairo, and the as tall wine glasses I bought to match the water glasses. I put my thick, dark brown glass candle holders, and the pot-pourri I have made with the roses my husband gives me for my birthday, contained in a mouth-blown glass fruit bowl.And here is my menu:
My "mise en bouche" was Pink Verrines in three layers: Bottom layer, cream of mushrooms bought from the Greek lady at my market. Medium layer, cream cheese with diced beetroot in mirepoix and freshly ground red pepper, top layer of green olives tapenade, and a "tear" of tomato concentrante on top!My appetizer was a Lukewarm Cream of Celery Root with Diced Beetroot and Pink Dry Berries.I will give you the recipe of this delicious and easy celery cream in a post to come soon! I took pictures "step by step"!
The main course was not so purple but delicious nevertheless, aCarre of Free Range Pork in a Curry Sauce (yes, I peeled the pink potatoes and spread some pinck dry berries on top!)
The garnish was a Sauteed Purple Cauliflower simply mashed with a fork and served hot in a separate dish.Lettuce and trevise salad, tossed with an olive oil vinaigrette was served after the main course followed by a fabulous Mont d'Or cheese, ripe and tender bought at my favorite cheese shop, Fouchereau on rue d'Auteuil. Baked Apples with home made blueberry jam (the one I made in Santa Monica last summer!) proposed with Calvados was dessert. Anncoo , the blogger who takes me back to Asia so often through her incredible dishes, has surprised me - and delighted me! - with this Excellence Award!
I have been writing so many truths about myslef lately that I am not sure I have any left.
So this award can be shown without risking anything (ha ha ha)!
Bon appetit!
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