The parasol

A street artist setting up, recognizable by a worn monument-covered parasol.

Le Christ jaune

  

A graffiti version of Paul Gauguin's Autoportrait au Christ jaune with a nod to his fantasized some say delusional journal, "Noa Noa," discovered well after his death.

Paris meets London

An apéro of saucisson sec à l'ancienne and herbed baguette croûtons paired with a crumbly Shropshire Blue and splash of port.

Cheers.

Snowed in

Covered in footsteps, Place Dauphine was practically deserted by midday.

***

Above all, my dear child, do not come to Paris!

No one leaves for fear of seeing this plague fall on us, it spreads like a dry wood fire. The king and Mazarin confine us all to our apartments. - Attributed to a letter from Mme de Sévigné to her daughter, Thursday April 30, 1687

 

Snow bird

 At first I didn't notice the white bird, a seagull, standing perfectly still on the just fallen snow.

 ***

A "snowbird" is a person who migrates from a cold climate to a warmer and in Arizona, their caravans fill national park campgrounds. Usually retired, they make new friends as they go, comfortably installed for the winter months on folding chairs around campfires - knitting, cooking, making coffee, chatting, exchanging stories and travel advice. The beautiful weather brings out TV's, radios (oui radios), hiking boots and sun protection lotion. - BPJ

First snow

Snowflakes fell in Montmartre on Saturday as another curfew began at 6 p.m.

***

 Stay warm

❤️

 

The sentry

 

 

The Eiffel Tower from Montmartre rooftops.

Potage maison

 

 

 

 

 

With yesterday's announcement of a stricter lockdown it was time for a potage campagnarde. 

 

Above: tureen of winter veggies - potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, more - thickened w/beef marrow and cream

 

Below: potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips

 

 

 

 

 

Voilà l'ennemi!

A vintage poster enshrined in a Paris wine shop window.

 Above: before-after illustration of the ravages of alcohol; just beneath, drawings of healthy organs contrasted w/"organs of the alcoholic"

Soft as dawn

A soft morning light bathes the horizon from beneath rain clouds. A new day.

A portrait artist

 Mask on his chin, he waits in the cold.

Marrons glacés

With icy cold weather this small chestnuts-chocolat-chaud stand is a welcome sight at the top of the butte.

 

 ***

- In front of l'Église Saint-Pierre -

Chestnut season

'Tis the season... of roasted chestnuts.

Above: hand-warming marrons a.k.a. châtaignes at an outdoor market on the Left Bank

Monday: more marrons

Emilie in Paris

Not much is known about Emilie Mey, who came to Montmartre from Alsace with artist Théophile Steinlen where they were married a few years later.

Above: sculpture of the couple in a loving embrace

Sky over Paris

Black clouds with the sun behind from the steps of the Basilica.

Home for the holidays #3

Another holiday apéro, for six.

 

Above: planches of charcuteries w/assorted crackers; home-made variation of Liptauer cheese (Austrian specialty); sweet-salty pretzels w/nuts mix (recipe: David Lebovitz)

 

 

Home for the holidays #2

When neighbors happen to be friends....

 2021 was heralded in chez des amis with a simple celebration au coin du feu.

Above: champagne and smoked salmon w/chive cream sauce; variety of canapés

Below: foie gras de canard w/fig chutney; AOC farm cheeses 

 

*** 

Las doce uvas de la suerte

The twelve grapes of luck

When I lived in Spain, on New Year's Eve everyone would have a small cup of twelve grapes at the ready for when the first bell chimed at midnight, and with each chime, we'd eat one grape, and with each grape, make a wish. According to the tradition, downing all twelve grapes just as the last chime chimed would lead to twelve months of prosperity and good luck. This year, someone suggested cherry tomatoes instead but, superstitious, we decided it was better not to tempt fate. - BPJ

Home for the holidays #1

Celebrating during this holiday season has given a whole new meaning to, "Home for the holidays."

 

Tomorrow:

A New Year's Eve apéro

Christmas village

 

A delightful Christmas village complete with a mini Christmas market and entertainment has been set up in front of an illuminated Hôtel de Ville.  

Ends tomorrow, January 3, 2021

 Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville 

National Cream Puff Day

 

In case you hadn't heard...

 

Once again, it's National Cream Puff Day in France.

 

 Above: profiteroles, one of the most cherished desserts of la cuisine française

First baguette 2021

 First baguette of the New Year... May there be many more!

 

New Year's Day

 Stepping into a New Year.

 ***

- Bonne Année / Happy New Year - 

With all best wishes - BPJ

 

***

 

Et voilà.... 2021 est enfin là....

Une année tant attendue, tellement nous avions envie de nous débarrasser de 2020 et de son souvenir.