Books for Paris in July ... a wrap up post

This was my first time participating in Paris in July and I had a blast.  While I thought I may do two posts I found myself immersed in the books, food and music.  Check out our host Emma at Words and Peace for info and great suggestions.  

I will round up my virtual time spent in France with a post about books. 

My introduction to French author Valérie Perrin was through the Women in Translation website. There are so many wonderful resources and lists there to help you sort according to your interest.  If it's a particular author or certain countries you are interested in - this site has it.  In August they host an event to read women authors via translation.  I plan to join in and hoped for another book by Perrin, translated by Hildegard Serle.   Alas, I don't think there is a new one out yet.

Previously I have read these by Perrin, reviews are in the links:

Fresh Water for Flowers
Three
Forgotten on Sunday

Other books I've enjoyed which fit our French theme are as follows. (some reviews in the link)

Memoirs 🍷 

The Olive Farm: A memoir of life, love and olive oil in the South of France by Carol Drinkwater

On Rue Tatin by Susan Hermann Loomis (loved this one!)

French Toast by Harriet Welty Rochefort

French Lessons: Adventure with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew by Peter Mayle

Almost French by Sarah Turnbull

Fiction ( besides French author Valérie Perrin) - there were many more on my old book blog but I can't access it anymore. Alas.

The French Gift by Kirsty Manning

The French Girl by Lexie Elliott

The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier

Thank you Emma for hosting and sharing so many books, albums and more.  It's been a blast;

Sharing with Emma at Words and Peace and Deb at Readerbuzz.

Palmiers, Chicken Chasseur, Steak au Poivre and baguettes! {Paris in July 🥖 }

Food is my inspiration for this week in the Paris in July  event hosted by Emma at Words and Peace.  Palmiers were on my radar and that made me think about all the other recipes I have prepared from my Williams Sonoma Essentials of French Cooking.

Here are the Sun Dried Tomato and Tapenade Palmiers I made yesterday and the recipe many be found Here on my old food blog.

That made me think of all the other menus we have enjoyed, and continue to prepare, so I will post the links to our favorite recipes from this book. (recipes in the links)

Seared Tuna with Piperade from the Aquitaine region

Sea Scallops in Tangerine Sauce from the Pays-de-la-Loire region. Very tasty.

Steak au Poivre from Lyon - this is on the menu this upcoming week again. So easy.🥖

 Here is one I make quite a bit - Chicken Chasseur

We haven't had the scallops in a while but now I want them again after seeing the photo. What I do make often is bread -  here is my latest baguette.  

For a bit more foodie inspiration check out my post on Patricia Wells's The Provence Cookbook for roasted chicken with rice and figs. 

We enjoy so many from these cookbooks and they make a fairly regular appearance.  Do you have any favorite French recipes?

Sharing with Emma at Words and Peace. Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon.  

Beginning French by les Américains for Paris in July

 

Eileen and Marty are Americans who dreamed of living in France.  They bought a 400 year old farmhouse with a charming layout, purchasing it online.  I am not that brave.

They begin renovating the old house to their taste, making it the home they always wished for.  Oh, it’s full of issues here and there such as a bursting water heater that destroys all their furniture  and carpets, electricity issues where it just goes out completely if more than two applicances are plugged in and of course a small language problem.

I’ll hand it to them, they did learn enough French to get by in restaurants and shopping, talking to neighbors and such.  I always felt if we became ex-pats we would absolutely need to learn the language of the county.

There is French conversation sprinkled throughout the book and an interactive glossary embedded  in the book.  If your Kindle isn’t on airplane mode you can click on the French word and see the translations.

The book has many recipes, courtesy of Sara their chef daughter.

Goat Cheese souffle
Mussels with Almonds
Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese, wrapped in Pancetta
Tomato Peach Salad
Duck Burgers and Onion Jam

Besides the hiccups of rennovations and adjusting to a different culture,  it seemed enough time was spent explaining  how Marty “unwittingly” flirted with the carpet installer, Jaqueline, and how Eileen left him for a few weeks.  This was clearly a major event in their lives/marriage.  By the way, Jaqueline is described as looking like Marion Cotillard’s younger sexier sister.  I had wondered if Marty and Eileen still lived between California and France.

There is yummy food inspiration mentioned in the book, especially the roasted figs.  Instead I went with a French chef and recipe from Jacques Pépin.  Here is Fettucine with summer vegetables. (previously posted this recipe on my defunct food blog).

This was a reread of an ex-pat adventure and a book I'd recommend for those who love the idea of restoring an old home in another country.  I am linking up with Emma at Words and Peace for the Paris in July event.

Coming up this week is a post filled with French food,  so many recipes from one of my French cookbooks. Now I'm hungry :-)

Afternoon in Paris with Sacha Distel and Comme Toi with Ishtar #ParisInJuly

Let's share some music today for Paris in July hosted my Emma at Words and Peace.

Afternoon in Paris is a fantastic album and we listened to it again last night.  Read about it here in Jazz Messengers.  It's a beautifully recorded album from 1956, recorded in Paris and the only collaboration between John Lewis and Sacha Distel.

To listen click HERE and I think you'll love it.

Check out this song Comme Toi by the French-Israeli singer called Ishtar.  She sings with a French based band called Alabina.  We have a Buddha Bar CD with various selections.  We particularly like Ishtar's version of this song in French -   Listen HERE.  

Sorry but I don't know how to embed the YouTube links...but if you click on that link you'll hear the song.

 Buddha Bar is famous for it's restaurant and music, based in Paris France.  Not all the albums appealed to us but they have a unique catalogue and following.  I'd love to eat there!

Sharing this Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon and with Words and Peace for Paris in July.  Upcoming are some book reviews and foodie posts. Au Revoir for now!

Paris in July

Paris in July would be lovely.  I visited many decades ago but it wasn't in July.  So much to see, experience, taste and enjoy.  I will be enjoying things French and particularly Parisian from home instead of in person, getting creative cooking, reading and visiting others for inspiration.

Paris in July is hosted by Emma at Words and Peace.  Check out the info for joining in HERE.  

Some things I have on tap are Hemingway's A Moveable Feast,  a few French recipes, DeBussy's music for one of our listening evenings, and a couple of novels set in France.  

If you are joining in let me know what titles or subjects you have in mind.  This will be a fun activity for hot old July here :-)