Friday 4 January 2013

Back on track!



Hello, I must apologise for being silent, but I have been stuck in bed with a gastroenteritis, which is prevalent all over France at the moment except for my "made in Canada" partner who is resilient to any germs!!  The upside being my January diet is done and dusted !!

These pictures where taken in Paris on the Pont des Arts : the pedestrian bridge over the Seine loved by tourists.  The new fashion of binding your love with a lock engraved with your initials and throwing the key into the Seine has really taken off as you can see.  Not so many years back, we would cross this bridge a few times a week with our two pugs and we have so many wonderful memories there.  The romantic side of me would say that the gesture is lovely but having not walked by there in a few years, I was a bit taken back. It is so beautiful there and I just found it a bit out of place...
Tomorrow, service as normal as I shall be making a raspberry "galette des rois" for Epiphany on Sunday... 
Thank you to the new followers who have joined, I am really happy you joined us all!



30 comments:

  1. Hi Ivan!
    I'm so sorry to hear you've been down with a nasty bug. It's rampant here too. Fortunately I got my flu shot several months ago. Terry got his recently and is hoping that he will dodge it. I haven't gotten the flu, but I've been laid low by a nasty cold. It's frustrating because it gets in the way of what one wants to do.

    Your pictures of Paris are lovely. I find the locket/key tradition really sweet. I want to get to Paris and add one for Terry and me. It does look a little out of place, but it's so sweet I can overlook it.

    I'm looking forward to tasting your "galette des rois" on Sunday. Yes taste! Many times I can taste a recipe just by reading it. I'm also looking forward to trying your recipes in the new year.

    So your partner is from Canada! I tell you those d-a-r-n Canadians are everywhere! lol!
    Louise

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    1. Hello Louise,
      Thanks for stopping by, it took more time to get back to normal this time - lots of sleep required!! I had my flu shot as well!
      best wishes Ivan

      Delete
  2. Wow! What a warm and welcoming new header! You must have just changed it because the old one came up when I first read your post!

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    1. I changed again!!! Hope you still like it?
      Ivan ;)

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  3. I'm one of those 'darn Canadians'!!!lol
    That is a lot of locks! and keys in the river!! This custom/tradition keeps the tourist $$$$ coming!
    Good to hear you are 'back on your feet' and ready for another 'food series' for us eager students!! Thanks and have a great weekend Ivan.
    Jim

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jim,
      Thank you, I hope you like today's double recipe and you are both enjoying your snow!!
      Ivan

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  4. Chicken soup
    helps everything from flu to venereal disease

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    Replies
    1. Hello John,
      You'd think it would come on the NHS! But tell me, do you eat it in both scenarios?
      Ivan ;)

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  5. So sorry you aren't feeling well, Ivan. It's making the rounds here too - it was even on the news tonight. I had it in November, so hopefully that's it for this season.
    I'm looking forward to your latest dish.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Terry,
      Thank you, it was not too bad here until Christmas and the the whole of France has it! (we have maps on the news also!). It is all the travelling people do.
      Ivan

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  6. Sory to hear you have not been well, lovely photos.

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    Replies
    1. Hello,
      Thank you, feeling better now. Hope you have a wonderful time on Holiday!
      Ivan

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  7. Glad you are feeling better Ivan! We experienced the same right before Christmas, and I skipped a lot of holiday baking...worrying that I'd unintentionally pass something along....as a teacher for 21 years, I don't usually catch anything anymore...however, this one had me unable to move.

    Adoring the gorgeous view!

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    Replies
    1. Hello,
      Thank you, I must say it did knock me more than it does usually but I still feel tired which is surprising! Hope you are all doing well.
      Ivan

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  8. Dear Ivan,
    I'm pleased you are feeling better now. I have managed to avoid the 'bug' even while in Wales for the hols.
    I also love to stroll around Paris with the one I love. It is that sort of place isn't it. Mind you I also enjoyed strolling around Llangollen in the pouring rain with him too...
    I wish you both a happy and a prosperous new year!
    Kirk

    PS
    Galettes des rois? I shall look forward to seeing how to make those!

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    Replies
    1. Hello Kirk,
      Thank you, happy to see you back, hope you had a wonderful time despite the rain that seemed to cover the whole of the UK. Paris is magical like that and yes, one can make everywhere special!
      I hope this year brings you both all you wish for.
      Ivan

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  9. Hi Ivan! I'm always looking for new and tasty recipes, especially french. And it was a nice surprise to find your space here. I liked very much. I'd love to get some recipes from here and take someday to the Marie Agneau. May I? I wish you and all of yours a wonderful New Year filled with much peace, love and blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Hello Marie,
      Welcome and thank you. Your blog is beautiful and enchanting. Yes, you may use recipes for your blog (a link back would be appreciated). Wishing you a year of happiness and health!
      Best wishes, Ivan

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  10. Sorry to read you've not been well Ivan...hope you're feeling 'chipper' now! We went to Florence last year and the Ponte Vecchio bridge also had these padlocks attached nearby. I didn't realise the keys were thrown in the water. Look forward to your latest creation! Claire

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    Replies
    1. Hello Claire,
      Thank you and I am fine if a little sleepy! That's interesting to know this is happening in other places. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Ivan

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  11. What's next, Ivan? Red bows up to the top of the Eiffel Tower? xoh

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    1. If we see this happening.... we shall blame you!!!! Hope you are well!
      Ivan xx

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  12. Look at all those locks! I bet one could get an interesting angle with their camera...colours, shapes, sizes. We would be all over those pieces...looking for the unusual all the time. Please take care of yourself especially since John Gray suggested VD...imagine that! LOL

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    1. Hello Ron,
      Yes, lots of photo opportunities there but in the middle of Paris, not the first thing I would want to photograph (LOL)! I am much better thanks and I was eating chicken soup (for the flu only!!!!) beforehand. Mr.Gray has a wealth of information, I just question the temperature as that may burn...
      Ivan ;)

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  13. Sorry to hear you have been ill - i do hope you are totally recovered now. I need to shift some post-festive pounds but would rather not do it through a stomach bug! That bridge is amazing - I can't decide if I think it's romantic or cliched. I hope your Galette de Rois is a big success. Gillian x

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    1. Hello Gillian,
      Thank you, more or less normal now - taken it's time though! I don't recommend it. I am like you... jury is out!
      Best wishes Ivan

      Delete
  14. So glad you are over the worst of it, Ivan. I have been able to dodge that bullet, so far, but many of my friends have not been so lucky. My guess is my fresh veggie & fruit juice every morning is paying off.

    Can’t wait to try your recipe for galette des Rois, we have our version of galette des Rois (King Cake). I looked up the French version and saw it was made with puff pastry. Ours is more of a Brioche dough. They can be found with many different fillings, cream cheese, fruit fillings, nuts and cinnamon and if you know where to shop you can buy one with a praline topping, yum! There is a small plastic baby doll inserted in the dough of the King Cake and whoever finds it must supply the next cake.

    Kings Day marks the official beginning of Mardi Gras season. This year Mardi Gras is early, February 12. Things are already gearing up for parade season. The Krewe du Vieux is the first parade of the season and scheduled to run January 19th. Saints preserve us, just when you thought you’d be able to relax a bit—here come Mardi Gras. “Throw me something, Mister!!!” I can’t wait!

    What were you saying about January diets? Well there is always Lent to get us back on track.

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    1. Hello Harriet,
      Thank you, I am interested to find out more about the Kings cake from New Orleans, there are always similar foods (I shall Google it for pictures - thank you!). Well, yes Mardi Gras in you part of the world is very well known. It makes our news, there is not much done here. It is very early this year as you say. Hope you are keeping well!
      Best wishes, Ivan

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  15. Hope you are better now!
    I know what you mean about those locks. Some might find it romantic, it just looks a bit messy to me, like graffiti.
    Okay, I just went back and looked at that last photo. We are right, you know, that looks out of place. Why don't people listen to us, Ivan, don't they know we know best? :-)
    I love any cake made with raspberries.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Kay,
      Thanks, I am better now. From a distance it is not so bad. It is almost OK in the first photo but up close.... I just think about the poor person who will have to remove them one day and will all these people stop loving each other then.... (LOL) Seriously I was more concerned the railing will drop in the water in a few years with all the weight!!
      Hope you are well.
      Best wishes, Ivan
      (No one ever listens to me!)

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