IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS

We ate this one for Alexis, who has always adored the strawberry tarts at La Madeleine.

First we spent one day following in Julia Child's footsteps.  Today we spent the whole day searching for all of Giada de Laurentis' favorite haunts, from her time at Cordon Bleu, including the indoor food market on Bvd. St. Germain, Poilane Boulangerie, and Patisserie Pierre Herme'.  If only I had thought to flip through my copy of Ina Garten's Barefoot in Paris cookbook, I probably could have come up with an agenda for a third day of foodiness!  John is probably glad I didn't.  He remembers our last trip to Paris as the one where I dragged him to 100 churches and museums, so he has dubbed this one as "100 Bakeries in Three Days!"  (Merde!  I pulled out my Barefoot in Paris cookbook when we got home, and there's a whole appendix at the back, listing all of Ina's favorite foodie places in Paris.  Must go back!)

People line up down the block to get in this place, but I was not all that impressed.  I think it was more about the "brand" than the product.

This one, though, was worth the wait -- a shared apple pastry from Poilane.

Tomorrow we leave bright and early for our seven-hour motor coach trip (with a lunch stop in Dijon) to the spot where our cruise starts.  John hopes there will be a little less trekking and a little more relaxing when we get on the boat.

Oh yeah, and if you're wondering how expensive Paris is?  Every Coke we buy is costing us about $7.50, and there are no free refills!  Good thing we were only here for three days.

THINGS I'VE NOTICED

The French are very creative when it comes to parking.

1) Many, many people in Paris drive tiny little cars, just like me.

2) Many, many people in Paris have "strong" gallic noses, just like mine.

3) Many, many people in  Paris spend a lot of time thinking about food, just like me.

Perhaps I was French in a past life.

PARIS

We made it!  Worst part so far?  Being told that our first flight was delayed two hours, which meant we'd miss all our connections.  Thirty minutes later they switched it back to being on time, and all was well.   It was also a little tough to arrive at our hotel at about 9:00 am, after skipping ahead six hours and eliminating a whole night's sleep, only to find that our rooms wouldn't be ready until 3:00.  The good news is, it's a really nice hotel, within spittin' distance of the Eiffel Tower!  We had croissants at a cafe with new friends who will be on the cruise with us, wandered the neighborhood until we couldn't stand up any longer, then took a boat ride down the Seine and back.

Best part of the day?  Walking in Julia Child's footsteps on Rue Cler - her favorite street for food shopping. 

 

We saw one cafe that was dedicated to fois gras, and each table had its own little toaster!

We had dinner at one place there, then dessert at another.  And now, finally, to sleep, for the first time since Wed. morning!

MISS BECKY IS GOING ABROAD

I'm not kidding, we are!  We're off on a grand adventure -- a riverboat cruise through southern France.  The only bad part will be missing my blog friends terribly.  See you at the end of the month!

DIRT DAUBERS

We went to the first annual Dirt Dauber Festival over in San Marcos yesterday.  It was billed as "A Celebration of Clay Art in Texas", and was held at the amazing Eye of the Dog Art Center.  I like pottery, but never seem to buy anything at festivals for it's all so much alike.  But not at this one!  Each artist here was offering something so unique that I was tempted to buy from each and every one of them -- and probably would have, if I weren't saving my money for France.

Birdfeeders for those with a grisly sense of humor.

Window display by local celebrity and "Dirty Car Artist" Scott Wade

One of several demonstrations that were going on.

New facility for classes and workshops.

Owner/Artists Billy Ray and Beverly Mangham live/work/garden and raise chickens on the property.

MAKIN' THE MOST OF IT

Bright, beautiful days?  High temps in the upper 70's or low 80's?  What does that mean in Wimberley?

A slow, steady stream of these through town...

All.  Weekend.  Long!

STOWAWAY

  

May 15th already?  How can that be?!  That means a mere three days from now, we'll be loading these babies into the car, and heading for the airport!  Guess I'd better start thinkin' about what to put in them.  Know what's really scary?  My hubby just announced that he has to make a business trip to Houston between now and then.  "We leave on Wednesday?  Are you sure?" he asks.  "Hmmm.  I was thinkin' it was Thursday.  Oh well, don't worry.  I promise to be back in time for my cardiologist appointment Tuesday afternoon.  He wants to see how I'm handling this new medicine he prescribed."  Not worry?  HA!  What a joke.

Oh well.  I hope he does make it back in plenty of time, 'cause it could get pretty nasty if I have to let Lexie and Fiber Woman duke it out over who gets his seat on the plane.  That FW is tiny, but she's scrappy!  Of course, come to think of it, I could probably just stash her in that big ol' suitcase we bought this week...