Eggs

I am American. I'm familiar with eggs, you know,  like eggs over easy, eggs sunnyside up, eggs scrambled... but the complete egg is foreign to me. However, with that said, it never fails, every French person I've ever met knows how to eat an egg in its round cooked form. What is the name of this creature? Its name is Oeuf a la coque cuisson.

What is the translation? A soft boiled egg in its shell. Why is it frustrating? It is frustrating because every French person knows how to tackle it with grace and style.

I've been trying to eat this little cherub for years now, but it never fails, I crumble the shell into bits and pieces and it the yolk just runs down my plate, making a royal mess.

But now, it's a game. Now, I have unsuspecting guests. Yep, it's true.  There is no random chance at my house if you are served this egg. Sure, I'll invite you over for coffee, but there will be "this" egg in its holder and you bet, I'll be watching you. Why? Because I still can't do it! UGH

 

 My Nomadic French Husband showing me for the 50th time, how to eat this critter.

Matter of fact, my friend Lena, (little did she know it was a test), even laughed at me and told me there was a better way to eat this little egg during one of her morning visits. Soon enough, she effortlessly sliced the top off and began to eat it as if it was a right of passage; she, of course, is French.

So for now, I'm still tackling it. However, if I get the chance, and someone asks me how I like my eggs, I will say, "Just like the weather here in Southern France, "SUNNY SIDE UP!"

Carnaval! Let's party.

I have always loved Halloween and I never knew anything about Carnival or spelled Carnaval in French.

I thought Carnival was something in Rio or celebrated only in New Orleans. So it's here and it's a big event. Carnival is everywhere... in little villages and big, and there is something for everyone. 

The PTA put on a big Carnival party for the kid's school last weekend and it was just a blast. I made the whole family dressed up like pirates, which by the way, is an easy option for those in a pinch. 

Fun was had by all, but apparently it's just the beginning. Any plans for the weekend?

Destination:  Nice, France.  This main winter event on the Riviera is one of the largest carnivals in the world, offering a program of unforgettable entertainment … from 17th February to 4th March 2012.

Here are the details. You'll love their animated website and make sure your speakers are on!

Nice Carnival (or) Carnaval de Nice

Do you wear hats in Winter?

Even tomatoes 

should wear hats!

It's cold!   I thought that wouldn’t happen here, but then, I’ve only lived here for four months and researching the weather wasn’t on the “to do list” when dad got the job.



***  ***  ***

All I knew was that we were going to have far less rain than Seattle, and that was good enough for me.  It meant there was more time for me to be outside, hunting, sniffing and less time in their bathtub. 

Hunting, Sniffing, Enjoying Life

What does this have to do with tomatoes?  Sorry, I get off track easily.

When it’s cold my mom sticks on these ridiculous hats and sweaters to keep me warm, but now I just realized she does the same thing to tomatoes, so I guess, I don’t feel so bad.

Dinner is served, hats and all! 

This is tomates Farcies... otherwise known as Stuffed Tomatoes.

It's a great "cozy" meal for those cold winter nights and you'll be sure to get

all your vitamins in with these beautiful tomatoes.

The Royal Poodle is suppose to have the same intelligence as a 7-year old. I'm smart, but I cannot read, I'm letting the humans give you this recipe. If you have leftovers, please remember the 4-legged ones in your house.

Stay warm or grow your fur. 

I hate when a city proves a Pisces wrong. Meet my oasis....

It's hard to be in a new city, let alone a new country. You have to figure out where things are, you miss the way things were and then, a new language.  Oh and one small detail... let's not forget to mention that you don't know a soul. So what to do? Let me rephrase it... "What the HELL do you do?" You cry, you're lonely and you also complain.  For me,  I (WINE) and then I reminisce about how perfect my other city was and what this city doesn't have. 

However, today, my city proved me wrong and not just a little wrong, but big wrong. I hate it when that happens.

You see, for me, I love water and I love to swim (Note to self... I live next to the Mediterranean Sea).  But it's winter and the sea is freezing cold. So I was complaining how this place just doesn't have the best indoor pools. They are dank, or have queer hours, or just plain dismal.  If only... and then,  I found it.
OMG did I ever find it! Meet my oasis... My new best friend...

This place is so big, I can't get it all on camera.

Now, 

when I feel like jumping... 

I will jump

Do you see the slides for the kids?

right in the water!

My conclusion of the day: When you don't know a soul, you must do good things for your soul.

Find whatever it is that makes you happy, seek it out and go for it. In this case, it found me. 

I guess, it looks like I have one good reason to like this place. hmmm

Tip: Men and boys must wear those fitted swimsuits, like you know, the dreaded speedo, but they now make them to resemble biker shorts, so they are not so bad.

Info: This wonderful Oasis is open 7 days a week. For more info link to their website: Nautipolis

Cheeseburgers in Paradise and A&W Rootbeer!

I love finding a slice of America where I live.

Today in France, I was transported to one of my favorite zipcodes: 30306, the little neighborhood of Virginia Highlands in HOT LANTA.

So what did I find? 

Guissart is keepin it real with his restaurant called  Zucchini Blossum. This Generation Y guy is a quick study. After living for a short time in Phoenix, Guissart,  traveled, observed and took notes. Then, he brought back, his impressions, (his own slice of America) to his own native France.

Don't let the name fool you, Zuchinni Blossom specializes in hamburgers, Quesidillas, Chili and of course American Desserts.

The best part..  it's just hip with Free Wifi, Cool Music and good eats.

When I asked Guissart (who speaks perfect English), what style he was going for, he replied, "He just wanted to get away from the snob, protocol dining atmosphere known here in the French Riviera."

I think he nailed it. 

Complete with a quirky, 1960's goldfish aquarium, Guissart  plays very good music, and the atmosphere is just cool. Loungy.

It's therapy.

It's National Crepe Day! La Chandeleur

Today is National Crepe day or
Day of Chandeleur!
I so obliged!
It is the only day I get away with human food at their table.

Let's wine about the weather. Winter is upon us in the South of France.

Not sure if the picture is blurry or if I've drunk too much wine.

It was inevitable. "It" being Winter. Winter has come to the South of France. So what to do?Good thing this country never runs out of wine. On cold nights, it comes in handy. Meet my new catholic friend, St. Emillion. My mom would be so proud to be hanging with the right crowd. But this friend is disposable.

Can I wine a bit?   Wine about the weather, wine about the region, let's wine. Wahhh.

Put on your winter caps and coats on, let's go for journey...

I'm so glad I'm welcomed to these joints.

There is one activity that you cannot get tired of in France, and that is the visits to the wineries.

Now the secret tip: They welcome kids and dogs.

WHAT?


Yep, these are not the wineries of California. You know what I'm talking about, those pretentiously self-important, haughty or pompous Napa wineries that we visit and dress up for, that we talk about with our so-called important neighbors or friends, that make us feel like we've arrived. Nah. Scratch that. Let's be real. And these my dear, are the real deal.

Dogs and Kids are welcomed!

So what type of wine is in my region? Today, I'll write about the region of Provence.

The  Provence Region is a large wine-producing area, best-known for its rosé wines, the most famous of which are Côtes de Provence and Côteaux d'Aix. However, the Provence vineyard also produces red wines, including some very rich red wines from the Var, and "grey wine" from the Camargue area. The most famous of the area's white wines is Bandol, celebrated since the middle ages. Note that the Provence vineyard also includes the southern end of the Côtes du Rhone AOC area.

American taste?
Okay, I admit, I'm a fan of the Shiraz. I guess too many dinners at the Outback Steak house in America. I was so happy to find the best of the best (quality and price). Meet my staple that keep me stable. It's a blend of Syrah, cabernet and grenache. The price? 5 Euros (about $7 USD).

 These babies are from my favorite winery, Domaine Nais:  http://www.domainenais.fr/ion

 Well, I could wine all day, so I"m leaving you with some beautiful images just a few wineries in France. The presence of greatness never stops when you are on the grounds of these great domaines. Have a safe journey, and don't drink and drive! That's why you bring the kids with you. Let them drive you home. Okay, it was just a joke, but be sensible.

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It's Snowing in France! What's for dinner?

It's snowing in the South of France...

 The kids are thrilled. School came to a halt today, and we went to pick them up in first thick rain, sleet, and finally snow. So what's for dinner? I don't feel like cooking. As I thought about my previous post, where do cooks come from, I remembered we use to come from Switzerland. Well, coming from there is a stretch, we lived there for three years. Once winter rolled around in Nyon, Switzerland, our weekly staple was raclette. So tonight, that's our choice. 

Luckily,  we were just given a beautiful raclette machine from our French friends, Lena and Patrice Arnera! Tonight, we will put it to good use.

 
 What is raclette? It's easy as pie, and very convenient to fix. It provides our bellies with good food consisting of potatoes, melted cheese and various meats.

The name "raclette" (pronounced ruck-lett in English or rah-klett in its native French) refers to a meal and to a type of cheese with the same name. The traditional dish can be described as melted cheese eaten with boiled (or roasted) potatoes with small gherkins and pickled onions. Modern electrical appliances that are used to make the dish are called raclette grills, mine, featured below.

With the tradition originating in Switzerland, Raclette, the meal, is one of Switzerland's best loved national dishes and is very popular in other parts of Europe such as France and Germany.

Tip: Not too keen on the stinky cheese? Try Raclette with Cheddar. Nothing is better (in my opinion) than melted cheddar cheese over potatoes. If you want a veggie raclette, try slicing zuchinni, red peppers, and strips of  asparagus just warming them up on the top tray, instead of meat. Use your imagination and enjoy. Raclette machines can be bought online or found in high end kitchen stores such as "Sur La Table" or "William Sanoma." If you are overseas, you can find them at most any applicance stores such as Darty or Conforama.
Bon App!

Seattle or The French Riviera?

 I continually ask myself, "Where do cooks come from?" Are their finished products  part of their past, their culture, or souvenirs from places they lived or visited? Do they collect recipes like we buy postcards, and stuff them virtually inside their souls? Today was that case in point.

Where are we? Location Description: Wet, Dark, Gray, Low ceilings, 40 degrees, January. Could be Seattle? It's France, specifically the Cannes region. The weather, the emotions,  brought us right back to the Sound...  Puget Sound that is. Who says one can't find salmon elsewhere? The Atlantic Ocean has one species versus the endless variety of our Pacific. But when it is fresh, it is beautiful. This 10lb Atlantic Salmon was bought right here, at our market. The Price? About the same as Seattle, $28.   So it does rain in the sister-city of Hollywood, but it only rains 60 days a year versus 300 days (Seattle). When it rains it pours and it releases a chef's emotions, and they create, like an artist would paint. They dig inside their soul, and take what they experienced, where they visited, where they lived and then, they add their cutlure to give it one last spin.   This baby was cooked on the weber charcoal grill, stuffed with his culture,  herbs from France, and  served next to a side of Basmati rice, a recipe from his Armenian side. Tonight we will drink. We will eat Salmon. And we will remember from where this cook comes.

Hitchcock?

I went to the store Habitat which is the cheap version of Crate and Barrel and I saw these freaky clocks. I just found them very odd and, well, freaky. Additionally, this print of the nuclear waste plant was just, as well, Odd!

How in the hell do we get out?

You see, he did it again. He is my husband, Henri. He is French. Living in France and being French has its advantages. Okay, he can't play the "I've got a cute accent" like he did in America, but for him, it means, he gets away with stuff. You see, there is a secret code between the French that 1) You need to know the rules (and) 2) If you know the rules, you can break them with logic.

Et voila, so this is how he parks. Now, imagine and expat trying to park like this? First of all, the mere fact of touching another car in America usually means someone is going to call their insurance and/or lawyer and well,you know the rest. However here, as a French man, he looks around and follows logic. He tells himself, the NRJ Music awards, are in town  which means parking is tough.  So, he has squeezed into this tiny, tiny space and called it "his own."  I was dreading the fight on our way back to the car. I can't even believe he could get the car out! But, since he is French, there was no fight, he was just following rule 2 because he knew rule 1. (see above)

His logic was that he needed a parking spot. I asked him, "what happens if they said he scratched their car?" then what?" With that, he simply replied in a very French way, "They cant proove any-ting!"
Gotta love the rules and how the frogs break them here. That's the unfair advantage of an x-pat like me. I follow the rules to a T, worried I'm going to break some crazy law in a foreign country and be locked up in a small prison cell, forced to eat very bad croissants all day.

Hmmm.  I'm sure this happens everywhere, rule-breaking. What rules do you break where you live? You know what I'm talking about, the small rules, because you know you can get away with them because either you know the entire town, or the mayor or because of your nationality? I want to hear about them.

What's for dinner?

Long are the days where we can just get in the car and drive to Pizza Hut, or call it an Outback Night. Restaurants are very difficult here. Difficult for your wallet and difficult for your kids, well that is, if your kids make any type of noise and don't resemble little robotic chillins that just smile and say nothing.
A trip to the store can be quite a challenge for me. Posted are some of the choices we have. One, being brains of baby cow, the other being horse, trigger anyone? Next, we have something recognizable, but I make it rule to never eat anything that is looking at me, so I'm not fond of heads on animals or fish.


So what's for dinner? Well, glad you asked, I found two good American- style restaurants in the Nice/Cannes area. These will be my staples for those days that I pine for something familiar that just doesn't really exist here.

Zucchini Blossom

1283, avenue de la Plaine
Téléphone : 04 83 14 82 34
Contact : Responsable et Chef : M.GUISSART
They offer cobb salads, Caesar salads, quessadillas, and killer cheeseburgers,

Another one is: 

Blast, the American bar.

The best American Bar in Nice, France!

Well, I'm off to eat. Bon App

Out of Beans. Off to Starbucks? Nah, get out of town.

As Nomads, we live here and there, usually for three years sometimes less. Never-the-less, I always walk away with some part of that world inside me, and I carry on. I lived in Seattle for three years. The land of coffee on every corner and really, really good Asian food. Today I need both, but I'm in France. So what to do? I follow people. Today, I followed a group of Chinese tourists in Cannes to see where they ate. I practiced my broken Chinese, and greeted them saying things like: ni hao  (prounounced Nee How) and   xiei xie  (Shay Shay)
and they led me here. They probably had a deal with the tour operator, but I'm with them, and I'll have what they're having. They all sat down, and got the royal treatment. Soon, the restaurant was full, and one hour later, so was I.

Next, off to find the beans. Well there is no "Star Sucks" as they refer to it here,  not  in my region. There are no chains like "Sisters," or "Seattle's Best," but there are good beans. But where are they and who do you follow? Coffee drinkers all look the same. At first, we followed a group of Italians, but they just led us into the Gucci store. So with that, we left them at the door. We are still on the search for good beans. Once I find them, you'll hear the story. In the mean time, my husband has gotten us into a small pickle which I'll blog about soon.
In the meantime, a few Chinese words can get you a good meal.
http://www.minmm.com/minc/show_classes.php?id=100

The cone of shame

72 euros later, I have 3 meds and 1 offer to buy Benji, all from the vet.

Sick dog, new language

We brought the family over which includes our standard poodle Benji. He is very rare here, like walking a dinosaur on a leash. People follow us, ask for pictures, and have even stopped in mid traffic to see him. Today he has pink eye. Oh but crap, what is that in French? Sometimes you just wing alot of stuff. Speaking of winging, I miss hot wings. What do you miss where you live?

Some people choose it, some people don't. My ride.

Some people choose to quit it all and live their dream. They move. They find jobs. They live their dream.
Others, are nomadic. Circumstances of the economy? I would say perhaps, but we have turned down "just jobs," for better ones that just happen to be out of our comfort zone. This is our ride.