The third week of August is always quiet in Paris and with perfect weather it’s been absolutely delightful. I reverted to the easy sort of parenting that’s useful when everyone else is away: crêpes for dinner in the park, ice cream every day, letting David Attenborough take the wheel on long afternoons. Walking the dog round the block was the closest we came to routine.
I did some imaginary house hunting among the masterpieces at the Musée d'Orsay (book in advance as the free kids tickets go fast) while my children ignored Monet’s waterlilies, focused on turning the glass bench into a row boat. We stopped for treats in Café Campana (5th floor) where the waiter thoughtfully sat us away from other customers, a godsend when my little frenchies went hard on a group of tourists declaring “you can tell it’s a troupe of Americans because they’re all wearing ugly shoes.” I promise I didn't teach them that but I can’t promise I didn’t laugh, until I realised I was wearing identical shoes.
During school holidays the museum sets up a well equipped activity club in the Salle des Fêtes which is free to enter. Under the glow of priceless chandeliers and enough gold leaf to pay off our mortgage the kids lounged on beanbags and read stories, listened to creative podcasts, made a few drawings and we inserted ourselves into the art via the cute photo both. 10/10 recommend.
My husband dropped our eldest off at university so I did what I usually do instead of processing my emotions: tidy and rearrange every cupboard in the house. While doing so I came across this little memory that a neighbour helpfully stuck to the door when we brought our newborn home from hospital which says “if baby cries we close the window, the neighbours are sleeping.” Bonus points for the clip art. I still have my suspicions on who left us a genuine anonymous note telling us to be quiet and have plans for them but revenge is a dish best served cold.
After 5 days solo with the kids we’d really scraped the bottom of the barrel for fun so poor noisette took one for the team and let them give her a bath. I’ll be making it up to her for days.
Have a great week,
- Emily
Real Life Paris Photo
Whoops.
Mirabelle Galette
Use any stone fruit you like, they all work.
1 portion of tart pastry, any will do but pâte sucrée is particularly good (I make the gluten free one from Baked to Perfection). Store bought is fine too.
Mirabelle plums, halved and stones out (you can toss the fruit in a dusting of cornstarch if you think it’s too juicy).
Sugar
1 egg or some milk, to brush the pastry
Turn the oven to 180°C.
Lay a silicone mat on a baking sheet and roll the pastry into a circle keeping it about 1/4 inch thick, then pile the fruit in the middle.
Fold the edges of the pastry back onto the fruit to build a little wall. Brush the pastry with egg wash or milk and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for around 30 minutes, until the fruit is jammy and the pastry cooked through.
Serve with ice cream or crème anglaise.
Bon Appétit!
Recent Finds Worth Sharing:
Order your toilet paper in bulk, get 15% off and improve someone’s life as 50% of profits go to making sure everyone has access to clean water and a toilet.
I am NOT ready for autumn but when I am I know my fabric shaver is going to get a great workout. Makes everything look brand new again.
Someone told me about this delightful Jacques Pepin menu book and I ordered one so fast.
Sent a bunch of sentimental bits and bobs to be framed with colour colour matched frame and matte boards.
Noisette’s dog bag needs replacing do you think she’d like this one?
The only sneakers style I buy (on sale).
This and this are the two things keeping my skin acceptable by the tail end of summer (separately not together).
The French Edit
The French Edit: Wedding Surprises
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Aug 21
Having attended several French weddings (including my own) I’ve learnt they’re just similar enough to my anglo expectations to make the things that differ really stand out. Here’s what’s surprised me over the years (and as always the exception usually proves the rule):
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