You Know You're In TN When...

This evening, I was enjoying a chat via text with a friend of mine when all of the sudden I saw something in my yard about twenty feet from my back deck. A possum, I thought. I hadn't seen one so close to the house before. It was rubbing it's face in the grass almost playfully for five minutes. It appeared as if it wasn't coming any closer, just working around the area it was. It went in circles almost playfully and looking as though it was eating the grass. At this point I felt it necessary to take a photo to send to my friend. I zoomed in and snapped a blurry shot. I decided to retake the photo. Just as I was doing so, it dawned on me, possums don't have fluffy tales!

I'm so smart sometimes it amazes me. <- insert sarcasm here.
I quickly realized it was a skunk not a possum and began to panic. I'm no expert in animals but my first thought as it came closer to the deck was to throw something to make it go away. It was also the point where I changed my conversation from text message to a phone call. I needed support.

As my friend was now laughing at my situation, we agreed that throwing things was a bad idea. I don't shoot animals so that was also out of the question. I asked for another suggestion and the response was to just leave it alone and hope it goes away. This was said to me as Pepe was staring at me and drawing even closer. I said out loud, "Go away!". My displeasure growing rapidly. Pepe continued in my direction. I repeated, "Go away!" this time convinced he would listen to me. In frustration I stomped my flip flop clad foot on the wood deck, a lemon in hand to throw just in case. Pepe stopped. I got his attention, my friend still giggling on the other end of the line. I stomped my foot a few more times and firmly demanded he go away. He promptly turned around and ran down the yard towards the barn! Mission accomplished.

Note to self,
Just because it's black and fuzzy with white around the eyes and nose, doesn't mean it's a possum.

French Food At Home: Mussels in White Wine

I haven't been cooking at home. My house now echoes of a life once lived here. If you don't believe me you can google my real estate agent's website and see photos. My apartment has been delayed as it is new construction and has yet to be approved by the city for residency. So I sit in an empty house watching season after season of Mad Men on my iPad to pass the time.

I went grocery shopping and purchased cheese and baguette's as I clearly only want Parisian style meals since my trip to Paris. I have eased up on the wine, much to my dismay. I happened to come across frozen mussels at the store. Knowing what a pain it is to clean fresh mussels and remove the beards, I thought it best to try the frozen version. At $3.50 for a package of two, one pound bags, I couldn't go wrong. If they were terrible I would make a meal of the bread and cheese and have a glass of wine.

Much to my surprise, the instructions were to boil the mussels in the bag for six minutes or until heated thru. I just discovered the easiest thing ever. I chopped up part of an onion and sautéed it with a bit of butter and some fresh thyme and sage. I added a little garlic and anchovy paste before dumping in some wine and white mushrooms. I let it simmer as the mussels heated themselves in their plastic home.

I cut open the bag of now opened mussels and drained off some of the liquid. Topping them with the white wine concoction, the seemed as good as the fresh ones. Plump and tasting of sea water, I am impressed. A ten minute meal from start to finish and under five dollars. I think I will make this again.

Saturday Morning Laugh

My nickname at one point was Grandma. I always fancied myself a hip girl with old fashioned interests. I'm not ashamed of my crafty abilities. They keep me busy and no one needs idle hands. A friend had posted this cartoon on the Facebook. I couldn't help but laugh. I bet you can guess which character I see myself as...

The Sky, The Summer Games

Sometimes the sky doesn't even look real to me here. No smog. It appears like a scene from the Simpsons cartoon. A day like today while productive, make me still take a deep breath and be grateful for all that this past year has offered. I don't know how many times I looked out of my car in California and was just awed. I doubt I ever realized how gorgeous the days were there. I worked next to the Pacific Ocean and would go to work while it was dark, and leave in the dark. I now know the effect sunshine and humidity can have on a smile and your skin. It does something magical. So cheers to the very hot days of Summer sun in East Tennessee.

Cheers to the Summer Olympics and sports all over the world!

Meet Bubba The Great

He almost needs a cape! I was leaving my house and as I was driving I saw something that looked like a stone in the road. Quickly I realized it was a turtle so I pulled over to avoid hitting him. I snapped a photo and realized he was going to get hit if I didn't move him, so I moved him into my car :-)

I had every intention of taking him to Uncle Bob's and letting him go there. All along I was hoping he wasn't a snapping turtle. As a child I found a pet turtle on a golf course in North Carolina. I named him Joey. Joey was adorable. I was asked to show him to some family friends after dinner and Joey must have been hungry. He clamped down so hard on the fleshy part between my left thumb and forefinger. Nothing to that point in my life had hurt more. My grandfather had to hit him on the back of his shell to make him let go after he dangled there for what seemed like forever. I learned my lesson, and threw him in the lake and watched as he swam away. I haven't had a turtle since.

As it turns out, Bubba is an Eastern Box Turtle. Not dangerous like my almost pet snake Boots.

Bubba was colorful and seemed friendlier. We ran some errands and then ended up at Uncle Bob's. I decided to take him for a bike ride. He seemed to enjoy it and then got wild and attempted to jump from the basket. He jumped off my back deck also. I think he's just spirited and adventurous.

We then came home and since it's very hot out, I thought he might enjoy the Slip-N-Slide. I was correct! He ran down the length of the slide and splashed in the water.

Next we went for a walk in the yard and admired my now overgrown garden. We came inside for a snack of some grapes. I then decided Bubba should live free. I placed him at the bottom of the deck stairs to live the rest of his life as he chooses. He hasn't moved since then. I am sure he will remember what a fun day we had together! I know I will!

Destination: Austin, TX

While my love of food and travel started long before I met him, Stephane has been not only a mentor but a friend for many years. Now as the Executive Chef at a world class Spa Resort Destination, his daily work includes educating guests about heathy cooking. His French influence and accent are part of the reason many people travel to the gorgeous resort located in Austin, Texas.

This month, Organic Spa Magazine did a feature on Stephane and included two of his recipes.

If you are looking to travel, I always suggest you find places that have opportunities for some of your regular interests. If you love to eat, find a place with amazing food. If you love to cook, find a place that offers classes from a chef with amazing experience. If you love to relax and take yoga classes and enjoy spa treatments, find a place that offers these options on site. Lake Austin Spa Resort has all of these amenities and activities. A vacation there is the chance of a lifetime to learn how to cook from the man who taught me.

Lake Austin Spa Resort
www.lakeaustin.com
The luxury of a world-class spa. The warmth of a best friend’s lake house.

#1 Destination Spa in North America, Condé Nast Traveler 2011, 2010, 2008
#1 Rated Destination Spa, Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2011, 2010, 2009
#1 Rated Destination Spa, Zagat Survey 2009/10
Top 10 Destination Spa in the World, Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2010, 2009
#2 Spa in the U.S., Celebrated Living 2010, 2009
Top 5 Mainland U.S. Small Resort, Condé Nast Traveler 2010, 2009

CDG->EWR=Layover

I have mentioned on several occasions, my undying love for Shake Shack Shroom Burgers. Coming from the land of In-N-Out Burger, I still stand by Shake Shack. At both places I only order the vegetarian versions of their infamous burgers.

I left Paris this morning at 9:35am. I landed at Newark at 11:30am. My flight was early! After passing through customs and rechecking my bag, I hit the taxi stand with a mission! Downtown Shake Shack. Located not too far from my old TriBeCa loft, I was so excited to see the line was tolerable. When I lived in the city, you basically had to watch the line camera online to see if you were going to wait two hours for a meal. I'm not good at waiting in lines, so I would only go when there wasn't a crowd.

Today was my lucky day! Nothing is better than a Shroom Burger on a layover.

Even from Paris...Myles is Too Precious

I will buy him a monster truck or something just because of this!

Le Last Bistrot Linois...until we meet again

Oh, this place brings me joy. The wine, the food, oh the food! I am happy.

In a last ditch effort to consume all of Paris, I headed to my seat at the Bistrot. I went for all that's French and ordered pâté, a dish that frightened me as a child. Also a dish that I never consume in the US.

I relished every moment.

Tomorrow I go home...to what has been my home for the past year. The house, I'm told is empty. The layover is 7 1/2 hours at Newark. My ever the thinking mother suggested I go into the City! Genius! Let's see if I can pull off a quick New York Visit with my carryon luggage after customs. Pizza sounds good, as does a visit to my home in TriBeCa. I miss that place the most!
Xoxoxoxoxo

My Parisian Thoughts

I never want to wake up from this week of pleasure.

I know the past year of my life almost to the day has been a tornado. Highs and lows, sometimes watching the storm from the center, and often with winds of change I did not think I could survive. I did. I smile. Still though, my heart aches, I miss my father.

I don't often speak of my emotions or experiences of what happened. I feel strong that when I am ready there will be a story to tell.

This afternoon, I sunned my face on the patio of a Parisian Bistrot. I had pâté and rosé. In an attempt to grasp the changes that are coming, I seek what is familiar to me. Paris brings me comfort. Paris brings me peace. Paris brings me memories from the past and now I have created new ones that were unfathomable twelve days ago. What a joy it is to be ambiguous, yet comfortable in a city with so many people.

To learn so much on such a short trip is incredible. I continue to have faith in not only myself but the hope of a bright future.

As I sit once again at Bistrot Linois, I watch as a girl not far from my age exits a car. Her mother in the front passenger's seat, she assists her to stand. With the now familiar Parisian crutch that resembles a cane with a wrist guard, the mother teeters. Her ankles look like rubber balls as she steadies herself with the crutch on one side and grasping a lamp post on the other. The patience of her daughter is resounding. I start to tear. I smile at the daughter as she catches me looking at her behind my sunglasses.

The beauty of the moment is not lost on me. They make it to a table near by and have a beverage as the man driving speeds off.

Having traveled with my father in similar conditions, I love seeing the companionship and patience that even a simple task can take. Witnessing the pleasure on their faces as they also sun along with me is priceless. They were happy. They enjoyed the same pleasure as me today on this sunny Paris afternoon.

I came to Paris to remember.
I came to Paris to forget.

Tomorrow I leave Paris full of memories and love. Renewed.

I don't want to wake up from this Parisian dream sequence in my life.

Sunday Funday!

Brunch in Paris and a walk. Sounds like a perfect Sunday, and it is! Last night was a late one. The sun goes down around 10:30pm, it rises again by 5am. I know because I saw it happen. Brunch was calling my name. I knew that Charlie Birdy offers a good brunch, so it was worth the walk.

At 20€ it is more than enough food. I was happy to have a cup of coffee to start my meal. I also ordered orange juice, the ouefs, and minestrone. Yep, bacon, eggs, croissant, potatoes, salad, and a fruit soup! Yum!

I'm a happy girl!

Paris at Night

Stephane came back from Normandy. He agreed to meet me at my hotel for a drink. How often is it that both of us are in Paris? This is a rare treat! After circling the block for quite some time to find parking, we ventured out to get a bite to eat. We went back to a favorite place of mine in the neighborhood, Le Relais Charbon.

Knowing that he is a man of good taste, I allowed him to order. I was a bit indecisive as it was. We ended up with a fantastic red wine and Tartare Boeuf. Neither of us get to enjoy delicacies like this very often back home. Served with a side of frittes and a salad, it was one of the better Steak Tartare's I've had in my life. The wine complimented it beautifully.

We then enjoyed another glass of wine, or two and a gorgeous cheese plate. I promise I don't eat like this at home, but on holiday for nine days, I can indulge. When the food is simply beautiful, it is impossible to not savor the moment and each bite. Being in great company also makes for a wonderful experience.

The view over Stephane's shoulder was distracting. I love motorcycles. It is a recent interest of mine but I have always found something so exciting about them. I'm fairly certain it stems from the first time I saw Top Gun.

We then had a café and creme brûlée. This was actually the first dessert I have had on this trip. It was good, however, sitting with a chef who taught me to make it, I must say his version is much better.

After dinner we walked the city for a while. We ended up at the Eiffel Tower with hoards of tourists and men selling cheap champagne for lots of money. The Eiffel Tower is magical. I never get sick of gazing at it. On the hour, every evening, the lights begin to sparkle. The crowd was awed. I have seen it many times but it is just so beautiful, it's hard not to be impressed. It is the biggest reminder of where you are at the moment. Paris in the Summer! This is a wish turned into reality!

We continued walking. We headed underneath the tower toward the Seine, and walked along the water. The boats along the river are often restaurants. The Paris Yacht Club was packed with patrons. It is quite a sight. Everything about this city is so full of beauty and romance.

Stephane said we would walk so I could see the Statue of Liberty. Yes, lady Liberty has a mini version in Paris! He educated me on the history of the statue and the grand gift version that sits in New York. Though I lived in New York for some time, I never actually visited the Statue of Liberty. I would often see it, but never had a purpose to take the ferry over. I should probably be a better tourist when I live in great places with landmarks. I will add that to my to-do list!

We walked some more and then later ended up going for a drive. Paris by car can be quite fun at 3am! It's such a different city at night. I had no idea the characters and nightlife existed in such a wild manor. We toured the restaurants where he came up as a young chef, saw the major monuments and buildings, and where he used to live. The red light district was definitely more interesting at night! I would probably never venture in that area after dark without Stephane, but it was great to see!

We concluded the tour of Paris after dark with some late night chef's grub. If you know anything about chef's, you'll know that after working long hours, they always have a cool place to hang out and relax with some probably not-so-healthy yet oh-so-delicious food. Insert random crepe stand/Halal/Greek food. Oui, Oui! At almost 4am, it's packed. The lines are long but move quickly. We had intended on crepe's but by the time we were able to order, it turned into an indulgent middle of the night meal. So bad, but so good. We did walk a lot, not that I ever will justify what we ate.

It was another good day and night in Paris. These unexpected adventures are evidence that the most fun happens without a plan, expectations, or a map! This is the difference between being a traveler and a tourist. FTW!!