The Tomato Juice

Today for lunch we had a roast chicken, cold green bean salad, and fresh, ripe, juicy tomatoes. They weren't home grown tomatoes here at the house in Maillane...but given to them by a friend who lives down the road. I'm talking huge-big-as-your-head tomatoes (okay...maybe head is exaggerating it a bit). Anywho, Didou sliced them up and put them in a large bowl which then served to catch the juice and all the delicious olive oil from the producer down the road she had slathered on.

The tomatoes were delicious...not as good as my Papaws...but pretty close. Only loved ones that know me and my mother best, and have shared a summer meal with us know that the absolute BEST part of eating a tomato is the juice that's left in the bowl after they're gone. We have literally fought over the tomato juice....especially if it's been a particularly juicy one. Just one slurp (you have to make the noise or else it doesn't count) and its gone but I can still taste it now!

After Padi, Didou and I had finished all the tomatoes it took all my strength not to pick up that bowl and take a slurp while no one was looking. I kept staring at the bowl and fidgeting in my chair wanting the juice. At the end of the meal, I saw Padi pour the juice down the drain and I almost cried. Seriously. It's that important. Maybe I bit my tongue this time but I can assure you next time around I WILL ask to slurp the tomato juice.

Without hesitation.

À bientôt!

Completely exhausted doesn't even begin to describe things right now.  Even my fingers are too exhausted to write you lovely things on my blog.  This week has been a whirlwind of activity, wonderful and not so wonderful....and I am sad to say that I said goodbye to 2 very, very dear friends of mine tonight.  I know I will see them both soon in the near future but until then I am sad to see them go!  Rozy and Laura....you both have made my last year in Paris so wonderful.  You are both such sweet, kindhearted, and loving girls....its not easy to let go!  I can't imagine picnics on the Champ de Mars, random nights spent in random gardens, or drinking some of the cheapest wine I've ever tasted without you both.  I can't even find the words amongst my jumbled brain to thank you enough for the time spent together this year.  I love you both!!!

Marie-Césare and I are off to the south of France tomorrow!!! I am so ready for some sunny weather I can barely stand it.  Now, I only hope I can catch up on some of that sleep I've been missing in my life! It's going to be difficult to spend these next two weeks on "vacation" essentially, without thinking of the million things I have to do in Paris in the 3 days before I leave...but I'm going to try and savor every moment, every mealtime, every dip in the swimming pool with Marie-Césare and her grandparents.  I can't even imagine the goodbyes coming my way and its incredibly difficult not to think about it.  I will blog about my last few weeks in Paris at some point.....maybe when I'm back in the US of A and things have settled down?? I've done some pretty cool things these past few weeks and I'd hate not to share it with you all!  That way I can keep writing and sharing my adventures-something that I love.  It's a win-win...no?  Until then, I'm off to spend another vacation in the south of France.  Soaking up fougasse, funny French accents, and les Alpilles for one last time .....À bientôt!  

My Week In Photos...

Sunday afternoon drinks at Les Deux Magots last weekend was a quick dip inside from the rain falling on the sidewalks.  This café in the middle of Saint-Germain-des-Prés was an intellectual and literary hot spot for Hemingway, Sartre and friends.  At such a pricey restaurant, all we could afford were drinks...and an excellent opportunity to watch tourists and locals alike buzz around the classically dressed waiters.  

Had to have Berthillon ice cream one last time before leaving.  This time I chose fraise des bois.  Found this little guy sneaking out of my ice cream cone!  

The night before Alison left we spent the evening wandering around Tuileries, the Louvre, and the Pont des Arts.  

The fair at Tuileries gardens.

From the ferris wheel.

Itty Bitty Sacre-Coeur in the back...if you can find it!

Churros-with a pocket full of Nutella! Genius!!

I wish I could tell you this was the only time I saw an Eiffel Tower shaped cow this week!! 

And....dinner last night at Pink Flamingo Pizza.  Yummmmmmy.  So glad we were able to fit it in our busy schedules.  Quite pricey for the pizza-but always so good!  We tried out a new location in Montmartre on rue Muller-great service and easy to get to! 

Laura ordered what basically turned out to be paella on a pizza.  I had La Che.  Lime and cilantro marinated pork, plantains, spring onions, and fresh cilantro on top.  Um-hello....delicious!  

Daisy chains in Parc Montsouris today.

Oh Random Posts....

Check out the sweet cake Marie-Césare made for me today on Easy Bake Oven's App.  Doesn't it look just delicious?

And....a photo from our beautiful day at the Jardin des Plantes last Wednesday with Cléo and her mother.  

Ring Pops I had brought back from the States last summer!