French Leave
Monday, June 4, 2007 I'm not dead (and I didn't run off with Chris Cornell, either, dammit). But I'm not in Paris at the moment, and my optimistic intention to keep updating the blog while on the road hasn't quite worked as planned, so hang in there, folks! I'll be back online before the end of the month.
In the meantime, here's a photo of how they make French Toast in Athol, Idaho (it's actually "stuffed" French toast, with fresh fruit and cream cheese...and a mountain of whipped cream floating on a hunk of butter -- the hunk of real butter being the only authentically French part of this meal). FYI, the French really do have French Toast**, but they call it Pain Perdu and it's more like the stale bits of leftover baguette instead of full slices of bread, and they serve it at dessert, which, if we're all honest, is where it should be. I mean, c'mon, look at the photo! How can any adult try and pass this off as breakfast?
** They do not, however, have French Dip sandwiches, French Dressing, French Vanilla Coffee, or anything resembling the crap that passes for the French bread that I stupidly bought at the supermarket in Seattle the other day.
Heather
More "France seen by America" photos:
French Baguette (the real ones taste better and don't come in plastic bags)
French Home Decor (no French person would be caught dead with this in their house)
Newman's Own French Dressing (the stuff we call French dressing doesn't exist in France)
French Fries (fries are actually Belgian...there were a lot of Belgian refugees in Paris after WWII, the same time the American GIs were here...and I didn't do that with the ketchup, it came that way!)
French Eiffel Tower (I think they may have been a sign for a hair dresser's shop...kinda cute, actually)
French Monuments (the buildings are actually a lot taller in Paris, even if the women aren't...)
French Truck? (Parked in an old farmhouse south of San Francisco, at Runnymede Farm)
(Close-up of the name)
Anyone else have any good "Not French" photos?
Reader Comments (2)
I was reading about how some of the things you have pictured would never be seen in the house of someone who was French.
I must say that having gone to Le Cordon Bleu and living the "good life" in Paris on Av de la Bourdonnais; I have a soft part in my heart for the city. I earned the Grande Diplome with a great deal of effort. I dd not speak French nor was I a professional when I went in.
The only reason I'm writing this is because I have been pouring over food blogs to see what I like and do not like. I am considering a food blog myself. I know, however, that it takes a lot of dedication.
Just an FYI... I would like to say that having had my experience in France, I have porcelain in my home with "French" stuff on them and towels and well...other stuff. My point is, that it reminds me of the wonderful experience that I was afforded back when. I'm sure that some are "caught up" in an insincere and superficial likeness for the country. Then there are some of us that all those "momentos" remind us of our travels no matter how long or short.
I just want you to know that we love your country...After all...Americans help save it. We get a bad rap from the French and acatually I can see why. We are loud and boistrous and well...that is just our way.
When I lived there I was even embarrassed by some of the actions of tourists because I lived by the Eiffel. Sometimes when I walked home from the bus I would see American Tourists being very loud reading menus on the streetside with their bluejeans and white tennis shoes.
I melded into the French lifestyle with my black on black. I don't apologize for how we are, but I will say that it's not quite fair to be mean to us because we like "all things French". Williams-Sonoma promotes your wares, as do other American Companies.
Bear all this with a "grain of salt" and I will certainly promote your site to all I know.
Keep up the good work...I know it IS a lot of work to blog etc... I have friends in Paris that may need your touring services.
Thanks for "listening"...
With great respect
Susie Godsey