Happy Bastille Day

I seek the sun of my childhood...

Today is Bastille Day, the national holiday of France. I'm not in France today -- alas -- but  I'd like to share few of the treats I enjoyed in while I was there in May. We can have a virtual celebration of one of the joys of France, the food. 

While I tried to eat (relatively) healthy, this wasn't the time to give up all treats. Some mornings I stuck with my usual yogurt and cereal for breakfast and other mornings it was croissants and cafe au lait. Croissants are one of my all-time favorite foods and I generally don't eat them, but I indulged during my trip. 

Croissant mornings are the best

I loved a very leisurely cup of coffee and the indulgence of a crispy croissant. I know that I could do the same in New York, but it really signaled to me that I was on vacation and the experience was something special. 

Mousse and more mousse

On the day I arrived I went grocery shopping in a very large suburban grocery store. I was especially interested in products that I don't see when I'm shopping in New York. I was rewarded with this giant display of dozens of flavors of  mousse and next to the mousse, I found liegeois, another variety of cold dessert. I didn't buy either, and now I definitely have buyer's remorse. 

(Possibly) My favorite meal in Paris 

There were a few rainy days, but after I toured the Louvre the sun was shining and it was the perfect day for an outdoor lunch. I had salmon benedict on a croissant with pommes frites aka French fries. The fries were hot and crispy and I especially liked the way they were served. I'd done a lot of walking in the vast halls of the Louvre and didn't feel a bit guilty for the completely indulgent lunch. It was the best of Paris in the spring. 

I hope you've enjoyed our culinary visit to France and a happy Bastille Day to my French friends. 

Pep and I both enjoyed our birthdays and we are very appreciative of all the good wishes. This is the first year I haven't done a birthday post, but there's one to come this week. I've got a little more birthday celebrating to come and I'm really looking forward to fun times. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cool!