My French Shelf

This is my dedicated, French, eye-level shelf. My sister and I would go back in a heartbeat. We will someday.

The over-sized book on the right is Monet's WATER LILIES. We stood by the pond and tried to see what he saw.

Monet's Table is to the left. Claire Joyes, text. Jean-Bernard Naudin, photos. Can you imagine being at Monet's table with his wife, Alice, Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley, Degas and Cezanne? "Other frequent visitors included Rodin, Whistler, Maupassant, Valery and the statesman Clemenceau." Glory days!!! I was born too late. I can only imagine the conversation around Pike in white butter sauce, baked field mushrooms with shallots, cognac and heavy cream, and Green (pistachio) Cake. The book is full of delicious recipes. And, for a beyond-your-wildest-imagination moment, Christmas morning was scrambled eggs with black truffles. Oh, my achy, breaky heart!!!

To the right is The Louvre, worthy of a week's visit. I was surprised to see students copying the master's works, but they had permission to learn from the best,

The Heartaches of a French Cat by Barbara McClintock, was one of Krysia's favorites. It's a pen and ink children's book about life in 19th century France. Minette is the heroine.

Fodor's Escape to Provence is not just  a map, it's a moving, soul-nurturing feast throughout the Region. The French so love their food. They take their time eating even a loaf of bread. They don't grab something to eat while driving or working. STOP and eat, for heaven's sake! Enjoy your food! I would love to learn to cook in France and understand wine. Maybe I'll live there some day.

To the right is Andy Warhol's Cats, Cats, Cats and Henry Beard's French for Cats, Advanced French for Exceptional Cats and POETRY FOR CATS. Krysia read these in French to her cat, Jasmine. The cat in turn acted out the French cat's tricks. She jumped from chair to couch to end table and made the vase spin! Just thought I should warn you not to underestimate your cat's intelligence.

Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, Acquired Tastes, Chasing Cezanne, Anything Considered and A Dog's Life.

Elizabeth Bard's Lunch in Paris A love story with recipes "denotes major life events around certain foods."

There's a ratty copy of Dickens' Tale of Two Cities. It was a ratty time in history, but it's on my reread list.

I'm reading Miles Morland's A Walk Across France. Life Transforming. Hiking the Grand Canyon did it for me.

Victoria Magazine Aug. 1992 and Oct. 2000 and Victoria's book, The Heart of France, A Journey of Discovery.

There are language books, sarcastic language books, guide books and others sandwiched in. Right now, I want to slip into bed, squeeze my crunchy lavender sachet and dream of France. Nite. Nite.

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series