breakfasts time

Monday, February 20, 2012

0 Downton Abbey

How will we ever wait for Season 3 of Downton Abbey after last night's finale? That is the big question. At least there was resolution to the Lady Mary-Mathew question.

Did you know all this intense interest in English country houses was ignited in 1974 with the Roy Strong exhibit at the Victoria and Albert museum? Before that most grand houses were neglected and left to the demolition ball - hundreds of them.

There has been a great flurry of activity leading up to yesterday's finale...

Ralph Lauren has embraced DA without reservation.

Frankly I can do without Ralph Lauren's interpretation of valet Mr. Bates outfit easily...

On the other hand these paperdolls by illustrator Kyle Hilton are simply adorable. You can download them at New York Magazine.

Also adorable is the BBC's parodie of 'Down Town Abbey'

Don't miss it!

For total immersion sans PBS/Netflix get your paws on The World of Downton Abbey.

It's really quite terrific and second best to the best escape around(DA) other than eating gelato...

Did you know before big houses installed the bell-board system (in the 1820s) 'footmen had to sit on hard chairs within earshot of the family' waiting for the call to attend. Horrors. The World of Downton Abbey is full of useful trivia like that. Plus how DA came in to existance at all.

*Spoiler alert. I'm certainly glad we have Lady Mary's wedding to look forward to after so much war, devastation and several funerals. We're overdue.

I like this advice DA author Julien Fellowes said his father once gave him:

“If you have the misfortune to be born into a generation which must earn its living, you might as well do something amusing.”

0 Les Petites Douceurs de mon Enfance

Les Petites Douceurs de mon Enfance/Little Treats

While the French may be very clear about having 'Adult Time', they certainly don't put away childish things in doing so...

I bought this book on traditional French bonbons in the musee des arts decoratifs bookstore. Would you find candy books at the Met book store? I doubt it...

I ordered this charming book from French amazon - it has all kinds of pull-out, die-cut silliness plus real recipes for old time French sweets.

Like old-fashioned Berlingots/hard candies. Does anyone still eat hard candies wrapped in cello twists? The French do.They never stop. Displays of lollipops are in most tabacs and they're not just for kiddies.

You can order a T-shirt with old-fashioned hard candies from Anne Maisonneuve. I did...

Silly toys for adults? Pylones' specialty is totally goofy chatchkas.

Pylones paperclip birdie

So many French sweets are from one particular region or another, perhaps that's why the French are so attached to les petites douceurs de son enfance.

'Mangez des gateaux plus souvent!' Eat cake often! Certainment deprivation is not on the menu.

And of course ice cream!

BON WEEKEND!

~ Lenk Am Simmental, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland - October 2011 ~

No recipe today...

I'm taking some time for myself and trying to slow down.

But, next week, I'll be posting like usual.

0 Paris Signs

I'm addicted to Paris signs especially in the Metro. It can help if you get lost looking for the exit...

I learned today at The Paris Chronicles the white 'beveled' Metro tiles are quite special - they not only reflect more light but have become a chic addition to many homeowner's kitchens and bathrooms.

I love the separate exits in the Metro. No fighting incoming riders like in New York's MTA. Any wonder NYC makes the top of the list for rudest city?

FYI you won't be able to use the machines if you don't have a chip in your credit card so be sure to have euros onhand.

Leaving the inner sanctum of the Metro can set you up

For spectacular views like l'Opera Garnier. But you'll be on an island, Pl Charles Garnier with at least 4-5 possible crossings on offer.

I'm immersed reading Thirza Vallois on my new Kindle. She keeps you busy every single step looking this way and that, taking in historical data I previously overlooked. No wonder I see red in Paris. Formerly the cobblestones were streaming with it.