University attire in France?

As we begin preparing to send a child to college in August, it got me thinking about what parents do in France? I cannot imagine a French dorm room as being well-outfitted the way an American dorm room is. With beds on risers for extra storage. Rather, I suspect they adapt to the limitations in ways we don't. Most importantly, from what I've learned, no French student is going to classes in sweatshirts and pajama bottoms, they get dressed. Can't really imagine someone in Paris going out in sweats to get a baguette, so why would they go to classes like that? So, in my research, it would seem casual, but with style is the key to French university attire.

Artificial sweetener omission

Having given up artificial sweeteners in about 1980 or 1981 back in the "Sweet 'n Low" days, I hardly notice whether a restaurant serves them, and if so, which ones. Pick stevia, equal, or one of the other fashionable ones of the day, I do not pay attention when in a restaurant. Neither does D. So, we started discussing this last night and realized that although you can buy it all in a supermarche' in France, we never see it on a table in a restaurant or when the server brings you your cafe' or the'. Maybe because it is expensive, as is everything else there, sugar is used sparingly and carefully. It is rather like the butter conundrum, where butter is in the food, but is never set on a table with bread.

Start your shopping engines - Summer 2013

As we already know sales in Paris will begin June 26, 2013, but I've been trolling for the start of the sale in other regions and yes, the dates are in: for Provence I'll be there when the stores open on July 3! Close will be August 6. Lots of mark-downs in between. http://soldes.hubpages.com/hub/the-2013-summer-sales-in-france

gay-friendly France

Apparently, the most gay-friendly city in France is now Montpellier, known as the French San Francisco. It will be the place where the first gay marriage is going to be held in about a month. The magazine to look at for GLBT activities in France is "Tetu" http://www.tetu.com/ http://www.france24.com/en/20130422-france-montpellier-first-gay--marriage-wedding

Maple syrup in France

In another one of our rambling conversations, we started to discuss Vermont maple syrup and weather you could find it in France, for "french" toast, waffles, pancakes etc. A little research later and yes, you can purchase syrup in France at Carrefore, and Le Clerc. Not sure that you can buy a mix in France (may have to import that in a suitcase) but I think I can find a recipe and create my own. In further discussion, we wondered what to Belgians eat on their waffles? It is definitely not syrup. Rather, it is whipped cream, strawberries, possibly some melted chocolate, but not syrup, an American/Canadian contribution.

Gelatto v. Ice Cream - what is the difference

We were having that conversation the other day after a special Hagen Daz treat post-dinner. My feeling was that it was a different fat content. Sitting here today watching the house hunters marathon and seeing the new Hagen Daz gelatto commercial raised the question again and prompted some research. The bottom line seems to be that gelatto does, in fact, have less fat, but also less air, churned at a slower speed, and stored/served at a warmer temperature. Another mystery of the universe solved. http://cookingequipment.about.com/od/icecreammachines/f/gelatovicecream.htm

New ideas for Cannes

If you're in the mood for glamour and bling, Cannes can be your dream. Although it feels like the tropics, one does have to be very aware of personal safety while there which is not mentioned in this NY Times article, but it does contains some new ideas, restaurants, bars and hotels. We're spent much time there over the years, and enjoyed it, but have chosen to move on for the relaxation of Provence. It is rather impossible to be there during the film festival, if you can even get a hotel room and a restaurant reserve' but if you have the desire, enjoy: http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/travel/36-hours-in-cannes-france.html?pagewanted=1