Gant de Toilette (Wash Glove), You find it in every French Bathroom

French people use various ways to clain their difference, one of them is the famous gant de toilette (wash glove) wash glove.jpgused by each authentic french person.

An educational side note, while looking for pictures of wash gloves I discovered RealFrench.net, the site describes itself as a resource for learners and teachers of French. Must be based in the UK as they charge 20.00 british pounds for 1 year subscription.

You can sample their offerings before you sign up.

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About the Gers/Armagnac region and the white wine selection

The Gers is a mainly rural region located midway between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The main town is Auch. It is famous for Armagnac and Foie Gras. It also is renowned as a garlic producer.

Here is a map for illustration.cartegers.gif

The white wine selection is called Vignes Retrouvees, a Cotes de Saint Mont (2004), handpicked and offered to us by Sharon of Amanti Vino, a new wine source located on Church Street in Montclair.

My husband, Serge, just showcased the Store in his entry for Wine Blogging Wednesday #18.

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Night Music….Relax with Chamber Music…The king will not be there but his violins will

Chamber music in my book can be very soothing and relaxing. On Sunday, February 26th at 7:30 pm, Carnegie Hall offers a concert (in Zankel Hall) with the Ensemble ‘Les Violons du Roy’ lesviolons.jpgguided by Bernard Labadie and with mezzo soprano Magdalena Kozena. On the program, pieces by Rameau and Gluck, they were both considered musical revolutionaries back in the 18th century.

Anyway, if you win the basket, 2 tickets for the concert are yours (and a night on the town).

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French Cafe Compilation CD on Putamayo Label

french cafe.jpg

This compilation on Putamayo Records includes classics like Serge Gainsbourg, George Brassens, and even Brigitte Bardot but also young bands like Paris Combo
and many more.

Listening to this music can make you feel as if you are sitting in a parisian bistro drinking a panache and practicing the sport of people watching. The album cover depicts this very scene.

This CD was donated by Rabbit Rabbit of Valley Road in Montclair. They literally gave me the music from their personal collection. Recycle why not.

If you want to listen to some of this music and more go to Serge the Concierge and sign up for the free 14 day trial of Rhapsody. You’ll find the sign up link in the right column.

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Pommard, a wonderful red wine from Burgundy which also produces mustard and chocolate

Most people associate Burgundy with wine but it is also famous for its mustards, moutardes de dijon such as Fallot in Beaunemoutarde.gif keep the tradition alive. Chocolate also has its place. Amongst the younger generation of master chocolatiers, Fabrice Gilotte offers outstanding products. The region also counts many top notch restaurants. Here is a review of Lunch at Restaurant Stephane Derbord by Clotilde of Chocolate and Zucchini.

The red wine included in the basket is a Pommard 1er Cru ‘Les Epenots’ pommard.JPG(Coron Pere et Fils). This 1999 vintage comes from the cellar of an anonymous frenchman.

To help you locate the various towns check this map map of burgundy.gif

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Published in:  on January 31, 2006 at 5:10 pm Comments (2)

Welcome to French Country Basket

panier.JPG

GETTING-AROUND-in-France.jpg
I like this picture. C’est genial (cool). I don’t know too many people who can ride a bike while holding a baguette. The only thing that’s missing from the bike is a basket. I hope he was drinking a citron presse rather than a pastis.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us.

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Published in:  on January 30, 2006 at 12:41 am Comments (2)