La Poste, la pont, la Tabouleh, Jour du Macaron 2014

I've been MIA (missing in action) on PB. So here's a day in the life of yours truly. I got up late today at 5:21 am. I rush to address and fill envelopes so I can leave the house by 7 am for the piscine.

This doesn't happen now I've become a post mistress. I usually race into the pool at 7:50 with just 20-30 minutes to move my arms and legs around. I hang out by the side where a couple of older French gals yak away/bavarde (loudly) sneaking in a petite French leçon while I'm moving the limbs.

Then off to La Poste to drop your Paris letters into l'Etranger slot.

I'm having an unrequited love affair with La Poste. La Poste is not thrilled to see me.

I go inside and ask for 'timbre outre-mere' (overseas stamps).

I should be saying 'la Monde'.

They respond "Ou/where?"

Me: Etats unis, Australie, Canada etc.

They say: quatre-vingt-quinze

I say "Cinquante(50) svp"

They respeat,"Non, quatre-vingt-quinze" (.95 centimes)

Moi:"non j'ai besoine de 50 timbres!"

They duck under the desk and try to evaporate. 50 stamps is an outlandish amount of stamps to buy at La Poste. They would rather you leave immediately. They don't like counting them out.

I feel like T.S.Elliot's Alfred J. Prufrock.

"I am living my life out in coffee spoons postage stamps".

I thought I would finally be whooping it up in the Ile Saint Louis' little restaurants. My $$$ goes to La Poste instead.

Petite dej' at Printemps' Hugo et Victor tea salon = 13 stamps

A new Dior lipstick (what was I thinking?) = 32 stamps

Across the street from La Poste is the fabulous BU, a kind of French IKEA. 45 rue de Cardinal Lemoine 75005

They have all kinds of French gourmet treasures at bargain prices.

I bought an Alain Milliat nectar Abricot for a mere 3€.

Plus they have art supplies, lamps, umbrellas, you name it.

Time to head across the bridge and go to Thursday marché Bastille. I have become an 'island girl'.

There is nothing better than living by La Seine. It reminds me of summer nights I sat on Nantucket beach after waitressing at The Sandpiper (as a college student) watching the tide flow in eons ago. The water puts you in a calm state of mind like meditation.

No, I do not eat Berthillon ice cream everyday for those who asked.

I've discovered the best tabouleh on the planet at Marché Bastille. Thursdays and Sundays.

Today is the annual Jour du Macaron! I 'borrowed' this fabulous photo by top Paris pastry photographer, Laurent Fau from Coco's blog. The photo was styled by Coco. I want Coco's job.

Coco came to tea. Bear fell instantly in love. Being French he is not the least bit faithful. It's true he has a wondering eye.
*Please subscribe to Coco's blog.
You don't need to know French. Her beautiful pictures tell the story. I have no idea what she's saying most of the time but I love getting her daily in my inbox. You will too.

Off I go on bus #87 from Bastille to St.Sulpice and stop in at Pierre Herme, 67 rue Bonaparte. He's the man who brilliantly started Macaron charity Day in the first place.

One don (donation) = one macaron.

I got 'satiné' - cream cheese, compote d'Orange et fruit de la Passion, a new flavor. Miam

Then to Arnaud Larher on 93 rue de Seine, 75006. By the way only members of Dessert Relais are participating in Jour du Macaron. The big news is it's been extended through Sunday. So if you're arriving tomorrow in Paris you can still taste macarons like crazy for a small donation.

At Arnaud Larher they let you make as many donations as you like to a very good cause, Mucoviscidose. You get a macaron each time. Here's my fab haul. Fortunately my concierge was by the door when I got home and I gave them to her.

*To all expats with concierges, Easter is coming. Get ready to give your concierge some nice Easter chocolates. It doesn't hurts.

At Larher you can pick up the latest Free issue of Desserts by Relais Desserts pastry chefs. It's in English/French and always gorgeous.

On to more ordinary things like Chinese ravioli soupe at Chez Shen yesterday. We meet up to eat soup, talk shop, compare notes and basically goof around. We discovered ice cream for 1€ a boule/dip (at Flunch near Metro Rambuteau). Naturally we overdid it and got TWO boules. Next time we will stick with a single dip.

There have been requests to see more Bear. I'll try to let him out of the house more often. Indulge yourself and get a taste of Paris letters in your mailbox.  Why not?