Paris Signs of Automne

Do you think a hotdog is a Fall food? The way the French make it, loaded with Emmanthal cheese it could very well be. Since I came to France I've hankered for these cholesterol queens. Called 'La Hotdog Parisienne' according to Jill of Mad about Macarons. She said I must only eat them where is says 'Fait Maison' (made in house). By the way I don't think I quite captured the French hotdog here..

I was passing boulangerie Secco yesterday and noticed a sign, 'Everything made in house'. Ah ha. Then I noticed they have la Hotdog Parisienne. Time to indulge. Let's face it. When isn't it time to indulge in Paris?

Secco's tarte au pomme is one of the best in the city if not the whole planet, so how bad could their hotdog be? Their tarte took top honors in 750 grs Magazine by the way.

Eric Kayser has his Fall fruit tarts out - the unpronounceable quetches et poire.

La Grand Epicerie is big on figs. The sales woman actually wiggled her finger in front of my lense but she wasn't fast enough. Who does that anymore? Gimmeabreak.

Figs are big in the marché right now. That's how you know it's Fall.

Sunday morning I put on my bathing suit with big plans to hit the pool. It's been a long time.

Instead I turned towards the Bastille and walked 10 minutes to the marché. It's been too long. Yet it's always refreshing, like a shot in the arm (whatever that is?).

The Fall moules from Mont St. Michel are back. I got a kilo (4,50) and they threw in a bunch of parsley gratis. The market wine guy from Burgundy sold and opened a bottle of blanc sec (3,50) for me. All I needed was some onions and garlic for my Sunday lunch. Oh and an olive baguette. Pas mal.
 

Naturally I've been thinking about what to do for the November sketch letter. I'm developing the PB Sounding Board. If you want to put in your 2 cents let me know.

Perfect complimentary colors orange and blue. Those market venders could probably paint.

French Girl suggested I paint potiron and pumpkins for a Thanksgiving theme but bells were not going off for me.

Don't these leaves look like they came straight from Vermont? Nothing like em in Paris.

Then French Girl suggested I paint chestnuts (marrons) instead.

My guy showed me how to cut and roast them. All the venders seem like they are my guys in the market.

Of course chestnuts or marrons are also used to make a Mont Blanc. Research materials this weekend for sketching. Hint hint

You can still get a jar of pear(poire) jam watercolor if you subscribe to the Paris Sketch letters before the November letter comes out. i do not plan to be late this time..ahem.

Paris Pumpkin

Le(la) BOO!

I don't know what gender 'Boo' is but certainement you'll see signs of Halloween in many classy joints around town.

La Petite Marquise (3 Pl. Victor Hugo 75016) had several tres chic witches dans le vitrine in full regalia.

Sweet Paris said I must taste her fav, la feuille d'automne so I did.

Trop de creme pour moi malheureusement/way too much cream for me. I discovered the secret of tarte citron meringuee. Often it's just a tarte citron with a dollop of toasted meringue adorning the curd. Who knew?

Is it only the French who can get away with putting a knitted pumpkin plus a knitted aubergine into a window on rue St.-Honore to display fancy watches? Knitting is very in. This ain't happening on Madison Ave., NYC...

Not pumpkin-flavored macarons but pumpkin-colored at Angelina. Pumpkin is the color in my humble opinion in Paris.

Fancy kids store, Bonpoint is showing pumpkin hats and scarves.

Are you missing a pumpkin Eiffel tower in your collection? Dash over to rue Cambon immediatement.

Why not dress yourself in pumpkin head-to-toe like this French girl.

I was interested to catch this class act dans le Metro - an art student off to class with her supplies in a Hediard bag. Pas mal non?

I'm off to watercolor class today at the National Academy. We're supposed to paint from the nude...ahem. But I'm bringing along my own subject matter - nice, colorful geometric macaron boxes and bags to paint (plus real macarons for contrast).
Bon(ne) Halloween PBers!

Signs of Automne

Special Fall chocolate leaf creation at Lenotre.

Paris is well into full blown Fall.

There are even kids books dedicated to Automne.

Full of falling leaves

And the famous French champignons

Fall timbres full of feuilles et champignon ensemble.

Of course the fragrant chestnuts in the street.

Cojean has special autumn dishes like crumble - oui it was delish.

Fauchon has their Fall game specialties.

Which reminded me of these master drawings.

In the Louvre bookstore.

I had a Fall lunch with M. of quiche saumon and dill.

In Jardin Luxembourg joggers race neck and neck with harried Paris moms as the leaves keep falling. I'm racing to catch that Eurostar to London.

CHEERS!
 

London Leaves

London leaves are not falling down yet...
Like they are in Paris...
There are plenty of leaves in London windows.
Very Fallish too.

You can buy Fall bouquets on every London street corner.

Are they from Paris?

A lovely leafy chandelier.

I ate my leafy greens at favorite Covent Garden resto, Food For Thought yesterday.

 

Paper leaves are strewn about.

White paper leaves.

Falling on Autumn wedding gowns...

Wear a leafy hat when you go out to walk the dog?

Or line your teepee with Fall leaves?

Why not buy an autumnal bouquets in orange and yellow.

 The pumpkins are out in full force!

I'll look for a chocolate leaf for you to nibble in Borough Market today.

BONJOUR LONDON LEAVES!