Lobster Land, Trouville sur mer

For 3 days I've been doing hand-to-claw combat with a lobster. Finally I zeroed in on just painting the claw and capturing that inimitable 'lobster red' in watercolor. I think I nailed it.. There is almost no place I love better than Trouville sur mer en Normandie. Sand, sun, ocean, boardwalks, Victoriana

And lobster, my fav food. Early lobbie thumbnail sketches.

Trouville's Marché de Poissoniere was busy, busy at lunch time...12:15 and every table filled. One hour's wait. Françoise said, Let's have crepes? No way José!

I took my homard de Breton/lobster + plate and cutlery away/pour importer.

It was 90 degrees in Trouville. Hot, hot, hot. Finally a cool, quiet place to plunge into my lobster. In fact quite a few people climbed those steps, wishing me a, "bon appetite!"

The night before I ate classic Normand moules/mussels

At one of the 30 classic bistros serving moules. It doesn't matter where you go. It's all good et pas cher.

At dusk, the obligatory orangie Apero is de rigueur on the boardwalk by the sea.

During daytime Trouville beach may be hot and crammed with tourists, not that I care.

At night temps drop. Bring a jacket. While everyone is off eating moules

Cool your toes in the surf and stroll. So relaxing.

My hotel was OK. no AC.

Still with temps down in the 60s I could paint comfortably in my room

That perfect isolated beach.

What to wear in Victorian Trouville sur mer?

Ruffles if you like, a long loose skirt with flip flops. Trouville is not a fashion center. Anything goes.

Better yet, shed it all and throw yourself into the cooling surf. Next visit, I'll stay longer. Meanwhile Trouville lobsters are up on Etsy. Get a watercolor among other French goodies 🍒 in your 📮mailbox. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you enjoyed this post please share. Cheers Carolg and Bear

What I Ate in Maine

 You have to eat blueberries muffins from the Owl's Head General Store.

 Best if you can eat it on blue dishes and mats etc.

 I did not eat these French Caramels though temptation beckoned.

 Nor did I taste Sweet's refined thin Whoopee Pies. I hope I don't regret it...

 I didn't taste these Belted Galloways and have no plans to, but they are pretty...

 No exotic beet-chevre-walnut pizzas either at the Camden Farmer's Market...

 No cakes either

 But I did eat steamed clams last night.

 And at lunchtime, my favorite...

 LOBSTER! Lobstermen have to eat too so I was helping them out.

 A lobsteresque sketch...

Adieu fabulous Maine food!

Luke's Lobster

Lobster Shake, watercolor, 9" x 11"

I was painting this lobster when the earth shook at 1:59 or so.

I picked him up by accident on Saturday. You know how things go.
He was in good company. I could have chosen any of his friends nearby.
All so attractive.
Lobsters are a favorite of mine from way back. It was my ritual birthday dinner since I was 5, so what do you expect?

Last night I headed to Staples and more lobsters stopped me in my tracks. Direct from Maine no less. I'd heard a lot of talk about Luke. His reputations preceeds him. This guy is famous for being fresh, but sometimes a girl has to take a chance anyway. 

I studied his street creds carefully.

Whoa $16 bucks for a lobster sandwich? I'd bought a cooked lobster at Union Sq Market for half that.

This guy has to be something!

A girl came by with her boyfriend. I heard her say,
"I don't care. I'm getting one and you can't have any"

"Oh..OK?

I started having second thoughts...that good?

I decided to show some restraint and ordered only half lobster sandwich. This better be good I'm thinking. At least the little box can be reused to carry macarons.

PBers, I'm here to tell you this is the BEST lobster roll I've ever eaten. Certainly far better than that precooked lobster 🦞  I ate Saturday. Who knew? This guy, Luke does it right! I'll be back for more. Big FRESH chunks of lobster straight from Maine. No mayo in sight. Just a tiny, drizzle of butter on a nicely toasted bun. Heavens PBers, I'm telling you. If this guy went to Paris, he'd make out like a bandit and I'd be 1st in line. Well worth every penny.

Luke's Lobster can be found in Union Square several days a week in front of Staples. If you live out of town high tail it over here right now, even if we do have the occasional earthquake or so.

BONJOUR LUKE'S LOBSTER!

Watercolor Workshop Maine

Monday- first day out painting in Rockland, Maine with David. This is our subject matter or whatever you feel like painting.

David starts his demo at 9AM with a thumbnail painting of the two chairs.
David talks and paints while we watch. And listen.

I doodle.

Then on to painting!

At 4 o'clock David crits our work

Shirley Cook did this wonderfully loose watercolor (with Alison in the hat)

Sue Del Ponte's lovely page combining drawing, paint swatches and large thumbnail.

My combo thumbnail/watercolor of the two chairs. The first day is always the hardest, getting your feet wet in watercolor.

Speaking of feet, the majority of workshoppers are wearing Keen's shoes. Next time.

And then la piece de la resistance of the day

FRIED CLAM SANDWICHES at the Rockland Cafe

Official LOBSTER DAY for us is on Thursday so we must wait.

But it's impossible to wait for ice cream cones.

Maine deck chairs are everywhere, even miniature versions.

BONJOUR PAINTING Maine!