Majorelle: The Lorraine France Touring Game Created by Ruth Paget

Majorelle: The Lorraine France Touring Game Created by Ruth Paget

I named this touring game after one of France’s major decorative arts craftsman Auguste Majorelle (1825 – 1879), a native of Lunéville, France. 

Lorraine is a rewarding region to visit for travelers interested in history, art, fine dining, and sips of mirabelle, yellow plum liqueur. The main cities are Metz, Nancy, and Lunéville. The medieval monastery at Gorze is the home of Gregorian chants and sister monasteries in Germany. Verdun is the site of one of the most important battles of World War I. 

A two-week tour of the region would provide ample time to visit these places and indulge in some gala meals and shopping. (I have linked my blogs about these places into an itinerary. Click on the links to see the blogs.) 

*Metz is a 3,000 year old city. Each district has a different history. The city is set up well for walking tours and has many cafés where you can take a break with a beverage. 

Walking Tours: 

Day 1: Exploring Franco-German Metz 

Franco-German Metz

Day 2: Cathedral District and Downtown 

Downtown Metz

Day 3: May Day Metz 

May Day Metz

Day 4: Urban Ecology

Urban Ecology

 *Metz Meals: 

Day 5: Gala Pork Dinner: 

Gala Pork Dinner

Day 6: Gala Seafood Dinner 

Gala Seafood Dinner

*Nancy is a city of majestic public art and decorative arts. 

Day 7: Rococo Public Art 

Rococo Art in Nancy

Day 8: Art Nouveau Museum

Art Nouveau in Nancy

 *Lunéville is home to a château inspired by Versailles and a current concert venue 

Day 9: Lunéville Château Visit

Luneville Chateau

*Gorze Monastery still uses ancient Roman sewers. You can spot a few Roman aqueducts on the way there. This is the site where Gregorian chants were invented. 

Day 10: Gorze Monastery Visit 

Gorze Monastery

*Verdun is a major World War I battlefield site with a museum 

Day 11: Verdun Museum Visit 

I hope this Lorraine touring game will encourage you to think about traveling to Lorraine, France to experience its art and culture, indulge in some delicious food, and learn some history about France’s relations with Germany and Poland. 

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By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Monterey Bay Parent Summer Camps Issue reposted by Ruth Paget

Monterey Bay Parents Summer Camps magazine is out.  Check out the listings below:

Monterey Bsy Parent Magazine Summer Csmps Issue

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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The All-Purpose Baker's Companion Reviewed by Ruth Paget

The All-Purpose Baker’s Companion Reviewed by Ruth Paget 

The All-Purpose Baker’s Companion edited by King Arthur Baking Company is an excellent reference for things bread from around world, cookies, scones, crackers, pies, and cakes. 

However, the recipes that convinced me to buy the book are its flour meal recipes (mehlspeisen in German) that help with keeping a household budget low while providing protein and calcium in most cases. The book’s recipes are precise and assist novice and experienced cooks with making the basic recipe easy so they can add ingredients rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. 

The recipes that have helped me with menu planning over the years include: 

-pancakes 

-waffles 

-French toast 

-crêpes 

-cheese blintzes 

-banana bread 

-pumpkin bread 

-zucchini bread 

-lemon bread 

-berry cobblers 

-pizza dough 

-lemon bar cookies 

-croissants 

-brioche 

Nutritionists might be aghast, but I have eaten all these items along with blueberry muffins and banana walnut muffins when I was a student at the University of Chicago for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I like these dishes, and they are easy to prepare. 

Pancakes and waffles are versatile I learned from my Dutch friend’s mother in Detroit (Michigan). You can use syrup, sugar, or jam on them or savory items liked creamed chicken and vegetables. Croissants can also be treated this way. 

Knowing how to make Detroit or grandmother pizza is a lifesaver in a blizzard. The pizza dough for this type of pizza is placed in the middle of a rectangular pan and pushed outwards. Spaghetti sauce can double as tomato sauce. There’s big savings in grandma pizza. 

Another big money saver is making croissants at home. Use egg wash to give the exterior a crunchy bit. 

Readers interested in the following careers might find this book useful: 

-fundraisers 

-event planners 

-chefs 

-caterers

-cruise directors 

-restaurant managers  

General readers might find some tips for lowering household expenses in The All-Purpose Baker’s Companion edited by The King Arthur Bakery Company. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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A Promenade in Aiken, South Carolina by Ruth Paget

A pretty promenade in Aiken, South Carolina:

White chocolate covered ganache filled chocolates for nibbling (above - photo by Ruth Paget)

A cupola topped by a weather vane on the new courthouse allows hot air to rise up out of the building beneath it. A similar cupola sits on top of Mt Vernon in Virginia. (Below - photo by Laurent Paget)

A Palladian inspired window on the old courthouse.  Monticello outside Charlottesville, Virginia has similar windows on a smaller scale. - (bottom - photo by Ruth Paget)

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

StubHub sells Broadway, Concerts, Sports reposted by Ruth Paget

StubHub sells Broadway, Concerts, Sports by venue online. They have an app.  StubHub.com

Happy scrolling!

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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The Complete Book of Cheese Reviewed by Ruth Paget

The Complete Book of Cheese Reviewed by Ruth Paget 

The Complete Book of Cheese: History, Techniques, Recipes, Tips by Anne-Laure Pham and Mathieu Plantive provides readers with all the information they need to obtain the best value for their money when buying elite cheese products, especially French cheese. 

The Complete Book of Cheese contains information such as:

-cheese production processes from selection of milk to aging 

-French cheese classification system 

-cheese buying tips 

-pairing suggestions for beverages and food 

-cheese board composition ideas depending on event 

-cheese recipes for appetizers, savory dishes, and sweet desserts 

The French cheese classification system helps with purchasing decisions and is broken down as follows: 

-fresh cheese 

-blooming-rind cheese 

-washed-rind cheese 

-uncooked pressed cheese 

-cooked pressed cheese 

-blue cheese 

-goat cheese 

-processed cheese 

-stretched curd cheese 

-whey cheese 

Among the cheese recipes, there are recipes for fondue and raclette. These two dishes are quickly eaten and require lengthy preparation time. If you want to make these dishes from scratch, the recipes are well written but require patience. 

The recipes I prefer are veal cordon bleu (pan-fried veal with ham and melted cheese), tartiflette (made with potatoes, bacon, onions, and cheese), and a dessert crisp made with Beaufort cheese, pears, and ginger. People interested in the following careers might find 

The Complete Book of Cheese useful:  

-sommelier 

-server 

-bartender 

-elite grocery store worker 

-chef 

-caterer 

-health inspector 

General readers might enjoy the great introduction to the world of cheese in The Complete Book of Cheese by Anne-Laure Pham and Mathieu Plantive. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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78th Cannes Film Festival starts today reposted by Ruth Paget

Click on the link below for information about films being shown at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and news releases:

Cannes Film Festival Media Page

Make a Salade Nicoise to eat while reading each day’s updates!

Salade Nicoise ideas:

Salade Nicoise Recipe Ideas

A goat cheese and dandelion greens salad would also go well with red carpet viewing;

Goat Cheese and Dandelion Greens Recipe Idea's

Salmon Salade Nicoise Ideas

Salmon Salade Nicoise Ideas

Happy Film Watching!

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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