'A Rose is a Rose is a Rose' - Gertrude Stein

Paris in July

Here is the information:

The event will run from the 1st – 31st July and as always there will be no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part - just blog about anything French and you can join in. Some ideas for the month might include:
Reading a French book - fiction or non-fiction
Watching a French movie
Listening to French music
Cooking French food
Experiencing French art, architecture or travel (or remembering travel experiences)
Or anything else French inspired you can think of...

I love the variety of choices. I had such a good time participating in the 2012 Paris in July that I wanted to do so again this summer. Last year I reminisced about our 1971 time in Paris, listened to Françoise Hardy, watched The Red Balloon, and read a Rimbaud poem. You may see the posts under the label 'Paris in July 2012.'

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, you may read more and sign up at one of two blogs -  
Bookbath or Thyme for Tea

Free giveaway of a wonderful book

In the weeks before Tom's retirement day actually arrived, I found myself unable to sit down and read for very long at all. You know when you're a kid and Christmas or your birthday is coming up, and you can't really focus on anything else? Well, that's kind of how I've been. Which is fine, except for one big reason. A blogging friend of mine has written a book, and she very kindly sent me a copy. I began it, I read along for a while, and told Tom it is one of the best books I've ever read. No kidding. It is wonderful. It contains three of my all time favorite things in literature: time travel, a setting in England, and the time period I wish I had lived in - those years between the two world wars. The writing is excellent. I cannot praise it enough, even though I'm only halfway through. When I finish, it will receive a full post of its own. You may wonder why I'm even talking about it at this time, and here's the reason. June 14 and June 15 you may get your own free Kindle copy from Amazon. This offer is available on both US and UK sites. I am positive that so many of you will love this book, as I do, that you'll want to jump right on this. 

The book, 

written by Kim Velk whose blog may be found here. She has also begun a blog just for the book here.

The links where you may go to get your own copy

US

UK

Quote du jour/Miss Read

I had good health, a dear little house, and, even more precious, a host of friends.

These things spelt happiness.

Miss Read

A Peaceful Retirement 1996

Today is the first day of Tom's retirement after 34 years of teaching.

Strawberry Fool

This recipe comes from sprite writes.

Strawberry Fool

1 1/2 c strawberries - I doubled this to make 3 cups strawberries
2-3 Tablespoons sugar
2/3 cups heavy cream
2/3 cups plain yogurt

Cut the tops off strawberries, and slice them.
Put in bowl and gently stir in sugar.

Whip the cream. I added a little honey.

Add yogurt to the berries. Mash the berries. (I use a fork.) Your goal isn’t to end up with a smooth consistency, just to make them less solid.

Fold in the cream.

Add more sugar if necessary. (If you have quality, in-season strawberries, you probably won’t need more.) - I didn't need to, even with doubling the strawberries.

Oh my, is this ever good! A perfect, perfect dessert. 

I went back to check on the post I did about fruit dessert names, and there was no fool. So I looked it up and found this:

a cold dessert made of puréed fruit mixed or served with cream or custard

So, I guess you could purée the strawberries if you wanted, but honestly, it was wonderful with just gentle mashing. I expect to make this several times during strawberry season. It is so delicious.

Today's picture/Winner of the Belmont Stakes

Palace Malice ridden by Mike Smith, who will be 48 this summer. Second was Oxbow who won the Preakness, and third was Orb who won the Kentucky Derby. A wonderful few weeks of horse racing.

Quote du jour/Charles Bukowski

The days run away like wild horses over the hills.

Charles Bukowski (1920-1994)