Catch-up post #1

I love living in France most of the time for the simple reason that every day can be a little adventure. I can find something new in even the smallest of places, often randomly. One of these places is the small market that is situated, oh, about say 20 meters from our appartment building. It is lovely to not have to walk for blocks upon blocks or commute via bus or tram to be able to go grocery shopping. This little market is U Express, a smaller version of the Super U supermarkets. There is only one fault with it, and that fault consists in its less-than-accommodating hours of operation. Check it: Monday- Saturday 8:45 A.M to 7:30 P.M.

That's it!!! So if you are like me and work until seven at night, by the time you commute home it's 7:32 P.M. and I have missed my chance to get my groceries. And if I have nothing to eat that night... then pasta and beans it is! Or say it's Sunday, and because you forgot that EVERYTHING is closed in France except for the occasional Kebab places, then too darn bad. Wait until Monday!

Needless to say, this has taught me to plan accordingly and to try to get my shopping done ahead of time. Bein, c'est comme ça hein!

But, enough complaining! Shopping in a French supermarket has made me privy to all sorts of delights. Take these following items for example:

Lardons: a type of bacon, most ressembling Canadian Bacon. YUM! Chopped up in small pieces and ready to cook with, they go with especially pizza, in dishes with cheese and as a salty topping. No joke: everything. I challenge you to find something similar in the States. If you do, call me because I will want to know about it.

Dijon mustard. A staple. A really good mustard is cheap and accessible even outside of Dijon. I often go fo the "demi-fort" variety. But this one is our latest purchase and man is it strong... clear your nasal passages with 1/8 a teaspoon- type of strong.