Get a Turkey!

Unimaginable to have a Thanksgiving dinner without a roasted turkey. Therefore the supermarkets have stocked up with many fresh or frozen turkeys.  One can choose between 6 to 16 pounders, depending on the guests at the dinner table. Rule of thumb is, better take more then less  because 'cold turkey' in the days after Thanksgiving is popular.

These appealing packaged turkeys are far removed from the off-putting flocks of wild turkeys invading the suburbs around Boston.  Once these native birds were on the endangered species list.  With the interest in local food and smaller portions ....... could there be a solution? 

http://www.nwtf.org/for_hunters/hunting_tactics.html

No, better not, as there is too much effort involved before roasting the bird.

Glitter glitter

No more time to go to the Champs Elysee where the Christmas lights are now switched on every day from 5 pm to midnight.  Instead we were blinded by all the sparkle of the crystal shown in a special exhibition in the Petit Palais. The reason is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Baccarat manufactory.

 All Swarkowsky fans will be so excited of the sparkle.

At the Paris Worlds Fair in 1855, Baccarat received a gold medal and from then on the brand name became known the world over. 

 The history of the numerous Worlds Fairs in Paris during the 19th and 20th centuries is illustrated next to the different Baccarat show pieces.   This gives an interesting understanding for the taste and design in different time periods. As well as the impact these world fairs had for Paris during those years and explaine the know-how of luxury brand marketing still existing in France.

 A giant Baccarat chandelier hangs in the entrance hall of the Petit Palais where the celebration exhibition is located. The glitter of a golden age in France!

http://us.baccarat.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-bct_us-Site/en_US/HubPage-WOB?cid=Musées

Then and Now

The small museum Cognacq-Jay in the Marais, with its collection of 18 Century art and furnitures has reopened after a three months renovation. It still needs time with the renovation and reorganization of the art works which will be done May 19, 2015.   the months until then,French fashion designer Christian Lacroix got carte blanche in curating an exhibition shown in all the rooms of the museum. He juxtaposed the works of contemporary artists with the historic paintings, sculptures from the Cognacq-Jay collection and costumes from the Musee Galliera collection.  And this clever 'Then and Now' comparison made for an interesting visit.

Christian Lacroix used some costumes of his own collection too.  As a former art historian specializing in 18th century art and the enlightenment, he was well chosen by the museum administration.  

http://museecognacqjay.paris.fr/les-expositions/lumieres-carte-blanche-christian-lacroix

New Foundation

Not even a month ago, the Louis Vuitton Foundation opened its building - 8 years under construction - and is now a new attraction for Parisians and visitors.  The architect Frank Gehry created a building which defies everything we normaly expect from a building: solid grounded, straight walls and a sturdy roof.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-28/fondation-louis-vuitton-designed-by-frank-gehry-opens-in-paris

 It is an amazing construction and impressive too is, how well the directions from the Metro station 'Les Sablons' were given.  It is just a 10 to 15 minute walk......

 But at every corner are signs to lead the way.

 Not enough, just in front of the building, a label for the visual impaired in relief and sign language.   Very thoughtful gesture to include everyone who visits.

  We feel a tiny bit guilty of not owning a LV handbag!

Mixed up

r At once, entering the great hall in Musee d'Orsay, we noticed the long neck of a giraffe.  A new sculpture?  Curiously approaching - and we were not the only one - the label explained that the little giraffe entered the M d'O during the celebration of the Great Gallery of Evolution 

which is part of the Natural History Museums at Jardin des Plantes.

http://www.mnhn.fr/fr/visitez/lieux/grande-galerie-evolution

The students seemed to prefer the natural history to art history and drew at once their artistic interpretations on their sheets of paper.

Phantasy Games

 I do not know anything!   Looking into a game store I asked for Pokemon  

cards (which they did not carry) but then realized that there is a world of 'games' I had no clue existed.

 Boys in all ages were full concentrated to paint the phantasy toy figures. They had the chance to play too.  I asked for the prices and the phantasy suddenly became cold reality.

  Puzzled I left the store thinking how much fun we had with "Mensch aergere Dich nicht" .......at least the dices are the same.

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Lords-of-Icehorn-Peak

Royal Theatre

Weekdays it is nice to stay cozy at home during the long evenings. Then comes Friday night with the weekend and long dark sleep-in mornings. A surge of energy suddenly to have some fun in town!

 The Royal Theater - Dramaten- is very popular and it is hard to get tickets.  We chanced and got 'last minute' tickets for Rickard III - the last two available.

  High up and in long distance to the scene but no complaints as the actors could be heard and seen and the ticket was less then half price.

http://www.dramaten.se/Repertoar/Rickard-III/

Short Days

  First question when announcing a visit to Stockholm is " how long are the days?"   Not easy to answer because it depends if the sky is blue or grey.  November is usually grey and electric lights are needed most of the time.  Here the view of Nybroviken in the middle of the day yesterday and today probably the same.....

 Easy to visit Sweden in the summer - true fans come during Fall and Winter!

   http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/Sweden-Facts/Worth-knowing-about-Sweden/Time--daylight-hours/

Cannes? No, Stockholm!

   As all filmfestivals go, there are too many films shown and one has to choose carefully. We were not sure about the film but knew that the Skandia-Teatern was worth a visit.  Famous architect Gunnar Asplund was involved in the creation of this beautiful cinema theater. It opened 1923 and was renovated to its former splendor. In red and gold and in a style known as 'Semi-Atmospheric'.  Not knowing exactly what that is, we admired the freeze along the balcony and the golden Adam and Eve figures framing the screen just before the lights dimmed.

  

Eve made us think about the starlets in Cannes. The film 'Girlhood' was a French new film about girls becoming women and with the classic themes of beauty, love, hate, violence and family.  

http://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/en

Stockholm's Saint

  Stockholm is visited by more and more tourists arriving from all corners of the world. City Hall - Stadshuset - is then visited by most of them.  This large building, prominent sight in the heart of the City and reachable by foot, bike, bus and boat is popular even by Stockholmer themselves.  Saint Erik is memorized in different forms and and on the flags in yellow on blue - the Swedish colors.

  The golden sculpture on the top of the column in front of City Hall is?  

You guessed right!    More about St. Erik: 

http://ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com/2014/05/13/the-head-and-crown-of-erik-ix-of-sweden/

Sweet Temptations

The art of baking pastries is still very much alive and the small 'oevres'can be admired through the shop windows on the way to the Louvre.

Mouthwatering presentation of classic pastries like Framboisines or Paris Brests are presented row after row like little soldiers.  

The macaroons helter shelter in their boxes - smaller and inviting to compare their different aromas.

How much is five Euros in $? 

http://www.arnaud-delmontel.com/videos/categorie.en-commentfaire

The sweet Chef Delmontel demonstrates how to make the pastries on his site! 

 Let's go home and try it out - we go to the museum tomorrow.

Indian Summer

Cool nights and warm sunshine during the day - not only in New England but even here in the heart of Paris.

Perfect to sit down under the chestnut trees, watch the water of the Seine gliding by while the sunny glitter seems to hold it in one place.

Yoghurt land

       From American supermarkets filled with a plethora of different foods, up and down the aisles, we know what to choose in an automatic way.

Back in a French market we have to stop and think and read and compare to find the right milk protein without too much fat or too much sugar.

 It is easier to pick a grilled chicken and a bottle of wine.