Bonjour mes amis! I know I am not the only one who was rather flabbergasted to see “August 1” appear on my calendars last week. The summers used to last so much longer when I had several little kids to entertain in the steamy Texas heat! This one has certainly zipped by at warp speed, but has been a good one.
I happened to see that Ina Garten had posted a new recipe for Blueberry Bran Muffins on her website, and I had all the necessary ingredients in my kitchen, except the wheat bran (which I found at the nifty new Fresh Market that just opened across the street). I whipped them up in no time, and they are delicious. I love that they use yogurt and honey, with no other fats. Muffins without oil or butter? Yes! Try them now, while the blueberries are plentiful at the stores. And yes, they do taste best with a little dab of butter stuck in their middle.
I was a huge fan of Philipp Meyer’s novel, American Rust, when it came out a year or two ago. His newest novel, The Son, had been getting a lot of buzz in the literary world, and I was happily surprised to find it at the library shortly before I left for Paris. I took it with me on my trip (all 560 pages of it) and it was definitely worth the additional weight in my carry-on! The Son tells the epic tale of how three generations of one wealthy Texas family participated in 150 years of Texas history. From Comanche raids to cattle drives to crude oil, this story never loses its edge, and neither did it lose my interest. You don’t have to be from Texas to enjoy this story of the settlement of the American West, but, as in all things, it doesn’t hurt! Go lasso yourself a copy.
Tonight I embark on my final trip of the summer, to a continent I have never been before. We sent the Pope on ahead to prepare the friendly people of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , for our visit. I hope to gather plenty of material for a couple of posts from the Copacabana beach straight to your inbox. I never thought I would be visiting Rio, and I am super excited to see the home of the girl from Ipanema!
I know I have shared this video with you before, but I think it’s time for another visit with The Girl From Ipanema, don’t you?
Ahhhhhhhhh.
I do love that song.
Talk to y’all soon!
Mais Oui Paris 
Have fun!!
LOL- I’m sitting outside in Houston practicing French before my husband & my go to gay Paris for 1st time!! Can relate having raised 3 Aggies here!! Mary Kay let me know @ your blog! We have apt. In Brooklyn- I volunteer w/ Central Park Conservancy Green Team& galavant every day exploring, researching & photographing my beloved NYC!! Enjoy your blog tremendously!! Visited GB for 1st time last summer ( Pete’s Scottish uncle & all cousins are spread out! Can’t wait to get to Paris 22 aout!!
Bonjour, Cissy! Welcome to my blog world! Lucky you to experience Paris without the Parisians! I hope you have a great trip!
Be sure you take a long walk along the beach at Ipanema…MAG was a toddler when we lived there…and also go up into the lovely Floresta de Tijuca, an urban forest.