Je suis revenue de PARIS...first blog!

Even though I've never written a blog before I'm ready to give it a go...I'm going to share my thoughts, my life, my passions...beginning with the email I recently sent to the founding members of the SUGAR & STILETTOS BAKING CLUB when I got back from my deliciously decadent "mommy vacation" in PARIS (my first trip in 1990 made me a Francophile for life...plus I actually lived there for almost a year '91-'92...quel reve!)

Bonjour mes belles filles, mes femmes fatales, mes chers amis,

Je suis revenue de PARIS...ce voyage etait tellement merveilleux, fabuleux et sublime...je ne pouvais pas imaginer les vacances meilleure que ca!

Alright, alright...the rest in English...My "mommy vacation" as you could probably already decipher was AMAZING, INCREDIBLE and WONDROUS! Suffice it to say, I feel like a new woman, an improved version of my old self ready to face the world again with a renewed energy and passion for the blessed life I have.

I began my trip in first class (free with my miles!) on Air Tahiti Nui...first up, a glass of champagne followed by some wine, lunch and an Ambien whereby I slept for the next 5-6 hours...HEAVEN...woke up just in time for a bit of croissant and cafe before landing...went straight to the Hotel Costes where I was greeted by my friend, Isabelle, who upgraded my room and gave me a 20% discount to boot plus she had gorgeous roses and fresh strawberries waiting for me...OH LA LA! I spent the entire weekend reading, having room service, lounging by the pool, having a massage, sleeping, watching French television, taking long baths and visiting/giggling/eating/drinking with two of my closest French girlfriends...it was a wonderful way to deal with jet lag. Karin and I even ventured out to the Champs-Elysees where Nicolas Sarkozy (the French President) had completely blocked off the huge boulevard to cars for two days...he had the entire street all the way up to the Arc de Triomphe redone with gardens full of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruits, animal installations, farmers from all over France, environmental/green booths promoting clean, sustainable living...it was really something to see and experience...2 million people were expected to attend...I'm sure it was at least that many.

From the Hotel Costes I went to my Parisian agent's apartment on the Ile-St. Louis...one of the most charming and oldest parts of Paris. I had the apartment all to myself because in an ironic twist Marie-Cecile was in NYC doing business...her daughters, who work with her, doted on me making sure that I had everything that I needed and then some...talk about feeling like a queen. The two level apartment has huge windows that let the sunshine stream in making one feel embraced by positive, calm light...adding to the Zen effect was the terrace off Marie-Cecile's bedroom on the top floor where I watered her plants and flowers (gratefully I didn't kill any which I often do though never intentionally!) and sat about gazing at Parisian rooftops when the weather permitted me to do so. (I luckily got many beautiful sunny days and then some more typical gray Parisian skies with some rain on others).

My time was split between being with my friends and enjoying the solitude and quiet of being with myself. I ate and drank everything I wanted to...really is there anything better than French croissants, pastries, wine, bread, saucisson sec, poulet roti, steak frites, warm goat cheese, Berthillion ice cream, all of it...I indulged completely and didn't gain a pound! I highly recommend a new (to me) red wine I discovered called Brouilly which is served slightly chilled and is delicious.

I walked everywhere, shopped (mostly window, but did bring back my favorite chocolates, jams and Poilane bread which I will enjoy for months to come), went to the movies, the theatre (saw the French production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues), went to the Marche aux Fleurs (I love fresh flowers), a gala dinner soiree my friend, Marie, invited me to with tons of famous French people in attendance walking the red carpet with paparazzi flashing their cameras like crazy, had two Karl Lagerfeld sightings near my hair salon in the 7th (he lives down the street), read six books and on and on...I simply could not stop smiling and laughing...or pinching myself...what's a little Jewish girl from Encino doing in Paris speaking French and having a second parallel life as an adored American Francophile...what were the chances of that ever happening? Believe me, not in my wildest dreams!

What I didn't do was...check my email, put limits on myself, worry about money or my weight, read newspapers or watch the news, talk on the phone (except to arrange a rendez-vous), write, work (anything work related came out of the blue and was magical), run around like a crazy person, watch television or listen to music after the hotel (the quiet allowed for lots of reflection and inner monologues)...I turned off and tuned out all the noise...it was GLORIOUS...

There are a thousand more precious, small moments that defined my time in Paris...too numerous to mention...each one, whether it was with a chauffeur de taxi, un marchand at a boutique or a good friend made me realize once again how my life (all our lives) are made up of these dazzling petits moments...and how important it is to savor and recognize each one for the gift that it is...how each one can fill your heart and soul with such abundant awe and unbridled joy...how each one is unique and special in its own way, never to come again in the same shape or space. I know I am sounding a bit Pollyanna but it feels so good to reconnect with the more pure and hopeful part of myself that had gotten lost (or at least buried) under the often heavy and banal weight of everyday living.

As for Joshua...I did miss him alot...but was also quite happy to have time to myself...to be able to do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it, to identify myself again as a woman and an individual...not just Joshua's mother though that is my favorite title of all those that I might hold. I wrote him a letter and postcard, called several times and got him every last thing on his list of "French Must Haves" and then some. I talked about him and regaled all my friends with Joshua stories so he was never too far from me.

Joshua missed me too but did just fine without me. He went to Las Vegas with my brother, sister-in-law and niece, had dinner with my parents a few times, who of course gave him some gifts (because we all know how deprived my son is!), had dinner with his Aunt Jacklynn and cousin Casey, numerous playdates, an all day birthday party at Roaring Waters, etc...he somehow managed to fit in school and his other lessons in between all the fun he was having! I wasn't even home 24 hours and he was ready to leave me and go have another playdate...I suppose that's a good sign of sorts that he is growing up, that he is becoming independent, that he knows that I'm there for him, that I'm his home base but that he is free to go when he needs to...oh, the unexpected surprises that life throws at you...

Well, my lovelies, before I end this endless email I want to remind everyone that our next meeting (the last before our summer break) is around the corner on Saturday, June 19th at 11am-1/130pm or so. There is no theme so bring whatever the hell you want and 20 copies of your recipe since some associate members will also be joining us plus some wine or champagne to share. As always wear your stilettos, strut your fabulous self in like a runway mannequin and come ready to love, laugh, eat, drink and share your life with the rest of us...a tres beintot...

Grosses bises,

Nanci, Your Adoring Baking Goddess

That's it for today, my very first blog! Merci beaucoup for joining me...look for my second blog next week...