Have you seen this? My daughter forwarded it to me. We don’t all have children that grow up to be Olympic competitors, but they are all champions in our hearts. The job is the same for each of us. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMunV1Y4X2o
News
La Fête Des Mères
If it’s Friday, it must be France …
In Canada and the U.S.A, this Sunday, the second Sunday in May, is Mother’s Day. Well, officially it’s Mother’s Day … we all know in reality every day is Mother’s Day. Where would we be without them?
Mother’s Day in France this year is June 3.
The date is fixed to the last Sunday of May, except in the case of Pentecost Sunday and then the festival is postponed until that date.
France’s tradition was inaugurated by Napoleon and made official in 1920.
As you might expect in the foodalicious culture of that country. Special cakes are often created for this day.
Many of them are in floral designs such as these on the left … almost too beautiful to eat!
As I was looking up information for this post … um, you wonder (???) why my current WIP still isn’t finished … there are distractions like blogging!
Okay, where was I …
I happened upon the wonderful blog of Myriam, an Australian writer who also shares fabulous posts on France … another fine example of the global melting pot of information in this amazing blogosphere of ours. You are going to love her site!
This is a cake she made while in France a couple of years ago celebrating La Fête with her mother and 
grandmother. Magnifique, oui? Now if you are like me … I suck at baking baking is not my forté … with the exception of my Christmas shortbread cookies which I have to admit are delicious (based on the rapid disappearance of any batch left unattended) and I have my dear long-departed Gram to thank for that recipe.
But I digress … as I often do …
This cake is from a very famous Paris bakery and comes in a kit! Woohoo! I can do kits!
Myriam has shared all of the necessary ingredients from this kit and how-to photos on her blog. Click here to see how for yourself. Even baking-challenged moi can whip up this impressive delight!
If you are looking for something different to prepare for your mom this weekend, this might be just the ticket. (Don’t you love that plate too?)
While you are planning the rest of your celebration for Mother’s Day, here are a few quotes to ponder.
L’avenir d’un enfant est l’oeuvre de sa mere-The future of a child is the work of his mother. -Napoleon Bonaparte.
Le coeur d’une mere est un abîme au fond duquel se trouve toujours le pardon.-The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.-Honore de Balzac, a 19th century French novelist and playwright.
Une maman formidable donne toujours une grand-mere exceptionnelle.-A great mother always makes an exceptional grandmother.-Jean Gastaldi, French writer.
A little historical note: the United Kingdom was the first country to begin celebrating mothers in the 1600’s. Mothering Sunday occurs on the fourth Sunday in Lent so the date changes from year to year.
My dear mom died 6 years ago at the age of 92 (with a better memory than mine right to the end!). We will honour her on Sunday, as I will be feted by my children and grandchildren, and as I will honour our daughters and daughters-in-law. Amazing mothers all. Whether the mothers you honour are present or live on in your heart, whatever you do, celebrate with that attitude of gratitude!
The party’s at Bridgette’s …
Okay, a few weeks ago I promised I was only going to post on my blog twice a week and since 
then I’ve broken that promise several times. I’m sorry … I’m a big believer in promises so this does not make me feel good. With your permission I’ll retract that promise and simply say I’ll TRY not to blog more than twice a week. I know how busy y’all are and you don’t need me popping up in your mailbox every day.
It’s just that there’s SO much great stuff to talk about!
Like this, for example – Today I’m hanging out over at Bridgette Booth’s blog again and we would love it if you would pop in and see what’s going on. We’re still recovering from the brunch she slaved over threw together for us yesterday. That lady knows how to deliver a party – sharpies, paper plates and jalapeno kolaches – all served up with that special brand of Texan hospitality! We did have more than a few laughs!
Bridgette is one of my fabulous WANA sisters from Kristen Lamb’s Blogging For Your Author Brand course last summer. On the surface she seems kind of shy but underneath that quiet exterior is a real firecracker and a fine human being whose writing simply breathes energy.
In spite of the fact she is busy working on her own manuscript and homeschooling her children, Bridgette – avid reader that she is – pulled The Bridge Club off her TBR pile and decided we needed to chat. She always finds time for her friends and we’re glad she does. Come on over … click right here … there may even be a few of those delicious kolaches left!
Support your local bookstore … please
A few weeks ago I wrote about our beloved local bookshop, The Book Mark, being forced to close. Every time I walk by the empty store, I feel SO sad! There aren’t many inviting bookstores left with character and warmth in Toronto and those we do have need our support.
If you are downtown, plan to spend some time at Nicholas Hoare Ltd., 75 Front Street East, or Ben McNally Books at 366 Bay Street.
Both shops offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere with beautiful wood floors and shelving reminiscent of an old library. Comfortable chairs invite customers to take some time considering their purchases and informed staff are only to happy to offer assistance. If they don’t have what you want, they’ll make certain they soon have it in the store. Another bonus, when you are ready to pay there aren’t 20 people in front of you. Have you lined up at our local big chain booksandeverythingelse store lately? Yikes!
Ben McNally also hosts fabulous Author Presentations with a brunch at the King Edward hotel on a regular basis. All the information is on their website and, seriously, you should add them to your calendar.
In spite of the convenience of shopping online 24/7, there is so much to be said for still having the opportunity to browse in a proper bookstore. Let’s all do our part in at least attempting to keep this option alive in the areas where we live. Libraries and bookstores are a vital link in encouraging the ongoing development of literacy in every demographic of our community. It’s so easy for kids, in particular, to be sidetracked by the digital world. If family members make certain that visits to these centres are part of children’s routines, we may have a chance at helping ensure these guardians of our literary culture don’t go the way of the dinosaur.
In a short burst of shameless self-promotion, I’ll just add that The Bridge Club is available at both of the above locations. *waving pompoms*
Do you find that you are doing most of your book-buying online? As a Kindle convert, I have to admit to that but I make a concerted effort to drop into indie bookstores on a regular basis too. It’s really a conflicting situation! Do you have a prediction as to how it’s all going to end?
For readers who are also writers, you’ll be doing yourself a favour dropping in on:
Our fearless blogging and social media leader,Kristen Lamb, who this week talks about how Writing Is More Than Writing
And for sheer entertainment value as well as a ton of excellent information, please continue to visit members of the blog roll down the side of this page. You’ll be glad you did!
