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Patricia Sands

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Carnaval de Nice

Think warm, please!

February 24, 2018 by Patricia Sands 11 Comments

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

I’m hearing from my friends in Nice that it is ch-ch-chilly and une vague de froid, a cold wave, is in the weather forecast. The annual Carnaval de Nice is well under way and it’s not nearly as much fun having to be bundled up to brave the elements.  So let’s think warm for everyone there!

To read about all the colourful craziness of this festival, which began in 1830, click on the following link. Margo Lestz shares the history and entertaining details in “Carnival Kings, Silly Strings, and Blooming Things”.

Even if we can’t be in Nice now, just reading about it will make you laugh. An air of warm hospitality fills the town … and, of course, temptations abound ~ such as the traditional treats les bugnes or beignets de carnaval. Deep fried pastry flavoured with orange flower water, they are simply melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Today’s post sends out vibes of warm moments in Nice, in the hopes Mother Nature will change her plans for all the eager celebrants. Surely this year’s Roi de l’Espace, King of Space, seen in this short video, must have some influence on the elements.

And even though the beach umbrellas are all stored away until summer arrives, I hope these sunny memories help stir a little warmth.

Are you having a cold wave in your neighbourhood too? Whatever you are doing, I hope you enjoy a bon weekend! 

 

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France..., Uncategorized Tagged With: Carnaval de Nice, Cote D'Azur, France, French Riviera, Nice, Patricia Sands

#1 beach! Who knew?

February 19, 2016 by Patricia Sands 14 Comments

Quelle surprise! We are in the Turks and Caicos Islands at the #1 beach on this list this week enjoying a tropical vacation … and of course, I’m writing! Take a look right here. 

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Even if you can’t be on one of these beaches right now, I hope you like to dream about them like I do. Is there a favourite beach you would add to this list?

Of course it’s not as much fun for me as dreaming about the south of France and my usual “If it’s Friday, it must be France … ” feature will be back next week. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t say something about my favourite part of the world here, though.

It’s the Carnaval de Nice for another week. Are you there enjoying the festivities?

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Do you subscribe to my monthly newsletter? It’s just a click away ~ Come and join us!
Here’s this month’s great giveaway… one of my favourite books! Bonne chance!

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See you next Friday ~ bon weekend, tout le monde!

 

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Filed Under: Blog, France, General Travel, Writing Tagged With: #1 beach, beaches, books, Carnaval de Nice, Julia Child, My Life In France, Nice, Trip Advisor, Turks and Caicos, writing

Love, love, love …

February 14, 2014 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Happy Valentine’s Day ~ Bonne Saint Valentin!

PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos

Enjoy sharing the love with those special someones in your life … today, and every day. How better to sound romantic than to whisper sweet nothings in French? My friend and favourite language instructor, Ida Young-Bondi has all the words you need to know for La Saint Valentin in this love-filled video. Click right here to take a couple of minutes to join her and perfect your accent!

After the hearts and flowers sentiments of today, when we are in France, February in Nice means one thing to me ~ Carnaval! Time to get your party on!

From February 14 to March 4 this year, the streets of Nice will come alive, day and affiche_2014night, with parades of brightly coloured floats, spectacular floral creations, street events with entertainment provided by over 1000 dancers and musicians from all over the world … oh, and blizzards of silly string and confetti!

This year’s featured reigning monarch is the King of Gastronomy.  That can only be very good news!

One of the oldest carnivals in the world; it is said to have pagan beginnings in the thirteenth century.

The word ‘carnival’ apparently comes from carne levare or away with meat. This was the last chance to enjoy all the rich food before Lent when people would fast for forty days. The masks worn at the carnival offered the chance for people to disguise themselves from the forbidden pleasures by the Catholic Church. Needless to say, the philosophy has changed through the centuries!

For all the information you would ever want to know about this joyful celebration, take a few minutes to visit TheGoodLifeFrance where Margo Lestz has the best article on Carnaval de Nice. If you haven’t already done so, bookmark that site to read fabulous posts about life in France!

While I’m on the subject of love, I want to share this with you … honestly, I can’t stop talking about it … and you can imagine the tower of tissues I accumulated watching it play out. Read on …

One of the aspects I love most about the Olympic Games is the sharing of inspiring stories. None of these athletes arrived where they are without hard work, motivation, support and love for their chosen sport.

In Vancouver 2010, Alex Bilodeau won gold for Canada in mogul skiing. This week he accomplished the same feat in fine style in Sochi. He is a superb athlete. More importantly, we also learned in 2010 what a fine person he is and what a loving and exemplary family he has. We were reminded again this week. Please read this, share it and take it to your heart.

Photo from Yahoo Sports
Photo from Yahoo Sports

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Filed Under: Blog, Social issues Tagged With: 2014 Olympic Games, Alex Bilodeau, Carnaval de Nice, France, Frederic Bilodeau, Ida Young-Bondi, La Saint Valentin, Nice, Nice Carnival, Patricia Sands, Sochi

Would you rather be somewhere else today?

February 8, 2013 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Here’s where I would rather be today. And you?  Let’s meander up the road for a brief visit to St. Paul-de- Vence, perched on a hilltop north of Nice. Another day we’ll spend more time here but right now it feels like the perfect spot for a quick break.

St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos
St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos
St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos
St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos

Wander up the lane to La Colombe d’Or. Visit the website for more photos and details of the extraordinary history of this superb inn and restaurant, owned by the same family since 1920. 

La Colombe d'Or-PSandsPhotos
La Colombe d’Or-PSandsPhotos

Settle in the bar … one of my favourite spots … order your beverage of choice and drink in the atmosphere too.

La Colombe d'Or-PSandsPhotos
La Colombe d’Or-PSandsPhotos

POP! ~ back to reality ~ so much for that fantasy.

Let me tell you where I really am today. Does this ever happen to you?

Things pile up and the next thing you know a week has simply flown by!

That Tuesday blog post? Oops!

That backlog of e-mails and blogs I follow? *hangs head in shame*

The final details I need to clear up to move on with publishing my next novel? I’m working on them …

But then Mother Nature steps in with a major snowstorm that provides the perfect opportunity to stay hunkered down at home, cancel meetings, and get caught up. It definitely looks like “The Great White North” here in Toronto today and the view from our balcony appears rather like I have felt all week i.e. SNOWED UNDER.

So today has been a gift! I’ve accomplished more writing-related work in the past five hours than the past five days and the load is beginning to shift. By this evening I may be close to completely caught up! YOWZA!

Before we leave France altogether, here’s something else to eagerly anticipate if you are fortunate enough to be in the area.

CARNAVAL DE NICE 2013 – February 15 to March 6. If you are there, get ready!

Carnaval De Nice 2013
Carnaval De Nice 2013

Click here for  a previous post of mine about this annual celebration that brightens up winter on the Côte d’Azur. Is there a winter festival where you live and do you join in the fun or patiently wait for it to be over? I hope wherever you are, you are safe from the storm.

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France..., Photo blogs Tagged With: Carnaval de Nice, France, La Colombe d'Or, St. Paul de Vence, winter storm

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