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Patricia Sands

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France

January 6th ~ Epiphany ~ la fête des rois in France

January 6, 2023 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

Happy New Year … now Eat cake like a king!

If you are in France (or Louisiana, hello N’awlins!), it’s again time to celebrate  … oui …  bien sûr … more food! Don’t you love it? This time it’s all about a rich, almond cream (frangipane) enveloped by layers of light, flaky pastry (feuilleté).

Another joyful opportunity to bring friends and family around the table to share La Galette des Rois/The Kings’ Cake, takes place on the first Sunday of January or January 6th and recognizes Epiphany, the arrival of the three wise men (Magis). The history of this special pastry can be  traced to Roman times.

If you read my Love in Provence series, Kat first finds out about the tradition in Book #2, Promises to Keep. 

During the French Revolution, the name was replaced with ‘Gâteau de l’Égalité’ (equality cake), as the word ‘king’ was a little out of fashion!

It’s so popular, many patisseries make the scrumptious cake through the entire month of January.

The cake is cut in the specific number of slices for the people present, with one extra symbolic slice for the first poor person passing by. The youngest child  (or the most innocent adult, if no children are present, which can result in great hilarity) goes under the table and calls out who will receive each slice to ensure fair distribution. The greatest excitement comes when one person discovers la fève (a lucky charm) hidden in a single slice. Just don’t accidentally bit down on it … they’re usually a small porcelain or plastic trinket!

Bon appétit!

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Click here to read an excellent account of the history and traditions of this special fête by my friend, Margo Lestz.

On another topic, I’m excited to let you know that our Sail Away series has launched! The prequel book Welcome Aboard is FREE and contains the prologue to each of the eight stories to follow! All the books are available to preorder! Just click here.

To celebrate the launch of the series, we have a fabulous giveaway. I hope you will join in the fun and wish you good luck! Here’s the link to enter.

Before I say au revoir for now, here’s more good news to start the year off right! Amazon let me know they have placed The Promise of Provence on sale for $1.99 for the month of January! If you already have your copy, now is a great time to pick up some for friends! Happy shopping!

Happy New Year! Bonne Année! I hope 2023 is off to a good start for you. Our hearts are with people struggling in so many places around the world either through war or weather. We hope for better days for all. At all times donations may be made to the Red Cross. Every little bit helps so we can all do our share.

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Filed Under: Blog, France, News, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Epiphany, France, giveaway, Kindle sale, la fete du roi, Patricia Sands, SAIL AWAY SERIES, The Promise of Provence

November 11th ~ Remembrance Day in Canada

November 9, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

Lest we forget ~

Tomorrow at the 11th hour of the 11th day in this the 11th month, Canada will pause for two minutes’ silence to remember those  heroes who have given their lives and in respect of all who offer their service … in every country. 

We owe so much to so many. 

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I have posted this page in years past on this date. Since there are many new followers of my website, I want to share it again for those who haven’t seen it. For others, I hope you don’t mind the repetition. I feel these stories can never be shared too often.

In 2010, my husband and I went on a journey to locate the grave of my Uncle Harry whose Lancaster bomber had been shot down on June 13, 1944, near Cambrai, France. All six crew members  perished.

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We discovered they are buried in a small Allied cemetery in the middle of farmland, rather than in one of the major cemeteries in France.

It was quite an experience just finding it, but that’s a story for another day. When I inquired as to why they were in that location, the Office of Military Affairs explained that they had been buried there by the nearby villagers at the time and so would remain close to where they had died. The cemetery was immaculately tended … and watched over by curious cows.

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Coincidentally, just a week before our visit, another relative of one of the crew had visited the cemetery. He left a note in the guest book (found in metal boxes at every cemetery) that gave us some personal information about the day these men died. They had been on a bombing raid over the rail yards in Cambrai. The war was being won. The men were heading back to their base in England to make it in time for the local dance that evening.

Sadly, they did not arrive.

Learning this small piece of personal information, made our visit that much more emotional and intimate.

As a child, I had always been intrigued by stories about my Uncle Harry, the youngest of 5 boys, and only 20 years old when he died. There were framed photos of him in his uniform with a dazzling smile in my parents’ and grandparents’ homes. You could feel his pride. And theirs.

When we went on our mission to ‘find Uncle Harry’, we also spent a few days in Normandy and did the tours of the WW2 landing beaches, something I recommend to everyone who has the opportunity.

It’s an emotional experience as the history of the war becomes vividly presented by guides who must take courses in this information and pass exams before receiving a license to guide. The French take the preservation of this history very seriously and are to be commended for doing so.

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As we toured the museums and memorial centres, it struck me that in so many of the photographs of men and women in service for their country, pride was stirringly evident in their expressions. It seems to go with the wearing of the uniform and the understanding of what that represents.

Thank you to every one of the members of armed services – past and present – for putting yourself in danger for your country and taking on that onerous task with such commitment. We are proud of you and eternally grateful.

Thank you, Uncle Harry.

Normandy 2010

Wear your poppy proudly. Please make certain to preserve and keep alive the stories of the members of your families who have served in the armed forces. Always remember.

Normandy

No matter what our country, hearts are touched by the selfless giving of all who serve. The museums and preserved landing beaches of Normandy offer an emotional lesson in history to all who have the good fortune to visit that part of France.

Most Canadians proudly wear a poppy for a week or so before November 11th to show their respect for veterans. Click here for an  excellent explanation of how the poppy came to be such a strong symbol of remembrance.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have you preserved stories of your family’s service? Please do before it is too late.

Our wonderful autumn weather seems to be slipping away. I’m getting the snow tires put back on next week … we know what is coming soon! So it’s a good time to stock up on some excellent books for those indoor days!

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Filed Under: Blog, France, Social issues, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Allied cemetery, Canada, France, Landing beaches, Never forget, Normandy, Patricia Sands, poppy, Remembrance Day

How your pre-order can help …

August 18, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

One week to go to release day! And the ‘to-do’ list doesn’t seem to be shrinking.

If you are considering ordering The Secrets We Hide, how about placing a pre-order now? That way you are assured the ebook will be sitting in your mailbox on publishing day and your print copy should arrive then too. For some reason, some print copies are being sent out already … the publishing world works in mysterious ways.

The more pre-orders you place for me, the better the chances of The Secrets We Hide making a best seller list. I thank you in advance!

Pre-order on Amazon

Pre-order on Kobo

Pre-order on Barnes & Noble

Have you seen the trailer for The Secrets We Hide? Feel free to share it from YouTube.

Here’s a reminder that the Goodreads giveaway is open now and ten ebooks are up for grabs. Here’s the link for that. Good luck and thank you to everyone for all of your support.

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, News, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, France, Hawaii, Japan, Kobo, literary fiction, new release, Patricia Sands, pre-order, The Secrets We Hide, trip fiction

Bonne fête ~ May 1st, 2022

April 30, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

May 1, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

Happy May Day!

En France ~ Bonne fête du muguet! Bonne fête du travail! Bon premier Mai! Happy Labor Day! Happy first of May!

In many countries around the world, the first of May is a celebrated Labor Day. In France there’s a special twist to the holiday that I love.
I recycle this post every year because I don’t want to change anything about it. If you read it last year … or the year before , I hope you enjoy it again. And if you can find some Lily of the Valley to give to a friend, all the better.

En mai, fais ce qu’il te plait!

Provençal proverb ~ In May, do what pleases you!


Here’s my May 1st muguet to each of you.

Every May 1st I like to share one of my favourite traditions in France ~ La Fête du Travail or La Fête du Muguet. The day is a national holiday ~ International Workers’ Day, like Labour Day in North America. But more than that it is an occasion when people give little bouquets or sprigs or pots of le muguet (lily of the valley) to each other. Like so many of the things we love about France, the tradition has lasted for centuries. It began in 1561, during the Renaissance.

Click here to read an excellent article by Margo Lestz, about this sweet tradition and all the history behind it.

Here’s another post about the tradition from Kristin Espinasse, everyone’s favourite scribe of daily French life.

A few years ago, my husband and I had just finished a magical stay (but then isn’t it always?) in Paris and the Loire Valley. We were driving south to the Dordogne region on May 1st and in every town, large or small, this was the scene. Even on a drizzly day. I loved it!


Obviously, whether young or old, everyone puts a lot of thought into this tradition.

A vivid memory of that rainy morning, is of an elderly woman sitting under an umbrella beside her small stand of bouquets of muguets. It wasn’t an appropriate picture to take … and no time to stop in the midst of traffic … but I’ve never forgotten the image. Does this happen to you sometimes when you travel? Your eye is the shutter and a particular image is captured forever in your memory?

Le muguet or lily of the valley represents a porte-bonheur, a good luck charm, to special people in your life. I am offering one to each of you.

Does your culture or country have a special May 1st tradtion?

With Mother’s Day next weekend, I’m happy to share that we are having a special Mother’s Day discount for The Bridge Club! The ebook is available for $1.99 and, for the first time ever, the paperback is on sale for $12.99 until May 10.

The story is the perfect gift for those mothers who raised families beginning in the 1970’s. The world was a different place! And if your mother is a bridge player, even better, but not necessary. Included in the book are eight detailed bridge hands contributed by Canada’s bridge guru, Audrey Grant! Click here for your copies.

Bon weekend, tout le monde!

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Filed Under: Blog, General Travel, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: France, la fete du muguet, la fete du travail, Lily Of The Valley, May 1, Patricia Sands, traditions

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