Patricia Sands

Author

France

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

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Bon vendredi! Happy Friday!

This is my most recent Instagram post, as I fantasize about boarding a plane and returning to France. Do you have an Instagram account? If so, please consider following me @patricialsands.

I’m by nature an optimist, a purveyor of hope, and for that I am truly grateful. It’s what keeps me believing that I will stroll these petites ruelles once again, camera in hand, capturing images to fill the pages of my stories. What keeps you believing in your dreams?#neverstopexploring#keepbelieving#southoffrance#absolutelysouthernfrance#southoffrancememoriestour

I also wanted to remind you that my novella #2 in the Villa des Violettes series, A Season of Surprises, is still on sale … $.99 for the ebook! Enjoy!

Here’s the Amazon link ~ https://amzn.to/2Y3Ra7c

And for no particular reason other than more wishing …

Bon weekend tout le monde !

Sweet or savoury?

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By Patricia Sands February 2, 2021

It may be Groundhog Day where you are, but in France today it is all about crêpes!

Sweet or savoury?

Now that we’ve finished celebrating January in France by eating la galette des rois, the king’s cake, it’s time to sweep away those crumbs and haul out the crêpes pan!

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February 2nd, is La Chandeleur, Fête des Lumières,  Jour des Crêpes. You might know it as Candlemas.

Churches will celebrate the tradition of the lighting of candles.

Then it will be all about … what else, this IS France … food!

Crêpes and cidre. Unlike our apple cider, this drink has a touch of alcohol.

The day is often accompanied by fortune telling and in many kitchens, crêpes are flipped in the air with the pan in one hand and a coin in the other. If the crêpe lands back in the pan, the year will be a prosperous one. Children hold their breath in anticipation!

Similar to our North American, Groundhog Day, there’s a prediction about winter. “Rosée à la Chandeleur, hiver à sa dernière heure.” If  there is dew at dawn, winter will soon be over.

As the French do so well, the day is a fun-filled, family time. If you’re tempted to celebrate your own Jour des Crêpes, they are delicious and light  and easy to make. Click right here for a recipe.

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There are crêpe stands or crêperies everywhere in France and today, as well as through the weekend, there will be few people not enjoying this simple and delicious food with a filling of choice ~ sweet or savoury.  Crêpes have a history that goes back to Biblical times and in France, Britanny is said to have established the true crêpe recipe.

Get in line right here! Bon appétit!

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If you are in Paris today, visit Craig Carlson’s Breakfast in America Diner, @pancakesinparis on Instagram, where I bet he is whipping up crêpes for takeout! 🇫🇷

Have you ever made crêpes? Which do you prefer, the French crêpe or it’s slightly heavier English cousin, the pancake? Are you a fan of sweet or savoury?

Here’s what  The Good Life France has to say about French traditions on February 2nd.

Bon appétit!

January 6th ~ la fête du roi in France

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By Patricia Sands January 6, 2021

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.

Let us take you to France today!

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“The Second Line Show” has put together a virtual excursion to the heart of France through these talented, “you-need-to-know” authors experiences, writing, culture and cuisine!
Come on a couch vacation with Nola Nash, Patricia Sands, Craig Carlson, Julien Chameroy, Michael Higgins, Samantha Vérant & Lisa Anselmo!! 

No passport or packing required! Let us whisk you off to France! Join Annie McDonnell of The Write Review and Nola Nash of The Second Line Show for an entertaining chat about our books set in France and the passion behind them 📚 with ~
💞🇫🇷💞Craig Carlson and Julien Chameroy ~ entrepreneurial owner and manager of the Breakfast In America diners in Paris 

💞🇫🇷💞 Lisa Anselmo, American writer, speaker, brand coach living her ‘part-time’ life in Paris

💞🇫🇷💞 Samantha Vérant, memoir and women’s fiction author, American living the dream in southwestern France

💞🇫🇷💞 Patricia Sands, women’s fiction author, Canadian, living like a local for months each year on the Côte d’Azur

💞🇫🇷💞 Michael Higgins, author, photographer, world-class wine expert, tirelessly pursuing the best wine regions in France and worldwide for over 20 years

💞🇫🇷💞What we all love to share is our passion for France. 

VISIT THE WRITE REVIEW OR NOLA NASH/THE SECOND LINE SHOW ON FACEBOOK FOR THIS VIRTUAL EXCURSION 

Here is the link to THE WRITE REVIEW:

https://www.facebook.com/Thewritereview

Here is the link to THE SECOND LINE:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2380946371969311