Patricia Sands

Author

French Holidays and Traditions

Gifts for everyone!

by 10 Comments

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Félicitations! Kimberly V, you are the winner 41J9slR82iL._AA160_of a copy of Margo Lestz’s new release French Holidays and Traditions (Curious Histories Book 1).

There’s so much information in the book about how the French celebrate all year round, I know you will love it! Margo will be in touch with you to confirm the details.

Visitors won’t spend much time here on my page today. Instead, I’m giving you some super links that will keep you entertained for as long as you like.

First, I’m proposing you slip on over to my very favourite THE GOOD LIFE FRANCE where you can begin your reading pleasure with CHRISTMAS IN PARIS FROM YOUR ARMCHAIR! A nice pot of tea, a double expresso, or a glass of your favourite wine might be just the thing to go with this. Turn up some festive tunes, make yourself comfortable, put your feet up and let yourself be transported. Of course, as we know with TGLF, there’s no end to the enticing articles and photographs. I like to think of it as the gift that keeps on giving!

To set the mood, here are a couple of photos a friend sent me from Paris at Christmas two years ago.

purplelights

church2

Next, you won’t want to miss this clever French Food Alphabet Advent Calendar series 15.IMG_9116Jacqueline Brown has going on The French Village Diaries.

For each day of Advent she is posting about different aspects of French regional specialities or her own favourites, including some great recipes.

Jacqui includes all sorts of interesting details and … you may be hearing it first right here, right now … I predict a book will come out of these posts! I sure hope so!

Last but not least,  a terrific new website about all things provençal can be found by clicking over to Perfectly Provence. They have some wonderful articles about Christmas in Provence. Don’t miss the excerpt from Taking Root in Provence, a wonderful book I often speak about here, written by Ann-Marie Simons.

Now this has nothing to do with the holidays but, also on Perfectly Provence … ta daaaa … they’ve posted an article about some of my experiences in France and how my love affair with Provence began! I hope you don’t mind me sharing it with you. There are all sorts of other good articles and I’ve already made Ginger & Nutmeg’s website a favourite of mine!

images

Are you getting caught up in the spirit of the season? My warmest wishes to those who are celebrating Hanukkah this week.

187884615675981982_0KwiTpIJ_b

 

For your shopping pleasure …

by 23 Comments

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Well, in fact, it’s Thursday, December 11, and a major snowstorm in Toronto is causing mayhem with flight schedules … and so we sit in the departure lounge of Fort Lauderdale International Airport … and wait … and wait …

There are times when hanging out in an airport departure lounge for 8-1/2 hours, after two flight cancellations, can be a positive. Lots of work gets done! And that’s a good thing because tomorrow will be a busy one in Toronto … if we get there by then … we’re told that our departure time will be 1:30 a.m.. That means we will arrive at 4 a.m. … hmm … it’s been a while since I pulled an all-nighter, but this might just be the time!

Let me have another piece of chocolate and then get down to business. Mmmm ~ Cadbury’s Milk Chocolate Fruit and Nut Bar hits the spot!

How is your holiday shopping going? If some people on your list love France like I do, you might consider these books by a few friends of mine. They are all on my bookshelf or iPad and I love  spreading the word about them.

THE FRENCH RIVIERA: A LITERARY GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS ~

So much more than a travel51TZhczufQL._AA160_ guide! Assisted in extensive research by his absolutely charming wife, Joan, and combining a love of literature and familiarity with the Côte d’Azur, Ted Jones offers readers a lively and fascinating report. I love this book and reread sections before I go traipsing off to different towns.

My copy is lovingly dog-eared and filled with post-it notes and comments! Even if you never plan to visit France, this is a great read!

 

imagesFIRST FRENCH ESSAIS ~ The latest by Kristin Espinasse, combining words and photography from her enviable life in the south of France.

I’ve been following Kristin’s French Word-A-Day blog for years and have enjoyed all of her books.

I’m featuring this one because her photography is a delightful bonus!

 

TAKING ROOT IN PROVENCE ~ You’ve heard me (many times here on my blog) talk about this 51+2pqiizuL._AA160_wonderful collection of stories about life in Provence by my friend Anne-Marie Simons.

Here’s what I said in a review: “Taking Root In Provence is a delightful anthology, engaging all the senses in a portrait of Provence painted in vivid brushstrokes of words and feelings. Ms. Simons’ background as a journalist is apparent in her insightful observations and comfortable writing style. She invites us into the heart of the life they now enjoy and leaves us wanting to move in with them … or at least next door!”

Start packing!

41REtTMfrML._AA160_WOLFSANGEL ~ Liza Perrat was featured here on my blog recently but, if you happened to miss that, here’s another chance to find out about this gripping WW2 novel.

I couldn’t put it down and am making plans to visit the preserved site when we are in France next year.

It would make a treasured gift for the historical fiction fan on your shopping list.

CHRONICLES FROM CHÂTEAU MOINES ~ YA! For the young readers in your life! Author Evelynechateau_fc_fnl_lo1 Holingue was born and raised in a small town in Normandy. Since 1990 she has lived in the USA and is now settled with her family in central California.

Through her fiction, Evelyne shares her affection for her native and adoptive countries. In addition to the French settings, she incorporates a few French words and short sentences or expressions, all easily understandable and a perfect introduction to France for young readers. Find out more on her website.

 

51jjfMOUddL._AA160_Oh! In case you haven’t heard, the print edition of Promises To Keep is now available! I know, I know! It took me long enough!

I’ve mentioned before that the learning curve in this business is a veeeeerrrrry long one for me and there most definitely were a few lessons learned by yours truly in the process!

I’m so grateful for the knowledgeable and patient team that guides me along the way!

AND NOW FOR A SUPER GIVEAWAY!

 

41J9slR82iL._AA160_FRENCH HOLIDAYS & TRADITIONS ~ Francophile Alert!!!

This is a new release by the peripatetic Margo Lestz, compiling many of the celebrations one finds in France along with some fascinating facts.  Margo makes her home in Nice when she isn’t off exploring.  Her blog posts on The Curious Rambler are always informative and entertaining!

Leave a comment here if you would like your name included in a draw for a free copy of Margo’s book! Check back next week to see if you were the lucky winner. I’ll announce it here and then Margo will contact you. Bonne chance tout le monde!

I’ll be popping back here next week. Will you? In case we miss each other, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all for a joyful holiday season with the hope that the New Year brings the best of health and happiness to you and yours. Peace on earth always tops the wish list .

canstockphoto17202873