"Fly Me to the Moon..."

Hello Family and Friends!

Happy belated Fourth of July!!! Granted, I missed the Red, White and Boom “firesmack” (firework) celebration, parades, high school reunion (five years already?!) and picnics; however, I spent an amazing evening in Cannes, France (yes, famous for the annual Cannes Film Festival and seemingly adoring city of “Brangelina”). After enjoying a dinner of fresh sushi at the Havanna Room (I loved the pink salmon pared with the pastel-green avocado, black-tinted-gold seaweed and snow white rice against the white square plate), I walked along the Boulevard de la Croisette. Good things truly do come in small packages when visiting this small fishing village. Despite having only two major roads, Boulevard de la Croisette and Rue d’Antibus, the sister city of Beverly Hills can compete with the world’s best. Haute Couture, fashion and jewelry designers, perfumes and cream boutiques, luxury hotels, prestigious restaurants, dominating yachts and sleek sail boats… the crème de la crème. Even the perfectly manicured window displays exude class. Definitely the type of boutiques that if you find yourself inquiring re: the price of an item, you should simply turn around and mosey on toward the exit. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. I was absolutely content to be window shopping and allowing my imagination to be set free!

The Boulevard de la Croisette, essentially a smaller, more tropical Champs Elysées, was bursting forth with life on the Fourth of July. Although no celebrations of liberty were evident, I did hear music in the distance and hastened my pace in order to find the source of the joy! I noticed a crowd gathered across the street from the Carlton Inter-Continential hotel. Not too shabby spending an evening listening to live jazz music. I immediately joined the other spectators with pure elation in my heart and laughter in my soul. I absolutely adored watching the crowd clapping their hands to the beat of the music (and yes… some dreadfully off the beat, but still loving life), young couples dancing on the large boardwalk and children dropping coins into the open musical instrument cases of the performers. Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin… jazz songs permeating the air ("Fly Me to the Moon," "What a Wonderful World," "New York, New York" etc.) Spotlights illuminated the cream stone and green thatched roof of the glamorous Carlton palace. Palm trees swaying in the warm July evening sea breeze. The proud yachts and sailboats dazzling on the moonlit blue waves. The white concrete bench lining the boardwalk radiating with changing neon red, orange, blue, white and green hues. The Cartier, Chanel and Valentino boutique signs were shining confidently against the navy-blue sky. I so enjoyed having time to think of each of you… celebrating the freedom of our country with family, friends, Olympic Trials, work, fighting for our freedom, picnics, “firesmacks” (ok… fireworks), high school reunions, parades, sparklers and those great little white balls that you throw on the ground and cause a slight heart-attack to those unaware…mischievous indeed…

Growing up, I always celebrated the Fourth of July on top of the family van. No, not a “van down by the river”; rather, a van parked on North High Street in Columbus, Ohio with my family. Still doesn’t sound too promising, eh? Allow me to explain… we always loved the Red, White and Boom firework celebration… what isn’t there to like… glittering balls of fire that were orchestrated and choreographed to upbeat, patriotic music… all good things. And yes, the show always lived up to the reputation of being “so much better than last year!” In order to enjoy the celebration, my family and I would hop into the car with blankets, pillows, snacks and sparklers, and drive to the same location every year. My brothers would hoist me onto the roof of the van, once parked mind you, and I would bury myself into a sea of blankets and pillows. Everyone would join in a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs” as the dominating ‘booms’ filled the air and glitter cascaded from the sky. Here’s the best part… once the final firesmack… umm… smacked, the Baumert clan mysteriously transformed into the A-Team. Moving at warp-speed, we would fly into the van and maneuver our way from our coveted spot as quickly as possible. Must avoid the traffic at any cost... And the reason for our ultra fast departure? The following morning we were up before dawn’s early light… someone was either swimming and/or in the UA Parade. Reflecting back on our memories, I cannot help but laugh! I am filled with joy as I remember dancing with the sparklers (although mightily disappointed whenever the breeze was too strong and the sparklers would not light), throwing the “snap pops” with my mighty-child strength, laughing with my brothers and parents… I loved the fact that we were able to run free and dance (and have a glorious view from the top of the car… bonus). Hilarious memories!

Although my Cannes celebration was quite different, I loved visiting the south of France. Handprints of famous Hollywood stars line the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. I remember a few years ago when Michael, Stephen and I were home during Christmas and were watching “Walker Texas Ranger” together. During the particular show, Chuck Norris continually fought evil… but in order to be ultimately victorious, he performed his secret weapon move… the “round-house kick.” I remember laughing as Chuck Norris round-house kicked one antagonist, then another, then yet another… we about died laughing when it was shown in slow-motion. Despite the move being overplayed a ridiculous amount of times, we have continued to this day laughing about the infamous “round-house kick.” You can imagine my amusement when I found Chuck Norris’ handprints. I immediately snapped a photo and then knelt down to compare my hand size with the glorious star. Perfect match. I have never laughed so hard.

Yes I am a woman. Yes I have large hands. Deal with it.

Maybe it was a sign that if I just work hard enough, I too can master the “round-house kick.” Ok seriously… if I never write “round-house kick” again, it will not be soon enough… Actually, as I was laughing, a retired French couple inquired about the American actor. As I explained that everyone is always amazed with my hand size, the incredibly glamorous woman mischievously grinned and held out her hand… her hand was slightly bigger than mine!! I could not believe it! We laughed and she said that ‘true quality women have large hands.’ True story. What are the chances…

I did actually swim in the Mediterranean Sea… it was the first time that I have enjoyed being back in the water in years! The crystal blue water called me as the sunlight cascaded glittering rays onto the waves. Literally… the water was shining and the sand was composed of thousands of colored pebbles… ambers, topaz, emeralds, amethysts… the colors were incredibly vivid and vibrant. The sweet salt immediately wakened my senses (and also served as a natural body exfoliate… good times!)

Cannes is an exquisite and majestic city. I truly enjoyed my time and short reprieve from Paris. However, I was quite jovial upon seeing my glittering Eiffel Tower on my return home. On 7 July, I began my new pastry stage at Hotel de Crillon… I absolutely adore this palace… and literally, it is a palace. I have met so many people in France who adore the fact that I am in the culinary world. When I tell them about the Crillon, they definitely respond with large eyes and “ohhs and ahhs.” I was even given the response, “you’re not just learning pastry… you’re learning the art of pastry!” This first week has been amazing. I have been learning so much thus far… making pastry creams, hazelnut and chocolate ganaches, cherry flans, chocolate cakes, butter cookies, mille-feuilles… the list goes on and on… but that is for my next blog!

In the mean time, Bastille Day is 14 July! I can absolutely relate with Gertrude Stein and her feeling of, “America is my country and Paris is my hometown.” There is just something here… something calling me and something comforting about this particular country and about this particular time in my life. I do not know how much longer I will be in Paris (depending on work and visas, etc)… three months, one year, two years… who knows! But I am thankful for each and every single day! So Happy Fourth of July America and Happy Bastille Day France! I love you all so very very much!!!

All my love from Paris!!!

SB =)