What a great post Shell! Thank you for sharing a bit about your trip to Paris. I feel like I learn a lot about parenthood from your little tales. :) Sounds like you had some great bites even though that couldn’t be the focus of the trip. I think your kids have some appreciation for food and dessert, no doubt due to you, so it’s lovely that you all could enjoy some patisseries together. I loved your vivid piece about Saturn peaches, too. Felt like I was experiencing it as I was reading.☺️
Wow, thank you so much Leslie! Haha, parenting is an experience that's for sure! My son definitely has an appreciation, my daughter is getting there, although I think she would just be happy with a strawberry yogurt!
I love all stone fruit, and while I live in San Francisco, I would go to the Farmers' market and pick up loads of peaches and stone fruit during season: yellow and white peaches, yellow and white nectarines, and "doughnut" peaches, for the flat ones, and apricots and more. I thought I was in nirvana.
But then I went to Japan last year, and looked quizzically at the $10 peach, yes, for 1 piece, and succumbed and bought one just out of curiosity. Everything I thought I knew about peaches was redefined. The Japanese have bred two varieties, Himizu Hakuto (White) and Akatsuki, bred for juiciness and a buttery pulp.
I had never imagined such a wonderful peach could exist. When folks ask me what to do in Japan, I now say "eat a peach!" and they look at me like I am crazy.
Oh wow, that farmers market in San Fran does sound like nirvana!
And I had absolutely no idea about the Japanese peach varieties. Thank you for sharing that, that was so fascinating. $10 is a lot, but sounds like it was worth it!
Loved loved loved this one Shell, especially your beautifully evocative writing group piece to start it off. Had you heard that Mark meant the prompt to be “IT didn’t belong there”? That would have been very different stories from all of us, I reckon! 😂
I also loved your reccos. The Musee d’Orsay is an absolute favourite of ours and I agree about the restaurant. So glad you saw Hugo beforehand!
My sister and I bought a picnic lunch on rue de Mouffetard last year and ate it under the Eiffel Tower; so much fun. And patisseries duly noted!
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I am so thrilled you enjoyed. Hahaha, no, I hadn't heard that! That would definitely have prompted very different stories. I bet he was very confused when everyone started reading!
When I go back to Paris I am definitely going back to the Musee d'Orsay. And to the Musee de l’Orangerie. So beautiful!
Oh my gosh, that picnic sounds wonderful! Such a fun thing to do! 💕
Wonderfully written Shell - I could so picture you enjoying that peach! And those stolen moments just for yourself are so special when you have little people running around most of the time!
Thank you! Sadly no, we struggled in the heat (it hit 38°C on one day!) so we had to scale things back a bit. I have it on my list for when we go again!
Such excellent dos & don’ts, Shell. You have a lovely way of grabbing a vacation within a vacation to remind us that there is potential for excitement & joy in every small thing.
Aw, thank you very much! I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Definitely a fan of grabbing a vacation within a vacation, and finding joy in small things! Makes life so much better.
Such a lovely read Shell! The balanced view of Paris things to do with children is wonderful, made me remember our first visit with ours when they were still so young!
Thank you so much Wendy! I’m so pleased you enjoyed and it bought back some memories for you! I have been to Paris with friends, with a boyfriend and now with a family and it was a very different place each time!
What a lovely feast of a post, Shell! I haven't been to Paris in over 20 years and this really makes me want to book a ticket ASAP. Love that you ate that peach in bed - so sumptuous! I'm glad I'm not the only one who speaks French badly, lol. You'd think after 4 years (2 in high school, 2 at university), I'd have it down. Nope! I speak it like a sleepy toddler who's had too much milk.
Thank you so much Betty, I am so thrilled you enjoyed it. Yes, come back to Paris and eat peaches in bed! Haha, sleepy toddler French! I do try but I think my accent must be terrible, because the French immediately respond in English.
I feel like I’ve been to Paris for a few days after reading this piece Shell. You have a beautiful style for food and travel writing, this might be a lovely direction for you to explore more. I think this piece has a place beside Nigel Slater in the Observer.
My favourite street for food shops is the Rue des Martyrs. I’m going to add Abra Patisserie to my Paris lists. My children are now adults but they love Paris too and now I can swap ideas of places to go. Good to get your children acclimatised to the joys of Paris early on
Ah thank you so much Kate! The Rue des Martyrs is going on my list for next time. I hope you like Abra patisserie. And there was another patisserie around the corner (I think it was called Bo&Mie) with the most perfect looking madeleines in the window. Unfortunately I was too full by that point to sample them!
This was such a fun(mouthwatering) read. Yes, returning to a destination that we have history in is interesting as we evolved in our lives. I really enjoyed the ‘dos&don’ts’, too: I am very happy to read that you and the entire family enjoyed what the big city had to offer. Thanks for sharing, Shell!
Aw, thank you Aki! You are absolutely right, and I hope to go back to Paris, and enjoy it all over again in a different way (hopefully with improved French!)
and I will try the pineapple sorbet!!
Yes! It was so good in the heatwave!
What a great post Shell! Thank you for sharing a bit about your trip to Paris. I feel like I learn a lot about parenthood from your little tales. :) Sounds like you had some great bites even though that couldn’t be the focus of the trip. I think your kids have some appreciation for food and dessert, no doubt due to you, so it’s lovely that you all could enjoy some patisseries together. I loved your vivid piece about Saturn peaches, too. Felt like I was experiencing it as I was reading.☺️
Wow, thank you so much Leslie! Haha, parenting is an experience that's for sure! My son definitely has an appreciation, my daughter is getting there, although I think she would just be happy with a strawberry yogurt!
I really appreciate your lovely comment 🥰
What a lovely post.
I love all stone fruit, and while I live in San Francisco, I would go to the Farmers' market and pick up loads of peaches and stone fruit during season: yellow and white peaches, yellow and white nectarines, and "doughnut" peaches, for the flat ones, and apricots and more. I thought I was in nirvana.
But then I went to Japan last year, and looked quizzically at the $10 peach, yes, for 1 piece, and succumbed and bought one just out of curiosity. Everything I thought I knew about peaches was redefined. The Japanese have bred two varieties, Himizu Hakuto (White) and Akatsuki, bred for juiciness and a buttery pulp.
I had never imagined such a wonderful peach could exist. When folks ask me what to do in Japan, I now say "eat a peach!" and they look at me like I am crazy.
Thank you so much!
Oh wow, that farmers market in San Fran does sound like nirvana!
And I had absolutely no idea about the Japanese peach varieties. Thank you for sharing that, that was so fascinating. $10 is a lot, but sounds like it was worth it!
Loved loved loved this one Shell, especially your beautifully evocative writing group piece to start it off. Had you heard that Mark meant the prompt to be “IT didn’t belong there”? That would have been very different stories from all of us, I reckon! 😂
I also loved your reccos. The Musee d’Orsay is an absolute favourite of ours and I agree about the restaurant. So glad you saw Hugo beforehand!
My sister and I bought a picnic lunch on rue de Mouffetard last year and ate it under the Eiffel Tower; so much fun. And patisseries duly noted!
I feel I’ve had a mini break reading this 💕
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I am so thrilled you enjoyed. Hahaha, no, I hadn't heard that! That would definitely have prompted very different stories. I bet he was very confused when everyone started reading!
When I go back to Paris I am definitely going back to the Musee d'Orsay. And to the Musee de l’Orangerie. So beautiful!
Oh my gosh, that picnic sounds wonderful! Such a fun thing to do! 💕
Wonderfully written Shell - I could so picture you enjoying that peach! And those stolen moments just for yourself are so special when you have little people running around most of the time!
Thank you Sophia! And definitely, those stolen moments are vital for our sanity aren't they!
Abra added to my Paris list. You may have been there whilst I was in Lillle and coping with similar temperatures. Lovely post.
Super! It was such a trip highlight. Gosh, it was challenging wasn't it. 🫠I hope you had a lovely time despite the crazy temperatures. And thank you!
Lovely. I also enjoyed traveling to Paris through your stories. Did you manage to go to that bakery I suggested?
Thank you! Sadly no, we struggled in the heat (it hit 38°C on one day!) so we had to scale things back a bit. I have it on my list for when we go again!
Such excellent dos & don’ts, Shell. You have a lovely way of grabbing a vacation within a vacation to remind us that there is potential for excitement & joy in every small thing.
Aw, thank you very much! I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Definitely a fan of grabbing a vacation within a vacation, and finding joy in small things! Makes life so much better.
What a lovely read. I felt like I traveled to Paris while reading it.
Aw thank you, I am so pleased to hear that 😊
Such a lovely read Shell! The balanced view of Paris things to do with children is wonderful, made me remember our first visit with ours when they were still so young!
Thank you so much Wendy! I’m so pleased you enjoyed and it bought back some memories for you! I have been to Paris with friends, with a boyfriend and now with a family and it was a very different place each time!
I think it's one of the things I love most about it, a different place for different times in our lives :)
What a lovely feast of a post, Shell! I haven't been to Paris in over 20 years and this really makes me want to book a ticket ASAP. Love that you ate that peach in bed - so sumptuous! I'm glad I'm not the only one who speaks French badly, lol. You'd think after 4 years (2 in high school, 2 at university), I'd have it down. Nope! I speak it like a sleepy toddler who's had too much milk.
Thank you so much Betty, I am so thrilled you enjoyed it. Yes, come back to Paris and eat peaches in bed! Haha, sleepy toddler French! I do try but I think my accent must be terrible, because the French immediately respond in English.
Lol! I get the same reaction.
I feel like I’ve been to Paris for a few days after reading this piece Shell. You have a beautiful style for food and travel writing, this might be a lovely direction for you to explore more. I think this piece has a place beside Nigel Slater in the Observer.
Oh wow Lisa, thank you so much. It's always a bit nerve wracking posting something a little different so I’m really thrilled by this kind comment!
You are a fine writer Shell, get yourself a gig beside Nigel.
My favourite street for food shops is the Rue des Martyrs. I’m going to add Abra Patisserie to my Paris lists. My children are now adults but they love Paris too and now I can swap ideas of places to go. Good to get your children acclimatised to the joys of Paris early on
Ah thank you so much Kate! The Rue des Martyrs is going on my list for next time. I hope you like Abra patisserie. And there was another patisserie around the corner (I think it was called Bo&Mie) with the most perfect looking madeleines in the window. Unfortunately I was too full by that point to sample them!
This was such a fun(mouthwatering) read. Yes, returning to a destination that we have history in is interesting as we evolved in our lives. I really enjoyed the ‘dos&don’ts’, too: I am very happy to read that you and the entire family enjoyed what the big city had to offer. Thanks for sharing, Shell!
Aw, thank you Aki! You are absolutely right, and I hope to go back to Paris, and enjoy it all over again in a different way (hopefully with improved French!)