Bird's Sing

The 5th day again brings music and mischievous friends.
We are on, like two brilliant gems.
These two take our sister's hand and teach her tonight.
It's OK to laugh, not just cry and fight.
Indeed birds sing gently past this long day at best.
This goddess is nervous and wonders if she'll pass the test.
The ladies of the night finally arrive.
There will be songs, adventures, and a sense of being truly alive.
Surrounded by my sisters. 
We laugh, sing, create, and tempt the mister.
To another we've bruised, sparred, and still hold hands.
The lone star state can't break these bands.
Our musical sisters talk of lust and try to corrupt with tattoos.
They tell of kinky things anew.
A walk through a forest, yes I agree.
I always enjoy our endless repartee.
For once time passes slow, 
from within in french she beckons, 'sejour.'
The next moment our trio is incomplete 
is something disturbing going to erupt? 
Oh God the two are together, what do they say? 
Can eyes discern each others ways? 
Heart racing, where are you? Goddess at my side we search.
For a second two beautiful birds on a common birch.
What seemed like forever to two playful nymphs he's returned. 
This goddess wonders what he has learned.
Amid the screaming banshees, 
troubadours in black, trays of shots, and sips of fuel, 
we're not quite following the golden rule.
Picture perfect game of temptation, 
we follow through and enjoy this touch sensation.
Tales of Tidal Atlas almost shared, 
again interrupted before these words are declared.
In the end, 
I won't pretend.
In fact, I've decided to protect you from blight.
Mother of all will surround your organic light. 

No Goodbyes

Understand that this tale is innocent.
No words could explain or quite describe.
The friendship between the two.
I'll start with the beginning, which does not have an end.
Let's see, we met five years ago in a church.

Wine shared and I listened to stories of your Poland.
Every Sunday I will say a prayer for you.

Maybe one day we will meet again.
Every missionary must come and go.
Everlasting friendships don't end.
This one loved your guitar, songs, and accordion.

And we had a common wish.
Green was the color we shared.
And we promised to always remain green in life.
I posed questions which made you smile and blush.
Not all felt the same.

Not all saw what I saw.
'Oh Darling' you called me when you laughed.

Give me a last hug, it's time to go.
Only we won't say goodbye.
Only farewell and I'll miss you.
Don't look back only forward.
Be well my friend, one day we'll meet again.
Your cologne will linger on my violin.
Everlasting memories will linger.
Smile brightly when you think of me.

Nerves of Steel

Feeling nervous about this mix.
Want to be great and fantastic.
They say, don't worry, it's all good...
Not a bore in the hood.
Times are tight,
times are tough.
If I had it all, we have a grand event.
Money after all, is meant to be spent!
The finest things for you my friend.
No paybacks and nothing to lend.
But it's not the case, so we'll be creative.
We've done this forever,  we'll live.
Let's do this, it's only a headache or two...
A grand soiree in French blue.
Songs fill the air and stars will delight.
Warm afternoons and memorable nights! 
So whats happens next kind sir? 
Let's search together and find the answers.
No more worries or stress I feel.
After all, when all else fails, 
you forget, I've got nerves of steel.

Darling Daughter

Roses she did not receive on her birthday.
Or sweet 16, or wedding day.
She always wondered about his face and if he was a man of grace.
Sinful cholo, drunk, marijuano, to be told.
Mom was always quick to scold.
Artist, dreamer, waste of space.
Really? Who cared about his face.
Thirty three is when we met.
In one week's time, I would have lost that bet.
Never lost hope for his lost little girl.
Ever searching through endless names without a pearl.
Zest for life, yes this was true.
Love unconditional to this strange girl in blue.
Opium, alcohol, marijuana, and tattooed gangster days.
Veins filled with passion, life, and spiritual ways.
Even though you're a stranger we share the same blood.
You took me to your desert and gave me Jesus mud.
Oh the trouble I will be in, to meet you was practically a sin.
Understand now, he was always there.
Drugged, drunk, painted hands, but he still cared.
Ah yes, I got his looks, mind, and his serious game, 
Darling daughter is my new name.

My Search for the Perfect Macaron Class in Paris

My search continues for the most affordable macaron class in Paris. During my online search, I have found some great deals and some interesting info on local cooking classes and food experiences.  All classes are different in duration of time, locations, and type of food.  Some last as little as one hour, some 3 hrs, and some are all day.  Some classes are located in restaurants and others in family homes or apartments.


Macarons are gluten free and according to Wikipedia, Macarons have been produced in the Venetian monasteries since the 8th century A.D. During the Renaissance, Catherine de' Medici's Italian pastry chef, whom she brought with her in 1533 upon marrying Henry II of France arrived in France. In the early days, macarons were served without special flavors or fillings. In the 1830s the macarons began to be served two-by-two with the addition of jams, liqueurs, and spices. The macaron as it is known today, composed of two almond meringue discs filled with a layer of buttercream, jam, or ganache filling. French macaron bakeries became trendy in North America in the 2010s.

Cooking ‘experiences’ are much lower in price.  However, you do not cook the food item.  Rather, you observe a chef or the cook preparing or cooking the food, learn about the history of the food, and taste the food afterward or take fresh food home with you.   Also be sure to check out Paris By Mouth, an AMAZING website that lists out links and quick info on tons of restaurants and several cooking classes in Paris. 

In this post, I will share what I have found out about some great Macaron classes and experiences.  Please respond to my blog if you have experienced any of these classes, I would love to hear about your classroom adventure.  I'm including the names of the class, links, short description of the class, and most important, the duration of the class and price.  Here we go:

Viator offers  a small group class, max 8. The group will choose two macaron flavors to make from the following options: coffee, lemon, raspberry with Tonka bean, chocolate or coconut with milk chocolate. This class is held in a private apartment in the city center of Paris with a local French chef who will be your teacher and guide for this cooking class. The cost of this 3hr class is $137.22USD per person.

Cookn’with Class offers a macaron class where you will learn how to prepare from start to finish 3 kinds of macarons using different classic fillings. On the day you will learn how to make several different flavours of macaron such as chocolate, raspberry, caramel salted butter or white chocolate with lemon using different colors to highlight the flavors. You will also take home a box of macarons afterward. The cost of this 3hr class is 130€ per person.  

The Localers offers a macaron making class. Where you will master the fine art of macaron making and fillings. Great tour for families and your class is led by a veteran chef. The cost of this 2.5hr class is 105€ per person.  

LaCuisine Paris offers an Intensive Technical Macaron making class. You will learn the Italian and French meringue methods. You will create four classic French fillings: crème au beurre (traditional buttercream), crèmepâtissière (pastry cream), chocolate ganache and a seasonal fruit compote. You will also learn the chemistry behind creating consistently perfect macarons so that you can continue exploring flavor combinations long after your class finishes. The cost of this 3hr class is 99€ per person.  

Paris By Mouth offeres a ‘food crawl’ in the Marais called, Taste of the Marias.  This tour includes bread and breakfast pastries from one of the city’s most acclaimed bakeries, and  tastings through a number of small and special artisanal food shops. Depending on the day, they may sample rare and carefully aged cheeses, eye-popping terrines and charcuterie, artisinal hams, and Parisian sweets!, includes all tastings. The cost of this class is 95€ per person

Secret Food Tours offers a macaron cooking class with Experienced Pastry Chefs, Small intimate groups (max 8), Recipe Cards to make your macarons at home, Tea or coffee included during the tasting, and you will leave with a box of about 10 macarons that you made! The tour does not list the location of the class. The cost of this 3hr class is 95€ per person.

Le Foodist offers a Make your Own Macaron class every Fri, Sat, and Sun at 3p followed by teatime and stories.  You will use Italian meringue and several color and sweet fillings.  The cost of this 3hr class is 95€ per person.

  

Le Secrets Gormands de Noemie offers a guided step by step class to make,  from scratch, 2 different flavours with classical fillings such as: chocolate, lemon, salted butter caramel, coffee, pistachio, or walnuts.
You'll finish the class with a cup of tea or coffee to share with the chef your impressions and ask her all you need to succeed at home. At the end of class you will take home a box of macarons. The cost of this 2.50hr class is  82€ per person.  

La Patissiere a laCarte offers a macaron class using the Italian meringue method, you will learn how to use the wisk and how to make perfect buttercream. You will learn about different types of garnishes like chocolate ganache, pistachios, vanilla, raspberries, chocolate shavings and passionfruit. This cost of this 2.5hr class is 75€ per person.  

LaCuisine Paris offers a macaron making class. You will use the Italian meringue method to create two flavours: Praliné and Caramel Beurre Salé . You will take home boxed macarons at the end of class. The cost of this 2hr class is 69€ per person.  

Viator offers a Macaron and Chocolate Behind-the-Scenes Experience with a Pastry Chef. This experience includes a Small-group macaron and chocolate shop tour in Paris. You will get a behind the scenes look at a chocolate and macaron shop and discover the secrets of macaron and chocolate making. You will spend time in the kitchen observing the head pastry chef and master chocolatier at work and taste some macarons and rich chocolate treats. Small-group tour limited to 10 people.  The cost of this 1hr experience is $26.52USD per person.

BON APPETITE indeed - and PLEASE contact me directly if you would like me to blog about your Paris cooking class or restaurant, I would love to try out your class in exchange for a write up in my tres chic blog!

One More Day

Looking out my window, the moon is watching me.
Oh what are you thinking? 
Vortex of thought hug me like I hugged that tree.
Ever writing prose before sweet dreams fill this dark night.
I'm seeking the right words, 
Suddenly it comes to me.
Make no mistake, I believe the word is: 
Intensity.
Sipping wine does not clear the mind.
Sensing you feel this too? I don't know.
I'm not sure, everything is a whirl, but NOT a whirlwind.
Night. Come swift. Hours pass in minutes.
Go forth in this quest, say, YES? 
Understand that this is NOT a dream.
Wind brushes against my face as I look out into this world at the lights.
He will think of us tonight.
Entering, exiting, oh, that's not right.
Noooo, close my eyes to this sight.
What if? No. Why is it so hot tonight?! 
Early morning come soon, after this beautiful dream.
Air fill my lungs, cleanse me again.
Right, yes. Make this right.
Ever tormenting.
An innocent glance.
Playful conversation.
A nervous laugh.
Rain falls and I don't care.
Texts, poems, messages, tests.
Beautiful words, so different, so full.
Understand this unusual find.
Tonight, morning come swift, I need the light.
Forever.
Enchantment.
Endless.
Love. I love it when you called me love.
In this life, I will teach mine to live life to the fullest.
Nothing is anything without love.
Growing, changing, amazing light CAN fill your darkest nights.
Understand love can be felt with the touch of a hand.
Innocent spirit? Maybe yes. Maybe no.
Never forget that life is too short not to speak 'honest' truths.
My gift? Yes, this they will know. Beauty in all.
Years go by in the blink of an eye, winter, spring, autumn, fall.
Hope, life, love, fire, promise. Find it all! 
Early morning light, DON'T come too soon on this warm night.
Are you ok? I'm ok.
Run, arms wide into this adventure, 
Tomorrow brings us one more day. 

Fati Por Vida

I sense some magical news tonight.
Valleys below in a rainbow balloon.
Angels will watch over and guide them in life.
Never again alone, two hearts will beat as one.
As he got on one knee, wine flowing, secret surprise.
No man shall separate.
Dined and wined the three now celebrate! 
Fati written in the sand in a heart only a year ago.
And a message from beyond in a bible quote.
Ten months and counting.
Ivan proposed on one knee.
And through the tears she says, yes! 
Love will prevail.
Wedding bells will ring.
And we have decided the tattoo will read, Fati Por Vida.
Years from now we will look back.
Sisters celestial celebrated tonight.