The American Women's Group in Paris The Blog

Keeping Calm and Carrying On

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:40:49 GMT

There has been a lot of press coverage as of late, both domestically here in France and internationally, about the “gilet jaunes” activity the past couple of weekends. While most of the news outlets have splashed dramatic pictures across the headlines, the experience of most of us here in Paris has varied from disconcerting to inconvenient to amusing (and literally everything in between). Why? Because, to date, the areas impacted by the “manifestations” has been confined to known areas and people have planned accordingly.

There is no denying that the first weekend of demonstrations took many by surprise. Some friends mine were held up in blocked traffic along the “peripherique,” resulting in a day of cancelled plans. In chatting with them later that evening about the experience, they laughed that they at least had snacks as they waited for traffic to move again. Rebecca DeFraites, one of AWG’s former Presidents and previous contributor to this blog, found herself in for a much longer Saturday walk to and from the American Library than anticipated. In an email to friends and family about the experience, she wrote:

“It’s only about an hour walk -- just on this side of the Eiffel Tower. It was colder than I expected but all went well until I got to the Assemblée Nationale metro stop. It was blocked by police in riot gear. And there was a large group of protesters coming towards them. My route was blocked…. (but) I was, however, able to detour around Napoleon’s tomb at Invalides and make it to the library in an hour and a half. I’m not sure why I felt compelled to get five hard-backed books. Given the uncertain transportation options, this was not a wise move. Neither the 63 nor the 87 buses were running due to les blocages. By the time I had walked another mile and made it to the train at Invalides, it was packed, and I was shoulder to shoulder with bewildered tourists and “gilets jaunes,” the protesters in their yellow fluorescent vests who were evidently through for the day. But me ‘n my books made it home in one piece. All is well.”

Another one of our AWG members had a little more adventurous (and unfortunate) Saturday when taking her seventy-seven year old mother, who was in town, on a tour of some of the major sites. As Rebecca further noted in her email:

“Her mom wished to see the Arc de Triomphe which, of course, marks the beginning of the Champs Elysees. Which is where the bulk of the protesters were. Which was a much worse idea than my deciding to sling five hard-backed books halfway across Paris. Her mother got slightly tear- gassed. While this would constitute an adventure in almost anyone’s book, I don’t think it was in their plans.”

Life in this picture-perfect city took a turn for the surreal when the manifestations of this past weekend took a turn for the worse. Tear gas floated past the windows of AWG’s President Sharon Nossiter, who lives just over a block from Place Madeleine. The sounds of sirens ran constant for nearly eight hours throughout the day as police and emergency services sought to respond to escalating activity. Unfortunately, some of our members who live near where the manifestations were staged saw first hand just how quickly things can turn and, if they do, how serious and scary things can become, warranting the need for enforcement. It goes without saying that watching the television news cover the burning and overturning of cars with response of tear gas and smoke bombs in your own neighborhood is disconcerting at best. One of our members in the impacted areas went out to see what was going on in her neighborhood after seeing news reports, only to quickly return a because the tear gas was too strong. Another one of our members, who was thankfully out of town for the weekend, returned on Sunday to find that their wrought-iron gates had been knocked down and people had entered the property and carted away a sculpture from the front steps. She lives on the ground floor so none of us can imagine how scary it would have been if she was home when this was going on. Walking through these neighborhood the next day and finding broken display windows and vandalized ATMs is an on-going reminder of the potential for violence, a potential that hits a little too close to home for our members who live in these central areas.

Personally, I found myself chuckling while running errands in my own neighborhood of Villiers as the local French seem unfazed by the sounds of tear gas bombs sounded every few minutes, echoing from the activity in Place Madeleine and Champs Elysees not even a twenty minute walk away. Of course they were unfazed, demonstrations, strikes, and protests are simply a fact of European life - although, admittedly, rarely do tensions get that high, at least not in Paris. I, then, laughed to myself about the nonchalance with which I, too, was taking in everything.

Why was I so calm? Was I becoming so French? No, that surely couldn’t be it. Afterall, I did cancel on plans I had that evening to join some Australian expat friends who were having dinner at that very moment on Saint Honore, choosing instead to snuggle in from the cold that evening rather than cross the known path of the manifestations just a few blocks away. It occured to me that that was the reason. I, like my French neighbors sipping on their cafes and vin chaud in the brasserie on the corner, had known there would be activity that day. And, when it turned violent, I also knew where to avoid. I knew both because of the local news but because I had received a “Demonstration Alert” from the US Embassy the day before that included: (1) the expected areas to be impacted; (2) proposed actions to take; and (3) how to monitor the activity. I felt prepared. And because I felt prepared, I was able to stay calm.

As we look ahead at another weekend of manifestations, it is important to take in the lessons of the past couple of weekends. First, although Paris is known for its awe-inspiring beauty, it is a international political and economic capital. Whether due to the “gilets jaunes” or union activity or other political interests, demonstrations will happen and they will happen all throughout the city. And, when you have emotions running high in densely populated areas, things become unpredictable. It is one of the unfortunate trade-offs that you have to make when you choose to live in any of this size. But, you can be prepared. For the American expats, nationals, and visitors alike here in Paris (and abroad generally), one of the biggest tools that you have at your disposal is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Once you register with the program and set up your profile with country of residence and / or any trips that you will be taking, you will receive alerts about any security events and recommended actions. For our non-American friends, you will want to see if your embassy / consulate offers similar services (as most do). At the very least, if you hear of potential activity on the news, you can always check the US Embassy & Consulates in France alerts site. Armed with this information, you can then plan your day and travels accordingly. Manifestation in the Champs Elysees area? Yeah, definitely good to avoid that area for the day. Strike on the Place de la Concorde? Perhaps plan on taking the metro or a long walk from the Left to the Right Bank, or vice versa, rather than hopping in a taxi or Uber.

All of this is to say that, yes, these are turbulent times but the information is out there to help you plan; help you stay safe and avoid unintentionally walking into trouble; to help you keep calm and carry on.

The Holidays in Paris: Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 01:24:28 GMT

Well, Monoprix has started putting out Christmas decorations so it must be the holiday season. Before turning to all of the things that Christmas entails (the decorations, the gifts, the food or all of the food!), we have Thanksgiving this week to prepare (eek!) and prepare! So, who better to turn to for tips and advice for preparing this week's meal, advice that I know we will be using time and time again as we go through the holiday season, than our Chef in Residence, Veronique Bawol. For those of you who do not know, Veronique Bawol not only hosts several wonderful activities passing on her culinary skills to our members but also the owner / founder of Cuisine Elegante. Whether you are looking to do something special with friends visiting in from out of town or just want to pick up some new culinary tricks, check out her company or grab her at one of the upcoming meetings or activities. A note that Veronique actually wrote of this blog last week for posting but I have been remiss in getting this out to you, so my apologies both Veronique who so graciously obliged my request for a holiday cooking blog entry and to you, our wonderful member readers if my delay has cost you any yummy goodness on Thursday! Also, please note that we will be posting a series of blogs with tips for the holidays over the coming weeks. If you have any specific questions you want answered, just shoot me an email at awgvpcomms@gmail.com!

As a French woman married to an American, Thanksgiving was one of the big culinary discoveries for me. I remember being impressed by the amount of preparation and work that went into the meal my sister-in-law made for our family. It was truly a feast. So when my husband asked me if I could make a Thanksgiving meal for our American and French friends the year after, I was a bit nervous.

First of all, my kitchen was very small. Then it’s not so easy to find all of the ingredients that go into the American meal in Paris. Turkey is not a staple of French cuisine except occasionally for Christmas, and you can’t find Butterballs in frozen food section of Parisian grocers. But I worked to find what I needed, or come up with French substitutes.

The most important part of the puzzle was the Turkey, but I found a butcher who told me that he could order a turkey and make sure it was the size I needed, so that was a relief. When I went to pick it up the night before our party, I went to see the butcher, who presented me with two small birds instead of a turkey. When I asked what was going on, he said that they couldn’t find any turkeys, so was giving me two guinea fowl instead!

I was furious, but had no choice so left with the two small birds, which I did my best to stuff and cook. Everyone was very surprised by the presentation, but had a good laugh when I told them the story, and it was one of my most memorable Thanksgivings.

Needless to say, since then I have found a wonderful butcher who knows where to find the best turkeys available. Not only that, but if you don’t have the time or the right oven to cook it, they will cook it for you so all you have to do is take the credit. It’s a very busy shop, so my advice is to go there in person at least a week before to order your bird, and pick it up the day before your meal (Les Viandes du Champ de Mars, 122 rue Saint-Dominique, Paris 75007)

For the vegetables, I always find that the best and the freshest are to be found in the open air markets that are a fixture of Parisian life. My favorite is the Marché Saxe-Breteuil. My favorite stand there is called the Bar Aux Saveurs, who specialize in many kinds of vegetables (sweet potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, turnips, parsnips, pumpkins and potimarrons, butternuts squash and colorful carrots and beetroots, many kinds of onions, herbs, fresh sage), that are forgotten strains and varieties, all authentic and probably closer to the kinds of vegetables the Pilgrims ate than the modern produce you find at most other stands. Magalie is the owner, is passionate about her products and is used to helping Americans get ready for the big meal. (Marché Saxe/Breteuil, Avenue Saxe, Paris 75007, Thursday and Saturdays mornings)

Otherwise (Marché Président Wilson, Avenue du President Wilson 75016 Paris which is amazing too, Wednesdays and Saturdays mornings)

For the aluminum cooking pan, I go to Real Mac Coy, I get fresh cranberry at the fruits and vegetables stalls on rue cler, they already have some. You will find anything you need at The Real Mac Coy, 194 rue de Grenelle 75007 Paris (Giffy corn bread, cranberry jelly, but watch out, it’s quite expensive!) If you have a car, Costco is an option or La Grande Epicerie Paris 38 rue de Sévres 75007 Paris has also a US section.

For my stuffing, I order XXL pain de mie, the one restaurants use for their « Croque-Monsieur ». I order them at Nelly Julien 85 rue St Dominique 5 days before and I buy my corn flour at Bio c’est Bon or Naturalia (they are all over Paris)

I probably forgot something but will be happy to answer your questions if you need any help.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Watch those wallets during the Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales (yes, I have already started stocking my online cart!)

Navigating Expat Life: Advice from Our Members

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 09:27:34 GMT

The Fall is a time when we naturally see a number of new expats make the move to Paris. The process of moving to Paris is one thing. The process of making it a home, or at the least feel comfortable is quite another. Knowing that many of our members are not just new to AWG but new to Paris, I have been thinking quite a lot about this process and what to write, being a relative newbie myself. Almost at the very same time, I received an email from one of our long-time members inquiring into the blog and I thought, “I bet our new members would find it helpful, or at the very least reassuring, to hear the thoughts / advice / experiences of some of our members who have established their lives here. I know I would.”

And, so, this entry is courtesy of Rebecca DeFraites.

Rebecca has been a member of AWG Paris since 2005. She is intimately familiar with the organization, having served on the Board from 2006 until 2018, having served as VP Activities, VP Membership, our FAWCO rep and President. She is continuing to serve American women living abroad, now serving at Membership Chair of FAWCO. She just celebrated her “expat anniversary” on October 1st, the date on which she, 14 years ago, signed a lease and officially moved to Paris. Needless to say, she has navigated quite a few waters, administrative and personal alike here in Paris!

I hope you enjoy her entry as much as I do and welcome any other of our long-time members to offer their words of advice for future postings.

“Our VP Communications asked me to write briefly about my first year here and what was hard about “fully transitioning.” Fully transitioning? I gave that up that rêve a long time ago. I am an American in every cell (cellule) in my body and will always be. That being said, I often gauge my current degree of Frenchness by what I am wearing and my day’s activities. Hmm, today -- French top, French skirt, French tights, French (sensible) shoes and OMG -- today I am wearing French underwear! My scarf I bought in the US to celebrate the 300^th anniversary of New Orleans, arguably still at least marginally French. I had lunch with two fellow Americans at Le Bistro Perigord, a charming inexpensive restaurant near Notre Dame.

This evening I am going to my local gallery to celebrate the PACS (civil union) of two neighbors, one French and one American. French will be spoken. I will understand a third of it. I will beg people to speak doucement, doucement s’il vous plait (it seems to go over better asking people to speak sweetly rather than to speak lentement. I don’t know why. Ask Véronique Bawol at her next cooking class; Véro speaks excellent French).

I would characterize this as a one foot in each continent kind of day which, after fourteen years, is more typical than not.

The first year was just flat-out hard. I did not join AWG until after the first year. Like many voluntary ex-pats, I was going to do full integration. I would make only French friends. This did not work exceedingly well. I did know French people from our various trips here over the years but, well, at the end of the day they were just so French. I spent a good deal of time feeling lonesome and talking to my family in the US even though I was married to a fully cooperative American husband.

I am not what I call a “love ex-pat,” that is, someone who falls in love with a French man and decides to stay. Member-at-large, Sara Sautin is a long-term love ex-pat having been married to “Jeff,” whose actual name is Jean-Francois, for more than forty years. I was also not a “trailing spouse,” as many AWG members are. When I later became president of AWG Paris, I had two trailing spouses on my board. They were both MBA’s. Needless to say, it was a pretty high-powered bunch.

In my later work with AWG and FAWCO, I have come to realize that everyone’s first year is hard. Imagining myself a trail-blazer (and yes, of course I was going to write a book), I had no idea how predictably I was behaving.

The most important integrational event that first year was to BUY A CADDIE.

In those days, French people were not nearly as willing to speak English as they are now. My landlord, for example, an elderly professor of endocrinology with those wonderful French old-man eyebrows which old American men just don’t have, reported to me once that, despite twelve years of English in school, he was afraid to speak it. He didn’t want to look like an idiot. I’m thinking, Jean-Claude, you’re an esteemed professor of endocrinology -- no one could possibly think you an idiot. But, to this day, I have never heard him speak a word of English.

But, to the caddie. I knew they are practical. I knew they are a necessity. I don’t own a car. But I thought I’d look like a little old lady in rolled-down socks if I actually rolled one along the Boulevard St. Germain. But my back was giving out and I’m not even sure if you could get your groceries delivered back then. I had scouted out a place to get one. I was going to go to the BHV. I girded my loins. I made it to the Caddie Department. I probably said I wanted a poussette which used to mean caddie but now means baby carriage. I had to answer way too many questions -- did Madame want it pliant ou non-pliant? I decided I wanted it be folding. And how many liters did Madame require? How the hell should I know? I think in gallons and quarts, not liters. I ended up with a forty-liter folding purple caddie. I felt silly wheeling it across the Seine from the BHV. But, after its first trip to the Monoprix, we fell in love. That purple caddie wore out a decade ago. My current caddie was inherited from an AWG member who was repatriated. It is a nondescript brown and is fifty liters. It holds more and is sturdier. But, as I write this, I realize that buying that purple caddie, in French (!) and then actually rolling it along the Boulevard St. Germain, was the absolute highlight of my first year. It was also the first day I got asked for directions by a French person. That was also pretty cool.”

Navigating Expat Life: What Questions Have You Had and What Advice Would You Share?

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:23:55 GMT

Moving and making a life in a new place is hard no matter where it is or how amazing the location. There seems to be no better proof of that than all it takes - logistically and emotionally - to not just move but really settle into Paris.

Since we are at the beginning of a “new year” I thought we would use the next couple of blog entries to go through some of the biggest issues / problems that you face when you move here and share some words of advice about how to navigate them. BUT since I am a relative newbie to the expat life myself, my base of knowledge is still rather limited compared to the other members of AWG. SO, I am using this blog entry to present an invitation to you, whomever you are reading this right now, to share with us.

Specifically, we would love to hear from you about:

What are the questions you found yourself asking (or are currently asking) as expats? For example: Were you absolutely blown away by the process for getting an apartment here? Did you walk out your front door the first Sunday you were here only to wonder what would be open?
What’s the best piece of advice / recommendation / lesson that you learned as you navigated either life in Paris or expat life (either here in Paris or elsewhere) more generally? For example: How did you make your first French friend? What words of advice would you have for adapting to cultural norms here? Or, even, what tricks do you have to handle jet lag if / when you go back and forth overseas?

Whether you are a new and long-time members - just starting the expat life or “career” expat, if you will - please reach out to us and share your questions and experience. There is so much that we can learn from each other in this crazy journey. That is part of the beauty of life, after all!

Email me your questions / thoughts / musings to awgcommsvp@gmail.com. I will be collecting what you send over the next couple of weeks and will share your queries and recommendations in the next blog entry or two (depending on how many people reach out). Also, in case you are wondering, I will not attribute any commentary I receive and include in the blog post unless you explicitly tell me that you would like to be cited (i.e. reference your blog, business, or want to put yourself as a resource to those reading the blog).

I hope to hear from many of you! AWG is one of the many resources at your fingertips to help make Paris feel like home so the more information I receive, the more I can share!

Rentrée: Back to School, Back to Work, and Getting Back in the Groove

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 10:57:23 GMT

No matter where you are from, there is just something about September. I can remember as a little girl how excited I would be during this time. I would go with my parents to get “back to school” supplies and perhaps even a couple of new outfits to start the new school year on the right foot. It was always a time of excitement and, for me, feels much more like the “new year” than January 1st. As I have gotten older, I still feel that sense of excitement but also struggle at times with getting back into the groove of things. After a summer of slower work hours and weekends on the beach, I have found it hard to focus and do all that invariably needs to be done during the month.

This is my first September in Paris. Having moved here in October of 2017, it marks the completion of my first full year in this beautiful city that has presented its fair share of challenges. And, it is my first Rentree. Back in the States, this time of year is reserved almost exclusively for kids, students, and parents sending their kids back to school. I absolutely love that, here in France, there is a recognition that this time of year is a period of adjustment - or readjustment - for everyone. I have heard everyone from children to parents to professionals to businesses say to me and others “Bonne Rentree!,” wishing a smooth easing back into the daily life.

With this in mind, I thought I would share some thoughts and tips for how to make this just that.

Celebrate the Month - and the Adjustment - as the French Do

As I mentioned, this is my first introduction to the term Rentree, what it means and what it entails. As I was researching what this time of year means to the French, scouring the internet in the wee hours of the morning, as I am wont to do when I can’t sleep, I came upon the website of one of our own AWG members, Jennifer Hamerman. She wrote last year in her blog, Mama Loves Paris, all about this time of year and how to celebrate with the French. Whether this is your first Rentree or 6th (as in her case), make sure to check it out to help you understand a bit more about this time of year.

More than anyway, this is a great time of year to embrace the world around you, to understand it, and to feel like home. We noted some of these in our most recent newsletter, but a couple of events that will help you ease back into understanding the rhythm and life of Paris are:

Jazz a la Villette (August 30-September 9) - Need an unwind after work begins to hit you hard? This is a nice way to take in some of the best Jazz artists from all over the world (Paris does have a long history in the music after all) and get a refresh / shot of musical energy for the next day.

Paris Design Week (September 6-September 15) - Looking to add something fresh for the “new year” to your home or for inspiration for such? This is the perfect place to do it, known for identifying trends before they hit the mainstream market.

Les Journees des Patrimoine (September 15-September 16) - For one weekend a year, historically relevant sites all over the country open up their doors, including many that are not open otherwise to the public. This is an opportunity to begin to understand the history of the country, and its values, that you now call home.

Fete de la Gastronomie (September 21-September 23) - France's gastronomy is classed by UNESCO as an 'intangible cultural heritage of humanity' so it makes sense that this month includes a celebration of it.

Finding Your Pace Again

I don’t know about you but no matter how healthy I am, how good my regime is, it somehow always falls off in August. I give myself the excuse to take a break, to sleep in, to lounge around. Well, that’s all well and good until I get back home and realize that I may be a little more relaxed, but I am also a little less, well, fit both physically and emotionally to take on the day-to-day. I personally need exercise - it helps me to clear my head of any frustrations (be they from work or just trying to communicate with my neighbors) and gives me the energy to take on anything that may come. However, after a month (or more, whoops!), I find that every September, I have to sort of start again. I imagine I am not the only one in this position so here are some tips for getting back at it.

Going from Walking to Running - We live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, so why not take it in and get some exercise at the same time? I have begun by allocating 30 minutes a day to just take a walk, in the neighborhood, to a local site, in a park. Anywhere really, just to get out. I work from home, as I know many other members of AWG do, so I have found it important to mark off this time to do just this. Otherwise, I will tell myself I will do it “just after I finish this next thing.” After a couple of weeks of this, I then build up to a slow jog to get my heart rate up. And before you know it, I am back to the full run of 5-7k that I am used to doing.

Exercise Classes - As I said, I have found it important to mark off time for me to work out and get out. I have always had to do this, even when I was in the States working an office job. Exercise classes have been an integral way of doing this - I mean, I signed up for it and don’t want to lose the investment. When I first moved here, though, and struggling with the language (ok, I’ll admit it, I still struggle with the language), I needed to find places that offered English classes. I personally found my answer with Dynamo Cycling (4 locations throughout the city in the RIght Bank) and The Dailey Method (location Victor Hugo). As I built up my confidence with the classes, both physically and linguistically, I began going to the French classes. It was like taking a language and exercise class all in one! If you have other studios that you like to go to, let us know!

Yoga At Home - I know that studios can get expensive. When I am feeling the budget pinch, I have turned to the online sessions offered through Daily Om. This website has been a savior for me, both physically and spiritually, helping me focus many of my efforts. I am personally doing “14 Days of Strength and Stretching” right now to reperfect my yoga poses (rather than just go through the motions) and ensure that I get the most out of them, but there are a huge range of online classes for you to choose from, depending on your focus. And the bonus? You pay what you feel is appropriate!

AWG Members - If you are looking for a little more structure in the process, reach out to your fellow AWG members as many of them do this as their profession. We have listed some of these business under Blogs and Businesses on the website and include links to businesses such as MindBody360 (focused on improving your health). If you have a health focused business (or any business) that you want us to know about, let us know!

These are just a few tips to help you make this the best Rentree possible and get the “new year” off to a new start. I know sometimes it can be hard to do this yourself, so if you are looking for a buddy - to go to one of the events, an exercise class, or just explore the city - this month, look me up in the registry and shoot me a line!

Your AWG VP Communications, Ryan

Soup for a canicule

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 15:27:02 GMT

It's a blistering 4^th of July and the temperatures aren't going to drop much any time soon. But I made vichyssoise a few days ago, the perfect antidote and so easy that I felt I must share it to my fellow AWG members sweltering in their un-airconditioned apartments. (If you have air conditioning, please invite us all over for coffee, iced, of course.)

· 2 large leeks or 4 slender ones. Slender seems to be what is at the store right now.
· 1 medium onion, finely chopped
· 3 T butter
· 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed, about 2 cups
· 3 cups chicken broth
· Salt and pepper to taste
Use only the white and palest green parts of the leeks. Leeks can be sandy, but unless you’re buying them from a bio farmer who hasn’t washed them already, it’s usually sufficient to peel away a couple of layers of white and rinse carefully. Shake them dry, chop into small cubes.
Cook the chopped leeks and onion in butter, stirring frequently, for about five minutes. Do not brown. Add the potatoes and chicken broth, bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer about 15 minutes until potatoes are tender. Season to your liking, then puree the soup in the blender, the food processor, or with an immersion stick.
Put it in a refrigerator container, add 1 cup heavy cream, a couple of drops of Tabasco sauce (yes, you can buy Tabasco here), and even a dash of Worcestershire sauce if you like. (This is Craig Claiborne’s suggestion and even though some of his hints have not stood the test of time, I tried this and it was good). Chill the soup thoroughly and enjoy whenever you think it’s too hot to eat a thing.

Craig also kindly gives the pronunciation as "veeshee-swahz."

We Came by Choice; What if it was by Force?

Sat, 16 Jun 2018 13:23:19 GMT

Raising Awareness for World Refugee Day, June 20, 2018

In the FAWCO community, many of us 'migrated' to another country either for work, love, or adventure .... we did so by choice. Displaced persons/Refugees do not share this privileged experience - most faced life-threatening circumstances forcing them to leave their homes and many continue to endure great hardship.

Our Target Project, Hope Beyond Displacement, seeks to build better futures through education, vocational and leadership training for refugee women and girls in Amman, Jordan.

Inspiring Women Summer Issue

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 19:17:05 GMT

The summer issue of FAWCO's Inspiring Women is out, featuring our own Anna Eklund-Cheong! The theme of this issue is "Women of Words and Language." Anna's specialty is haiku, but this issue also features a novelist, a cookbook writer, a journalist, and more women who use the written or spoken word to influence or interpret the world around them. And all of them are members of FAWCO clubs, as are you.

Check out the link here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/fullscreen/60289784/inspiring-women-summer-2018

UPDATING YOUR PRIVACY POLICY CONSENT

Thu, 24 May 2018 21:33:20 GMT

Hello Members!

The new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires that we receive your Specific Consent to use your personal data. Unless you update your profile preferences, AWG will not be able to continue to communicate with you about AWG activities, news, announcements, event reminds & upcoming membership renewals.

You must update your profile page and consent to our privacy policy, otherwise we cannot continue to communicate with you!

Below is a step-by-step overview to help you through the process of updating your profile. 7yu8

1. Log in to the AWG website. Your name appears on the upper top right of the screen.
Click on your name.

2. You must click on the "Edit profile" button.

3. The next screen will be the fields of data that you can edit.

4. Scroll down to the section titled "A Little About You" to see the blue consent line. (See below)

5. Click on the little box- (not the blue link to the policy) you will see a green check mark pop in.

6. IMPORTANT - scroll back up to the top of the page and click the "Save" button.

If you see a red X on the box, you are not in Edit mode- click the "Edit profile" button.

If you only link to the “Privacy Policy” when you try to consent, don’t click on the blue line, just click on the little box.

April in Paris Membership Meeting

Sun, 22 Apr 2018 21:13:31 GMT

Thanks to everyone who came out to our special evening "April in Paris" membership meeting. We had a great time catching up with members, taste testing the blind wine tasting table and raising over 6,000 euros with our "Pampered in Paris" raffle!!

Congrats to all of our raffle prize winners!!

Prize No.	Prize

1	New Orleans Brunch for Six—Winner: Diana Levaton Donated by Rebecca Defraites
2	Galleries Lafayette Gift Card (100 euros)—Winner: Cathy Farnan Donated by Petra Graf
3	Gift Basket No. 1 – France—Winner: Diana Levaton Donated by Mary Saubestre
4	One Framed Photograph by Eric Hian-Cheong Photography— Winner: Maureen Miller Donated by Eric Hian-Cheong Photography
5	I Santi Vintage Purse— Winner: Chris Kolyer Donated by Mary Louise Rynski
6	Chateau Mouton 2012 + Chateau Lamothe Guignard 2013— Winner: Elaine Tonkens Donated by Chantal Gassain
7	“Eiffel Tower and Ms. Liberty” Pen on Paper by artist Kate Saubestre— Winner: Amy McCarthy Donated by Kate Saubestre
8	Magnum of Wine + Bottle of Champagne— Winner: Sandra Gogel Donated by AWG Paris
9	One Ultimate Facial— Winner: Valerie Metzger Donated by Skincare by Kristina
10	30-minute Portrait Session with Photographer Krystal Kenney— Winner: Valerie Metzger Donated by Krystal Kenney Photography
11	Two Tickets for Sinfonietta Paris, Music by the Glass— Winner: Debra Mourad Donated by Sinfonietta Paris
12	Gift Basket No. 2 – Mexican— Winner: Mary Louise Rynski Donated by Mary Saubestre
13	Framed Photograph No. 2 by Eric Hian-Cheong Photography— Winner: Monica Meyer Donated by Eric Hian-Cheong Photography
14	Wine Tasting Lunch for Seven to Nine Participants— Winner: Clydette de Groot Donated by Hélène Goble
15	Gift Basket No. 3 – USA— Winner: Sara Sautin Donated by Mary Saubestre
16	Luxury Beauty Products— Winner: Carrie Gabriel Donated by Lisa Sussman
17	Champagne High Tea for Two at Le Bristol Paris— Winner: Lisa Morgan Donated by Le Bristol Paris
18	Two-night Stay for Two at Villa La Riante, Breakfast Included – Winner: Sandra Gogel Donated by Jim and Kristie Worrel
19	One Lymphatic Drainage Treatment— Winner: Helen Woodford Donated by Skincare by Kristina
20	"Le printemps" Pen on Paper by artist Kate Saubestre - Winner: Catherine Hewitt Donated by Kate Saubestre
21	Private Tour for up to 10 Participants, “Black History in and Around the Luxembourg Garden”— Winner: Petra Graff Donated by Dr. Monique Wells, Wells International Foundation
22	Le Bon Marche Gift Card (100 euros)— Winner: Clydette de Groot Donated by Sara Sautin
23	Two-night Stay for Two in a Deluxe King Room, American Breakfast Included at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris - Winner: Cindy Slater- Smith Donated by Four Seasons Hotel, George V

Library and Lunch at one of the oldest bistros in Paris!

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 14:27:59 GMT

The American Library in Paris is one of my favorite institutions. It's been around only a few years longer than the American Women's Group in Paris, and like AWG, plays the role of a bridge between the United States and France. It's a resource for its members and the larger community.

The American Library has a fascinating history that dates to World War I. Its past members, speakers, and contributors have included Edith Wharton, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, Colette, Henry Miller (you could find a copy of Tropic of Cancer here when it was outlawed in the U.S.!), Richard Wright, and Mary McCarthy.

There are programs for every age, book groups for many interests, speakers, and workshops. And it provides a quiet space for browsing English-language newspapers and magazines, the cookbook collection, the art history and fashion sections, or whatever takes your fancy. For me lately, that means the murder mystery section -- the inimitable Agatha Christie and Elizabeth George!

Luckily for us, we have secured a private tour of the Library. We'll meet and greet the staff and new director Jeffrey Hawkins, see a selection of the library's archives, and tour the recently-renovated building. It's not too late to sign up -- please see the Events calendar on the AWG web site. And afterwards, lunch nearby at La Fontaine de Mars, one of the oldest Parisian bistros, on rue St. Dominique. Please come join me!

Inspiring Women

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 12:50:06 GMT

I have been remiss in not continuing to publicize this magazine -- Inspiring Women -- which is so relevant to so many of us.

Inspiring Women is an on line magazine profiling the lives of FAWCO members around the world, who have used their skills, talents, and passions to make a difference in the global community. It was created by our own Elsie Bose, a longtime AWG Paris member and FAWCO Advertising and Sponsorship Manager.

Click here for the spring issue: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59850697/inspiring-women-spring-2018. Women in Sport and Fitness is the theme!

Each issue has a special feature on one of the FAWCO regions, with local recipes, and a focus on one FAWCO club. All of the magazine's advertising is interactive, so if you are interested in what is on offer, just point and click!

If you would like to suggest a member to be interviewed, contact editor Liz MacNiven at inspiringwomen.editor@fawco.org. To advertise, contact Elsie at advertising@fawco.org.

April in Paris: Membership Meeting Special Edition and Charity Raffle!!!

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 18:07:17 GMT

20+ Wonderful, Exclusive Prizes!

Grand Prize: Luxurious Two-Night Stay at the George V!

Sign Up + Purchase Raffle Tickets Through the Activities Calendar

Fun For All!

Please join us for a special AWG Paris evening membership meeting to celebrate April in Paris and support AWG charities.

This fun evening will include snacks! wine tasting! surprises! plus plenty of chat and catch up time—and the Prize Draw for the April in Paris Raffle.

An important component of AWG Paris is offering support to community organizations, both locally and globally. To facilitate this, dedicated AWG Paris members have gathered 20+ great prizes for this fun event. Buying tickets is easy! Simply purchase Digital Raffle Tickets on the website. The more tickets you buy, the better your chances to win! The more you buy, the cheaper the ticket price! But every bit helps! Every ticket goes to support AWG charities!

Prizes include:

Grand Prize: A luxurious two-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel, George V, Paris which includes American breakfast for two (1800 euro value)
A relaxing two-night stay at the charming Villa La Riante on the outskirts of Paris.
Several specially created gift baskets, featuring wine and gourmet food items, including hard to find US and Tex-Mex items
A private tour of select Paris sights and neighborhoods for up to 10 people, by local expert Monique Wells
Whimsical framed illustrations of Paris from AWG’s artist, Kate Saubestre
Stunning framed Paris photos from photographer Eric-Ecklund Cheong
Two tickets to Sinfionetta Classical Concert
Private New Orleans-Style Lunch for Six
Professional Photography session for a couple/family from Krystal Kenney Photography
L’Oreal Beauty Products
One facial treatment and one lymphatic drainage treatment from experienced esthetician Kristina Soleymanlou
Gift card from the Le Bon Marche, BHV and more!
Magnum of Wine
More to come....

All proceeds will go to select charitable groups supported by AWG Paris.

The digital tickets will be transformed into paper tickets that will be drawn live! at the April in Paris event on April 12.

1 ticket: 30 euros; 3 tickets: 75 euros; 5 tickets: 100 euros; 10 tickets: 175 euros

Winners do not need to be present to claim their prizes, but of course, we hope you can join us.Watch for more information in the coming weeks! If you have an item to donate to this worthy cause, please contact msaub6@gmail.com

Sign up and purchase tickets today on the website.

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018

Time: 6:30 to 9:30 PM

RSVP: Sign up directly through the Activities Calendar

You will receive an auto reply with full details on the address.

And Some More Books!

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:58:52 GMT

By popular request, I'm adding the rest of the books that Wednesday Afternoon Book Club will be reading this year. There are some thought-provoking selections here. Consult the Events calendar for dates when Book Club meets.

April's book is The Hidden Life of Trees, What They Feel, How They Communicate, by Peter Wohlleben. From The Guardian: "A book called The Hidden Life of Trees is not an obvious bestseller but it’s easy to see the popular appeal of German forester Peter Wohlleben’s claims – they are so anthropomorphic. Certainly, a walk in the park feels different when you imagine the network of roots crackling with sappy chat beneath your feet. We don’t know the half of what’s going on underground and beneath the bark, he says: 'We have been looking at nature for the last 100 years like [it is] a machine.' "

This one is a bit of a departure for me, but one of the pleasures of a book club is that one reads books one might not otherwise. I'm looking forward to seeing how I get along with it.

In May, we have Forest Dark, by American novelist Nicole Krauss. From Amazon: "One of America’s most important novelists" (New York Times), the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The History of Love, conjures an achingly beautiful and breathtakingly original novel about personal transformation that interweaves the stories of two disparate individuals—an older lawyer and a young novelist—whose transcendental search leads them to the same Israeli desert."

And our last book of the club year, for June, is Lincoln in the Bardo by American George Saunders, whose original and experimental voice comes through in this, his first novel. I first encountered him through his short stores because as a Southerner, how could I resist a book called CivilWarLand in Bad Decline?

The setting of Saunders' novel, the bardo, is an intermediate space between life and rebirth where the grieving American president visits the crypt of his young son, Willie.

From Good Reads: "Lincoln in the Bardo is an astonishing feat of imagination and a bold step forward from one of the most important and influential writers of his generation. Formally daring, generous in spirit, deeply concerned with matters of the heart, it is a testament to fiction’s ability to speak honestly and powerfully to the things that really matter to us. Saunders has invented a thrilling new form that deploys a kaleidoscopic, theatrical panorama of voices—living and dead, historical and invented—to ask a timeless, profound question: How do we live and love when we know that everything we love must end?"

At the May meeting of Book Club, perhaps we can begin to discuss selections for next year's list. Hope to see you soon.

Wednesday Afternoon Book Club

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:40:33 GMT

Even if you can't make it to our monthly Wednesday Afternoon Book Club, you can still read along with us. (And by the way, if anyone would like to start an Evening Book Club, I bet you would find takers).

February's book, due to be discussed on the 14th, is a real journalist's book, by former Time magazine Paris bureau chief Tom Sancton. He first wrote about the complex Bettencourt affair for Vanity Fair in 2010, then just last year, published The Bettencourt Affair: The World's Richest Woman and the Scandal that Rocked Paris. And my question for you, after reading this, is what is the most French thing about this story? Because to me, it seems very French!

In March, we are reading The House in Paris, by Irish writer Elizabeth Bowen, who died in 1973. My Vintage Classics edition of this has an introduction by A.S. Byatt. She first read it as a child, almost accidentally, and has reread it throughout her life, making a new judgement of it each time. She describes it as "...a novel about sex, time, and the discovery of identity." I'm looking forward to rereading it almost as much as I am reading it.

It takes place over one day, and involves two children, strangers to each other. There are secrets, an agitated hostess, and a dying matriarch, so I expect it to be complex in a very different way than our February book, although they both feature, in the end, dying matriarchs. I suppose we all have books that we first encountered when too inexperienced to understand them fully. That could be another interesting point of discussion.

Also for you readers out there, AWG is planning a private visit to the American Library in March. Keep your eye on the events calendar!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide

Sun, 10 Dec 2017 18:59:50 GMT

Now that you’ve decked the halls and trimmed your tree it’s time to start stuffing those stockings! We’ve gathered some of our favorite gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Stocking Stuffers

1. Chocolate

Every chocolatier in Paris steps up their gift set game during December making chocolate one of the easiest gifts to shop for. There are hundreds of delicious shops both big and small so you really can't go wrong. We like shopping at À la Mère de Famille, the oldest chocolatier in Paris founded in 1761, where chocolate bars are just 5 euros a piece.

2. Confiture

What's more french than delicious traditional confiture for you petite dejeuner? Bonne Maman even has a sampler package sold at Monoprix (and most grocery stores) for less than 5 euros! Yes, we'll try one of each.

3. Lavender Soap

We love practical gifts - especially when they smell this good. Great as a gift for your state-side friends (authentic french product alert!) or pop a bar in your dresser drawers to keep your winter sweaters smelling like spring.

4. Angelina's Hot Chocolate

Yes, we mentioned chocolate already, but this is HOT chocolate. Totally different. And why not gift the absolute best with Angelina's hot chocolate mix for 10 euros or less! Because it's just gonna get colder folks.

5. Parisian Mug

Need a mug to go with that hot chocolate? There's no shortage of stylish mugs in Paris, like the unique illustrated facade of the famous English bookshop Shakespeare & Co, or a garden scene from the traditional french porcelain company Gien.

6. Sea Salt

Your foodie friends will go crazy for this simple gift. French sea salt, or fleur de sel, is considered to be the "queen of salts" by chefs and cookbooks alike. Pick up something basic at Monoprix for as little as 4 euros or go fancy and peruse the aisles at le Bon Marché's Grand Epicerie.

7. Uber Gift Card

Living in Paris is a constant marathon of stair climbing, running after buses (or waiting ages for them), and of course walking, walking, walking. Enter the Uber gift card. We cannot think of a better gift than giving someone you love a lift for those days (or nights) when they just cannot walk one. more. step.

For Under the Tree

1. A Year of Reading Membership

Limited to just 100 book lovers, S hakespeare & Co is offering the Year of Reading subscriptions. Members receive 12 specially curated books ranging from poetry to non-fiction, with several books autographed by the authors. Available in the US, Canada, the UK and France for 270 euros.

2. Tea

Because winter is coming. We like the Mariage Frères tea shops, with over 500 different types of high quality loose leaf tea to choose from, including several different limited holiday editions. Also check out Dammann Frères, the oldest tea shop in France with both loose leaf and bags available.

3. Paris IQ

Test your Parisian knowledge with this ParisIQ the bilingual version! This fun trivia game is the perfect gift for your dinner party host and all the parisian know-it-alls in your life.

4. OMY Paris coloring poster

Great gift for the kids on your shopping list - or even those who are just kids at heart. OMY has lots of different scenes to color, including the Parisian big poster, Paris pocket map and limited edition holiday place mats!

5. Skincare advent calendar by Susanne Kaufmann

The grown up's advent calendar. Treat someone special to 24 days of comfort, serenity and wellness with Susanne Kauffman's 2017 Advent Calendar available at Nose boutique. Products include oils, lotions, shampoos, soaps, facial masks as well as bath salts & milks.

6. Putain Calendar

Parisians consider complaining an art form. Turn that frown upside down with the Putain 2018 Calendar. Great for that grouchy coworker or for anyone who finds swearing in french a hilarious endeavor.

7. Spirits

For when a bottle of wine just isn't enough, there's La Maison du Whiskey & Fine Spirits at Odéon. Pick out an aged bottle of whiskey, rum, cognac, cocktail bitters and more among the 1500 different products. Gift boxes and cocktail kits are readily available to make your life even easier.

8. Candles

Add warmth & that hygge feeling with a gorgeous scented french candle. You'll find no shortage of options in Paris, original city of la parfumerie. Diptyque, the french candle & fragrance powerhouse offers limited edition holiday scented candles each year. For something a little more traditional try Cire Trudon, the oldest candle makers world-wide. Cire Trudon stil uses olfactory wax production techniques, which means the candles burn clean - great for those of us who are perfume sensitive or headache prone.

9. Harry Potter Illustrated Books

Because there's a Harry Potter fan in all of us.

10. Original Artwork

For the art lover in your life grab an original piece of artwork from one of the many artists along the Seine river. Prices are usually reasonable and you'll have fun picking out which scene speaks to the Paris you know and love.

Winter Reading List

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:11:59 GMT

We don’t know about you, but this cold weather has got us wanting to curl up on the couch with a good book and a mug of vin chaud. And while it might be too cold to explore the city on foot – why not discover a new side of Paris through the pages of a novel? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite books about the city of lights, guaranteed for a cozy winter read.

The Alice Network

by Kate Quinn

Source : Goodreads

The Alice Network is a vast group of secret agents working to undermine the Germans during the First World War. Eve Gardiner is recruited and sent into enemy-occupied France, but after a betrayal rips the group apart she finds herself alone in London. That is until a young American comes around asking questions about a missing cousin, launching them both on a mission to find the truth.

The New Paris

by Lindsey Tramuta

Source : Goodreads

Everyone's heard of Paris’ cafes, baguettes and corner bistros, but what about the boutique coffee shops, fusion cooking and cocktail creations? In a striking “cultural study meets guide” writing style, American native Lindsey Tramuta attempts to capture the changes in everyday life in Paris over the past decade. If you’re tired of the same old tourist guide reputation and want to learn about the people, places & ideas fueling the "real" Paris you know and love – this book is for you!

The Bettencourt Affair

by Tom Sancton

Source : Goodreads

Liliane Bettencourt is the world’s wealthiest woman and heir to the L’Oreal 36 billion dollar fortune. Enter artist, photographer and now accused con man Francois-Marie Banier, who received hundreds of millions of dollars from the 95-year-old heiress. Read all about the controversy that ensued as Vanity Fair contributor Tom Sancton covers the real-life scandal that ensnared this high society family, their global beauty brand, and even the former president of France.

Bonus! This book will be read by the AWG book club in 2018. So if you’re dying to debate fact vs myth from this story with other novel-loving ladies, please join us! Book club meets the second Wednesday of every month – check the activities calendar & newsletter for more details.

Flaneuse

by Lauren Elkin

Source : Goodreads

A delightfully innovative and provocative novel, Flaneuse blends cultural observations with memoir-style passages on a journey to discover the relationship between the city & the women who walk them. We accompany the Flaneuse, “a determined and resourceful woman keenly attuned to the creative potential of the city, and the liberating possibilities of a good walk” through Paris, New York, Tokyo, Venice & London. For anyone who feels a little out of step living in a foreign land.

L’Appart

by David Lebovitz

Source : Goodreads

Anyone who’s both lived and cooked in Paris knows the famed author and chef David Lebovitz for his life-saving blog with dummy-proof guides on what to buy, cook & eat in France. His new book L’Appart, begins with an apartment renovation and explores the age old question of what makes a house a home. Peppered with new recipes and a generous helping of humor, Lebovitz discusses French culture, food and how he found a home in his adoptive city.

Wondering where to find these and other English language books in Paris?

We recommend S hakespeare & Co (37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005), WH Smith (248 Rue de Rivoli, 75001), Librairie Galignani (24 Rue de Rivoli, 75001), and The American Library in Paris (10 Rue du Général Camou, 75007). These locations often have special events such as readings by the author.

More English language bookstores in Paris can be found on one of our favorite resource websites Time Out Paris, and of course if you prefer your books come to you there’s always Amazon.fr

Thanksgiving in Paris : Dining In

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 16:47:40 GMT

Source : Rose & Ivy

At Veronique’s AWG cooking class the other day, we pooled our collective wisdom to come up with some suggestions for your Thanksgiving meal (assuming you’re brave enough to cook it at home). There was a great deal of American experience around the table, and the invaluable input of Veronique, who assembles an enormous Thanksgiving buffet every year for her American husband, friends, and family.

Below you’ll find our collection of tips and tricks for preparing your own home-cooked Thanksgiving meal, à Paris!

BONUS : Click on the photographs to read some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes!

Where to Shop

Source: What's Gaby Cooking

Our break-through suggestion from Veronique is Picard! If you haven’t discovered the frozen food store yet, it’s time to check them out, in particular for their frozen soups, cranberries, spinach, and pumpkin puree. The pre-stuffed turkeys and other poultry that you can buy and pop in the oven for a festive dinner if making dressing isn’t your favorite way of spending time. They also have frozen croissants, pain au chocolat, and gauffres (waffles) which are great for breakfast if you’re expecting company.

We also highly recommend Marks & Spencer. These are scattered all over Paris and offer popular American ingredients such as brown sugar, baking powder & chocolate chips. They also have lots of cheddar cheese (in case you are missing it), as well as a fabulous variety of ready-to-cook meals and pre-made desserts at excellent prices.

Other great places to find American products for the holidays include Thanksgiving, 20 rue Saint-Paul, 75004, or The Real McCoy, 194 rue de Grenelle, 75007 . These last two have all sorts of other American products for holiday cooking, including Jiffy Cornbread Mix, Stove Top Stuffing, French’s Fried Onions, Campbell’s soup and canned cranberry sauce, but be forewarned they can be a bit pricey.

Galeries Lafayette Gourmet and l’Epicerie at Bon Marché also have American food sections. Bon Marché has baking powder, Karo light and dark, cream of whatever soups, and canned pumpkin. Also Tabasco Bloody Mary mix if your Thanksgiving party starts off that way! You can also find many of these products on amazon.fr and have them delivered right to your door.

What to Cook

Source : Half Baked Harvest

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, the most important element is the turkey. You can order it from your butcher (un dinde) or look for it at Monoprix, but be prepared. These are not mass-produced Butterballs, and they are pricey. Ask before ordering – usually they are priced per kilo. You can also order one from Thanksgiving grocery; their turkeys are farm-raised American style delivered fresh (not frozen) the fourth week of November. If you want a French take on poultry, order a capon – it’s a neutered rooster whose vitality has been rerouted into lots of lovely, delicious fat. It is the most tender, moist bird you will ever eat. Roast it like a turkey. If your bird doesn’t quite fit your oven, Veronique advises removing all the racks and putting your pan right on the floor of the oven.

Source : What's Gaby Cooking

For the gravy, fond de veau, found in the bouillon section of the grocery shelves, makes an excellent base – it is a much-reduced veal stock that gives a rich taste to the gravy. Thicken it with Maizena Sauceline, which does not contain flour but is a perfect last-minute addition if the gravy is too thin.

Source : Jessica in the Kitchen

To make cornbread for your dressing (that’s what Southerners call stuffing), go to amazon.fr (but watch out for delivery charges!). ! If you search for “cornmeal,” there are several alternatives. Or you can use polenta, which is a lot finer in texture, but still works. Naturalia, a chain of organic grocery stores, has farine de mais. If all else fails, head over to one of our recommended “American stuffs” stores above to find some good ol’ Stove Top or Jiffy Cornbread Mix.

Source : EatWell101

Frozen pie dough is also useful, and can be found at Picard, the popular French frozen food store, as well as in the refrigerated section of your local supermarket. Pâte feuilletée is puff pastry, while pâte sablée is a tender, buttery crust used for tarts. Pâte brisée is a shortcrust pastry that can be used for both sweet & savory dishes such as quiches, tarts, & pies. Fancy a traditional pumpkin or pecan pie, but don’t have the energy or oven space for it? Thanksgiving grocery store in the 3^rd sells both options made to order for 29 euros each.

Source: A Cozy Kitchen

A note about nuts: Do NOT buy your nuts in the baking section of the grocery store. They are in small, expensive packets, and not that fresh. Most street markets have a vendor selling a variety of nuts – last year I saw that my vendor at Marché St. Honoré was selling pecans from Mississippi! And most grocery stores have an area besides the baking section where there are larger packages of nuts, generally walnuts and pine nuts at least, and dried fruits.

Source : Half Baked Harvest

A couple of other notes: I found dark brown Waitrose sugar at on amazon.fr, and you can find regular brown sugar at Marks & Spencer Food. In a pinch, you can find sucre vergeoise at your local grocery store, which is a light brown sugar that also packs. Papier cuisson is waxed paper and can be found at any grocery store next to the tin foil & plastic bags.

Thanks to our AWG cooks who helped contribute to this post!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving in Paris : Dining Out

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 11:30:55 GMT

Gobble Gobble !

Thanksgiving is arguably one of my most favorite holidays. The main attraction is eating, drinking, laughing, eating, and spending time with people you love (oh, did I mention eating?)

However, in my charming 30sqm apartment, there isn’t much room for a Thanksgiving dinner table... not to mention it’s a little difficult to cook a turkey in a toaster oven #pariskitchenproblems

So if like me you are seeking alternatives for this year’s turkey fix, AWG has got you covered. We've rounded up some great options - and none of them involve washing dishes.

Thanksgiving dinner at Veronique’s
There’s still ONE SPOT left to join fellow AWG member Veronique as she welcomes you into her home for champagne, turkey and all the fixings. This promises to be a memorable evening leaving you with much to be thankful for. Click here to sign up!

65 euros per member

Source : FastandFood

Breakfast in America
BIA offers a traditional thanksgiving dinner including Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, veggies & cranberry sauce with a choice of pumpkin, apple or pecan pie for dessert. Seating is available at 5pm, 7pm & 9pm. Reservations are by email only – see instructions on the website.

37 euros per person
17, rue des Ecoles 75005

Source: Treize Bakery

Treize – a baker’s dozen
Back by popular demand, Treize bakery is hosting a fixed-menu dinner both Thursday AND Friday evening. Thanksgiving grub includes roasted quail, broccoli & cauliflower gratin, sweet potato crumble and of course their famous buttermilk buscuits. Your choice of pumpkin, apple or pecan pie included. Reservations need to be made in person.

48 euros per person
16 rue des Saints Peres 75007

Source: Verjus

Verjus
From November 20th through the 24th Verjus will offer a Thanksgiving-themed preset tasting menu and wine pairings. Reservations are still available so be sure to call or email to snag your spot !

68 euros per person
52 rue de Richelieu 75001

Source: Restaurant Michelin

Joe Allen Paris
Joe Allen serves a three course meal with your choice of turkey, ham or grilled tuna steak and eight different dessert options! Service is on Thanksgiving day, reservations by email only.

50 euros per person
30 rue Pierre Lescot 75001

Source: O Chateau

O Chateau
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner steps from the Louvre at O Chateau. Dinner includes the chef’s pumpkin soup, traditional thanksgiving turkey with collard greens & beet salad followed by homemade chocolate lava cake topped with ice cream & roasted pecans. Prepayment is required. Reservations can be made directly through the website.

45 euros per person
68 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau 75001