Friday, July 12, 2013

Bastille Day Celebrations



Bonjour! This weekend is the French Celebration of Bastille Day. I look forward to seeing what you all do and experience for the famous occasion! Me, I will be away at a training course, so I took the opportunity to celebrate last night with friends at one of our local micro bistros - there were only 20 people in the restaurant, and it was packed!

I enjoyed my favourite french dish - salade de chevre chaud - then I tried something a little different - the steak tartare. I thought it would be too weird eating raw steak and egg, but it was actually very delicate, light and tasty. Of course a french meal with friends would be incomplete without a lovely bottle of french red, and a smooth and creamy, crispy topped brulee. I had a lovely evening, and was reminded of some wonderful meals I've shared in France over the years with great friends.

Now for a word of apology - 'je suis desole' - for my tardiness at returning messages to all you wonderful participants. It seems every time I log on to see what's happening there's another person joining our journey and some great new posts. I have been swamped with work and some of my voluntary commitments have demanded some attention at this time as well. I have been reading your blogs - love em all... I will be doing a review post this weekend - so be sure to link your comments to any one of my posts - and I will be adding the new names to my side bar soon.
For our regular visitors, you know I like to give away a prize or two - there'll be a prize for the Bastille day post that captures my attention, and another random prize for a post from this past week.

Here's something I found peaceful, interesting and very french.... let me know what you think.



9 comments:

Jeanie said...

Hi, Tamara,

I didn't realize Bastille was so soon! Boy, this month has flown! I've been enjoying PIJ -- getting a bit of a late start visiting with vacation at the beginning but getting my groove going.

You dinner sounded fabuous -- especially the salad. It's late and time to leave work and now I am hungry!

Mary Ronan Drew said...

Will you tell me the label and ASIN number for Meyer's Rameau? It's beautiful!

Vagabonde said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
skiourophile said...

You've made me crave a crème brûlée now, Tamara. But it's now Friday, so I will - at the very least - go and pour myself a glass of red. Thoroughly enjoying reading everyone's posts this week.

Christine Harding said...

It's much too early to be thinking about creme brulee - now I shall spend the rest of the day craving one!

Vagabonde said...

I wrote a comment earlier and deleted it because it only talked about the name of our national holiday “le quatorze Juillet” which is called Bastille’s Day in the Anglophone world. The storming of the Bastille in Paris was a symbolic gesture as there were only 7 common criminals in the prison then. The people were revolting against two inequalities and privileges held by the aristocracy and the clergy - this is why after the revolution so many churches were burnt and destroyed – then later on of course they were repaired by the government as they had been seized from the Church and made into national monuments. What people celebrate really is not the Bastille but what were the ramifications from this people revolution – more solidarity, more social equality – for example there is universal health care and free education starting at 3 years old, five weeks of vacation is mandatory (by law) in comparison to the country where I live, the USA, vacations are not guaranteed by law. So people keep celebrating their freedom from the aristocracy and the clergy and the laws which help them have a happy life. Thank you for taking an interest in my country, this is very kind.

Paulita said...

I am just little afraid to try steak tartare. Maybe if I'm actually in France. My daughter is performing in Les Miserables this weekend. Perfect timing for Bastille Day. Here's My Most Recent Paris in July post
Plus, I'm having a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway with the drawing on July 14 in the evening so come play.

Tamara said...

Thanks so much for the informative comment vagabond. I think we all have much to learn about the complex wrb of history that makes France what it is today. Thanks all for you r comments.

Teddyree said...

I am drooling over that creme brulee photo ... don't think I'e ever made one but I want to now!

Sounds like a lovely dinner and love the music.

I joined in the Paris in July celebrations

http://teddyree-theeclecticreader.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/the-sunday-salon-my-love-affair-with.html