My blog is a teenager!
(hello May 2022)
May 16th 2022
That’s right - on May 15th 2009, 13 years ago, I wrote my first post on eatlivetravelwrite.com ! Yes, that (^^^) is what my blog looked like in May 2009! You can see more here.
2642 posts later - that’s an average of 16 posts per month - a healthy average if you know anything about how long one post takes to write - I’m still writing! I can’t imagine my life without my blog, though at the time I first hit “publish” on that first post, I never imagined I’d still be writing it 13 years later. Nor that it would have led to so many amazing opportunities, including a book deal.
Many of you, newsletter readers, have come to me from my blog. Many of my social media followers came from my blog. I’ve made a lot of real (in real life and also online) friends through my blog and the blogging community. It’s a huge part of my life, though, over the years, social media (and more recently, newsletters) have taken on more significance in “building online presence”. I do pick and choose which online spaces I spend my time in and while many bloggers have moved to social or newsletter-only, I maintain my blog because it’s the real estate I own the most. Instagram and TikTok accounts can be suspended or hacked and you might lose all your content. If you maintain a properly backed-up blog, that content remains your own. I may be old-fashioned but that’s just the way I like it!
That said, writing this newsletter a few times a month brings me a lot of joy too. I have plans for this space over the next few months - I hope you’ll stay with me for the ride!
I’m often asked about “the most popular recipe” on my blog. Here are 3 of my faves from the top 10 - my gifts to you on my blog’s birthday!
Braised chicken with creamy mushroom sauce - recipe here. This is far and away my most popular recipe ever!
Why do my macarons have hollow shells - a work in progress. Post here.
My post about Fairy Bread - read it here.
Thanks so much for reading and for your support over the years :) And if you’re NOT a blog reader yet, you can get blog posts delivered to your inbox! Sign up here!
Again this month, I’m donating $1 for each copy sold of either of the French Food for Everyone books to World Central Kitchen. See below for links to purchase.
Special discount for new subscribers!
As a nod to my blog turning 13 this year, I’m offering 13% off paid subscriptions. Paid subscribers receive a couple more newsletters each month, including exclusive recipes (I’ve got some video recipes coming up soon too), plus the chance to comment on and chat about posts with other subscribers. As a subscriber, you’ll only receive the posts you sign up for, with no advertising to interrupt your user experience. For less than the price of one coffee each week, won’t you consider supporting this creative space?
Join me for a cooking class
In-person classes
In the lineup of classes this spring with remaining availability, you’ll see some familiar favourites - macarons and choux pastry! If you’re in Toronto or know someone who is, check out my May offerings here. Use NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBER for 15% off registration.
Online cooking classes
I’m still teaching online cooking classes for Context Travel! Use the code MMICHELS20 for 20% off registration (new Context clients only). Join in from anywhere in the world! Classes are listed for May, June July and August - with more classes added soon!
Recipes you might have missed!
My favourite French vinaigrette. Click here for the recipe.
Barquettes au chocolat (round 2 and the most authentic!) . Click here for the recipe
links you might like
eat
In Paris, frozen pastries pose as homemade. Here’s how to spot imposters via The Washington Post (possible paywall). Important information!
Meet the Food Stylist Who Recreated Julia Child's Kitchen via Food 52. “There were no tricks. I didn’t spray polyurethane on anything. There was no shellac. Sometimes I might spritz olive oil or water to freshen up a salad, but there was no trickery.”
The best potato chips on earth, according to food professionals via Huff Post. I’ve written about my love for French potato chips before. Here, read chefs’ takes on the humble snack!
On that note…
Why are American chips so boring? via Eater. (also, Canadian chips aren’t super interesting, if I might add an opinion). It does seem like “international flavours have all the fun”!
live
The people who danced themselves to death via BBC.com “In 1518, a 'dance plague' saw citizens of French city Strasbourg reportedly dancing uncontrollably for days on end – with fatal results". Um, ok.
You’re cleaning all wrong via The New York Times. A science-based guide for germaphobes. Have YOU become more of a germaphobe in the last couple of years? (*raises hand*)
This Chef Researches Diners Online—and Cancels Reservations If He Sees “Misbehavior” via Bon Appétit. “Michael Jones believes serial bad reviewers and rude customers should not be allowed in his restaurant.” Did you know restaurants might google you before you arrive?
travel
These French Foodies Built a Restaurant Empire on Old-World Hedonism via Bloomberg. We are huge fans of the Gueuleton restaurants (there’s one in Nérac) and this is a look at how they’ve survived the past couple of years.
No, I will not switch airplane seats with you via Washington Post. “Your grandma’s on the flight with you and you want to sit next to her? Granny should’ve taught you to plan ahead.” How do YOU feel about switching seats (as someone who often pays for seat upgrades, I most likely won’t want to switch to something inferior…)
write
Favourite Poem is “Americans saying poems they love” including Jacques Pépin reciting Rimbaud’s “Le Dormeur du Val”.
what we’re watching
The One. “Love - and lies - spiral when a DNA researcher helps discover a way to find the perfect partner, and creates a bold new matchmaking service.” This was SO much better than this blurb! A good “watch it in a weekend” series.
Hold Tight “When a young man goes missing soon after his friend dies, life in a tight-knit, affluent Warsaw suburb slowly unravels, exposing secrets and lies.” Harlan Coben - in Polish this time. A well-done thriller (and a peek into a side of Warsaw you definitely don’t see when you visit).
Operation Mincemeat “During WWII, two intelligence officers use a corpse and false papers to outwit German troops.” Based on a true story of how the Allied invasion of Sicily was disguised, and how German reinforcements were sent to Greece and Sardinia instead.
Anatomy of a Scandal “A sexual consent scandal amongst British privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake.” Another well-done British (read: slower pace) series. A bit OTT/ unbelievable at times but the good cast saves it.
Rose Island “An idealistic engineer builds his own island off the Italian coast and declares it a nation, drawing the world's attention.” Based on a true story - in 1968, Giorgio Rosa built and established the Republic of Rose Island - this was fascinating!
buy my books
This month, I’m donating $1 for each copy sold of either of the French Food for Everyone books to World Central Kitchen.
Don’t have my books? Read all about them and find links to purchase near you here!
rent our holiday home in southwest France!
“This place is heavenly,” wrote our current guests to me just this morning!
Our charming house in Nérac, halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse in the heart of Gascony still had a little bit of availability this summer!
Read more and book your stay here!
Thanks for reading!
Stay safe xo