Welcome Fall/ Autumn
aka my favourite season
October 23rd, 2022
Autumn (or Fall, as it’s called around these parts…) is here, and I couldn’t be happier. It is my absolute favourite season. No longer humid and hot (this summer in both France and Toronto was very hot and humid), the days get shorter (this is ok now, but come December, I might not like the short days so much), and there’s a chill in the air at night. Plus, bonus beautiful foliage!
It’s perfect weather to curl up with a good book on the couch or… a good HALLMARK MOVIE! Yes, my guilty pleasure, Countdown to Christmas starts this month and I can’t wait to lose myself in a bad holiday movie ;) The perfect escape from everyday stressors!
Fall is also race season if you’re a runner, and I’ve just completed my first in-person half marathon! Though it wasn’t the race I *thought* I would run (thanks for nothing Covid), I did shave 2 minutes off my previous best time for the distance (and because it’s my first in-person race, it’s my official PB). I also recovered very well (my knees and Achilles, which I spent most of the first half of the year rehabbing, felt good during and after the race), so that’s a win too!
Running is a humbling sport (especially as you age and especially if you train with much younger people), but it’s taught me a lot. Here are…
Five (life) lessons I have learned from running:
Progress is not linear. At ALL.
Listen to your body. It knows best. Your mind will try to trick you into thinking that it does, but it doesn’t. Especially when it comes to recovery/ rest.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone (I know, easier said than done).
Also don’t let imposter syndrome get to you. If you run, you’re a runner.
It’s better to be able to run slowly than not run at all. I want to be like my dad, running well into my 70s, so I need to be realistic about what type of runner I am now (i.e. not smashing any records). So yeah, be grateful for being able to run now.
It’s no secret that I dislike winter and winter running because I’m scared to run in the ice/ snow. I DO actually love running in colder temps, but the fear factor takes over, so I will embrace the cool, crisp temperatures and sunny skies (hopefully) of the Fall as a runner as well as someone who has not enjoyed teaching through a hot, humid September. It’s the little things, right?
What about you - what’s YOUR favourite season?
baking my way into the holiday season!
That’s right - I’ve got a bunch of classes coming up at the beautiful Kitchen at St Lawrence Market In Toronto. If you live in or near Toronto (or know someone who does!), can I tempt you with some French-themed baking or wine/ food pairing classes (with newly-minted sommelier Neil!)? Check out all my offerings by clicking the button below (and use the discount code NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBER for 15% off classes registration)
join me from anywhere in the world!
My online cooking classes with Context Travel are still going strong! Join me for a French-themed cooking class (French baking, Basque specialties, a traditional French dessert to make in January or even a three-course French meal!) from anywhere in the world! Classes are recorded in case you are interested but can’t make the scheduled time, so you can watch at a time that’s convenient for you!
page-turners
Three favourite reads for Francophiles this month - click on the names of the books to read my full reviews.
Cassoulet Confessions - a travelogue, an exploration, a documentation of an obsession with the dish, and a story of “finding oneself” – all wrapped up in the complicated and fascinating story of cassoulet!
Jacqueline in Paris - the much-anticipated latest from award-winning author Ann Mah, exploring Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ year abroad in Paris as a young college student.
The French Professor - a lighthearted escape from real-life featuring an older protagonist who proves you CAN change the course of your life later than think!
watch-worthy
You can tell life has been busy lately because we haven’t watched much of note, but we did enjoy:
Van Der Valk “A Dutch detective takes on criminal cases in Amsterdam using insightful human observation and his natural street smarts.” Love this series - it’s a slower pace than a North American crime show; it’s well written, plus bonus shots of beautiful Amsterdam!
Ridley Road “Summer 1962: London is swinging with new music, hip fashions, and an irresistible hedonistic spirit. It’s also seething with antisemitic violence incited by homegrown neo-Nazis.” This was very well done, but also extremely worrisome/ scary to watch. Eye opening.
links you might like
eat
The butter board trend spreads to hummus, dulce de leche and more via The Washington Post. I don’t know about you, but “smears” of anything on a board just isn’t appealing to me. Put the butter on a piece of bread, for goodness’ sake… (related: not everything needs to be served on a board… Controversial opinions, I know!).
How a 56-year-old chronically ill cookbook writer eats on $128K in San Diego via Bon Appétit. These “How people eat on $XYZ” fascinate me. This missive includes some high-end staples and zero eating out. Interesting.
live
Are you holding your wine glass the wrong way? via Food & Wine. TLDR: the stem serves a purpose ;)
You’re cleaning all wrong (a science-based guide for germaphobes) via The New York Times (article unlocked). A common-sense guide to cleaning if you’re still so-inclined. I’m sad to see lots of people reverting back to pre-pandemic slack personal hygiene. There is SO much illness (regular colds and flu) flying around these days. Me? I’m still sanitizing (this is my fave and makes sanitizing a pleasure!) and will continue to do so probably forever now…
travel
Everyone’s vacationing wrong via The Washington Post. Uh, ok. I guess I picked some “judgey” articles this month LOL! But there’s a lot of truth here, I think… “If a vacation is supposed to be an absence of work, replacing home work with the vacation work of over-planning, over-scheduling and over-exerting yourself negates the vacation.” Facts.
Become a temporary regular when you’re on vacation via Eater. See: article above. In the spirit of slowing down on vacation, instead of trying new places to eat/ drink every day, find a place you love and make it your “local”,
write
A sterile curriculum and DI with fake tasks is not the way to teach the basics via Education HQ. An interesting take on literacy and numeracy. “The basics can be taught in ways limited only by the imagination.“
buy my books
Don’t have my books?
rent our holiday home in southwest France!
“We spent two weeks in Nerac at this fully-equipped, centrally-located home. It is within walking distance of everything, including the canal, stone bridges, museums, parks, historic churches and of course restaurants and local shopping. (and if you are there on a Saturday, a huge outdoor market is a 5-minute walk away). We enjoyed all the features of this home and especially the patio. We sampled all the food and wine the French are known for. We also joined the locals in playing Pétanque at the square just up the street. Would highly recommend!
~ guest review, October 2022
Our charming house in Nérac, halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse is in the heart of Gascony. Book ahead for next year!
Thanks for reading!
Stay safe xo
Mardi