A Lady In France

de la Chance!

« Chance » does not have the same meaning in French as it does in English. It means « lucky. »

It’s another one of those false friends, like « deception ,» which in French means « disappointment, » and not « deceived .»

This Sunday, in spite of a blooming cold and laryngitis, I celebrated my 41st birthday. It was lovely and simple.

I threw out my low-carb diet for the day and made the layer cake my mom used to make (except with gluten-free flour, which is why it’s a bit flat). I was feeling nostalgic. But the chocolate buttercream frosting prepared with 90% Lindt chocolate made the cake worthy of France.

Young Lady carried in the cake.

And offered me her present.

Young Knight took photos,

and painted something for me too.

Petit Prince learned how to say « cheeeeeeeeese! »

This is my beautiful mother, or Belle-Mère.  It’s so much more gracious to say than Mother-in-Law, isn’t it?

My dear Sir spoiled me with Chance perfume, specially chosen after sniffing half of the perfume store.

And he gave me some much-needed English reading material (with a slight emphasis on Indian lit, having just returned from Mumbai).

The atmosphere was light and joyous despite the cold indoors (mine) and the cold outdoors (nature’s). What a contrast to the years I spent traveling on my own, living a lonely and sometimes dark life.

Oh la la, I really do have de la chance!

Happy Thanksgiving my American friends!

PS  Due to popular demand, here is the chocolate buttercream frosting recipe from Sugar Daze, the best cupcake baker in France:

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

8 ounces good quality dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa

8 ounces unsalted butter, softened

1 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups icing sugar

1) Microwave chocolate until smooth and let cool a few minutes.

2) In a large mixing bowl, mix the butter, milk, vanilla and sugar. Slowly add in chocolate and keep mixing until of good spreading consistency.

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Comments

  1. Radha says

    Happy Birthday to you. What a lovely celebration! Merci! And thank you for teaching me more about France and French,

  4. Erin Margolin says

    Happy Belated Birthday or Bonne Anniversaire!
    😉
    Love all the photos. I’ve not read any Ken Follett, but have heard he’s amazing!
    And your Lindt chocolate buttercream frosting just made me drool. Oh la la!

  5. Leanne says

    Happiest of Birthdays to you, dear Lady! What a wonderful day . . . and oo-lala! The perfume looks so delightful, I will have to find it here and take a few sniffs!

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  6. Mari says

    Happy, happy birthday, my friend. May God bless you with many more. You are cherished by many!!
    Love you!

  7. Mrs.Mayhem says

    Happy belated birthday!

    I love, love the first photo of your children singing to you. The looks on their faces are priceless.

    And that cake! Yum! Did you melt chocolate for the frosting?? Amazing.

  9. Cat says

    Happy Belated Birthday to you! I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe for the buttercream – your cake looks delicious – and what a sweet family gathering! Best, Cat

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