La Vie en Rose Macarons

Are you feeling rosy, today? I have to admit, I’m still blooming emotional: yesterday it was our turn in France to celebrate Mothers’ Day. Each year I get increasingly gushy, as my lovely girls compose their own poems for the Fête des mères.

This time they confirmed their knack of making me swell up with proud and happy tears, listening to their precious words – by way of a new recipe note book, starting with a gorgeous poem called “Recipe for the Cake of Love” (from the French film, “Peau d’âne”). They didn’t make a cake (perhaps that’s for next year?) but they printed out an internet cake!  We spent the day en famille with hugs that you wish could last forever. I told you I was feeling soppy…Even at the local market, all Mums were handed a rose, thanks to the Mayor.  Is that not sweet?

 

We finished off the day with rose and white chocolate panna cottas, with a cherry cardamom sauce – using the only cherries left from the tree in the garden (the pigeons ate the rest: nearly the blooming lot!) – plus a few rose & cardamom macarons on the side.

All of this rosy feeling was triggered last week, on my favourite metro line in Paris: line 6, direction Nation.  It’s the metro where you come out of the tunnel and are suddenly surprised with daylight. After leaving the stop, Passy, the Eiffel Tower just hits you with all its grandeur.  Just at that moment, a busker started up a Piaf arrangement of La Vie en Rose on the accordian.

 

I used to pass Edith Piaf‘s Paris appartment in the 16th Arrondissement, on the way to work in the bus, every day for 10 years.  Each day I’d pinch myself thinking, “she used to walk along that very pavement in Boulevard Suchet.”

Back up at my favourite shops in St Germain-en-Laye, I needed some inspiration for two birthday “cakes” and some pampering for Mothers’ Day (well, they needed ideas, n’est-ce pas? ;-)) I HAVE to make this giant macaron heart shape with red fruits when I have more time.

 

This rose boutique ensures that a pile of rose petals are added to the bag carrying your bouquets, which is just so classy. They also sell the most enticing bitter chocolate bars with crunchy rose petals in them.  It’s a far cry from the Turkish Delight we used to get as kids and has restored my belief in chocolate and rose together.

 

This scene just did it.  A house for sale just around the corner from us, along by the River Seine.  It just looked so rosy and French, heu, heu, heu. The house is just at the spot where William Turner set up his easle and  painted the view of the Château over the bridge to Saint Germain-en-Laye.

 

All along the banks there are other paintings by the Impressionist painters. It’s unbelievable to think they were walking along the Seine just like you and me.  More on that later but back to my roses. As my good friend, Felicity, adores rose macarons, I couldn’t resist making her a wee macaron tower. Hm.  It was a bit tricky to transport it in the car!

 

Then, to celebrate my heroïne, Raymonde’s 90th birthday last week, the rose theme continued: this time with chocolate-rose macarons.

 

So, as you can see, it has been a rather rosy week!  Well, there’s nothing quite like the emotion of biting into a rose macaron. Delicately perfumed and floral pink, this is sheer gourmet luxury.

 

Let the celebrations continue by serving this with a glass of pink Champagne and just let your toes curl.  I lift my glass and rose macarons to all Mums out there, all of you with birthdays, good friends and macaronivores. Cheers: you deserve it! Oh, and it’s not just females who love rose macarons, I’ve discovered.