“And all the world is glad with May.” — John Burroughs

READING:

The French Ingredient: A Memoir by Jane Bertch — “The French Ingredient is the story of a young female entrepreneur building a life in a city and culture she grew to love. As she built La Cuisine, Bertch learned how to flirt, how to project confidence, and how to give it right back to rude waiters. Having finally made peace with the city she swore never to revisit, she now offers a love letter to France, and a master class in Parisian cooking—and living” (Goodreads).
Flâneur: The Art of Wandering the Streets of Paris by Federico Castigliano — “A man walks the streets of Paris, alone and without a destination. He travels long avenues of great buildings, loses himself in the crowds at the Grands Magasins. Wrapped up in a black overcoat, he wanders the city restlessly. But what is he looking for? Where is he going? This book teaches you how lose yourself in the it contains stories of promenades and urban adventures, stories of dandies and flâneurs… It contains information regarding characters, authors and artists who have wandered the streets of Paris. By reading these pages you will discover the secrets of flânerie, the noble art of wandering without a destination” (Goodreads)
Hemingway's Paris by John Baxter — “John Baxter evokes the French capital as it was between 1921 and 1926, when Hemingway lived there, and provides a unique insider's guide to the city he knew and loved” (Goodreads).
The Paris Effect and Paris Ever After by K.S.R. Burns — “Through her adventures, laced with luscious descriptions of food and Paris, Amy learns that often in life, love and friendship, nothing is exactly as it seems. Grab a croissant and settle in for a decidedly non-touristy trip to the City of Light” (Goodreads). I really didn’t like the first book (Amy and everyone around her are rather unlikable), yet it ended with a cliff-hanger that compelled me to read the sequel. I have a trial of Kindle Unlimited, so pourquoi pas?

WATCHING: A family of sand hill cranes who moved into our neighborhood — Mom, dad, and two babies have been strolling and grazing in our yard and around the block. Every once and a while, the babies spread their wings and jump around a bit. Are these beginner flying lessons?

LISTENING TO:

A lot of ABBA — What can I say? I just love it.
May Instapuzzle Mini Playlist:
- Purple Irises (Gwen Stefani + Blake Shelton)
- Macarons (Charlène)
- Lavender Fields (James Quinn)
- Lovely Day (Bill Withers)
- The Lusty Month of May (Julie Andrews)
- My Girl (The Temptations)
- Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution)
- What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
- Bistro Fada (Midnight in Paris Soundtrack)