Going back to just a little bit before August...

In the summer Geneva is both peaceful and exciting. The excitement is due to visitors from all over the world who come to the summer festivals (Montreux, Nyon, Sion…) and to attend the Fêtes de Genève on and around the Swiss National Day (1st August) and admire the spectacular fireworks and to explore the treasures the country offers.

That warm and sunny Saturday afternoon, we went for a long stroll. We headed out in search of a nice table on a terrace at one of the many cake shops serving great desserts.

Spotted! Outside Boulangerie Philippe Taillé on Rue Jacques-Dalphin 58, in Carouge. The Boulangerie Philippe Taillé is well known for selling the most amazing range of cakes. Just have a look at the display. I strongly recommend to you the “San Marco”, their own creation. 

A very, very, very yummy and very “gourmand” rum baba. Sweetheart had the same.

Later on we went to see African sculptures and paintings at the gallery “Les Arts du Soleil”. Then we went downtown by the back roads that only locals know...

The exterior of the art gallery “Les Arts du Soleil” in Carouge.

Some time ago, my friends and readers asked me to share more blog posts about my outfits. I have listened to your wishes...and here is my look of the day for the streets of Geneva.

There’s nothing special about it, except that I really enjoy my super comfortable black sandals and I love this cool dress purchased recently at O-Top (28 rue Saint-Victor in Carouge) and I’m a fan of Julie Gloor’s jewellery (Rue Pictet de Bock 8 in Plainpalais).

Carouge, a charming village...

Swimming in the Rhône at la Jonction. The Genevans take full advantage of swimming in the Rhône as soon as the temperatures rise. The banks of the river offer an exceptional setting...

Along the Quai des Forces-Motrices (the Forces Motrices is a factory converted into a concert hall)

The enthusiasm for the terrace bars on the banks of the Rhone is growing every summer. La Barje (Promenade des Lavandières), where a convivial and warm atmosphere is guaranteed.

This blog post, like all of my blog posts, is not sponsored.

Author Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, Devon, South West England on September 15, 1890. She is one of the most famous detective writers of all time and is known as the “Queen of Crime”. She wrote her first novel in 1920. Her most famous characters are Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Agatha Christie grew up surrounded by a succession of strong and independent women from an early age. She was married twice and had a daughter. She died in 1976.

In a career which spanned over 55 years, Agatha Christie wrote over 70 novels and more than a dozen plays. Her superbly written detective stories are “unputdownable”. I’ve been a big fan of her novels since I was a teenager. I read her books one after another and I have loved all of them - that is why I suggest you discover her novels. In terms of crime novels, there is no denying that there is Agatha and then there are the others! My favourite book by Agatha Christie is And Then There Were None (1939) which I have reviewed already.

My thoughts about And Then There Were None: With this novel, again, Agatha Christie signs a brilliant puzzle that leaves the reader breathless and disoriented until final outcome. I love the atmosphere, the captivating plot, the quintessential British touch and the inescapable tea time. I love the overall ambience of those afternoon teas; the warm and comfortable event where guests feel welcomed and inclined to confidences and chatter…And most of all the final twist… justice has been done…shush!!!!!!

L’Oreal - Botanicals Fresh Care Safflower Rich Infusion Masque for dry hair

Sun, sea water, white sand; who does not like these? Our hair, because it dehydrates… Much as my tanned skin becomes darker, my hair becomes lighter, (copper colour according to Sweetheart).

During summertime, I only used this practical and high quality hair mask (instead of my homemade mask). Let me tell you a secret: henceforth I will only use this one. I made a stock by taking advantage of the superb promotion at Coop City!

Simply wash your hair, rinse well and then apply this mask and leave it for at least 30 minutes. Then rinse and your hair shines, shines and shines... It is very well nourished and smells nicely of essential oils.

Apply once a week.

Price CHF 8.90 the for a 200 ml pot.

This post, like all of my blog posts, is not sponsored

Blueberry & Raspberry Clafoutis

Blueberries and raspberries are unquestionably my favourite berries. In mid-May, I was craving a berry dessert, something fast and simple to make and yet delicious. By opening my recipe book “The Classics of French Cuisine”, the choice was made on its own. I adapted the recipe by adding more fruit. We loved this dessert enormously, whether served warm or cold.

Ingredients (serves 8 people):

250g fresh blueberries

250g fresh raspberries

4 eggs, beaten

100g plain flour

125g caster sugar

1 small sachet of vanilla sugar

200ml whole milk

200ml liquid cream

20g butter, to grease

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Grease a porcelain baking dish. (I used a dish that was 26 cm long, 19 cm wide and 5 cm deep).

Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the already whisked eggs and then add 120g of the caster sugar. Gradually pour in the milk and the cream. Mix with a whisk, until you have a smooth and thick batter.

Pour 1cm of the mixture into the prepared porcelain baking dish. Bake for about 5 minutes, for the batter to set slightly (very wobbly).

Then tip the berries into the prepared porcelain baking dish, distributing them evenly. Pour in the remaining batter. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the clafoutis become swollen and golden and a bit wobbly.

Mix the vanilla sugar and the remaining 5g caster sugar. Sprinkle the surface of the clafoutis straight out of the oven.

Serve the clafoutis, warm or cold rather than hot. Put a bowl of fresh whipped cream on the side.

Note: You can replace berries with sliced ​​apples or pears, apricot halves or cherries.

Martigny, the Roman Site

In July, while spending the weekend in Heidi’s Country, we went to Martigny to visit the temporary exhibition at the Fondation Pierre Gianadda (see post of 26^th July). This museum provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy art, history, vintage cars and culture.

Martigny is a day trip destination from the Lake Geneva region and Swiss ski resorts. If you like the Roman era, I strongly recommend that you visit this site which has many interesting Roman remains…

After we left the Gianadda museum, we went for a stroll in the pleasant town centre and its surroundings. 

Our visit ended with the Morand Distillery. Unfortunately, we could not visit, as it was closed, but we went to the distillery shop to make some purchases.

As pictures are worth a thousand words, here is a virtual tour.

Tepidarium

The “Place Centrale” in the heart of Martigny is full of bar and restaurant terraces...and is the best spot for people watching.

Château de la Bâtiaz

Le Pont de la Bâtiaz 

La Chapelle de la Bâtiaz

La Dranse, a tributary of the Rhône

Morand Distillery shop

Author John Fante

John Fante was born on April 8, 1909 in Devon, Colorado. He wrote about writing and the people and places where he lived and worked, which included Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, the Bunker Hill district of downtown Los Angeles, California, as well as various homes in Hollywood and Malibu. Diabetes cost him his eyesight and led to the amputation of both of his legs. He died in 1983.

John Fante is a great author (but little known, at least in Europe). We can perceive his talent in his lyrical descriptions of Los Angeles, California (where most of his novels are set) and his vivid and somehow cynical portraits of his touching characters.

When I first read John Fante in July 2006, I instantly fell in love with his writing style and his universe. Within a few months I had read many of his books. My favourite is Ask the Dust (1939) which I have already reviewed. That said, I have loved all of Fante’s books. That is why I suggest you discover his novels.

My thoughts about Ask the Dust: This is an intense book which is easy to read. It made me want to read it again and, indeed, I have read it twice. The main character in this book is Bandini.  He encapsulates the entire history of an Italian immigrant childhood: the misery, the humiliation of the cheated mother and the beatings of the father. I have considered the possibility that Bandini is Fante, sitting in that dour Bunker Hill apartment, reflecting on a hard life of devastating failures punctuated by occasional successes. Bandini is a young man, among so many other aspiring writers. He only wrote a few books, leading a life in dingy hotel rooms and inspired by sensual love.

Hello!

After a month’s absence from my blog - I had a terrific time – I’m back from vacation and full of enthusiasm to bring you new stories!

I hope you had an amazing month of August and you enter September in style.

Next month, I’m going to share with you “visits” we made before the holidays, two author suggestions, excellent beauty products, my birthday celebrations and many yummy dessert recipes.

Oh, I had almost forgotten, I read each and every comment some of you left me on my previous post (Life lately - back to basics). I felt extremely touched by them and I THANK you for your understanding and support!

Lots of Love

A hundred colored umbrellas hung above the pedestrian area of ​​Old Carouge, offering a wonderful joyful atmosphere. This decoration will remain until the middle of autumn.

*Photos taken this morning