Joyeux: A Parisian Breakfast

We are celebrating a milestone birthday for Paul today, he turns forty. Our plan was to spend it in a luxurious Parisian apartment in the Place de Vosges. You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men. Ours went awry with the decision to buy a new house this spring and a car emergency that warranted the purchase of another one. It's been a few years since we went to Italy for my birthday and I had hoped to give Paul the same incredible present that he gave me. The only thing I can afford to give Paul now is a picture of the Eiffel Tower in an Ikea frame, seriously, that's what he's getting. Photoshopped with us in the picture, isn't technology great? The best alternative is to give him the feeling of being in Paris on this very special day.

Europane has been a family tradition for many years. Paul & I spent our courtship over their delicious pastries and incomparable French toast, made only on the weekends. Our weekend breakfasts are more special when Sumi Chang, the owner, stops by to chat with the girls and offer us a taste of pastries fresh from the oven. Holly and Sophie are rewarded for their doctor/dentist torture sessions with a visit to Europane. Sometimes I randomly reward myself for the torture of motherhood and the savagery of my kids. A cup of latte with their fleur de sel macarons make the world a more civilised place. Europane is the kind of bakery/cafe that you would find in a typical French neighborhood. There's a great mix of people, Caltech staffers, young professionals and families with very happy kids. The European style pastries are made fresh daily and the egg salad sandwich sets the bar for all other egg salad sandwiches. This morning I braved the chilly weather @ 58 degrees, brrrrrr,,, and drove to Europane to pick up an assortment of beautiful pastries and a chicken pot pie to surprise Paul. The girls squeezed fresh tangerine juice and Holly picked a sweet bouquet from the garden. Fresh brewed coffee from Jones Roasters rounded out his Parisian breakfast. After breakfast Sophie played "Ode to Joy" on her violin, sending this birthday straight into the stratosphere.

Joyeux anniversaire a mon mari!