Bonjour! My love for French language and culture often inspires me to create a taste of France chez moi. I was lucky about to visit Paris in 2006, after I graduated from the University of Alabama, and still dream of visiting again one day (le sigh). In the meantime, I find ways to recreate elements… Continue reading Le French Picnic Chez Moi
Bonjour! This is an easy, breezy post on what will hopefully be an easy, breezy summer Thursday. It’s been a long summer in the middle of a very long year, and we all need a little break. What better to accompany a break from work or chores or news or pandemic worries (le sigh) than… Continue reading Easy Summer Mocktail
Bonjour! On a recent Saturday, L'Husband and I pulled together an easy, simple petit déjeuner français. One of the most overwhelming things about the pandemic and quarantine for me is not knowing when and if life as we know if will ever go back to normal. Being stuck at home, feeling like I cannot go… Continue reading Breakfast in Paris
Bonjour! A weekend morning is the perfect time to relax over a lingering breakfast (and bake!). As part of my commitment to joyful living and simple pleasures, I am trying to incorporate moments of quietude and pleasure instead of just rushing to do work and chores when I wake up. Being ever eager to accomplish… Continue reading The Pleasure Principle (and Paris)
Bonjour! This past Saturday morning, I woke up with the urge to bake. No, quarantine is not getting to me - I am a lifelong baker and have been helping L'Husband learn to bake. Maybe it was the drizzly, gray morning, surely invigorated by the tantalizing vanilla scent of fresh baked goods. Maybe it was… Continue reading Gluten-Free Quick Bread with Nuts and Fruit
Bonjour! I've spent a lot of time at home over the last four months and had the pleasure of spending extra time with L'Husband and Le Chien. We are adjusting to our new home in Vermont and working from home in our home office spaces. Despite the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic, we are… Continue reading Quarantine Scenes: Baking
Bonjour! Though it's the middle of June, spring has barely arrived in Vermont, and pollen is everywhere. My nose is dripping, my throat is scratchy and sore, and my eyes are bloodshot and itchy, zut alors. I used to just pop a Claritin or Sudafed and drag myself through the rest of my day in… Continue reading Ginger-Lemon-Honey Tea for Seasonal Allergies
Bonjour! This post celebrates Joyful Living's first anniversary. I started this blog one year ago this week, just shy of my thirty-fifth birthday. To celebrate, Joyful Living has a fresh look. I updated some style, design, and layout elements and created dedicated pages for food, travel, joyful living, and work. I'm also experimenting with a… Continue reading Happy First Anniversary, Joyful Living!
Bonjour! One thing I do to increase joy in my daily life is try to elevate everyday items and activities. I use fun napkins at mealtimes; I bring daffodils (a happy surprise at the new house) from the garden into the home; I light a candle on my desk and use a pretty teacup when… Continue reading How to Make Orangina at Home
"Those French! They hate us, they smoke, they have a whole relationship with dairy products I don't understand." - Meg Ryan, French Kiss Bonjour! Though I am staying at home now per order of the Vermont governor in response to the pandemic, I am finding ways to stay positive and connected, help local businesses, have… Continue reading A French Dinner Party at Home
Joyful Living with Katie Kritikos 