14.50 - "Just say Thanks"
The best reminder I received all year was from a long-time correspondent who's been a "Mighty supporter" of le Bulletin forever + a squillion little fascinating francophile delights + WINNER Announced
Bonjour francophile friends, long-time and new… I’m thrilled that you’re here again this week - bienvenue - welcome.
What’s happening in MyFrenchLife Magazine - new articles.
Next… toward the base of this newsletter you’ll find the “Just say thanks” reminder I received.
The limited edition 2025 calendar WINNER announcement… below
If you enjoy this edition, please note that every week there is another entirely different version of le bulletin exclusively for paying subscribers.
14.50.a - Let’s Immerse Ourselves in Chablis, Bourgogne: a pictorial tour. Look for it in your inbox (or here)!
Judy - 14.12.’24
1. Let’s explore & read the new articles in My FrenchLife Magazine
Did you know there are >3000 articles in MyFrenchLife Magazine, where savvy francophiles love to immerse themselves and indulge?
Thank you to all Contributors to our magazine. I love that your articles take us from one end of France to another and constantly remind us of the rich culture of this wonderful and diverse country.
Merci.
Judy.
Here you’ll find the most recently published articles:
a) → Wissant: Local Challenges & Local Producers Organic Fruit & Vegetables— Part 2, Charolais Beef and Goats Cheese
by Caroline McCormick-Clarke
Wissant is a seaside commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Have you ever been to Wissant? Such a fascinating town!
Thank you Caroline for an opportunity to know more about the artisans and the entrepreneurs who ply their trade there. Make a note for your next visit to the area.
→Read the entire article. It’s wonderfully transporting. ←
b) →How France uncovered the mystery of forbidden photos of Nazi-occupied Paris
by Suzanne Vidal
Mystery photographer: I recently came across this collection of WWII photos that were taken by a man and his wife who worked at the famous department store, Le Printemps during the occupation of France” says Suzanne.
What a fascinating story Suzanne, thank you for sharing.
↓ CLICK IMAGE & read all the new articles on MyFrenchLife Magazine ↓
2. a) “Just say Thanks”
This week the best reminder I’ve received all year landed in my inbox and was from a long-time correspondent who has been a "Mighty supporter" of le Bulletin almost forever.
Firstly allow me to explain that over the years I’ve received emails and notes from this le Bulletin reader whom I’ve never met and know very little about. He’s almost like my authentic unappointed cheer squad and certainly an ambassador of le Bulletin. I’ll let you in on some of what I do know.
His name is Robert and he lives in the USA.
He writes to me under the tongue-in-cheek nom-de-plume of “Robear”
All of his messages are very supportive. He doesn’t always agree with me, and this I enjoy.
Now, to the very short email I received yesterday, are you ready? Here it is:
There needs to be a tab titled in red “Just say Thanks”
It could have a comma and “Judy" added!
Thanks!
Robear
Thank you, Robert!
Given it’s the end of yet another year, this reminder came at just the right time!
I have much to give thanks for… so I got busy and wrote my gratitude messages to all subscribers and contributors of MyFrenchLife Magazine and le Bulletin.
You will receive your message as an email this week, watch out for it in your inbox… the subject line is:
I wanted to say “Thanks”
PS: You may be wondering “What is a "Mighty Supporter”?
Le Bulletin readers may choose to support in several ways:
- as a free subscriber
- as a monthly subscriber
- as a yearly subscriber
- and there are wonderful people, whom I like to call “Mighty Supporters”
Thanks for reading!
Judy
2. b) A squillion little fascinating francophile delights… Joy-inducing
This week I was surprised by a squillion little discoveries and I wanted to share them with you.
(i) Food: Omelette aux Pommes - Apple Omelette - Symphonie of Eggs ←
by Jamie Schler
Oh to try this!
It was he who had an omelette sprinkled with fine crushed pearls served to him at his table. - writing of René de Villequier, Henri III’s favorite, in Les Cérémonies Tenues et Observées à l'Ordre et Milice du Sainct Esprit (Ceremonies Held and Observed at the Order and Militia of the Holy Spirit), 1579
(ii) Concept: Just a delightful idea - CafePli - Pli - Café à letters 38 Rue du Fbg du Temple, Paris 11 - www.cafe-pli.fr
I love the idea of postcards! Perhaps it is the romantic in me? Some time back the MyFrenchLife Magazine members conducted a postcard exchange from country to country. Not only was it popular but it was uplifting :)
I’ve come across this place before but wanted to share it with you today
(iii) Books: Novel Ideas - Paris
by Monocle Magazine no 178, page 107
Edited by Sophie Monaghan-Coombs with Photography by Renaud Marion
“On the internet, you find what you seek. But in a bookshop, you find what you weren’t looking for”
Simon Bouvier - Monocle’s Paris bureau chief
Too many places appear to have lost their love of the printed word. But the French Capital is a haven for anyone who wants to lose themselves in a thriller, find a first edition, explore the work of a great architect or photographer, or even teach their children to read… “ reads the introduction.
Monocle features 10 of what they believe to be the best 10 bookshops in Paris and it’s a great list, including many of my favourites, but also includes a number I’d not heard of. Get your hands on the current Monocle edition if you can. The list starts with:
7L, Karl Largerford’s bookstore at 7 Rue de Lille… “…after his death, Chanel purchased the store and has big plans for its bookclub which meets on the Wednesday of every, month for readings and cultural events.”
librairie7l.comLa Procure. “Of the handful of Parisian bookshops that have been open for more than 100 years, La Procure on Place Saint-Sulpice might be the most successful today.” La P{rocure has a thriving network of 26 shops across France. laprocure.com
Librairie Paul Jammes. “Librairie Paul Jammes is not the place for you to pick up an ephemeral beach read. Instead, every rare book inside is a piece of our collective history…” It is a fourth-generation family business.
librairiejammes.com
(iv) Shoes and Sustainability: Treading Lightly
by Monocle Magazine
In Bordeaux, a brand named Zèta is committed to sustainability. The founder, Laure Babin uses agricultural waste (think grapes & corn) to make shoes.
Following a partnership with Nespresso on its Moka Collection, which used waste from coffee production, the brand’s latest model, the Olea (pictured) features a material called Oleatex… created from crushed remnants of olives generated during the production of oil.”
zeta-shoes.com
(v) Tarte à la Citrouille - Pumpkin Pie…originated from France and highly esteemed by the Americans←
by Jamie Schler
You heard it right! originates from France! Read about the delicious and surprising history of Pumpkin pie… great read.
3. The Sonja Bajic Limited Edition 2025 Calendar WINNER announcement…
Thank you Sonja for generously donating this superb calendar and thank you all for entering. I have the pleasure of making this announcement and Sonja and I will contact the winner to organise shipping! Are you ready?
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
I'm delighted to advise that Jan Maddock has WON the limited edition 2025 Sonja Bajic calendar!!! woohoo! Congratulations to Jan!
Thank you to all entrants, both Sonja and I enjoyed hearing about your favourite tiny places in Paris that bring you JOY!!
Remember that these special calendars are for sale and would be a perfect festive season gift for family or friends. Here is the link: https://sonjabajicstudio.com/products/2025-limited-edition-wall-calendar-simple-joys-of-everyday-life
All the best from Sonja Bajic and myself
Judy
4. “Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’ newsletter” Judy MacMahon
I hope to see you here again next week
Judy MacMahon
Fondatrice
MyFrenchLife.org
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This was very nice to read. Just giving thanks is enough to feel at peace some days. I’d like to thank you for always encouraging me to keep on writing. One of many things to feel thankful for. You’re a very generous soul.
Joyeux Noël, Judy 🎄
Thank YOU Judy for bringing so many of us together here and sharing so many aspects of France that don't get covered elsewhere, from micro-reporting to major events.
I especially loved @Caroline McCormick-Clarke 's article about Wissant and the local producers in the area. These links in the French food chain deserve all the attention they can get!