Do not open til Christmas. Jamais la vie!

Just the other day we were talking about shipping Christmas presents to an address where my son, notorious for opening presents early, cannot find them. A previous year, we told him the presents were for Uncle Bob, a fictitious person we invented to prevent him from tearing into packages. My daughter is about the same in her enthusiasm for opening presents early. Me, I believe in waiting until Christmas morning!

Then, a box arrived on my doorstep. My son had texted me to say he had shipped me a present. I could open it early. Me? Open early! Jamais la vie! Never. I like to wait until Christmas morning, I reminded him. Two days passed. That box sat in the hall. Maybe if I just opened the outside box to peek. Well, he did say I could open it early.

A Nespresso milk frother! Perfect for a cappuccino. When we were in Paris in late September, two cafés refused to make us cappuccino. So maybe I should say that I never open presents early. . . unless they come early!

From Cafe to Countertop, Coffee!

These plates have a price printed on them—2F, ½ F, etc. In his Movable Feast, Hemingway described Parisian cafes that used these saucer plates under drinks to indicate prices--coffee is ½ franc, whiskey is 2F.

Today, less than 2 euros gives you coffee and the right to sit on a terrace for hours. The Crystal in Juan-les-Pins is one of my favorites because the coffee and service are good but mainly because the people watching is excellent. No need to bring a book or newspaper.

On sunny days, the Place aux Aires in Grasse has back-to-back cafes, which also serve lunch on the square that is used for the open-air market.

My kids are very particular about their coffee. Not only do we explore cafes, but we also have tested many coffee machines. Nespresso has colorful pods with numerous flavors.

I have a smaller version, the Pixie, which my kids gave me for my birthday. Was it to ensure I experience wonderful coffee back in the States? Or to guarantee great coffee on their visits?

Now that the coffee issue has been resolved, about the cups? Never enough!