I’m Lost in Cheeseland with a Giveaway

September 9, 2011/19 Comments/in Blog, Giveaway /by Jill Colonna

Today I’m proud to be a guest over at Lindsey Tramuta’s legendary blog, Lost in Cheeseland for her Franco File Friday feature.

For those of you who perhaps don’t know Lindsey yet, she is a lovely American living in Paris and writes about all topics of life in the City of Light. I’m sure there are countless amusing tales we can relate to as we have settled in over the years of la vie after marrying a Frenchman.

Lindsey was better prepared: she was no stranger to the French language, having studied it since she was 12 and continued her studies at The American University of Paris. I met my French sweetheart in Scotland where we spoke English together, so I arrived in Paris with a giant thud when I realised I had to speak French. Quoi? C’est normal; live in the country, speak the language – but somehow I hadn’t completely thought of that one before I came. I was too head over heels in love.

Raising brioche and kids

Now I love it when my children can help my French. Although being a Mum this week set another challenge with la rentrée (back to school) – hence my lack of blogging and online life.

I found myself back in the classroom on Monday morning, sitting next to my terrified daughter amongst a classroom of bewildered new students on their first day of Collège (the equivalent of 1st year at Secondary School.) New school, new teachers, new subjects, new friends, a locker with a code, new confusing timetables (week A, week B…) and a whopping load of typical French paperwork to complete. I wonder who was more scared: my daughter or me. Ouf! We have managed to jump that first hurdle and survive this first week. TGIF.

TGIFFF. Thank goodness it’s Friday. It’s Franco File Friday.

Head on over to the Franco File Friday feature over at Lost in Cheeseland

and enter the giveaway: 2 lucky readers can win a copy of Mad About Macarons

it’s open to all readers!

19 replies

Pauline says:
September 17, 2011 at 8:56 pm
So you had to visit cheese land? Hope it was near bread land and wine land, coming home to macaron land 🙂 Enjoyed the post.
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Manu says:
September 15, 2011 at 2:04 am
LOL I already dread the day I will help to help my daughters with their homework in… ENGLISH!!!! hehehehe
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Nami | Just One Cookbook says:
September 13, 2011 at 5:35 pm
I have a lot of Japanese expat friends here and I hear their struggle in language. Even though I live here I don’t understand everything so I can imagine how hard it is for them. By the time kids graduate from university, your French will be really fluent Jill. 😉 Going to check your guest post!
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marina mott says:
September 13, 2011 at 11:45 am
Jill, hi!! Thank you so much for stopping by! And for your words!! You know, I am one of the “mad about macarons” people!!
That brioche looks amazing!! xx
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- Jill says:
  September 13, 2011 at 11:48 am
  You sure are, Marina. The macarons and flowers on your blog are so beautiful! It’s like walking into this macaron oasis! 🙂
  Reply
My Wandering Spoon says:
September 12, 2011 at 6:07 pm
That is a dream….cheese land, lovely:)
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Tiffany says:
September 12, 2011 at 11:27 am
Congrats on the guest post! Heading over now!!! Happy Monday! 😀
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Cucina49 says:
September 12, 2011 at 4:26 am
Love the post–I always have envy of those living in France, language difficulties and all (but what a beautiful language it is!).
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ping says:
September 12, 2011 at 3:16 am
Hi Jill. Funny and entertaining article this. Not to worry, I’m sure you and your daughter will get adjusted in no time at all.
I’ve been wanting to tell you that I’ve finally got myself a copy of your book. I had my girl bring back a copy from the US since I can’t find it here. I’ve been devouring the pics in it and have great plans to attempt some of the very interesting ones in there … keeping my fingers crossed.
I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip to Thailand. Maybe next time, you could try moving a little southward to where I am and enjoy a whole different experience.
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Roxana GreenGirl says:
September 11, 2011 at 1:06 pm
i love cheese so cheeseland sounds like a heavenly place. Heading over to read your guest post.
Hope 1st day of school was without incidents.
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Chef Dennis says:
September 10, 2011 at 10:05 pm
hi Jill
I think the first day of school is scary no matter where you are, I can only imagine in a foreign language class.
I hope your daughter made out ok, I’m sure with a mom who makes incredible macarons she’ll make friends quickly!
Wish I was in Paris, how I do miss it!
Dennis
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Biren @ Roti n Rice says:
September 10, 2011 at 3:12 pm
I am terrified of paperwork even when I can read them. 😉 Heading over to read your post.
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Liz says:
September 9, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I’m so glad you got your daughter back into the swing of things without any major trauma…I think it’s almost as hard on us parents as they adjust. So fun to see you posting again…and I’m off to visit your guest post. Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo
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- Jill says:
  September 9, 2011 at 4:40 pm
  Lizzie, you said it! Bon weekend, too xo
  Reply
Parsley Sage says:
September 9, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Oh boy! I’m heading over there now to enter. I think with your book I’d be brave enough to try baking some macarons 🙂
Well done making it through the first week of school! Buzzed
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- Jill says:
  September 9, 2011 at 2:40 pm
  Thanks. If you can make all the fabulous things you do then these will be a piece of cake. Have a lovely weekend with Clarke Kent!
  Reply
Carolyn says:
September 9, 2011 at 11:38 am
If you’re going to be lost anywhere, Cheeseland is the place to be! Heading over to check it out…
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purabi naha says:
September 9, 2011 at 6:04 am
I liked this post and entered my comment about what I feel about your macarons (frankly) there. have a great day! Buzz!!
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- Jill says:
  September 9, 2011 at 6:42 am
  Thank you – what a sweet comment on the site! These curry macarons are hot 😉
  Have a wonderful weekend and crossing fingers for you. J xo
  Reply

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Teatime in Paris Reviews

It's not 'cos' I happened to paint the Paris pastry map endpapers, but I love this cookbook. I'd no clue I could bake but Jill's Teatime in Paris makes it easy to bake real French pastry. If I can do it so can you.

Carol GillottMaking financiers with ParisBreakfasts

Teatime in Paris is chock full of tips, advice, references guides, clear step-by-step (recipe) instructions, and on-line stockists. For anyone who loves Paris, loves French, loves pastries, this pretty pink book is just the treat!

Jamie SchlerHoliday Cookbook Gift Guide, Huffington Post

Jill shares the best and easiest ways to make French pâtisserie classics at home, from madeleines to éclairs. While some desserts may appear hard to make, Jill breaks down each recipe with a simple step-by-step, making them more than suitable to prepare for your own teatime, wherever you may be.

Lindsey TramutaLost in Cheeseland/Author The New Paris

"...Years ago, I read 'French Women Don't Get Fat'. Colonna writes with a similar levelheaded voice. All things in moderation...

RoyaGoodReads

This pretty cookbook is as tempting as the recipes it describes, and suspect am going to earmark it as Gift of the Year for everyone I know who loves baking, eating and Paris (so that’s everyone).
Rating 10/10

NicolaLiterary Ramblings

To start, Jill scribes a fabulous passage about how the French enjoy pastry while maintaining their waistlines; the section in itself is worth the price of the book.

Brooks WalkerCakewalker

This book is a gorgeous visual feast and would be a lovely gift for those who enjoy baking.

NeginGoodReads

Essentially, Teatime in Paris is an entire book of foodporn: page after page of delectable desserts, pastries, cakes and of course, macarons.

Christina ConteChristinas Cucina

Jill is very down to earth ...The recipes are written simply and with lots of tips and advice so that you can make cakes that turn out like the pictures and taste absolutely scrumptious.

Janine MarshThe Good Life France

Jill’s style is light, humorous and most informative. Each recipe begins with a brief introduction, detailing its history and/or associations ... The photographs are mouthwatering, the recipes are varied and interesting; most importantly they’re actually DOABLE.

ChocletteTin and Thyme UK

Thank you for showing us it is possible to create special looking treats that taste delicious but don't cost the earth with difficult to find ingredients and that are simple and successful to make.

Jacqueline BrownFrench Village Diaries

The book also includes a helpful chapter on baking equipment (the essential and the “little luxuries”) along with a list of stockists for ingredients and equipment in various countries. There’s also a useful “quick reference guide for egg whites”.

Mardi MichelsEat Live Travel Write

Jill’s pâte sucrée (sweet pastry or sweet tart dough) recipe yields the best pastry cases I’ve ever made. They’re sturdy enough for any filling, but just the right balance of crispy and tender when you bite into them. They also don’t get soggy over time.

Teresa McCarthyOneWetFoot Canada

I would love to make almost every single recipe in Teatime in Paris. This is really a feat in a cookbook as many times, I end up putting them back on the shelf when I am considering buying one, as there just aren’t enough recipes that appeal to me.

Christina ConteChristinas Cucina

Programmes like the Great British Bake Off have brought pastries like Paris Brest, macarons and all manner of fancy tartlets into the British consciousness as something that can be made at home. Teatime in Paris! gives you the tools to create these yourself and Jill's recipes make them much easier than you would think.

Janice PattieFarmersgirl Kitchen

The recipes in Teatime in Paris are very well laid out. I wish all cookbooks were this easy to follow. I also appreciate how accessible Jill makes French pastries … I adored this cookbook from start to finish.

Stephanie CarusoKitchen Frolic

It's nice to be able to impress your friends and family with a dessert that looks like it was made by a pastry chef, but I often feel those fancy French pastries are beyond my ability or available time. I had heard that chocolate pastry was really difficult to work with and ganache seems like a tricky thing to make, however nothing could be further from the truth as you can see from these Double Chocolate Tartlets from "Teatime in Paris!"

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As she walks us through recipes for the easiest of treats right through to to the crème de la crème, Jill points out some of the streets famous for the best patisseries in Paris, adding bits of history and plenty of baking tips, making this a recipe tour that’s both fun and accessible.

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From cover-to-cover Jill Colonna introduces you to teatime in Paris, both as a dining experience to partake in, and as the maker of the fine delectable pastry recipes she shares. You’ll develop a base knowledge of French pastry concepts, learn how less sugar plays a supporting role, and gain confidence as a beginning baker or strengthen skills you already have.

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