A moment in Paris...

Not sure what kind of moment. We're still looking for the photographer. It's titled Alex & Adele at the Bar. We just like it. Make up a story.

Scarf Chic, la quatrième partie...

GG's editor had this in mind for a while & then it was on A Cup of Jo yesterday. Ah well. Garance Doré has a terrific selection of photos & text under 'foulard'. This look is lovely but definitely for a jeune fille. (The jeune fille here is Jessica in London & we love her style.) bisou!GG Central

Notre Dame at Night

GG's editor is very upset & worried about the economy...we are very angry, too. C'est bizarre, le monde. So we're trying to calm down by looking at photographs. Oh to be looking at this in person! Ciao. (c) Free pictures of cities

Top 10 Paris Blogs

GG's editor recommends this article by Lauren Elkin. Visit her site, she's very funny & smart. Photos by the great Patrice Panfili.

A Cat in Paris

We're busy & photographer Patrice Panfili saves the day with laugh-out-loud pix. Most of his shots are people, streetscape. This is the only cat, but what a cat. GG is in love. What a puss on this puss. Patrice calls him (in French) "king of the town."

bisou
GG Central

Paul Newman, 1925-2008

Oh we are sad about the loss of lovely Paul Newman. We'll put in the link to his foundation soon. At the moment, there's so much traffic that the site is unavailable in its entirety. Above is a photo of Newman at the UN in 1979 as a representative. An unabashed liberal humanitarian, he always said that his single highest honor was inclusion on Nixon's enemies list. Here is the BBC's obituary.

We love, love, love him & our condolences to Joanne Woodward & their children, the rest of the family, & their friends.

xoxo,
GG Central

Happy Birthday, Bon Anniversaire, Trina!

GG's editor wishes her very dear friend Trina, in Germany, a wonderful day & year. They were university students together in Strasbourg (let's not say how long ago) & share a birthday week. Above are Trina's darling pups, Rocky & Termi. We hear storiesa about their hijinks--quite a handful. GG would fit right in. A French-Italian redheaded cat with (real) German dachsunds? No problem. We are all friends, now.

xoxo, GG Central

Une femme d'un certain age

Well, no we didn't start out with their looks in the first place...but still...it gives one hope!

Bon weekend, nos amis.
xoxo, GG's editor

Do I dare to eat a peach?

GG acknowledges T.S. Eliot’s birthday today. After all, he did love cats. (The musical is certainly not his fault.) The poem is especially à propos as there is a natal day at GG Central soon.

Remember September's Darfur Heroes

A reminder to read Suliman Giddo's inspiring story on the Save Darfur web site. He is a good & wise person & GG's editor is proud to call him a friend. Suliman was also given an award recently from Strayer University in Washington. Strayer is contributing 50 computers to DPDO in Sudan; it will be the first computer center in Darfur.

Suliman is President & Co-Founder of Darfur Peace & Development Organization. DPDO is partnering with Tents of Hope for an event on the National Mall, the weekend after the election. Please visit the links, even if you can't be in DC. Tents of Hope isn't only a humanitarian project, but serves an artistic purpose, as well. What more could one possibly want?

More news as the event approaches & the tents make their way to Washington.

Ciao- meow/GG Central Mgmt.

Welsh Duffy

Giulia & her editor have had fun listening to Duffy, the Welsh pop/soul singer this last year. Here's a link to Warwick Avenue. Did you know that she grew up speaking Welsh? That's rare these days. GG's editor is inordinately proud of Duffy's success & Welsh-speaking origins. Sort of silly as she can choke out but a few Welsh phrases & sing songs (learned phonetically) for St. David's Day (1 March). Recipes for Welsh goodies (there are some!) forthcoming. It's raining & very Welsh-y. GG eagerly awaits tea time.

Good evening!
cariad, GG Central

National Book Festival 2008

Giulia & her editor can't go to the festival this year (there's a birthday at GG Central on the 27th!) but it's amusing & we often run into writers & artists we know & see about three times a year. Hope for sun & go. You'll be around a lot of museums, so a quick hop into one or two is always satisfying.

2008 Festival Artist: Jan Brett

Scots We Like...Craig Ferguson

Yes, yes, he's a citizen now. But he's still Scottish. Yes, he makes fun of 'ladies with cats,' & blows up a kitten picture at the end of the Late, Late Show sometimes. (GG thinks it funny, so...) When he's on, he's on in that hilarious, nutty Celtic/British way. Also: he notices 'ladies' fashion' in an attentive manner; wrote a well-received novel. He also writes screenplays, acts, & directs independent films. He comes to TV not just via the Drew Carey show, but out of experimental theatre (presumably the Edinburgh Festival). I know! (We said it before he did.) GG Central loves his accent & silly manner.

We don't usually stay up that late, but during the Olympics we caught his show several times. Ferguson was the sole late night person (on broadcast TV, anyway) who mentioned "Darfur" at all, at all! The photo is from the Emmy's a few years ago; there he is with his mother. The tuxedo was donated to an auction to raise money for Darfuris. Read this article in Men's Health about losing his father; he was nominated for an Emmy for a monologue he gave before writing the eloquent essay. The things you learn when you stay up too late.

Cheers during a difficult week, wherever you happen to live. Make yesterday's recipe, you'll feel much better. Barring that, make some tea. Even if you don't drink it, this gives you something to do while you fret.

Bisou, cheers,
GG's editor

Redheads for Obama

Wouldn't this look adorable affixed to Giulia's collar?
ciao, GGCM

Nigella's Supper Onion Pie for Tough Ttimes

It's officially autumn, there's a night chill, & the state of the union is absolutely appalling. We need sustenance. Nigella Lawson's supper onion pie is impressive vs. the amount of time & money spent.

To the inevitable "cheese is so expensive & fattening" remark: buy only the amount needed for a recipe. This cuts down on snacking, & therefore cuts 'cooking calories' & cost.The recipe is below as it is not on Nigella's website. Here are two good food blogs that feature the supper onion pie so you can see the photographs & extra tips. It really is easy, though, & How to Be a Domestic Goddess is well worth buying if you can.

We couldn't resist putting in a photo of Nigella in her funny T-shirt. We want one for our lovely English friend, Maid Marion. It will pay her back for giving GG's editor a t-shirt of a tiara-wearing cat & "It's not easy being a princess" on it! (OK, it is funny.) Cheeky woman...

PS: Only for humans...felines are forbidden to eat anything from the onion/lily family. Sorry, Giulia.

Supper Onion Pie
(from Nigella Lawson’s How To Be A Domestic Goddess)

Filling:
4 medium red onions
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 heaping tablespoon butter
salt and pepper to taste
3-4 springs of thyme, de-stalked, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons or 5 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese or Gruyere, grated

For the scone dough:
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 scant teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
scant 1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 scant teaspoon dry English mustard
1 large egg, beaten
8- to 10-inch cast-iron skillet or 9-inch pie plate, buttered

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Peel the onions, halve them, then cut each half into 4 segments each. Heat the oil and butter in the pan, then add the onions and cook over a medium heat, stirring regularly, for about 30 minutes; they should be soft and tinged with color. Season with salt and pepper, and add the thyme. Turn into a pie dish, and scatter 2 ounces of the cheese over the waiting onions. Leave while you get on with the dough topping.

Put the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl with the remaining cheese. Pour the milk into a measuring cup, add the melted butter, mustard, and egg, mix well and then pour onto the flour mixture in the bowl. Mix to a dough using a fork, a wooden spoon, or your hands; it should be quite sticky.

Then tip it out onto a work surface and press into a circle about the size of the pie dish. Transfer it to the dish, pressing it to seal the edges. Put it in the oven for 15 minutes, then turn down to 350 F. and give it another 10 minutes, by which time the dough should be golden and crisp on top. Let it stand for a couple of minutes, then cover with a large plate and turn upside-down so the plate's beneath.

Nigella eats this with brown sauce, but it's not necessary. (If you’re not up to making it--we aren't—it's readily available at the market.) Makes 6 generous slices.

(photograph by James Merrell)

Pierrot le fou

There's absolutely no reason for this except that we're feeling a bit fou here at GG Central. Not sure we can publish tomorrow (this written Monday) & always loved this still from the film. GG thinks she is much more fetching than Anna Karina & her editor isn't going to disagree, but counsels GG that this isn't a competition. Who knew this many people would be obsessed with A.K.? Egad.

GGCM

Redheaded Lily Rose. Visit Garance Doré

This is an excuse to put in another photo of the legendary Lily Rose, the Redheaded Cat. It's also to urge everyone to visit Garance Doré's site. She has extraordinary photographs & a post titled Early Winter today (September 22). GG's editor feels better just looking at her work.

bisou!
GG Central

Autumn jackets...vintage or new?

Giulia is so fortunate to have a gorgeous, flattering, well-fitted flame & white fur coat. Always stylish, clean, & suited to every occasion. Alas, GG's editor is not a well-loved domestic cat & in need of an autumn/winter jacket/coat. A few things above from Vogue patterns... a swing coat is a style we like. The search continues. Happy first day of fall.

GGCM

Blue Eyes for Obama

This is about all we have to say today (that is printable), in the midst of such (preventable) terrible economic/world news. GG had her pin, & now GG's editor has hers. Both & more available here.

Ciao,
GG's discouraged editor

Scarf Chic, la troisième partie...

We can't really publish today as blogger.com is tied up in knots & has been for hours upon hours. We do wish we could be as calm & chic & cool as the woman with the cat in this fabulous drawing. It's from Sonia Rykiel, via one of our favorite French fashion/style/design/illustration blogs by garance doré. We'll have to "dress" up this post later. Enjoy. We're off to fume as this is not a propitious start to a weekend. GG is already kicking back...she is a cool, calm cat today.

GG's annoyed publisher/editor

Do you Twitter?

Giulia & her editor find this Twitter business amusing & slightly terrifying. We signed up because friends around the world kept sending us messages that they wanted to 'follow' us. Yikes. We still aren't sure how we feel but we love, love, love this logo detail & want this adorable bird on GG's site.

Scots we like...Annie Lennox

Well, we're hardly going to post "Scots we detest," are we? (You never know.) GG & her editor play Medusa often & last night we got to thinking about Petula Clark's Downtown (GG's favorite pop song) as a corollary to Downtown Lights. And no, we aren't going to deconstruct it. Just a thought. Both are heartbreaking in wildly different ways.

As Annie is so very cool & stylish & arty, we knew there'd be a ton of pix on the web from which to choose. However, we vastly overestimated the amount of time we'd have today--so this is necessarily brief. Annie was named the Glamour Woman of the Year for Inspiration 2008 (UK); we couldn't agree more. She also advocates on behalf of Darfur & children elsewhere in the world & for that we are so grateful.

Have a great evening... xoxo, GG's editor

GG Central: Walk for the Animals Reminder

Reminder! Walk for the Animals is great fun. This year, in Washington, DC, the date is Sunday, 5 October 2008. Go here to register. (The check-in line moves much faster --& you get the stuffed goody bag right away--if you pre-register on-line.) Of course, you can just up & go at the last minute, too.

You don't have to bring a dog-- there will be plenty on hand for fun. Everyone loves people to fuss over their pooch. GG is not going; neither is GG's editor due to a prior engagement on the very same day. Wouldn't you know both are on the 5th?

GG & Rodin's Dancing Figure

A pretty postcard propped up for years against a stack of books; a Rodin drawing in the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC). GG has been leaping & prancing all day, twirling & twisting in the air like a snowboarder. She prefers to think of herself as a feline dancer. And she still wants those flamenco earrings. Sigh.

Have a lovely evening.

ciao-meow, baci, bisou
GG's editor

Flamenco chic

GG & her editor love these accessories from Flamenco World. GG Central has read the newsletter for years & still only daydreams about a flamenco class. GG likes to stomp around on her pink paw-pads, & has done so for several hours. GG covets a pair of Spanish earrings. Honestly, can you see how she would be able to wear them? No? Didn't think so. The GG vs. editor power struggle continues...

Ciao-meow,
GG Central Mgmt.

Leeks

It occurs to GGCM that we mentioned Wales today. So if the full moon awakened you, & inexplicably you are looking at a computer screen, here's a petite video from Mireille G. Did you know that there was a leek shortage in the States after French Women Don't Get Fat was published? I know! Americans are nothing if not enthusiastic.

Now go to bed!

GG Celebrates Owain Glyndwr

GG is not sure how to celebrate other than watch her editor eat some leeks. There's been a movement afoot in Wales for some time to have an official Owain Glyndwr holiday.

Anyone who is mad for romances & things medieval will love this...GG Central isn't as keen for this as some, but acknowledging one's roots now & again is fun; and St. David's Day (1 March) if a long way off.

This is from the Owain Glyndwr Society/Cymdeithas Owain Glyndwr bilingual site. So eat a leek (not only French women eat leeks!), & cheers to Owain.

"OWAIN GLYNDWR had no need to rebel. He was a wealthy landowner married into a noble family and led a comfortable existence. But something stirred him into rebellion and he is one of Wales's most romantic and famous icons nearly 600 years after the start of his campaign.

The rebel Prince was recently voted the seventh most influential figure of the millennium in a worldwide poll of politicians and academics, such is his legacy and impact on Wales today"....read more....

xoxo, cariad
GG

The Full Moon, Paris/La pleine lune, Paris

The moon is a recurring theme at GG Central. Tonight's full moon is called the Full Harvest Moon. This month, instead of Athens, our inspiration is la pleine lune, Paris. GG chose the lovely photo by Marco Zandona via Flickr. GG's editor saw more fabulous Zandona pix from Tunisia--one of our favorite countries.

Ciao, bisou, baci. xoxo, GG

Darfur Heroes in September

GG’s editor is pleased to report that the Save Darfur Coalition has named good friend Suliman Giddo, president & co-founder of Darfur Peace & Development (DPDO), a Darfur Hero.

Suliman’s story, & that of his compatriot & co-honoree Marwa Salah Eldin Abdalla, is featured on the Save Darfur Website/Blog for September.

Please read about these courageous Darfuri Diaspora leaders & their struggle to be heard in a country that is allowing itself to be distracted by pigs-in-lipsticks nonsense.

(GG Central awaits a press release from Miss Piggy. She must think this is as ridiculous as we do. We’re just saying….)

GG Garden Reminder: Order those bulbs!

Takoma Park's 31st Folk Festival & Silver Spring's 5th Annual JazzFest

GG's editor will be at the Amnesty International #297 table in the afternoon. Please stop by & say hello. [GG is staying home...she'd cause mischief & eat fried food. She is on strike -- from what? -- protesting her exclusion.]

The Takoma Park Folk Festival is always a lot of fun. We hope to see you on Sunday.

Silver Spring's great JazzFest is today (Saturday) & there's information here. More later. These festivals have snuck up on us even though we walk past the posters in the neighborhood every darn day. Sigh.

xoxo, GG Central

Jazz in Silver Spring

Come & celebrate. It's so much fun!

Meet you at the "Quandary House" for a half-pint later...or at McGinty's.

xoxo, GG

Isabel's Birthday Berry Trifle

Happy Birthday, Bella Isabel!

It is just like our dear friend, the sophisticated September-born Isabel, to have berry trifle for her birthday instead of the expected. GG Central has about 5,000 pix of Isabel & wouldn't you know it, we're in the midst of a reorganization of all photos. (Out-of-date, slapdash collage will be replaced in a break with GGCM editorial policy.)

Also, we owe an apology to the lovely Imogen, Isabel's sister pictured in the Christmas photo, as her birthday was last week. GG's editor promises to get back up to speed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, a wonderful evening & weekend to Isabel, Imogen, & their parents K&J. We'll publish K's personal berry trifle recipe soon, along with an all-about-Nigella post.

xoxo, baci, & happy birthday, darlings!

GG & her overworked editor

Cat Lovers for Obama

GG Central overwhelmed with work, the real kind. GG's editor did return home late last evening thinking about Spain, but it was really about Javier Bardem's film - not Spain. (Don't worry if you don't follow...all will become clear eventually.) GG's editor had this big Spanish/ flamenco/design/food/great earrings/stuff in mind & life intrudes. So just a little statement of support here until later. Fantastic Obama pins of all sorts were featured on A Cup of Jo a few days ago. This is but one of several we'd love to have.

Good-night, all
xoxo, GG

September 11, 2001

Our copy of the New Yorker's September 11 issue has a permanent place in the 'important pile,' in a basket. The cover by the great Art Spiegelman, when it arrived later that awful week, was perfect.

A peaceful Wednesday at the Phillips with GG

We wish we could go to the Phillips but can't tomorrow. This is last autumn's magazine cover...our membership lapsed in the spring. Still it is pretty. GG's editor has many maxims, one being..."nothing bad can happen to you in the Phillips..." Its true!

So if you are in the Washington, DC-area take yourself to the Phillips. It's great with someone, but eminently suitable for a date with yourself. (No need for membership to see the permanent collection for free/small donation)... after that, go into the shop...lovely art stickers for about $1.25...postcards (they sell stamps, too), a petit riens.

Then go to the café & write postcards, or in your journal, or people watch. It's open until 4pm.

If you should happen upon a long-legged, pink-nosed ginger & white cat wearing a chic moss-colored cotton collar, tell GG to return home pronto. She's plotting a trip, it's quite obvious. She's rifling through the art books of late--especially those from the Phillips. You will most likely run into the bohemian GG in the café; she aspires to hold a weekly salon at GG Central & GG Central Management has not made a decision yet.

Have a great Wednesday, whatever you do.

Ciao, xoxo, GG's editor

Ce soir...a quelques petits riens pour le plaisir

GG Central is very homesick for Europe.

Recently saw an old Anouk film (terrible but she looked fantastic--the men's clothes were eh). Looking out that Paris window every day is the stuff of dreams. (First seen on A Cup of Jo/from flickr.)

ciao-meow, bisou, baci
xoxo GG

Scarf Chic, la deuxième partie... inspiration in color

GG Central loves M & Co. Someone's having fun with Picasa (or similar). GG's editor has much Picasa-ing to do & no time. Until GG Central has the Scarf Chic series under control, we'll acknowledge sites that have it together. Visit!

That's right. We're punting...while GG does cat-yoga stretches to Petula's Downtown.

GG's Beleagured Editor

Tents of Hope is coming to Washington, DC

Tents of Hope is coming to Washington, DC from 7-9 November!

Here are some links about the event that are available so far. This program is a mission of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The entire weekend is part of the Save Darfur Coalition-sponsored student & adult activist training & conference weekend. This link is a great page of "who's participating?"

If you & your family or group of friends would like to purchase a tent, it's not too late. Please click here for the details.

GG is pleased to announce that Darfur Peace & Development Organization will be receiving some tents (the number is not final yet). There will be many future announcements, but please save the date. There will be the opportunity to make art (tent painting)...stay tuned.

A little Provence, a little Silver Spring

Bread, some Fourme d’Ambert, mixed with a bit of sweet butter, nuts, olives, & a slightly chilled dry rosé make for a lovely late summer’s evening. (It’s still summer as far as GG Central is concerned.) Above is a label from a bottle we enjoyed last summer…nothing fancy, just right.

GG Central’s friend Bibi came to dinner a few weeks ago. She brought a delicious rosé, a Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, ‘Sabine,’2007 (Syrah/Grenache). It’s very affordable, so run out & get some if you can. GG’s editor served rare slices of magret on wild greens, cannellini vinaigrette…The delicious wine (& grand company) kept us at the table long into the evening.

Tonight, a different sort of Provencal evening; some lavender bath gel & a smidge of L’Occitane lavender hand cream. Stress in GG Central continues. The Bach Rescue Remedy is not enough, so we’re calling in Provencal lavender reinforcements. The good work of the L’Occitane Foundation also conjures soothing thoughts.

Though GG has lots of work tomorrow, she’s looking forward to seeing two of her favorite people, Isa & her bambino, le petit P.

Two weeks ago, GG’s editor & Isa had fun watching P. bravely encounter the Silver Spring fountain. That’s him in the photo above, performing with the dancing waters…he’s adorable & already has his maman's panache…especially when he speaks Franglais. GG’s editor delights in the honorific ‘Tata’ to this petit lapin.

GG pouted as she was left behind. GG's editor has decided that as soon as appropriate accessories are in hand (halter, lead), GG can make some field trips. For that, we must borrow a camera!

Sweet dreams, nos amis.

Bisou, xoxo, GG