a friend of mine at my old job spent 6 months in ireland a few years ago. she said she enjoyed watching the seasons change and holidays approach with the certain things the irish did in which to celebrate: easter hats would appear in shop windows in march, certain flowers would appear for sale in spring. it's the same in america-- daffodils appear at the end of february, halloween candy comes into the stores at the end of august, ha ha.
i've noticed the same things here. the french love food and love to eat. my pal H told me how much she enjoys eating bread and not feeling guilty about it like she did back in los angeles. for about a month, until christmas, every chocolaterie sold these candied orange peels dipped in dark chocolate. god, they were good. B and i bought a bag in antibes and divided them out.
the kids told me that traditionally at christmas the french eat loads and loads of foie gras, smoked salmon, oysters and "buche," a rolled cake with ice cream. i asked them if they can eat foie gras anytime and they said, yes, they can, but they usually don't-- they get their fill at christmas and almost burn out afterwards.
right now every bakery is selling these pastry yummies called "galette des rois"-- king's cakes-- that the french normally eat after new year's day. it's a layered pastry with almond paste or fruit, and baked into every cake is a little figurine of a king; if you get the little king in your slice, you get to wear a gold paper crown that also comes with the cake. it's loads of fun, given you don't chew hard enough to crack a tooth.
i'm going to have to move my permanent tiara to make room for that gold crown. there is an all school staff "amicale" on friday with galette des rois and hopefully, champagne. i hope i get that little king.