1988
The first time my Mother came to visit me in France her impressions were:
1) The beauty of the fruits and vegetable stands.
2) That surely she had died, tripping over her tongue due to the antiques she was lapping up.
3) That a macaron is not very impressive looking.
I was excited to show my Mother Paris, (she wrote postcards that would later say, "…I have walked my feet off and still gained a hundred pounds!") The Eiffel tower, the open markets, Notre Dame, the brocantes…but more than anything I was excited to show her Laduree! To sit under the painted ceiling of the 18th century, ultra-romantic tea room, to sip tea and savor a macaron together.
My Mother nudged me and rolled her eyes when we walked in, whispering on the side of her mouth, "Fancy!" Her eyes widen at the beautiful display of desserts. Shyly she tapped on the glass counter to show me what she liked, but before she could say want she wanted, I told the server we would have two macarons. My Mother looked at the price, and gasped, "Never in my life have I ever paid such a ridiculous price for one little plain Jane cookie!" I reassured her that with one bite she would swear differently! (I must add that my Mother is, amongst many things, a master cookie maker, that she is known for her delicious darlings, her eye appealing chocolate marshmallow cookies!)
When we left Laduree my Mother purchased a dozen more macarons to take home. She told me that never before had she tasted gold.
photo: In a pastry shop window a macaron cozying up to a teacup. To send a postcard click here from Laduree's!
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