Hi - not a recommendation from me but I just read this on a chat with Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema on Feb 24/2010 and remembered when you mentioned you'll be staying at the Georges V Emma ""Rosslyn, Va.: I need to send a grand "merci" your way, Tom. Unknown to me, my now-fiance had contacted you a while back, asking for restaurant recommendations in Paris. One month ago, he told me we were going to Detroit/Canada for the weekend but instead surprised me with a trip to Paris (I found out at Reagan Airport, causing a petit scene where I jumped up and down in excitement at the news). Instead of two days in Michigan, we stayed in France for five and got engaged at the Eiffel Tower our second day there. Turns out he had been in touch with you and based on your wonderful advice made reservations at Cinq in the Georges V Four Seasons restaurant. This was the most memorable meal of my life...everything from the elegant champagne cart rolled out to celebrate our engagement to the keepsake picture with "Congratulations!" written on the frame to the box of chocolates they sent us home with. I felt like a queen dining at Versailles and began to tear up halfway through dinner as I took everything in. I know you had guided him to Cinq and later to Restaurant Drouant, and thanks to you we indulged in a foodie's dream come true that weekend. Thank you for helping make our engagement trip so special and unforgettable...you really went above and beyond. Merci beaucoup!! Tom Sietsema: Your post just made my month. Thank YOU for writing. Le Cinq is where I sent my parents for their 50th anniversary and I remember them raving about the meal forever after. My meals there have been nothing short of glorious."" Here is a link that might be useful: Tom Sietsema Postcard from Paris with Rec's from 2007

LOL, Arley. I'm not an opera fan but Elery is, so I'm going to show this to him, he'll love it. One of the local malls here often has a piano player on Saturdays. The older gentleman who accompanies the pianist sometimes gives impromptu waltz lessons to willing bystanders, and that's kind of fun. Annie

What a fun day! It's always a treat to meet forum members who you've posted with for a long time. Jessica pretty much covered the highlights of our cruising around the area, except for the Intervention which prevented her son from being the only college freshman whose mom bought him boots to wear when it rained. LOL She brought a California map so we could see where she and other western CF'ers live. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting The Evil One and the Cloudy One and look forward to the next CF GTG. Thanks again for the goodies. I've already used the pod for blanching peaches and it's a good size for my everyday cooking for two. The un-exotic story of the tattoo is that it was a 60th birthday gift to myself. The design is a typical PA Dutch motif that I've used variations of in needlework projects since I was a little girl. Annie, They're hot pork (beef, turkey, ham) sandwiches here too and on the menu of every diner or family restaurant. It was perfect fare since I recently had dental surgery.

I love the faces of the onlookers who are so clearly delighted. Too bad there's always a few who look bored or disapproving. I wonder what their lives are like. But I don't wonder for very long.