Moveable Feasts

It is a strange fact that as T's school is French that they do not celebrate Christmas or Easter. However, Valentine's day is a different kettle of poissons entirely.

We were given lists of all the names of the children in her class, and strict instructions that we had to make and sign 24 cards, and also decorate a box accordingly. Then I had to remember that it was a uniform-free day, with the emphasis on pink.

On Friday, the whole school turned up, many of whom had taken the instructions a little too literally and had decorated large packing cartons (a tiny bit hopeful there).

I think it took most of the afternoon for each child in her class to hand out their cards, but it was lots of fun for them. And although they won't be celebrating Easter, at least they get to celebrate this one American Feast.

Going by how the shops are decorated, I am assuming that the next one will be St. Patrick's Day. Now, where did I put that leprechaun?

The taste of honey (-ique)

There is a mysterious 6th taste-bud called umami, apparently - something bitter, somewhat sweet. However, I think there is another one. Let's call it "Nigel". It's the taste-bud that can identify flavourings eg banana, cherry - even though they taste NOTHING like the originals. Banana sherbet dib-dabs and cherry yoghurt's I find are the main culprits. Although I point the trembling finger of shame of the travesty known as The Grapple. Here we go, I thought, "an apple with the exciting hint of grape" - bit like a medlar fruit, or a custard apple perhaps. Something different. So I got it home, took it out of the (ubiquitous) plastic packaging, and got out the knife to give to T (what me? Eat fruit??). But I sniffed it first. Suspiciously looked at the packaging...."Apple, sprayed with grape flavouring".

Why would anyone do this?

Not only that, looking at the bag of food that I have bought for wild squirrels, it contains "hulled sunflower, peanuts, safflower, raisins, hulled pumpkin seed, pistachios, Artificial Cherry Flavor".

There is a bill-board on the side of the road to T's school "Grapes - the original grape-flavored snack". Indeed.