Le Macaron...A Taste of Paris in Miami

We headed out early in the morning, mother and daughter determined to sacrifice for one very worthy cause.

Please adjust your volume so you don't miss the music that accompanies this post.
Bous Le Ciel De Paris ... Under Paris Skies

The objective was to sample the subject, take good notes, and head back to our kitchen . . . eventually.

Let us tell you about this perfect taste of Paris nestled in the heart of South Miami.

Le Macaron, so many flavors, so little time.

I ordered Rose Petal, Miss A.J. chose a Colombian Coffee macaron.

Hers won hands down.

I had expected more of a soft cookie/cake texture, but it is more like a meringue sandwiching different fillings such as whipped cream, chocolate ganache, or jam.
Not to be confused with macarOOns which typically involve coconut.

Graciously welcoming photographs for our blog, we were greeted and served by owner,
Agnes Garrigou, a lovely French woman with a beautiful accent and heartwarming smile.

Works of art by chocolatier, Norman Love.

Macarons, chocolates, and crystal...can this get any better?
Yes, Agnes and her husband Quentin also serve fresh baked croissants and 12 flavors of gelato.

I'm not sure what I enjoyed more,
the colors and flavors,

the presentation,

the alluring French music,
or the dreamy splendor reflected on the "tres" pink walls.

I think meeting Agnes,
and gathering with my daughter at "une petit table."

Come back soon for our own kitchen follow up.

Le Macaron's website
Le Macaron's facebook
The Miami Herald article on Le Macaron
Photographs ©2013 Gathering at the Table


Linking with Beverly's Pink Saturday and
Anita's Simply Irresistible

Overjoyed Mama Bird

As some of you know, I never share family pics, but I think this special day belongs in my blog archives.

Me with my chickadees this Mother's Day...

...one blue-eyed guy and one brown-eyed girl...gifts from heaven.

My day consisted of flowers, chocolates, favorite bath products, 

hugs, kisses, laughter,
 and personally written notes that made my heart skip a beat.

As if that weren't enough, I found a nest in my garden too.

Another gift from heaven.

Needless to say, I am one overjoyed mama bird.

Hope you are having a beautiful Mother's Day, lovelies.

To see me and my chickadees over 20 years ago, scroll down to previous post.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Good morning, Glitterbugs. I may be little, but I was chosen to announce the Glitter and a Movie
 Steel Magnolias winning guest. Congratulations to Linda Adams of Random Creativity, who has chosen a Michael's gift card. Woo-hoo!!! If you missed her submission, here is the link to her beautiful tag, 
Thirty Minutes of Wonderful.

Special thanks to all who participated. 

Stay tuned for our next premier.  Now taking suggestions. 

The Greatest Part of Me

have I ever told you

how you changed my life

that I smile when you smile

and cry when you cry

perhaps you never notice

how I pray for you at midnight

save the best gifts for you

always see your heart

tomorrow is uncertain

I pray you'll know today

I'm blessed to be your mother

the greatest part of me

To my babies, now 23 and 20.
Happy Mother's Day...every day

Linking with Beverly's Pink Saturday

Still Here

Welcome to Gathering at the Table (previously The Shop Around the Corner). The vision has always been to serve; therefore, I think this title is a little more suitable.

via The Illustrator, a gift for a previous post

My name is Marcia, and I have been married to The Illustrator (aka my husband) for 28 years.  We are the proud parents of two young adults, Mr. E. (our son), and Miss A.J. (our daughter)...the loves of my life. I have a passion for creating and giving, and I enjoy making paper tags which I give away as encouragement to neighbors throughout the world.

I first opened this blog at the beginning of 2012; however, my blogging journey started in 2010, including two previous blogs which were crucial stepping stones. Why do I blog?  To connect with others. To me it is simply an adventure, a creative way to share the abundance of my heart.

Yes, such bloggers still exist.  We are a rare and seemingly fast-extinguishing glimmer, but we are still here. Somehow, I think the flame will manage to shine on even after we're gone.

Sadly, from the time I first blogged to the present, a lot of the dynamics have changed. Neighbors who started out for the same reasons have looked to other opportunities that aren't necessarily wrong, just not for me. To this day, I still prefer blogs that exist mainly for community and fellowship, as well as blogs that originally started out as small business ventures, many of which I support. There is a huge difference; however, in the increasing perfectionism and discontentment that I'm seeing today.

As I purposely choose to fix my eyes on the vision, I want to continue to encourage you to pursue your gifts--write, decorate, paint, cook or embellish to your heart's content--and above all, be the unique beautiful person you were created to be.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men..."
Colossians 3:23