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I am back from my trip to Paris.  What does this mean?  It means I am sitting in my apartment eating madeleines and drinking sirop de menthe.  It means that I have amazing chocolate in my pantry and good French butter in my fridge, and a stock of Belin Monaco crackers to snack on.  It means that for the next few weeks I will be hoarding a beautiful stash of foreign goodies for careful consumption.

Sometimes I think I know better what brands to get in France than I do in the States.  For example, I have a deep fondness for Mamie Nova brand yogurt, especially the apricot flavor.  My preferred brand of milk is Candia.  When it comes to butter, my mom likes beurre doux by President, while I enjoy beurre demi-sel (with sea salt crystals, mmm) by Grand Fermage.  I only ever buy mousse de canard by Madrange, and if we buy foie gras from the supermarket, we always stick to Labeyrie.  There are even more brands that I know and love -- Lu, Teisseire, Reflets de France -- and it is their familiar names, fonts, and colors that make me feel at home when I go grocery shopping in Paris.

Of course, I couldn't go to France without bringing home something for my family.  I ended up packing half a suitcase full of goodies to bring back.  Normally we also buy wine and gifts and such, but because I was traveling light and it was a short trip, I only brought back the minimum.  That's right.  What is pictured above is the minimum.  Bare bones.  Yes, we like our French food in my house.

But what about you?

For you, dear readers, I brought home stories.  Description of pâtisseries and boulangeries that were visited, taste tests that were conducted.  I will report.  But for now my still jet-lagged brain demands sleeps and so I leave you with a hint of what I had and what I will share...

Ladurée.