Advice goes down easier when taken with chocolate, n’est pas? At least that’s how we like to do it.
If your memory is really good, you may recall our last year’s Happy New Year Post about those traditional French chocolates that tout le monde eats during the holidays, Les Révillons. They are chocolate bonbons and truffles to die for, in many flavors, wrapped up like tiny gifts. And inside, une petite surprise: a little quote for the new year, en français, bien sûr, though taken from authors from around the globe.
This year’s quotes seem particularly good, so we have once again made a noble effort to consume many chocolates, to bring you lots of wisdom. Food for thought for a happy new year. Be sure to cover up those translations if you want to try your hand at the French. And who knows, they may inspire a resolution or two!
L’art, c’est le reflet que renvoie l’âme humain éblouie de la splendeur du beau.–Victor Hugo
Art, it is the reflection that returns to the human soul the dazzling splendor of the beautiful.
La jeunesse de l’Amérique est sa plus vieille tradition: elle dure depuis 300 ans.–Oscar Wilde.
The youth of America is its oldest tradition. It’s been going on now for 300 years.
Celui que pose une question risque cinq minutes d’avoir l’air bête. Celui qui ne pose pas de questions restera bête toute sa vie. –-Proverbe Chinois.
Those who ask ask a question risk five minutes of looking stupid. Those who don’t ask questions stay stupid their whole lives.–Chinese Proverb.
CHOCOLAT: un Caprice Honteux et Onctueux que l’on Croque en toute Occasion avec Légèreté, Amour, et Tendresse. –Anonyme.
CHOCOLATE: a Caprice unHoly and Oh so smooth which one Craves on every Occasion with Levity, Adoration, Tenderness and Ecstasy.—Anonymous (With apologies for my translation, had to get all those letters in!).
On s’étonne trop de ce qu’on voit rarement et pas assez de ce qu’on voit tous les jours. –Madame de Genlis
One is amazed too much with what one sees rarely, and not enough with what one sees every day.
Expérience: nom dont les hommes baptisent leurs erreurs.--Oscar Wilde
Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.
C’était si beau que j’ai fermé les yeux.–Yvan Audouard
It was so beautiful that I had to close my eyes.
Un seul être vous manque et tout est dépeuplé.—Aplhonse de Lamartine
You miss one person, and the world is empty.
Le baiser est la plus sûre façon de se taire en disant tout. –Guy de Maupasant
A kiss is the surest way to be silent, while saying everything.
That last one could only be French. And on that note, gros bises and Bonne Année to all!
RECIPE: Cafe au Lait de Poule
What does one drink with Les Revillons? Let’s do a little cultural mash-up and have a café au lait, but made with eggnog. The French don’t know from eggnog, it's not common here. But I adore their name for it: lait de poule, or 'hen's milk'.
Heat up a quarter to a half cup of prepared eggnog in a saucepan, just until hot. In a cup or mug, put a splash of bourbon or cognac, then a shot of expresso, or two if you prefer. Pour in the hot eggnog (froth it first, if desired). Top with whipped cream and nutmeg. Serves one, or two if you've already started on your diet for the new year.
In the Comments: SO many lovely Christmas wishes! Many thanks to all.
Favorite Reads: A great book from one of our readers: Hidden in Paris 
Our Reader's Blogs: "Gone to Provence in my mind", that would be Liza at Provence in Ann Arbor. Join her there for a fellow Francophile's food thoughts. Then there is Emily of Rue de France who is actually living the dream in the oh so lovely town of Annecy in the Alps.
Unless otherwise attributed, all POSTS, PHOTOS and RECIPES on this blog copyright ©2011 Lynn McBride. All Rights Reserved.
16 thoughts on “Life’s Little Lessons, in French and in Chocolate”
Omg fabulous post, Lynn. Your Happy New Year post last year introduced me to those yummy little chocolates. Love them! Who knew learning little factoids could be so delicious. That last quote is just beautiful. Bonne Année to you!
Lyn,, Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year, with each and every day filled with fun surprises!! I so enjoy your blog, it is one of my fun surprises when I see a new post from you!!
Bonne Annee to you and Ron!
I’ve loved the last two posts so much. The beauty and grace of the culture and language is hard to describe to others, but also the one thing that I promised myself I would never forget. Thank you for putting in words what is most memorable yet difficult to explain.
What a wonderful Christmas surprise to talk to you and our “French family of friends”. We miss you all, the chateau and our calm, peaceful life so much!
Best Wishes for a wonderful 2012!
Belinda Stuetelberg
Hey Lynn and Ron,
Happy New Year from Atlanta! I still enjoy reading your blog…haven’t tried any of your recipes, but maybe in 2012 I’ll be inspired to cook more for “one”.
Just wanted to tell you that I’m reading one of your Favorite Reads, “A Rather Remarkable Homecoming”. I got a kindle for Christmas! Love it!
I got to see Michelle, Carol Wilson, Jon Paschal, and David Darnell a couple of weeks ago for dinner. Really a nice group, you and Ron would enjoy us!! Haha.
Later gater,
Pam
Bonne Annee to you two. It was so nice to meet you this year. One day . . . one day I’ll have my own place in Burgundy.
Merci mille fois, Lynn!
Bonne Annee Lynn,
What a lovely blog again today! We receive the same beautifully wrapped les Revillons chocolates from our French friends in Orleans each year. Indeed what delicious little treasures each is. Your translations (far clearer than my own) were so fun to read and share with my husband and friends. Mille mercis …to your every happiness in 2012. We hope to be living the dream next year as well!
A bientot.
Happy New Year to you & Ron
Thank you for a very interesting year and all the wonderful reciepes it makes me feel very home sick for France .The weather in Melbourne will be very hot for the New Year celebrations and this years theme is gold .our Lord Mayor wants the the city crowd to wear gold to watch the fire works it should be interesting.Father Christmas bought me an I Pad?….. I love it Happy New Year to all your readers
Love Mariella & Michael
Lynn, are Revillons available in the USA? Or from where could they be ordered?
I love the French quotes and was able to figure out most of them, the gist, as we say.
I so enjoy SOUTHERN FRIED FRENCH. Bonne Annee a vous!
I should have said, “Bonne Annee, y’all.” LOL.
After reading about the candy, I tried (and failed) to find an online vendor. It would be great for my French classes here in Chicagoland…and waaaaaay less work than all the galettes des rois I used to furiously bake for all my classes, stuffing old 20-centime coins inside as a fève! Bonne année to all the francophiles and francophones out there!
Here is hoping that 2012 will be a good year for the world. It is certainly needed. Thanks for your blog.
I do love your recipes!
Today is our anniversary (51 years!)
We were married at 11am mass in 1960.
I will remember to go through the Amazon link on your page to order books..
Sarah
Loved your selection of French quotations. this is a favourite of mine.
Je me presse de rire de tout, de peur d’être obligé d’en pleurer.
I force myself to laugh at everything, for fear of having to cry.
Le Barbier de Séville (1773), act I, scene II
Hi Pam, SO great to hear from you! Glad youre keeping in touch with all the old buds, nice to have then close by. Tell everybody hello.
Hope you had a good Christmas with the kids. A kindle, what fun!
Were off to the states on friday. Hope to see Michelle in Fla. while were there. Have a fabulous new year. And come back and see us!
Love,
Lynn
Add mine to the happy list of New year’s greetings.
I want to tell you how surprised I was to see “eggnog coffee” in your post…I thought I invented this! Soooooo yummy.
What I did not invent was Eggnog Royale, delicious enough for non-lovers of eggnog: to a quart of eggnog, add a couple of tea cups size cups (not mugs) of double strength coffee (12 ounces, maybe or a little more), 1/3 cup EACH of bourbon, cognac and rum. Mix in some whipped cream (about half a pint, whipped pretty stiff) and top with little scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream. This is really an indulgence of calories and alcohol, I tell you! SMALL glasses of heaven, and perfect for Christmas Eve. Well, I think so anyway. This year I had my first Christmas party in THREE years (I have had pneumonia or asthma going on in December every year!), and I served this to mad acclaim, which was fun.
Save this recipe for next season, you will not regret it.
Reveillons…i forgot about them! Now, I want some!
New year’s Revolutions: Finish my book and get my web/blog site up. All suggestions welcome, feel free to email me.
Bless you dear Lynne and all faithful readers…you all amke my Fridays so wonderful!
The Chinese Proverb was my favorite. I just cracked up on that one! Thanks for the post. I loved reading all the quotes. I must take note of them for the future:)