I came across a recipe for pouding chomeur that is apparently made in Canada. (I'll have to ask Dawson if she's familiar with it.) It was "loosely" translated as "unemployed pudding." French pouding means "plum-pudding." The French noun chomeur means "idle worker" or "unemployed." However, the French adjective chomable (derived from the same verb chomer) means "to be kept as a holiday." So I translate this very rich-sounding dessert as Holiday Plum-Pudding.
This, of course, makes me wonder why it's called "plum" pudding when there are no plums in it. And what brought about the difference in the British meaning of "pudding" (a steamed moist cake--pouding chomeur is not steamed--covered with alcohol and lit for serving) and the American meaning? Do you remember the tv commercial jingle for JELL-O pudding?
Good morning. It's too bad Julia Child is no longer with us. She might have done that research.
ReplyDeleteRe: reading - I just finished Martha Grimes' The Black Cat. Okay but not her best. I do like her characters. Robert Harris' Ghost Writer was actually quite good. Maybe there will be books for Christmas and I'm still deciding about a Kindle or Nook. I know you enjoy your Kindle.
Re: belonging to oneself - tricky in this age of noise and CNN on every wall in public places. I think we intuitively know our heart's path, but it's not easy to walk it. Good books and good friends and good blogs can encourage us.
Enjoy your wine tonight. TTFN
Hey Bluecat! I was looking on my bookshelves and found a Martha Grimes that I haven't read yet: Dust. It was published in 2007. I think my favorite is still The Man with a Load of Mischief--the first Richard Jury mystery as I recall. I read The Black Cat but don't remember it. My favorite character is Melrose Plant and his aunt Agatha. They don't seem to be in the later novels as much which is too bad. (I think authors, including authors of tv shows, should stick to the things that work.)
ReplyDeleteMontaigne started writing his Essays after he retired from political life. (He was in his late thirties.) When his father died he took over their estate but had tons of servants. He used one of the four-story towers on the estate as his library where he wrote. You're right about all of the distractions we have and he did not have. (I think I'm interested in him because I'm ready to "retire from professional life." Living a contemplative and secluded life has always appealed to me. But is that possible or really desirable? Heh!
I'm probably in love with Melrose Plant, or his Bentley.
ReplyDeleteYou'll find your way into retirement. Perhaps you can be a bit contemplative and secluded, unless that's like being a bit pregnant. You'll find a balance. I don't "know you" know you but I appreciate your responses on Chet's blog. You have a vast knowledge and inquiring intellect. Both will keep you busy.
The Ghost Writer movie was based on the book. Part of the last paragraph of the book:
"Am I supposed to be pleased that you are reading this, or not? Pleased, of course, to speak at last in my own voice. Disappointed, obviously, that it probably means I'm dead. But then, as my mother used to say, I'm afraid in this life you just can't have everything."
Surprising ending. Adam Lang's wife CIA from the beginning. How did the movie end?
Bluecat: (You're both kind and funny!)
ReplyDeleteSPOILER ALERT. The movie: The prime minister's wife (PM played by Brosnan) was with the CIA from the beginning because her university prof (played by Tom Wilkinson) was in the CIA. The main character (played by Ewan McGregor) dies at the end because he lets the wife know that he has solved the mystery of the manuscript: The first word at the beginning of the first several chapters says she's with the CIA. He leaves the party, crosses the street and is struck by a fast car. The audience doesn't see that but the sheets of the manuscript blow down the street after we hear a crash. I'm going to get the book.