Lately

Bonjour!

I hope things are going well with any readers.

I recently started finding ways to relax.  It's one thing to be bored, but it's another thing to make good use of one's time and spend it doing things that enhance your well-being, even if those things are quiet and slow-moving.

I still want to develop a vegetarian diet for myself and I still want to be a published author. I believe I can make these things a reality.

Until next time,

Gertie✌

Vegetarianism

Bonjour,

How are things?!  I hope everything is fine with any readers out there.

Lately, I have been interested in cultivating peace of mind.  I am a worry-wart and that is a habit that I want to eliminate, for my well-being and health.

To meet this goal, I have decided that I'd like to be a vegetarian.  I'm not sure if I've written about this before, and if so, I'd just like to say that this desire still stands, but with more valid reasoning other than simply wanting to have a smaller body frame.

Vegetarianism is good for one's spirituality, for animals, and for the earth.  Everyone benefits.

Wish me luck!  Any comments are welcomed.

-Gertie 😋

Still here

Bonjour,

I hope things are going well with you all.

The last time I posted, I said I would be writing a book.  I mentioned my identity as a creative person, a writer.  I am still creative.  I am still a writer.  But I don't know how long it will take me to write a book.  

My ideas for the book require some research and hard work.  Theoretically, this should be a breeze for me.  In reality, I'm not quite sure I have the energy for it. 

What made me want to write a book?

I'd like a career, of course!

I am a pianist, as well.  But I am not currently playing the piano for any churches or anywhere at all, for that matter. I don't know how long it will be before I get another job.  I hope it will be soon.

Enjoy life,

Gertie 💞

Much better now

Bonjour,

Its been a week since I've written for you.

Here are my recent thoughts:  things get better with time.  A recent theme of mine has been one of patience and going with the flow.  An added concept for this train of thought is prayerfulness and faith.  Finding peace of mind in a healthy balance of faith in one's religion or God can be revitalizing and can give the necessary push to get through a tough time.

So here's the news: I'm writing a book!

I've written thousands of words in poetry over my lifetime.  I excelled in writing and literary or language courses.  I've been lamenting the fact that I don't have a job, but I realized that the lack of an official job doesn't have to keep me from having a career.

So I delved into my identity as a person who is loving and creative.  I'm a writer.

More to come, 💗 🐝

- Gertie

Piano, books, and friends

Bonjour!

TGIF!

It's been a great week.  I spent the week in thought about how to reconnect with friends.  So I did the cool thing:  Facebook!  Friendships are so important to maintain over the years.  

So, I have an idea.

I recently purchased a book online.  It's Hanon's Virtuoso Pianist: 60 piano exercises to improve technical skill.  If a pianist wants to be a great musician, they must have good technique and know their scales.
I'll start with scales and technique, build a nice 5-piece repertoire, and record myself playing the songs.  I plan on posting the recordings to YouTube.  

In other news, my library book is so relatable that it makes me giddy.  There are things that I've experienced that made me feel like I was the only one.  But I've found that this just isn't true.

Overall, this has been a week of more emotional progress.  I'm thankful.

-Gertie

What's up?

Bonjour!

This week is flying by.

That's what happens when you're having fun.

So.  There is something in progress with my education.  I should know of a decision by next Monday.  I'll keep you posted!

Yesterday was my first day back in the gym after a few months of a hiatus.  I only spent 30 minutes working out, just to warm up to being there again.  I don't want to have a burnout or get tired of exercising.  I've gained 9 pounds, but I look forward to slimming down and getting in shape.

Here's a confession:
I turned in my library books before I finished reading them.

This was painful because I feel guilty when I don't read, so I felt guilty for not completing my library books.  But I have since been liberated.  I realized that the public library is here to stay.  And unless those books are lost or not returned, I can always check them out again.

I know that my anxiety about these issues probably stem from something deeper, because this realization has been extremely liberating.

I feel like I have grown in patience, knowing that when I am ready, those books are somewhere in the world for me to check out or purchase, and that it's not a big deal if I haven't started or finished them yet.

And.  I checked out 2 new books, one of which I am reading through rather quickly (it's proven to be very good) and the other one is one that I haven't started yet, but its by my favorite author, Sophie Kinsella.

In other news, yesterday was International Women's Day.  I took time to enjoy being happy to be a woman.

There's more to tell you, very soon.😊🌼


-Gertie

Bonjour!

I have made what I'd like to call emotional progress.  Being aware of one's self is so important.  Sometimes its easy to forget all the gifts and talents we are blessed with.

I've been given a musical talent.  I play classical piano.  It's been this way for so long, that I had almost forgotten that, with dedication and good ole' networking, being a concert pianist can prove to be a lucrative career.

I hope to tackle this musical rut that I'm in by practicing technique and music theory on my own for awhile.  Then, I'll start rebuilding my repertoire.  

I feel at peace with this decision and hope to have everyone's support with this endeavor.

Many thank yous's,
Gertie

New direction

Bonjour,

I would like to offer my sincere apologies for not posting for so many days.  Life happens!

In other news, with my recent mantra of going with the flow, I've decided to simply focus on what it is I am already doing: reading!

It seems to take forever to get ingredients together for a recipe.  I hate excuses, but this is true for me.

So I will be giving book reviews and opinions on movies, magazines, Netflix series, and my own life. And if I happen to stir up a nice dinner, great!  I hope you find it interesting, if not entertaining.

Sincerely,
Gertie

Chicken parmesan

Hi! 🐝

The weekend is coming to a close, but with that close, I am attempting to have an open mind about certain things.

I have been waiting for the freshest ingredients and an opening in my budget for authentic French tomato sauce, but I've grown impatient with not having any food pics on the blog.

So!  I'll make a nice Chicken parmesan in the beginning of the week.  I'm not sure if it's French, but there are lots of cheeses and really tasty flavors.  

The author of the recipe book, Julia Child, was American, but loved French cooking.  I'm American and love the French language and culture.

So I guess it will be okay if I budge just a tadbit from my original plans and start with an American recipe.

This idea comes from wanting to have an open mind about things, a little more often.  I usually am very rigid in a decision, after being excruciatingly indecisive.  

I know.

So, chicken parm it is.  Pictures and recipe soon! 🍝

Wines and cheeses, always pleases,

-Gertie

New possibilities

Bonjour, 😊

It's the weekend!

And I've rewarded myself, as promised.  I have decided to be more open to being in a romantic relationship and also to giving birth to a child.

My ex-boyfriend (who was 4 years my senior) and I broke up 7 years ago.  I haven't had a serious relationship since then.  That seems like a long time, but being a serial-dater hasn't been on my top list of priorities.  I like to date with a purpose.

There are so many reasons to be single, but there may be even more reasons to be in love.  And still even more incentive to raise a family with the one you love.

"Getting married and having kids makes you live longer!" Lol.

Not to be capriciously sardonic, but yes, that was a joke. 

In all seriousness, I've moved on from the stifling period of my life in which I was with one of the most controlling, stagnating guys ever.  I'm ready to see how it feels to enjoy being in a partnership, a 2-person team. 

Finally, I have become open to giving birth.  I would like for my future children's dad to be present; thus, the wait.  But I feel closer to ready than I was before.  But not quite ready.

My credit score needs repairing.  And I have a few pounds to drop.  And, I have to be in a relationship first in order to get married and/or have kids.  (This isn't a given for everyone).

Also, a significant other makes the perfect taste-tester when trying recipes. I love to dote on a boyfriend, when I have one.  And eventually, I'll love having kids and being a mom.

Whose to blame for the sudden baby fever?

A book by my favorite author and a visit to the local women's center for a family member's appointment.  The sonographer at the appointment said that her baby was 'swimming' in the womb.  It's arms were making swim-like movements! How adorable!

But before having kids, many conditions and criteria have to be met by both me and the potential father.  Either way, the idea has become a future reality.  That's more than I can say for the rigid, icy person I was last year.  Besides I've been having dreams about puppies and forests, which symbolizes springtime and fertility.

It could be fun.  The most reassuring fact about pregnancy: it's completely possible and totally safe to hit the gym while carrying a child.  That's very important to me.

Maybe I'll have great news about this very topic in the next couple of years.

  googoo gaga, 🐕🐣

-Gertie

Too much of one characteristic

Hello, 😇

TGIF!

It's the weekend and I'm going to spend it rewarding myself.  Introspectively, I need change.  More than 2 cents.

I need the type of inner transition that catalyzes a lifetime of positive habits.  But also, I need for that change to be gradual.

A few days ago, I announced that my first recipe will be tomato sauce from a French cookbook, written by an American woman.

I could've chosen any recipe to be the first.

But I don't have the technical skill set that is necessary to make those recipes.  At least not yet.

And while I could try, it would be an injustice to the quality and integrity of the food, if I attempted the recipes without knowing exactly what to do.

In this way, learning to cook is teaching me patience.  And it has revealed something about me: I am, by nature, somewhat of a stoic.

Its hard for me to express pain or discomfort during hardship.

I sometimes envy people who seem to "get things off their chest".  But for me, that's a difficult feat.  Music and poetry have been my outlets for that.

How did tomato sauce reveal my inner stoicism?

Well: I thought that tomato sauce, for a first recipe, would be great.

I celebrated what turns out to just be my lack of technical skill, or so I thought.

Tomato sauce is the base.  Without it, there's no spaghetti dinner.

I have many forms of this French 'tomato sauce' in my life.  Things that have taken me a while to truly appreciate.  

But with gratitude comes more gifts, and one of those gifts is appreciation.

I love that nothing is set in stone, but that there is a such thing as a constant.  Even an expectation.

Tomato sauce, stoicism, gratitude.

Cooking is rather relaxing.

At any rate, making dinner comforts me.  I'm glad to do it.

Tomatoes and cilantro,

-Gertie

Setbacks and triumphs

Hi, it's me again! 👒💄👢

I was just thinking.  I'm sticking with my decision, but it will take more time and effort than I originally estimated. 

 One reason is because I've decided to rest for one more year before starting back to school. 


This year will be my time to step my game up. 

My diet and fitness routine, along with my studying habits, in addition to savings for a car, will keep me busy.  Not to mention, my personal life needs a serious revamp.   

The silver lining is that this extra time will be a mostly positive experience.  I am in complete control of my own attitude and thus have determined to be as pleasant and gentle with myself as I possibly can. 

I tend to beat myself up over what I perceive as mistakes or setbacks.  I also have the bad habit of comparing myself to my peers.  Comparisons of that nature will always cause me to perceptively, and inaccurately, fall short.

  School is great, but its only one part of life.  I won't attempt to trivialize its importance, but I can't forget that self-care is also an important habit; it could even be considered an endeavor. In addition to caring more for myself, I've decided to care more for...people.  Around me.  Ones who matter in my heart.  

Good luck to you in your wishes come true,

- Gertie
      🎉🔮

Transferring universities

Bonjour,
👚👜👖👢
It's 4:30 am and I'm already making plans for the next few days.

I've made a decision about my education that has the potential to be expansive and life-changing.  I'm going to transfer universities!

I haven't taken any classes for a while (let's call it a
Gap Year) and that time away from school has taught me so much.

Being aware of one's likes and dislikes, areas of weakness or strength, and hopes or goals is so important.  I have come to terms with the fact that the university I previously attended no longer fits me.  I've become a different person than what they are looking for in a general sense.

And, I've been in my hometown for too long.  But that's okay.  Differences don't have to be a negative thing.

What I do know, is that I am suited for a university with a larger student population.  I feel like I need more space, ergonomically speaking.  And that's fine. 

This idea isn't new to me.  I've been thinking about it for awhile, and I feel its time to act on my conclusive decision.

I need to transfer schools.

There's already a university that I have in mind, and I am already planning the steps I need to take in order to gain admission.

Decisions like this calls for comfort food.

With every bend and turn, have a great day, 🌉🌌


-Gertie

Patience is a virtue

Hello! ⛵

Its Wednesday!  I'd like to hope that your week is going smoothly.  If not, don't give up!  There's always a way to make things better, especially when you delve into humankind's innate resovoir of creativity.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting for pictures of the food, but I'd like to use the freshest, most delicious ingredients to make the most mouthwatering creations.  So, please be patient with me.

While that idea is simmering, I'll tell you more about me and my interests.

I am a girl of the Arts.  Music, drawing, theatre, painting, are all things that I love and want to experience more of, by participating in the community theatre and taking more piano lessons.

I've been in two stage shows, one being "To Kill a Mockingbird".  I was cast as Helen, the wife of the accused.  The other show was a musical based on the 70's.

I had loads of fun.  I feel that more of the stage should be in my life.  More of a lot of things should be in my life.

With the hope that I haven't been too revealing and have not over shared, have a happy Wednesday!

Follow your dreams,


- Gertie 🐎

More reading, more books

Bonjour,

It's still the beginning of the week and I want to make efforts to keep it positive.

I have been adding more books to my 'Currently Reading' list, and I'm hoping that it's not too many.  Goodreads.com has a great feature to track reading progress of each book.  I luv it!

I started Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella.  Its a fun read, so far.

I'm excited to post reviews of the first few books that I complete this year.  I'll try not to be nervous about going at a more steady pace.  I find that when I read too quickly, I miss important or interesting details.  So.  I'm working on that.  Things take time.

Oh!  My cooking skills are vastly improving.  Tomato sauce pictures soon to come!

Happy Tuesday!

-Gertie 👒

Books

Bonjour!

It's Friday night and there's about to be a party -  with me and a great novel.

I love to read.

It's been a while since I've completed a book, and I think it's a matter of perspective. 

I need to really focus on understanding what the authors are conveying, and simply enjoy the pleasure that comes from reading.

I'd like to consider myself an avid reader.

After organizing my introvert-flavored thoughts, I'll have decided on the order in which to enjoy the novels. 

There are about 2-3 books that I am interested in reading.  

Has anyone ever had to start over with a novel?  I'm nervous about this, but it's nothing that a nice cup of roasted hazelnut coffee can't simmer.

In my next post, I'll tell you about the books I'm reading and maybe offer an opinion or review.

Spoiler:  one of the books is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.  Adventure awaits!


Coffee beans and hugs,

-Gertie

Happy Valentine's Day

Bonne Saint Valentin! 💖🐩

I am excited to say that this blog is officially open to more than foodies, but to bookworms and linguists, musicians and artists, fitness enthusiasts, etc.  But my roots are in food and the love surrounding a kitchen and dinner table.  

My horizons expand ever so often and I love connecting with those who are like-minded.

Still, food is yummy and I'm excited to announce my first recipe.

I'll be making 'Sauce tomate'; tomato sauce, featured in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

This recipe calls for bacon, which I've never used in tomato sauce before.

Tomato sauce is fairly simple to make, but if not properly concocted, it can really put a damper on an otherwise delicious spaghetti dinner.  So I'm going to be careful to do my best with this recipe.  I'll announce the cooking date, and subsequently the reveal, very soon.

Follow along with me and gimmie your feedback!

Lots of kisses, 👅👅

Gertie

Introduction

    Salut, je m'appelle Gertie. Enchantée de te recontrer. 💕

       (Hi, my name is Gertie. 
                    Nice to meet you.)

I feel that French is a beautiful, romantic language that originates from a wonderful country and place.  I plan to visit France many times.

Currently on my bookshelf is The Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.  It's an awesome recipe book full of French classics written by an American woman. 

Please be patient with me, as it will take a couple of days to decide which recipe to complete first. 

It'll be fantastic, I promise.

Cooking is only one of my interests, as aforementioned. Some of my other hobbies include writing, playing classical piano, reading books, etc.

Feel free to comment, make suggestions, or even send a request for a specific recipe you'd like to see performed.

More to come!

-Gertie

 Dear bloggers and friends,

   Welcome to The Riviera Baker blog.  I've created this page to
document my journey of baking, cooking, and travelling, among other things.  
  I'll explore cooking in the French style. I will even be learning the French language. Then, I'll move on to try Asian and Mediterranean recipes. Most of all, I plan to become a more well-rounded human being.

  Enjoy; bon-appetit!

Sincerely,

Gertie