Tag Archives: captain hook

The Top Ten Most Common French Surnames

Did someone in your family speak French as a first language? As you put together your family tree, you may have discovered ancestors who emigrated from France to the United States. The most common French surname is Martin. This name is derived from the first name Martinus, which is Latin. Martinus refers to the Roman god of fertility and war, who was named Mars. There was a popular 4th-century saint named Martin of Tours, who was very popular with people who lived in Europe during the Middle ages. It is possible that the surname Martin was adopted by people who … Continue reading →

In Memoriam: Jacques Cousteau

“When you dive, you begin to feel that you’re an angel.” ~Jacques Cousteau Before there was the “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, there was Jacques Cousteau. Heck, the Steve Irwin’s of the world may have come to be because of Jacques Cousteau. Ten years ago today, June 25, 1997, Commander Cousteau (as he was known to many around the world), succumbed to a heart attack and died. I wanted to write to honor him today because I remember “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” and how it captivated my then young mind and imagination. His passion and love for the water … Continue reading →

Crepes

Decidedly French, crepes are light, fluffy, and delicious. Often thought of as a super-thin pancake, crepes can be filled with any number of toppings. They are simple enough to make on a weekday morning, but elegant enough to make for guests or as a holiday breakfast treat. This weekend, instead of the usual pancakes and eggs, why not try some delicious crepes? They’ll transport you to a little village in France, there the light shines on cobblestone streets and people are happy to see you when you walk by. Here’s my recipe for crepes, shared by a friend who lives … Continue reading →

1,2,3 Count With Me

I have always been a huge fan of everything Sesame Street. I grew up watching the show as a child, and attribute much of my basic knowledge, including how to could to ten in Spanish, to the show. There is something about the characters on Sesame Street that was always able to quickly grab my attention, and keep it until the show was over. “1, 2, 3 Count With me” is a thirty minute movie put out by Sesame Street. The video features Elmo, Ernie, and the Count and in the movie Ernie teaches kids exactly how important it can … Continue reading →

Learn a Foreign Language on Your Computer!

Before I was able to graduate from college I was required to learn a foreign language. Never one of my strong suites I struggle through several classes, eventually choosing to do a summer study abroad in France in order to immerse myself in the language and satisfy the foreign language requirement. Foreign languages can be tough to learn, and as more and more foreigners move into the US a foreign language is always a good thing to try and learn. Your computer can be a valuable tool in a quest to learn a foreign language. I always learn a little … Continue reading →

Bouchees Pauillacaise

For this recipe, you will need 2 pounds of potatoes, unsalted butter, milk, salt, pepper, eggs, fresh breadcrumbs, nutmeg, vegetable oil, shallots, one onion, all-purpose flour, beef stock, and a chicken breast. To prep for this recipe, you will need to peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Mince two shallots and finely chop the onion. Cook the chicken breast and dice it. You can use leftover chicken or beef if you have it. You only need enough to make one cup. Steam the cubed potatoes until they are soft. To make the meat filling, melt 1 tablespoon … Continue reading →

P is for Pirate!

Yesterday was apparently International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Unfortunately I didn’t run around saying argh and avast ye matey or whatever else it is that pirates are infamous for saying. My favorite pirate, Captain Hook, was more likely to respond to a Tick Tock than he was to ahoy matey! Disney announced yesterday that they were planning the DVD release for the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest for December 5th just in time for Christmas. This film has been breaking records since it’s release including the highest theatrical opening weekend in U.S. box office history and becoming … Continue reading →