Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Champagne - Sometimes


Yes, that's a bottle of champagne in my otherwise sober fridge - can you spot the bottle's slender, golden neck?
I hardly ever drink alcohol but champagne is the one alcoholic beverage I really enjoy. It's one of my luxuries, albeit a very rare one, and something I learned from my parents: they always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge because you never know when you'll have something to celebrate; and if all we have to celebrate is just being together for a meal, it can also be reason enough to pop that beautiful, fragrant champagne cork.

23 comments:

Laura in Paris said...

I'm so glad this family experience was so enjoyable. Yes, we always have a bottle of Champagne in the fridge.

Leia said...

I don't drink alcohol, but I think it's such a nice tradition to have something at the ready for celebrations :) I've always wondered why champagne is drunk on happy occasions!

I love family meals and definitely think it's a reason to be happy. When I'm at home in Bangladesh, we eat together as a family twice a day - lunch and dinner, but only dinner for those who work. I really miss that when I'm at university and definitely want to carry on the tradition when I start a family of my own!

Mary-Laure said...

LAURA - how could it not be enjoyable?

LEIA - yes I agree with you, it's wonderful to have meals together as a family. I missed it SO MUCH when I left home for the first time...
And I think you really understood the idea: it's not about the champagne, and certainly not about the alcohol, it's really about sharing something nice to celebrate. I also like to celebrate with pastry!
I'd love to hear more about your family meals in Bangladesh, what you eat and enjoy...

Beth said...

Champagne makes my throat tickle - I end up coughing and sputtering – not a sophisticated sight. But I do like your idea of always being ready to celebrate – any time, any occasion...

Your fridge is so neat and uncluttered!

Deidra said...

I've never thought to keep champagne on hand. What a wonderful idea!

Angie Muresan said...

I believe champagne on a whim is an elegant way to live.

Sam said...

Champers!! Yipee! I'm a huge fan of Champagne too! What a neat fridge you have!!

Unknown said...

Me encanta eso de estar lista para festejar!!!!
Me voy a comprar un Champagne ya mismo!

Debra said...

Oh I couldn't agree more- we always have a bottle chilling. Stop over and see a small portion of my hat collection. Would love to see some of yours...along with those great white shirts!

Mardi Michels said...

Lovely to see inside your fridge!!! When I lived in Paris, I always had champagne in my fridge. These days it's more like tonic or even Lillet.... I should get back into the habit.

Mary-Laure said...

BETH - yes I like keeping my fridge very neat...

ANGIE - and a happy way to live!

SAM - champers??? Is that what you call it in Australia? It's cute.

DEBRA - hats? you need not say more, I'll check it out.

EAT... - I had no idea you had lived in Paris. I hope you enjoyed it.

Mardi Michels said...

Mary Laure - yup - close to 6 tears! Moved to Toronto because of my husband... (sigh) but we get back to Paris most years... (roll on December!)

Unknown said...

oh lovely!!! i love champagne...
..and i celebrate everyday: i use my silver ware always. who decided that it should only be brought out on special occasions?
imagine: cereal with a silver spoon...every monring...;))

Mary-Laure said...

EAT... - I will be in Paris in December too! Maybe we could meet up for a cup of tea...

IF JANE - I am 100% with you on that one. I love using beautiful things in daily life.
I can picture you having your cereal with a silver spoon, like a modern princess - so cool!

mansuetude said...

ahh... : )

i see that blueberry preserves back there... do i not?

donna baker said...

Yes your frig looks spare, but I guess that is how you keep slim. At least you love pastry which I could live on. Champagne is my fav too, though me and my family rarely drink to celebrate or anything else. Maybe I'll buy a bottle.

Mardi Michels said...

Mary Laure - if our dates work that would be great. We arrive on Dec 19th.

Mardi (oui, comme le jour...)

Mary-Laure said...

MANSUETUDE - yes! it is indeed my mum's delicious blueberry preserve. I just polished off the first jar today. One more to go...

DONNA - it doesn't have to be champagne, it can be anything you all like and that spells HAPPINESS.
About my fridge being not packed with goodies: it's because any treat is eaten within minutes of purchase!
And my pantry is packed with chocolate.

EAT... - Mardi, the dates should work, how cool! I've met several bloggers over the years and it was always wonderful.
I'm going to look up your email address on your blog. Or you can also email me:
petipaw at gmail dot com

Hila said...

ah, we've received similar education from our parents. I don't drink much either, but I always have a good bottle of wine around.

Solange said...

You got it right, again, we also always have some champagne in the fridge. Hardly drink alchohol myself, but champagne, well, it's a whole different thing right ;-) ?
Keep this tradition going!

have a good weekend dear.

~h~ said...

I love champagne in the summer but I never think to keep a bottle (of anything for that matter) to celebrate with and really should. It's a wonderful idea and a wonderful tradition for your family to pass on. Enjoy your weekend.

Mary-Laure said...

HILA - this makes me think of what Tolstoy said about all happy families being alike...

SOLANGE - oh yes champagne is different!

APRILINIOWA - there's always a reason to celebrate!

Janis said...

I admire your orderly fridge!