Movin' On...

I've been thinking a lot lately about Paris and living in a foreign country. You see, Chez Megane will be leaving Paris at the end of this month. We've been here for 2 wonderful, life changing, and confidence building years - enough time to have created a home here, but also to realize that perhaps we weren't meant to stay forever. I had the chance to learn French, eat like a queen, toughen up a bit, meet fascinating people and do a lot of traveling to glorious places. I've been tested a lot and forced to adapt quickly to this dizzying French culture. I've laughed a lot, relaxed a lot and become a lot more comfortable dans ma peau, as they say. Suffice it to say, 70% of me is reluctantly moving back to the States, kicking and screaming the whole way like a stubborn child, but I think 30% or more of me realizes that it's time to go back.

I know that everyone who has moved around a lot must share some of my feelings. Fears and "what-ifs?" float around in your mind. Have I done enough here? Will I be happy where I'm going? Am I sure about this next step? Lately, any reassurance has come mostly in knowing that nothing can be as hard as when we first moved to France. It was the scariest and most exciting time of my life and we've certainly both been humbled a lot along the way, although I believe we're leaving Paris as more resilient people. Anyway, part of me is a little worried about this upcoming move, but then again - I'm moving back to the USA... I DO speak English! How hard can it be?!?

And so just where will Chez Megane be cooking from now? Briefly from the cool college town of my birth, Iowa City, Iowa, and then, more permanently from Washington, D.C. You see, we're not just moving back to the America, we're moving to the epicenter! So, any of you readers out there who know anything about D.C., help a girl out and send me some recommendations! Restaurants, cool neighborhoods, things to see, etc. Anything goes since I am utterly clueless at this point. We're really excited to discover the metro area since I've heard nothing but fantastic things about it.

I hope you'll bear with me during the lengthy move and keep reading despite my (perhaps) less frequent postings through the fall. I don't know what's in store for Chez Megane exactly, but I'm hoping to keep up my interest in all things French, and as always, great food and recipes.Things I'll miss having in my kitchen on a regular basis?
1. At least 5 kinds of cheese, on a good day, 7-8.
2. Fresh Baguettes!
3. French Yogurt...cherry, fig, rhubarb, coconut, pineapple...the yogurt aisle is endless!
4. Crème Fraîche!!!!
5. Beurre demi-sel from Brittany (the most luscious butter)
6. Bonne Maman Strawberry or Apricot Jam
7. Eggs with yolks the color of a crayola orange crayon
8. My round blue Le Creuset dutch oven (not sure if I can bring it with me or not...it's f***ing heavy!)
9. The occasional croissant, brioche or pain au chocolat
10. The best poulet rôti (from The Chicken Family, rue des Abbesses)