"Lipstick on my bellybutton and music in the air..."

...thaat's Paris, son," Paul wrote his twin Charlie.Valentine reproduced in My Life In France

That's a quote from Julia Child's memoir, My Life in France.  I'm only  a few pages into it but I've already decided it is the perfect summer read. As if you needed inspiration for lesiurely meals with vin ordinaire. 

In 1948 Julia and her husband Paul had a meal of rognons sautes au beurre (braised kidneys) with watercress and fried potatoes, sole meuniere with a carafe of vin compris and a "perfectly soft slice of Brie" for about $3.15.

Vin compris means "wine included." Ya gotta love a culture where wine is so expected it is included in the price of the meal. Earlier Paul explains to Julia that in France, "good cooking was regarded as a combination of national sport and high art, and wine was always served with lunch and dinner. "The trick is moderation."

Moderation indeed. The couple sent out Valentines Day cards because "we could never get ourselves organized in time to send out Christmas cards." Ah, Julia I love you. A new tradition for me is born.

As for lipsticked bellybuttons and music in the air? No doubt the trick is moderation as well.