On the occasion of a family event last month, we spent a week in France. We planned it so there would be three days at the end of our stay that we could spend in Nantes. As you know if you have been following this blog for a while, this city is one of my favourites. Not only because I have family there or because I used to study at the Université de Nantes, but because every time I spend time there, I always seem to discover something new: a museum or gallery I had never visited before, a specific building or area I had never seen, older and newer cafes or restaurants I had not heard of, etc.
Just like the time we were there before Christmas last year, we stayed at Hotel La Pérouse which is a very central base when you like walking around rather than taking public transports. It is also very relaxing and just like last time, we really enjoyed our stay in this hotel.

Are you ready for another mini visit of Nantes? It's definitely warmer and sunnier than on the previous occasion. Here we go:

Bonjour, c'est le week-end! 
How has your Summer been? I have spent the last few weeks seeing lovely images and stories of people on their holidays, whether traveling abroad or discovering parts of their own country/city. I will soon get to do the same when we head to France for a family event and a few days of our own to explore and relax.
I haven't just been marvelling at other people's holidays of course, I also took the time to take note of some interesting things here and there so I could share them with you. Have a lovely weekend!
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- Something interesting: I have tried camembert ice cream many years ago and it was alright but I am not sure how I feel about cheese tea.

- Something delicious: I have already made this tomato salad with grilled cheese croutons (minus the basil) twice and it is really delicious.

- Something else delicious: speaking about salads, the pear and Serrano ham one I shared three years ago is perfect this season and already on my menu list for the weekend.

- Something to watch: the short film AMA by Julie Gautier shot in the deepest swimming pool in the world, stunning and mesmerising.

- Something else to watch: this cinematic proposal video, so beautifully shot.

- Something to read: I have really enjoyed reading the graphic novel The Arab of the Future 1 and 2 by Riad Sattouf over the past two years and I look forward to getting the third one on my next trip to France. The book talks about the author's childhood in the Middle East and it is very interesting both visually and for the life story itself.

Six years ago to this day, I pressed 'publish' on my very first blog post. And for the occasion I also shared a recipe for apricot halves with crumble.
At the time, I viewed Creme de Citron as only a food blog and as the years went by, it evolved into something that is not just limited to food. In a way, it grew to match more the way things evolved for me over the years and ongoing: delicious food yes, but also travels to beautiful and interesting places, and putting value in worthwhile things for a nicer way of life. 
Everyday, I am so thankful to all of you reading this blog. When I sit down at my desk to write those posts, I always think about you: the people who will read what I have to say and hopefully try some of my recipes, maybe even share them as a meal with friends and family, daydream at the travels I talk about and possibly take a few notes for a planned trip or a future holiday, enjoy breakfast or brunch time with some of the It's Saturday! links I collect for you, and perhaps attempt some of the lifestyle tips I give you.
To all of you, I say a huge MERCI for reading!

I could not just say thank you and not share something nice to go along with this note of course! 

Bonjour and happy Saturday! A lot has happened since I last posted my Saturday links. I went to Catalonia and enjoyed a long weekend in Barcelona and at the Vida festival (see my latest blog post). We celebrated our wedding anniversary and the same week, enjoyed some delicious French food on Bastille Day. The next day, France won the Football World Cup and as much as I am not a great enthusiast about this sport usually, I really appreciate how much happiness it brings to a lot of people seeing their country team winning.
I also collected a few links to share here so I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and find something you like: 

- Something interesting: I really enjoyed this article about the comfort we find in cookbooks that I read last month.

- Something delicious: I need to order special moulds just to make those wonderful and delicious looking popsicles.

- Something else delicious: I really want to make this blueberry pecan galette this Summer.

- Something to watch: this documentary on Netflix is absolutely fascinating and I urge you to watch it if you haven't already.

- Something to listen to: after having seen her incredible performance at the Vida Festival last month, I have been listening to St Vincent a lot. 

Two weeks ago, we went on a long weekend to Catalonia. We were going there on the occasion of the Vida Festival but since we were flying in Barcelona, we decided to visit a little bit of this beautiful city too.
I had been there about 13 years ago but, long story short, it was not a very memorable trip. This time, I had the chance to enjoy it properly in the company of E. and also my brother S. who lives there.

Barcelona is an amazing city with a lot to do, see and eat. We managed to spend a bit of time exploring parts of it at the start and end of our trip. It probably was not enough to see a lot of things but we managed to take advantage of our time there properly with a mix of sightseeing, catching up with my brother and enjoying many food delights.
The rest of the long weekend, as mentioned above, was spent outside of the city at Vilanova i la Geltrú where Vida Festival was taking place in a beautiful forest setting.

I don't about you but I felt like this week was never going to end. Every day, I could not stop shaking my head in despair as I was reading the news about the families being separated at the US borders and the little babies and children being kept in inhumane conditions in camps. It made me sad. No, it made me sad AND angry.  How can human beings do this to others?! This is not acceptable and so cruel.
Of course, things are being signed now so this does not happen again. But those families are still separated and there is a lot to do to help them being reunited.
​So,  I did not feel like sharing all my usual links this week, instead just a couple of things:

- Something important: this article on stopping family separation published on Cup of Jo this week. If you had questions or were wondering exactly about what has been going on in the US at the borders, this give some very clear answers and suggestions on how to help.

- Where you can donate to help: I asked my best friend in the USA what were the best charities where I should donate to help. RAICES and ACLU are the ones she suggested (they are also mentioned in the article above).