Saturday, 13 January 2018

A Box of Delights

Happy New Year!  I was pleased to see the back of 2017 and am hoping for better things in 2018.  As ever, I am delighted that anyone is reading my witterings so Thank You for dropping in.
The Mathematician has gone back to university but before she left us, she went to Paris for a few days.  So grown up!  She brought back a gift for her father and me: this very beautiful cardboard box.


Isn't it gorgeous?  This colour is, apparently, Napoleon Blue (although some might call it Tiffany Blue) and the silver decoration "pays tribute to Napoleon Bonaparte style".  The box is small, not quite 15cm by 5cm, and all the decoration is silver.  It looks elegant, delicate and expensive, just like the other me, the me I could have been, and may once have aspired to be, but am not.  It currently sits by my bed so that I can look at it and daydream about the possibilities it conjures, and I can't help looking at it often.  Who would have thought that something as simple as a cardboard box could cast such a spell?  Have you heard of Laduree, fondee en 1862?  I hadn't but if you have, you probably know what was in the box.

Six perfect macarons were nestled within, encased in waxed paper.  These refined and delicious morsels were utterly worthy of such a box.  We cut them in half and shared them between us, swooning over each luxurious bite.  We felt properly spoilt.  Obviously, they deserved to be served on my best china, Royal Doulton's Sherbrooke, and here are three of them on a standard tea plate so that you can see just how small they were.

This little gift cost 18 euros, or £16, which seems an awful lot of money for six small macarons but of course, what it really bought was an experience, the opportunity to imagine that I inhabit a different sort of life and a beautiful box full of promise.
I know, I am ridiculous!
See you soon.
Love, Mrs Tiggywinkle x

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31 comments:

  1. Coastal Ripples13 January 2018 at 16:48

    What a lovely gift, the box was definitely worth the money. That’s the second time I’ve heard of Napoleon blue recently. Watched something about Powderham Castle recently and they had a hall painted in Napoleon Blue. It was beautiful just like your box. B x

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:11

      Isn't it funny how a particular colour can have such strong associations? Our brains have obviously been programmed! x

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  2. Rosie13 January 2018 at 20:38

    Oh, how wonderful! What a super treat and the box will continue to delight long after the macarons have been savoured down to the last bite:)

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:13

      I'm so pleased you get it, Rosie! I am thinking that, to justify keeping it, I should use it to keep something in but I'm not sure what. x

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  3. Jules13 January 2018 at 21:19

    What a beautiful and thoughtful gift. The box is lovely, will you keep it on display? X

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:14

      I plan to keep it on display, Jules. It doesn't really go with anything else in my house but I don't care, I think it's beautiful and I want to keep looking at it. x

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  4. Lilly's Mom13 January 2018 at 21:29

    Oh my, you are not ridiculous at all! I loved Laduree from the first time I read about them. A few years ago, I found myself sitting in their tea room on the Champs Elysees. Enjoy your lovely box of macaroons. My best you, Pat

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:15

      Oh Pat, get you, so classy!! I'm glad you understand my delight. x

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  5. Jo13 January 2018 at 23:03

    I listened to an article on Radio 4 this week about mindful eating and I think you have just done it without realising. Savouring each mouthful and thinking about it in the moment is apparently better than scoffing stuff without even realising it! I can't believe it is someones job to tell us that but it is. What a lovely gift. Jo xxx

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:17

      Jo, I've never heard of mindful eating but it totally makes sense to me, and that's exactly what we did with these. Yes, it was a really lovely gift. x

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  6. Crimson Kettle14 January 2018 at 08:29

    What is it about that beautiful colour that means quality? How delicious. Such a treat. Very thoughtful. x

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:18

      Exactly, Karen, on all counts. Quality, delicious, treat, thoughtful. x

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  7. mamasmercantile14 January 2018 at 19:57

    Such a wonderful gift, the box will conjure up the wonderful memories of the sheer decadence every time you look at it.

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:19

      "Decadence" is right. Completely unlike the rest of my life and so an absolute treat. The girl did well. x

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  8. September Violets14 January 2018 at 21:56

    What a wonderful gift to continue to give you such pleasure after all those delicious treats are only a passing memory. Very thoughtful of your daughter to bring home a beautiful gift. I've never had a macaroon like this ... I know, I know ... "are you living under a rock?!". I think sometimes I am :o Have a wonderful week my glamorous, elegant friend xox
    Wendy

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle16 January 2018 at 12:22

      I am not far ahead of you out from beneath that rock, Wendy, I'd never had a macaron like this before, only seen them on the television. She's a very thoughtful girl. I am trying to live up to the glamour and elegance and failing dismally! x

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  9. ellen b15 January 2018 at 01:22

    Pretty box filled with sweet treats. Love the Tiffany blue.

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  10. Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie17 January 2018 at 05:30

    It truly is a special gift - sweet and lovely and full of wistful dreams of Paris xx

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle19 January 2018 at 05:31

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Mrs Tiggywinkle19 January 2018 at 05:32

      Karen, you have just described my daughter perfectly! x

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  11. Felicia17 January 2018 at 22:22

    Mrs. Tiggywinkle thank you so much for your post. I've enjoyed it and many others you've written throughout the years. I rarely post but for 2018 my resolution is to tell folks how much they mean to me so I plan to be more vocal on your blog to let you know how much I enjoy the slice of your life you share with us.

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  12. Kay G.18 January 2018 at 02:21

    I love this gift from France! It is so gorgeous, besides being tasty

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle19 January 2018 at 05:34

      Absolutely right, a treat for the eye as well as the taste buds. Lovely to see you here. x

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  13. Anonymous18 January 2018 at 14:04

    Popped over to see you from Karen’s blog. What a delightful present. That colour is gorgeous. I’ve just painted my nails something similar :o).

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle19 January 2018 at 05:36

      Lovely to see you here, CT. I do love this colour. x

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  14. Merry Liz19 January 2018 at 00:58

    Your mathematician is a beautiful girl inside and out and this special gift reflects that. I would definitely keep the box to keep something special in. Special memories ....

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    1. Mrs Tiggywinkle19 January 2018 at 05:35

      She is beautiful, isn't she? I'll bring the box and show it to you. x

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  15. Candytuft Corner19 January 2018 at 22:33

    Oh, you are worth every penny. That box is beautiful and it is definitely Tiffany blue. I keep pretty boxes too - they remind me of small indulgences, which we all need occasionally. Marie x

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  16. Lorrie25 January 2018 at 06:05

    You waxed so eloquent about the box that I wondered if you had received it empty...perhaps the Mathematician had devoured all of those lovely macarons herself! A taste of Paris that looks delectable. And I love your china pattern with the rich blue border.

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