Ah, Romance. . .

What a sweet way to say "I Love You" from Jean-Charles Rochoux.

          Purely for the back story. . . I may have told you this a long, long time ago, but it bears repeating so that I can put the remainder of today's news in perspective.

         It all began in a conversation with my great American friend, Jean. Jean has lived in France forever. We were talking about affairs and with whom we would like to have them. Jean proclaimed, without hesitation, that she had dibs on Monsieur Propre, better known to most of us as Mr. Clean.

        She said she figured he would keep her large Paris apartment spotless and she would never have to search in the depths of her magazine and newspaper piles to find anything. After he did what he does best, she was convinced he would then move on and arrange everything by month and year.

        Where Jean got the idea that he would do anything more than clean her kitchen and bathrooms, I do not know. But when it comes to affairs of the heart I think one shouldn't dash hope with reason.

      I told Jean she could have Monsieur Propre because he was not on my "Most Likely to Have an Affair With" list. Number One for me is, and always will be, Monsieur Picard. (I'm assuming there is a Mr. Picard.)

Kiss hors d'oeuvres for Valentine's Day. Just add Champagne.

      Picard is a chain of the most remarkable frozen food stores that anyone could ever imagine (even some of the best cooks in France visit Mr. Picard occasionally). In fact, many of the offerings chez lui one could never imagine like Les Bisous Apéritifs for Valentine's Day. One features foie gras topped with a raspberry jelly, another fromage frais with basil and red pepper puree. You will note the different "lipstick" colors.

Fondue au chocolat for dessert. Isn't it romantic?

      THE dessert for the big day is tiny heart-shaped cookie/cakes that are to be dipped into melted chocolate.

     You can see right here that Monsieur Picard is far more romantic than Monsieur Propre. And, the way I look at it, if it's true that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach Jean may not be able to hold on to Mr. Propre unless she visits Mr. Picard.