This morning at 11:28, the Rue Meynadier in Cannes was teeming with people out for the year’s last shopping opportunity. Ernest (as well as two other traiteurs) had lines out into the street as desperate consumers battled for the last hors d’oeuvres, lobsters, truffles, and chunks of foie gras. Hard to imagine, then, that not even half a block to the north, we walked through this haven of peace on our way to the car... Our next stop was Valbonne where we intended to shop for a few things ourselves. Eric insisted on a quick trip to the local bakery to pick up what we still call a négresse even though the pastry, the rightmost in this photo, has been renamed “black beauty” for reasons of political correctness. The shape and taste remain unchanged... Happy New Year!