11.27.2008

I'm thankful for...

Okay, there are many BIG and small things I'm thankful for this holiday. Big or small, they're dear to my heart.  Big- God, Love, Forgiveness, Husband, Family, Friends, Food, Shelter, and a Job.  Small- thoughtful "Happy Thanksgiving" text messages from many of you...
late night drive chat with a sister...

melted chocolate to correct a cheesecake mistake...

catching-up with a girlfriend... and a great JCrew Sale.
$78 On Sale $6.99
$88 On Sale $13.99
Yeah, a good sale is dear to any girl's heart. (smile)

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Ralph Waldo Emerson


Today we are spending Thanksgiving at the Whitteaker family home and I will be preparing a few dishes that's been a part of our Thanksgiving dinner tradition...

Mash potatoes

Sweet potato casserole with walnut topping

Cranberry sauce

 Sending all of you across the miles our love and prayers for God's continued blessings today and always.

11.26.2008

The Perfect Roasted Turkey

Are you looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner?  I shared this little tip earlier at work, so in case you're preparing for tomorrow's feast...  This was our last year's roast. Covering the turkey in cheesecloth immersed in butter and wine during the early stage of roasting is the trick to its perfect golden brown glow; periodically basting with the left over butter and wine. Works every year!

11.23.2008

Found

Found in Les Puces.

Posted for Ate Delsa: French antique wooden chandelier



11.22.2008

Winter Approaching

We left fall behind in Paris where a few autumn leaves still remain on the trees.  Returning home we were greeted by the cold wind, dark gray skies, naked trees, and snow flurries which reminds us that winter is approaching... It's good to home.  Happy weekend.
















Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

11.20.2008

Paris Trends

Bella & Edward, In Style Magazine
Twilight the movie premiers at midnight. (Glad to make it home just in time for my date with Edward.)

Top Five Trends we noticed in Paris:
1. Barack ObamaPresident-elect Obama is a rock star.  From the moment we arrived until the day we left, he can be found on the television, newspapers, city posters, and is the buzz of the locals.
2. Tall Boots.  Every Parisienne is in full force with their fall fashion, from trendy coats down to their boots.  I don't believe we saw anyone outdoors who isn't wearing a handsome pair of tall leather boots.
3. Skinny Jeans.  Both men and women love their skinny jeans here in the city.  It goes hand in hand with the tall boots.
4. Oversized Scarves.  Everyone were wrapped in warm large cozy-looking scarves, fit for runaway shows.  
5. Twilight (Fascination).  Yes, they heart Edward Cullen too!  Although we didn't notice any movie posters, the bookstores and newspapers covered Twilight mania! 

11.19.2008

Aeroport de Paris

Patrick keeping himself entertained while waiting for our plane.  How cool is this? Playstation 3s at the airport.     

Hotel Abbatial

Abbatial Saint-Germain Hotel welcomed us again.  We were last here for our honeymoon.  It was nice to see familiar faces and familiar views. One last brief walk in our neighborhood...  


Eric Kayser (Previously Maison Kayser)

For Billy & Jean:  Do you remember this place?  Just kitty corner from your old hotel in 'Rive Gauche'. We thought about their delicious bread and the long line back then so we wanted to make sure to stop by here again.  We noticed two things, a slight name change and a line at night!?  The bakers must not sleep at all if this place is open early morning until nighttime.  Bright and early, we returned the following morning.  We were first in line. But as soon as we placed our order for some chocolate bread, a line formed right behind us.  We thought of you fondly... 




11.18.2008

La Maree Verte

Our favorite little mom and pop restaurant in Paris.  It's unassuming, quaint, classy, and with first class food and service.  Every time we are ready to say goodbye to Paris, we sit here to reminisce about our time in this beautiful city and savor one last traditional French cuisine.



Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise


People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone
Women seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down
When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange

People Are Strange-The Doors




I can write no stately proem
As a prelude to my lay;
From a poet to a poem
I would dare to say.
For if of these fallen petals
One to you seem fair,
Love will waft it will it settles
On your hair.
And when wind and winter harden
All the loveless land,
It will whisper of the garden,
You will understand.

To My Wife- With a Copy Of My Poems
Oscar Wilde




Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose
When you kiss me, heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose
When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world were roses bloom
And when you speak, angels sing from above
Everyday words seem to turn into love songs
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose

La Vie en Rose - Edith Piaf





On this late dreary afternoon, we decided to visit the Paris cemetery.  Three words to describe this resting place--ancient, eerie, and incredible!  It's larger than we had imagined and the multiple entrances and countless pathways makes one feel that you are walking into a labyrinth.  We noted quite a few tombs we wanted to pay a visit to, they include Honore de Balzac, Frederic Chopin, Eugene Delacroix, Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, and Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.  At end, we only made it to the three above. (Oh, we did see the grave of Colette also.)  It turned out to be more difficult to navigate through the many winding roads and grand tombstones.  With nightfall approaching, we were very careful to make it out of the cemetery before nervousness hit... 

P.S.
We were most impressed with Oscar Wilde's tomb.  There were kisses galore on it which we thought was very sweet.

Market Day


We awoke to market day in the Left Bank, located just around the corner from our hotel.  Everything from flowers, to breads, cheeses, fruits and vegetables were beautifully and enticingly displayed in the streets.


11.17.2008

Shakespeare & Company

It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.
Oscar Wilde

We returned to Paris today and came upon this famous book shop in our Latin Quarter neighborhood.  How did we miss this when we stayed in the Left Bank years ago?  Anyhow, we were thrilled to be surrounded by both new and old books here at Shakespeare and Company.





11.16.2008

A Happy Day

Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.
Mark Twain

Sunday was a cozy day.  It was spent lounging, playing with Emma, playing Scramble, playing Cossacks, watching Friends in French, and ending with a delicious dinner at La Boucherie.
Uncle Patrick and Emma learning French on Bebe Tele.  
Uncle learned: cadeau blue, cadeau rouge, et cadeau vert. : ) 
Afternoon nap.
The boys found a favorite dessert.
The Earle's creme brulee remains Christina's favorite, but this was delicious too.
We always share our dessert.
Happy Emma.
A Bientot!
A happy day until we see each other again...