Birthday Bread: Brioche

I'm officially 36 years old. By the stroke of midnight I had bread baking in the oven. I will remember this as my first task at 36, at home on a rainy night baking a sweet loaf of bread. (My first brioche, I'm very excited about this!) My husband waited patiently for a slice. He already made plans for the loaf-- brioche french toast. It'll be a good and happy day.

John 6:32-35 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

April Birthday Bash

Christopher Robin

Description: A boy about 46 inches tall. Dresses appropriately for the prevailing weather.

More Description: Master of the 100 Aker Woods

Address: Top of the Forest (High Ground), 100 Aker Wood East

More About His Address: Lives behind a green door.

Best Friends: Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, and Roo.

Favorite Food: Birthday cake.

Favorite Things To Do: Helping his friends with their problems.

Other Favorite Things: Hosting birthday and hero parties outside his house.

What He Likes To Do Best: "Nothing" (meaning nothing in particular, free time).

Quotes and Sayings: "Silly old Bear."

Michelle

Description: A girl about 62 inches tall. Dresses appropriately for all occasions.

More Description: Keeper of Lavender Hill.

Address: Top of the Hill, Linwood Avenue West.

More About Her Address: Lives behind a red door.

Best Friends: Bob, Sydney, Westside playmates, and Belle.

Favorite Food: French pastries.

Favorite Things To Do: Baking, traveling, and reading.

Other Favorite Things: Hosting guests at Lavender Hill.

What She Likes To Do Best: Baking.

Quotes and Sayings: "Go where God takes you."

Two weeks ago our dearest friends Melissa, David, and Marcella threw us-- April birthday folks a one fun birthday bash! How wonderful it is to have awesome friends and families to toast our special day and another year of life's awesome journey. Thank you to all of you who thought of us lovingly this month. We love you! (P.S. I think that triple layer chocolate cake will be the official cake for birthdays! ; )

Birthday celebrants: Betty, Su, Patrick, and Me

Swan Lake

A week ago we spent the evening at Chicago's Civic Opera House and were awed by American Ballet Theatre's (ABT) production of Tchaikovsky's classic, Swan Lake. This eternal love story set in an enchanting stage and elaborate choreography alone will keep one mesmerized; but it is truly the beauty and grace of the ballerinas that will put one in tears.

If you know this ballet, you'll agree that every frame in every act is like a beautiful painting. I would have wished to take countless pictures for you here, but couldn't (with the exception of the one below). The curtain call... ABT opened to great reviews.

Taken the night of the performance.

Principal Dancers Julie Kent and Marcelo Gomes

Photo: Gene Schiavone for ABT

At the ballet, you really feel like you're in the presence of something outside the rest of your life. Higher than the rest of your life.

Robert Caro

A Macaron Compromise

The perfect compromise: espresso macaron with chocolate ganache. Another late night of experimenting in Lavender Hill kitchen. Let the macaron-baking obsession begin...

Lots of Love, Lots of Macarons

It's hubby's birthday! After a happy April Birthday Bash celebration with our families and friends (more to come on that), we welcomed his birthday at home. The night owls that we are, while he was studying, I baked macarons a la pistache which greeted him by midnight. Here's to lots of love and lots of macarons!

"All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out."

Albert Camus

Oh, these sweet cloud-like confectionery! I think baking french macarons will be my new obsession! Macarons au chocolat was next on my list, but the Mister has already requested the next flavor to be coffee.