Billy's Bon Weekend!

Jean's wonderful birthday surprise for her husband Billy was a weekend getaway to Michigan to watch the Muse concert. How lucky were we for this special visit!?

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.

Elisabeth Foley

In celebration of Billy's birthday...

our French inspired weekend began with a French meal.

Served in true Parisienne time at 10 p.m.

Happiness is the only word to describe seeing Billy and Jean again.

By the strike of midnight, the gateau au chocolat was lit...

for a birthday wish!

We ate and talked until the wee hours of the morning;

where brunch followed at Zola Cafe & Bistro.

Then off to another surprise we go...

Pastry Chef Cecilia was more than happy to play along with the surprise!

Big lovers of the French macaron, we were going to learn how to make this most delicate and precious confectionery.

Understanding what lies behind this delicate cookie and learning the technique in baking it is essential. Pastry Chef Cecilia's teaching method equipped us with both.

After demonstrating with the sweet potato macaron...

we were ready to make our own.

pretty Jean

pretty in pink

Boxed and frozen for their trip back home.

almond and coffee

pistachio and raspberry

vanilla

Cecilia's macarons were absolutely delightful and delectable. After the pastry class, we bid her Merci and À bientôt!

Off the Muse concert they went.

They were home by midnight and we once again ate and talked until the wee hours of the morning.

This was one of those rare times we wished we didn't have to sleep at all. We were having so much fun and didn't want it to end so soon. A special time indeed, the kind that that you put away in your box of treasures.

Jean & Billy:

Thank you for making another special trip to see us.

Thank you for your friendship.

Thank you for the laugher.

Thank you for the sweets.

We'll always have Paris and macaron. Until next time...

Through Sickness & Snow

This is the scene here today and for the most part the past few days--- shades of grey and white, and abundant silence. It’s amazing to experience Lavender Hill during the workweek; it feels like a different home somehow. Perhaps because it has its own pace of time, slow and calming. It’s rare that I am home to witness it as I have since this past Monday. (The horrible cold bug has held me captured indoors but I am getting better.) Although I wish I were in better health to enjoy it, I appreciate it nonetheless.

I remember I promised to do a little reflection of the past year, right now seem to be a good time as any. I would hate for another month of this New Year to pass and before you know it this year too would have gone by. Well, one word defines 2009 for my husband and me and that is “thankfulness”. It’s remarkable what faith can do. We cast our fate to God that He would continue to provide for us. He did. So for every day spent at work, in school, for food and shelter, for you (our families and friends), it was truly a year of thankfulness. We still wake up everyday, trusting in God and casting our fate...

Let’s see, there were other notable moments last year, which were not captured here, mostly celebrations of birthdays, friendships, and holidays. I’ll see if I can summon up some motivation and rummage through old photographs for you, as soon as I am better.

For now I must rest-up, but before I go… After being medicated for so long, and being cocooned (and comforted) under the roof of our little home, this is the product of what can happen in Lavender Hill while everyone is at work: Ensaïmada (Spain) or Ensaymada (Philippines), a buttery brioche.

I had to do something. Making bread was the perfect task during sick day as it provided me numerous hours of doing nothing but waiting… waiting for the dough to rise.

My good husband came home a couple days earlier. It’s nice to be taken care of. When he saw the ensaymadas, he thought I had wandered out (when I’m not suppose to) and bought them! I’ll take that as a compliment.

P.S.

I owe a few of you a call. I haven't been on the phone. You can imagine the hoarse voice, coughing, and blowing the nose sounds--just not appealing. Much love...

Message in a Blog

Thinking of you across the miles and hoping you had a wonderful birthday weekend celebration! Still at home getting much needed rest and recuperation.

Chocolate Gram

I hope your day was a sweet one.

Wind, Sand, and Stars

Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Wind, Sand, and Stars

Are you wondering what it's like here tonight? It's half past midnight, the night is still and very dark; not a star in sight. I fought my tired eyes and decided that I need to make something special tonight. After all, it's Saint Valentine's Day.

Chocolate tarts...

Warm and still bubbling right out from the oven. They will have to cool and rest until dawn where they will be coated with a glossy chocolate glaze.

Under the roof of our Lavender Hill, it is warm and inviting--- the smell of chocolate fills the air. Tonight we will dream of all things lovely and delicious and remind ourselves of the LOVE that makes life worth living.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Instant Stress Reliever

Instant stress reliever. This is for my husband who encouraged me to get baking again. Thank you for your support, not to mention my new baking tools! I saved the bowl of left over melted chocolate for you. *wink*

yummy eclairs and chocolate covered cream puffs

(I think Pastry Chef Cecilia would be proud of her student. *smile*)

I know I'm terribly behind in posting. As soon as my priorities have been tended to, I promise my postings will not come so few and far between as they have been. Wish I could send you all a piece of this delightful treat. Is it February already? (Bon Anniversaire Belle!)

I heart...

Feeling inspired by fashion and Paris once more.

I heart JCrew...

and Paris too!

Éclair - Life At Its Sweetest!

Let me introduce you to Pastry Chef Cecilia Mercante. I learned about her classes through my friend Julie and I truly owe her one for this wonderful discovery. After spending time in class and being welcomed in her home, I came to admire Chef Cecilia's approach and philosophy about baking and living life to its sweetest. She brings the simple joy of pastry making to regular folks like us who appreciate delicious and beautifully made desserts that to me invoke all that is sweet in life!

Our friend and often partner in crime Leo was quick to lend a hand in class. He's such a trooper, tackling pastry-making for the first time. He handled it like a pro, it was quite impressive! We had so much fun and laughter in class that we wished we had captured our bloopers in pictures. : ) But as you can see our hands were full...

piping pâte à choux (cream puff pastry)

the pressure's on

applying math and chemistry in pastry cream-making

pastry cream requires a lot of muscle work

perfectly smooth

filling the pâte à choux

didn't i say he was a pro?

a sign that we'll be returning to class again

lovely chef cecilia

glazing eclairs

coffee flavored

vanilla flavored

oh so delicious

proud teacher and her happy students

cute accent to our table setting

Leo: Thank you for being such a good friend and taking this class with me. Single ladies will swoon when you win their hearts with your eclair-making talent. ; )

Cecilia: It was the sweetest compliment when you wrote to me and said that we came as your students and left as your friends. Thank you for a very memorable evening.

I invite all of you to visit Cecilia's Pastries here. Perhaps you will be inspired take a pastry class or two and/or to buy her sweet creations. Bon appétit!

a little silliness

How are you guys? Just thought to check-in here after what has been a busy yet fun-filled holiday season and semester break for Patrick and I. Sharing a little of our silliness as we prepare for another serious and rigorous work and school schedules ahead. I promise to write more later, share last thoughts about 2009 and this wonderful winter season. Happy week ahead to you and have a little fun in between.

2010 has arrived!

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

It's exactly 12:09 a.m. We've dined, gathered with good friends, kissed 2009 goodbye, and toasted the new year! Home in our pjs, wishing all of you a cozy January morning and a happy year ahead...

Much love- Patrick & Michelle

Lavender Hill

Dearest Izzy,

Where do I begin? Your gift arrived this week and brought me happy tears. I was completely surprised! Suffice it to say, I will think of you every time I see it. It’s such a magical thing--- how it instantly floods my memory with wonderful thoughts of you and Syd. Thank you… Thank you for the permanent reminder of my “happy place”, our home on Linwood: Lavender Hill.

Embraces,

Holly

God already granted my wish for a magical Christmas.

Another Chapter

Another chapter of our time here. With Thanksgiving behind, Christmas (as it always seem to be) will be fast approaching and I'm determined to make this yuletide season a calm and cozy one. Thanks to my husband, this morning was a good start as we went to see our old friends, the Flatnoots (you remember them from last year) and took home our Christmas tree.

The night closed with an impromptu pajama movie date with Lucia and family. I read Harry Potter this week (year 1) and enjoyed it. I challenged myself to read these series of books this coming winter and of course to watch the movie at every end of each book. So far so good. (Can you believe I managed to shield myself from Harry Potter all these years? It's a good thing because I'm getting a fresh approach to the stories. So please no spoilers.: )

Here's to wishing for a little magic this Christmas...

Thank you Bob for a nice morning together, wish you were here for the lighting of our tree. I hope you enjoyed seeing it here tonight. I miss you! Thank you Lucia, Betty, Bruno, & Louis for a fun and cozy night. Betty, I can see why you're such a gourmet at making popcorn. It was yummy!