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!

Twilighters Anonymous

My Name is Michelle and I have a Twilight addiction. (LOL!!!)

TWILIGHTERS ANONYMOUS

HELPING ADDICTS

SINCE 2008

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT A CURE

Remember that picture above from a year ago? I've been spoiled once more by my loving sis' Len, founder and creator of Twilighters Anonymous (TA). TA truly feeds my addiction.

A very thoughtful package filled with goodies from the TA New Moon Release Party.

Len, I couldn't thank you enough for this fun surprise in my mail!

I was dazzled...

... and "imprinted"?!

Gus, my jeep's very own bumper sticker.

A new book too--- to keep me warm and cozy this coming winter.

Hmm, I read somewhere that this book is, "A must-have that will give Bella and Edward a run for their money." : ) I spy a wolf.

How cool is that? I'm one lucky TA fan! This definitely satisfied my thirst for more... Thank you, thank you, thank you for thinking of me. Much love!

For everything Thy goodness sends.

Sharing our Thanksgiving celebration...

i was inspired to make this chocolate-glazed chocolate tart;

featured on the table from a parisienne flea market.

it turned out perfectly.

our annual menu with the standard main course

and ever-changing appetizer and dessert courses.

organization in the small lavender hill kitchen is key

in successfully executing thanksgiving supper

and makes for an enjoyable cooking time.

setting the table

special occasion calls for special wine

wine from our french famille

dates wrapped in proscuitto and drizzled with honey

hostess gift from carrie

such a lovely wrapping

such a lovely gift

carrie's first turkey carving

still life

with mom and dad who surprised us

before their holiday weekend getaway

with sweet carrie

carrie & mark

Blessings to all of you this Thanksgiving and always...

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

Meat & Potatoes

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'm anxious to get cooking again. Our kitchen has not been as busy as it used to be with the daily preparation of supper reduced to a few times a week since the Mr. began his studies. So it feels somewhat special nowadays when the kitchen fills up with the aroma of sweet butter and red wine, the sound of meat sizzling on the pan, the sight of cheese melting atop potatoes in the oven, and best of all my husband's look as he anticipates eating his favorite meal: meat and potatoes. Since this was my first try at this particular menu I just had to document it here. Suffice it to say, I think it turned out quite well. Bon Appétit!

There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves. ~Thomas Wolfe

creamy potatoes au gratin

& beef cooked in red wine sauce

topped with sauteed mushrooms and shallots

I had to let go of one of my rosemary bush this fall. It did not survive the transfer from outdoors to indoors in preparation for winter. Not to worry, with the cold season ahead it will serve well in our pot roasts and pot pies.

For our neighboring friends, let me know if you'd like some rosemary. I'd be happy to give you a bouquet.