All Things French

People have been asking me what I am buying now that I am leaving. For example, what "French" things make the cut?

It's strange. Everyone's France is different. What reminds me of France, may not be what reminds someone else of their France!

So I say what things I have bought...and I usually get a blank stare. Like a , "Oh, huh, that's interesting."

NOT.

So I'm going to post the things I have purchased and why I have purchased them and why they are France to me. So if you're bored, continue!

1) Tuna - there is a tuna brand here. Canned tuna. That doesn't taste at all fishy. Comes in these huge chunks. Does not have a metallic taste. It's so good, I don't even add mayonnaise to it. I just eat it with salad and a light vinaigrette. Add on some chevre toasted in the oven on small baguette slices and it's my heaven.

2) Sardines - it's packed with tomatoes, onions, peppers. It's awful to most people. But my dad used to eat sardines and he shared them with me and rice/baguette. It's a memory with my dad, and it's a memory for me here too.

3) Emile Henry cooking ceramics - purchased a small baking terrine and a tarte dish. I love the colors here. The tarte dish is bright green and I love to make quiches so it will be perfect. The terrine dish is this gorgeous deep purple which will remind me of my friend Mary who introduced me to the color and the brand.

4) Le Creuset stuff - the best. Everything I have made in these pots comes out good. It's really incredible. So now I have a mini collection: 5.5 quart round dutch oven, 4.5 oval dutch oven, grill pan, 4 mini cocottes, large terrine/fois gras maker, square baking dish.

5) Instant Coffee - they make instant expresso powder here. It's really good. MUCH better than instant coffee in the states.

6) Mariage Frere tea - my favorite. Always has been. Always will be. Drink it with a fresh baked croissant and THAT is my Paris.

7) Lentilles du Puy - my favorite lentilles. First time I have had it is here in Paris. So I bought some to bring back.

8) Honeys - not runny honey. But solid/spreadable honey. Great with butter and a baguette. My first time I had it was here!

9) Cassoulet in a can. Trying to get that through customs. Cassoulet is my favorite and I still have not had the guns to try to make it at home. I don't often meet a recipe that intimidates me, but cassoulet is it. And pho.

10) Clothes - I have boycotted French clothes for a long time. And I happily did it for 2 years. But once you live somewhere a while, you learn to like their style and adapt it with your own. So now, after living here for some time, I've finally started buying their clothes. And I Love it! My favorite brand is Comptoirs des Cotoniers and I've been trying to pick up little pieces here and there.

11) Books in French. Boring, but necessary to keep up the language.

12) Very processed madeleines. I hate to admit, but I love the ones carrefour and bonne maman make. So I brought some to bring back. I love them with tea.

13) Pompotes - Squeezable apple sauce. Michael LOVES them and they are SO easy for travel.

SO there you have it. Just a quick snippet. I'm a little scared to go back. We are used to life here...I'll have to re-learn everything when I go home. But at least, I'll be able to speak the language without thinking so hard.

Love,
P

Photoshoot Gone Wrong

Wanna see a funny impromptu photo session?

Boys vs. Girl comparison is worth stating too.

In October, we had a playdate at the Champ des Mars with Karstyn/Katie/Elayna. We tried to get some pictures of Michael together with Karstyn and the Eiffel Tower. This is what we got:

Michael telling Karstyn something. Karstyn looking cute and doing what she's supposed to:

Michael is now running to the camera. Karstyn still cute and doing what she's supposed to:

Michael now is grabbing his crotch. Karstyn still being cute:
Eventually, anarchy did reign: Love,
P

P.S. Next blog posts may be FROM TEXAS!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

Staying At Home

Staying at Home instead of working is a blessing. But when you're dealing with the umpteenth tantrum for the day and a shirt full of food stains on it...it's easy to forget why I do it. Especially when he wakes up and the first words out of his mouth are, "Where's my Daddy? I LOVE MY DADDY SO MUCH."

Guess I'm chopped liver right?

On Thursday of last week, I had a babysitter come from 9am-3pm so I could get some things done. I came home with food and spent lunch at home instead of out. While eating, Michael turns to me, takes my hand, and says:

"Mommy, you are home a lot with me."

"Yes, Michael, I am!"

"Mommy, I like you home a lot with me."

It was just nice to have some appreciation. To know that the sacrifices I made were worth it. To know that it made a difference to my son. It only took 3 years to get here. :)

Lately, he's been so lovey-dovey with us. Today, he walked into the kitchen and said, "Mommy, I need a hug." So of course, he gets one and he squeezes me as hard as he can and says, "Mommy, I love you SO much. I love you I love you I love you."

My goodness...if this is what happens when I let him watch TV and play on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse website a lot because I am packing/etc...I sure am enjoying the rewards of being a "good" Mommy!

Just had to blog about it. As you can imagine, we are busy busy busy. Seeing our friends, eating out a lot, and just packing/sorting/cleaning.

Gotta post our latest pictures of Michael at Brian's company's Christmas Kids' Party. Let's just say he got his face painted as a tiger.

Love,
P

Baguette Update

The baguettes turned out pretty good. They browned really nicely, the inside was thoroughly cooked and of good consistency, and the outside was really crusty. The flavor needs some work though. Perhaps I didn't put in enough salt. I'll have to ask my neighbor François Sallé; he's a master.

Baguettes

It's Tuesday. I took a day off of work to take care of Michael while Phuong went in for her procedure.

Michael and I are making our own baguettes today. We're using the recipe from http://www.faire-son-pain.com/baguette-rustique

So far, so good. We have a ball of dough conforming to the description of "doesn't stick too much to the hands". Now two hours of rise time and we'll see what comes of it.

Here are some photos. Michael manned the flour additions - spooning flour onto my hands when the dough was really sticky. Then after it got less sticky, I let him knead the bread a bit! He liked kneading and then poking holes into the ball with his fingers.

Putting those little hands to work:

Smelling the bread....mmmm....yeasty goodness!
Look, Dad, dough ball!

Laser Wars

This morning I taught Michael how to have laser wars when we went pee in the morning. He laughed and laughed when I crossed the streams; I had to stabilize him by holding the top of his head but he kept everything in the bowl. Great potential this one has.

Green Beans

The other day at dinner I taught Michael how to stick a green bean in his nose. He laughed and laughed.

Mickey Mouse

I think Michael liked Disneyland. He tells me every day that he wants to go back. Tonight he told me that he wanted to live in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Later I asked him if he wanted to go to church with me tomorrow and he said he wanted to go to the Mickey Mouse Church.

Disneyland Paris!

This past Sunday, Brian took us all to Disneyland Paris for his birthday! What a generous man to give up his birthday for his son!

Here's one of our 1st pictures at the entrance. See, not every picture is perfect!

First up, the carrousel:

Then, the teacups pavillion, which was gorgeous:

Michael loved 'em:

Then, 30 minutes in line for Dumbo:

And that was the end of fun in Disneyland. It was 11:30am. After this, everything frightened Michael. We did Peter Pan (after grabbing the fast pass)...it was a dark ride and that freaked him out.

We did the Alice in Wonderland maze. The queen of hearts popped out of a box and was angry. That freaked Michael out for the rest of it. See Michael buried in Brian's shoulder here:
The rest of the day was a wash. He didn't like the Buzz Light Year ride, which was AWESOME. We got a gun and everything and you shoot these targets. Brian and I had A GREAT time there. Michael DID like the little theater that was there showing old Mickey cartoons. And the toy store.

Then, we saw the parade at night, which he loved. After which, we went to Cafe Mickey where the characters come out and take pictures with you. Michael LOVED THAT! Here's Michael with Mickey:
He was so excited. Then Stitch from Lilo and Stitch scared the bejeezus out of him and made him cry. *sigh*

After this, he became SUPER enthralled with a remote controlled Lightening McQueen car outside of a toy store. Can we say Christmas gift?

OK...It started out awesome, but then wasn't. Glad we didn't spend oodles of money flying, staying in a hotel, etc! We'll be back in 2-3 years in AMERICA when he's a little older and can ride space mountain with dad while mom sits on a bench!

Next time, I'm going to let Michael see what he wants to see without worrying about lines/etc. I think I tried to control the day too much trying to see all the rides/etc. Next time, I'm going to stand in the line to see Christmas Goofy even if it takes 30 minutes out of the day! Note to self: LET YOUR CHILD DICTATE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN A PLACE THAT IS MEANT FOR THEM.

Parenting is a constant learning process...

Nov. 11th.

On Veteran's Day, the French have a holiday too. I don't care enough to even look it up. I just know Brian had off and it was great fun in the middle of the week!

We wandered out to Parc de Sceaux to meet one of Michael's 1st friends, Geo. We met Geo and his mom because she spoke English to him in Square Rene Legall. And me, in my sheer desperation clutching my then 6 month old Michael yelled out, "YOU SPEAK ENGLISH!!!"

And in my head, she was to be my friend. And luckily, it ended up happening that way!

So we spent the day with Geo and his family at the playground out there. It was REALLY imaginative and cool. Slides shaped like dinosaurs, play areas that looked like HUGE book cases, benches made of music notes/paper. And then a huge fort/play area with 2 tall slides. I would LOVE to do a shoot there one day!

The boys were a bit put off by the cold at first, but then warmed up little by little. It started witha bit of bubble blowing:

Then flying through the air:
After which we played some more and started the walk to Geo's place. Here are the boys at the top of the stairs figuring out what to do to get down:
Love that fountain there...the parc had a chateau and fountains and was really gorgeous. A place you wouldn't normally go to but we are so glad they live near there so we can see it and them!

Here's Chady playing airplane in the big open field on the way home. It's probably the only open field in all of Paris and its surrounding suburbs: And Michael laughing at Chady trying to hide behind a tree:
We went back to their place for a delicious lunch of pizza!!! And good stories, great hot beverages, and a rousing game of Operation. That game is MUCH harder than I remember. :)

It was really fun.

Starting to Say Our Goodbyes

Starting to say goodbye to our friends. One by one...and the first today was my shopping buddy Su.

My shopping buddy. I don't have many...but what makes someone my shopping buddy? The ability to spend money...and do it without hesitation. With enthusiasm. And with constant perserverance to find that RIGHT item, even if it means going to the same store in 3-4 different locations.

Su is it. Su and I once went to a huge mall here in Paris. She had her shopping trolley. Me, my suitcase. And we went, filled up our bags and called it a day. DURING a metro strike. Which meant that we both walked 30-40 minutes to get to the ONE metro line that was running (out of 2 automated lines). Shopped all day, came home the same way. Me, carrying a 52" roll of paper that was to be my Thanksgiving tablecloth.

This, is dedication. This is a GOOD shopping buddy!

SO, on one of our last outings, we went from one thing to the next in Paris...like 2 ladies who didn't have husbands and kids waiting at home.

We started by watching 500 Days at a movie theater on the Champs Elysees. Su was mistaken about the time and we showed up 10 minutes late, but only 1 minute before the movie started. So we got to skip the previews.

Then, we wandered over to Angelina's across from the Tuileries and had their famous hot chocoloate and Le Mont Blanc. It was like drinking a melted chocolate bar. And in a gorgeous room.

After which we decided we needed to peruse the English bookstore, WH Smith.

Then, Brian suggested we go out to dinner (Gotta love my husband!). So we went over to Mirama's for some great Chinese food.

And then I hugged my friend goodbye. And since she works, has 2 primary school aged kids, etc...it's hard for us to find time to see each other. So it really is goodbye.

So I made sure it was a GOOD hug.

For the Record

Just wanted to post some random things for myself.

Didn't have heat for the past 2.5 weeks. Luckily, we were in the USA for the 1st week and a half. But it's pretty cold right now...about high of 40-50 or so. We were FREEZING in the house until the heater guy came this morning. That's right, at 9am on a Saturday. Almost seems UNFRENCH doesn't it.

Michael had reverse culture shock in America. With a toilet. We get to America, he pees, and then he's looking all over the toilet. He looks at me and asks, "Where's the button Mommy?"

"Well, in America, you don't push a button to flush a toilet. You push this lever."
Something small but interesting.

Also, one day for lunch, he asked if we could have quiche. Hmmm...while you can get quiche in America, it's not available at every boulangerie like it is here. So no son, it's going to have be Burger King because we're house hunting.

Michael told me yesterday that Daddy was his favorite and that I was his 2nd favorite. I'm ok with that. I'm just glad I made the list and that Jonah wasn't ahead of me. :)

He loves a song by Edith Piaf that he calls his "Crazy Song." If he hears it, he stops whatever he's doing and immediately starts running around in circles and shaking his head back and forth.

I am selling things right now...it's a pain in the butt. This one Message mom has literally asked me 4-5 questions (in 3-5 e-mails mind you)...about my toddler bed. She has to convince her husband to come and get it. Why am I annoyed? BECAUSE THE BED IS FREAKIN' 10 EURO. What do you really expect for 10 euro??? IT'S A FREAKIN' BED. GOOD GRIEF. I'd understand if it was an oven or a real appliance that needs to fit and work. BUT A BED? JEEZ.

That's it.

Halloween in Paris

We flew back into Paris on Sat. Oct 31st at 8:30am. Whole family took a 4 hour nap. By 4:00pm, we were at Square Violet, ready for some serious trick or treating.

Here is our bat inspecting his ghetto trick or treat candy bag:
Yup, I made that 5 minutes before we left for the trick or treat. It's a Le Bon Marche bag that I glued black construction paper over the logo and then did that pumpkin. Not sure if I should get mother of the year or not since I did not buy my son a trick or treat bag.

It was a nice little party with stations for the kids to beg for candy.

The usual suspects were there with us! Jonah and Michael showing me their candy bags:

Looking happy. I think Michael has candy in his mouth:

And hung out with Elise too. She was a cute little princess. Michael with still more candy in his mouth and Jonah waving a glow stick there around his wrist:

All in all, a great party! We were jet lagged, and I had to convince Michael to go to the trick or treat! He told me later he was glad he went because there was candy there.

Pictures from our House Hunting Trip - Poll at the End

Pennsylvania was G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S this time of year. The leaves were BEAUTIFUL. Golden yellows, lush oranges, bright reds. Here's my fav pic from the trip:
Loved the farmlands. I wonder what would be the premium to buy this guy? He's sleeping behind that sign there:

Michael's opinion on househunting. Loved his pose here in the car:

So...who was our best contender? Here we go...#1 on our list:

This is the gorgeous mature-tree lined street towards the house. The reds were a lot brighter in real life:

Gorgeous orange tree lined streets towards the community:

The front of the house. LOVE the wrap around porch. Don't love the grey siding and the grey shutters and the grey grey grey of the house. To re-side it cream would be a $10K job. Then, would need dark blue shutters - $1-2K. Then a red door. And don't bother asking about Brick. That's an additional $20K premium up north.

Lots of land. About an acre.

Let's go inside:

Here's the entryway. Love the stairs and hardwoods. Great quality house. 2 coat closets there. AWESOME. HOWEVER...notice how the view from the front door leads STRAIGHT to the view of the back door? BAD FENG SHUI. VERY BAD. Possible solution: Make the back door into a window and move the door elsewhere.

View of the living room/dining room to the left of the entry way picture above. Again, well kept and gorgeous:

Here we go up the stairs to the master bedroom:

Ignore the pink carpet, replace it with hardwoods and a nice rug. You see that hallway to the back there? Yes, that is a hallway in the freakin' master bedroom. The hallway leads to a his and hers closet and a dressing area. Plus the bathroom:

3 bedroom house. Need to finish the basement. GREAT quality. You ask about the kitchen? Needs a new stove...but the cabinets are nice. Could use an update with granite countertops and new cabinet fronts, but overall, great design. Good quality. All lower cabinets have pull out drawers and there are even built in utensil dividers.

Back view of the house. There's a gazebo there:

Now comes the poll.

I love this house. It's gorgeous. With some updating, it would be really beautiful. And the community is nice, it's in an award winning school district, and it's 30 minutes from Brian's work.

BUT...when I set foot in that house, I feel something bad. Not horrible, but bad. The first time. And when I went in the 2nd time WITH Michael. I felt something REALLY bad. REALLY REALLY bad. SO bad, I had to leave.

Come to find out...the lady is selling it because she lost her job. And when she bought the house, she was married. And now she is NOT.

Which means...in the 19 years she has had that house, she lost a spouse and a job.

Makes you think twice about the feng shui doesn't it?

SOOOOO...

POLL:

Would you:

A) Buy the house, ignore the feng shui. It's a great price, great value, great quality. Got a lot of things going for it. Figure out how to change the feng shui.

Or

B) Walk away. Will you fall off the face of the earth if you buy that house? Maybe...maybe not. But I think it's proven now that the house does not have the best luck associated with it. And if it doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel right.

Let's see...

PA or DE?

Jet-lagged. And homeless in January when we get to Newark. Can't say our trip last week was super successful.

But it was because:

1. We decided we want to live in Pennsylvania or Hockessin area
2. We got to hang out with Bill/AK and realized they are only 1.5 hours away. Awesome to be so close to family.
3. We had an amazing time with our friends who are already there and met some new ones too. What a relief to have such an awesome support network already there!
4. Have some rental options in case we can't find a home by the end of the month we have in corporate housing.
5. Got Thanksgiving paper goods at Target and got to go to Target. SWEET.

So...while it wasn't super successful in that we didn't find a great home we BOTH liked...

We still had fun. And we have some silly pictures to boot. And we got to see Pennsylvania in the fall, which was - GORGEOUS. The leaves were all orange/yellow/bright...SO beautiful. I can't wait for next year's photoshoots in farms with pumpkins and large farm fields with fall leaves in the back.

It's going to be great. At least I tell myself. And then I realize there's only 1 Target that serves Newark/Wilmington/Southern Chester County, PA. And it's 30 minutes away from anywhere we'd live. EEK. :)

And the nearest good mall is 45 minutes away. Well, we won't have any money anyways so it's best that those things are SO FAR AWAY.

Michael gets an F in Anatomy class

Today we were over at Karstyn's house. At some point she went to go pee. Michael followed her into the bathroom and while he was watching her pee (from a safe distance I hope - I was in the living room), I heard him tell her, "Karstyn, you have to hold your peepee down!"

Party!

So! Michael's official birthday was this past Saturday, Oct 17th and we celebrated with Michael's friends. We rented out the trampolines in the Tuileries for the kids for half an hour. The guy was 10 minutes late showing up.

The kids were READY and had settled down after attempting to break and enter into the place:
Jumping fun:

Michael lovin' his trampoline:

The kids had a FANTASTIC time. Here's my attempt to get all 9 kids on one trampoline and sitting still:

You try this too and let me know what you get! :)

After this, we took all the kids to the carousel and let them ride that. After which we walked the length of the Tuileries, which took nearly 30 minutes with 8 adults and 7 kids.

Got home, did cake. Here's Michael blowing out his candle:

Michael told me he wanted a cake with the number 5 on it. So I did that, and stuck a #3 candle on it. I think he'll be ok.

The kids were happy to chill out and watch a movie. And frankly, so was Larry:

The gorgeous colors of the Tuileries inspired me to get a family photoshoot. We went back around 1pm and the lighting was so much more different, but I did the best I could. And had photoshop help me with the rest. Here are some normal posed pictures that I like:

And we walked to the Luxembourg Gardens and I got this pic of Brian and Michael that I love.

And voila! Michael's birthday weekend done! We loved every minute of it and loved having such great friends to celebrate it with. We are just so blessed!

Big 3!

Today's the day my little boy turns 3. Seems all of a sudden so grown up to me. THREE.

At one, I was celebrating that he was still alive and so were we. And that we survived. Somehow, by the grace of God, we survived. That first year as a family in a foreign country.

At two, we didn't make a huge deal. Just a little ice cream party with our playgroup friends. It was festive, joyful, and happy to be surrounded by his playmates. And quite frankly mine too.

At three. He's started school. He speaks in complete sentences. He has a real personality with likes and dislikes. He's kind to others and offers babies toys when they cry. He pushes us because he's three. He knows Go Dog Go almost by heart. He loves playing with his friends but gets into fights with them at times. He's still not a great eater.

After our rather unsuccessful attempts at continuing our family this year, I get choked up thinking about how 3 years ago Michael came into our life, became part of our family, and changed our life forever. And how what a blessing and gift he is. And how thankful we are to have him here with us.

And so, to my Little Buddy: Happy 3rd birthday to our gift from God. I will always love you and I will always cherish the day you came into our lives.

What If

What if...everyday of my life in Paris for the past 3 years was like today?

I would never want to leave. Ever.

The day started sunny and gorgeous.

I dropped Michael off at school. He was happy to go. I saw him run in there and grab a basket and start on his craft.

I ran off to do a photoshoot. It was awesome. Here are my 2 favorite pictures that are 1) different than normal and 2) not at all altered in photoshop:
To see more standard ones and more from this shoot, you'll have to go to my photography website.

Then, went back to pick up Michael up from school, but was early.

So went to a boulangerie, ordered some mighty delicious ratatouille.

Sat down next to the Seine and ate my gorgeous ratatouille while watching the boats go by on the Seine next to the fall foliage lining the river.

Picked up my happy Michael from school.

Took him to "Eiffel Tower Park." AKA: Champs des Mars.

Went to McDonalds for lunch.

Michael napped for 30 minutes while I shopped.

Bought some birthday party supplies at Monoprix.

Met Katie/Karstyn/Elayna at Champs des Mars for a playdate.

They did the caroussel. Michael with his wand that they give the kids to get rings onto:

And then a photoshoot with Karstyn and the Eiffel Tower:

Michael trying to be a part of Katie's family. I mean, who doesn't want an Asian son?

Went home, had leftover blanquette de veau for dinner.

Done.