Tis the season.......for real!!!!!

Got a text from H today:  "A house with a view for us.  They accepted our offer.   xoxoxox."
Text?  Yes, because I'm in Chicago right now and cell reception is covered by AT&T.  You know, if you have AT&T.
Updates to follow.
Lovely and sweet dreams with fireplaces (and windows) in all the right places(!),
A

The bleeping photo collage*

I wrote about this in  Jan. 2011.  Early, early phase.  H and I haven't even hit daughter's arrival yet, but going through our pics brings back so many lovely memories.  Thanksgiving is a special time for us.  Really, no better time than now to sort through them.
*21 things to do in 2011.
The collage will be a huge installment on our living room wall.  Epic (it will be that big) is what I like to call it.
Sweet dreams and official Christmas wishes!
x,
A

Phase 1-rough draft

A little photo story of our week end in NYC.

The pics aren't the greatest (they remind me a bit of the photo booth pic strips), but I think they do a lovely job showing how much fun we had.
Friday.  Take the AirTrain/Subway from JFK to our midtown hotel.  Cabs are overrated!
At the Shake Shack.

Happy to get a table.  Seriously, it's like warfare just to get a seat.

Shake Shack Shake

Friday night.  Shopping.  Sleep.
Saturday.  Shopping.  More shopping.  Lunch here.

H arrives!!
Dinner.   We had amazing truffle macaroni and cheese here.
Sunday.  Museums.  Shopping.  Fashion district tour.  Drinks at The Plaza.

Dinner at Carmine's (spiedini, of course!).  The Lion King.
Monday.  A discovery like no other:  Mood fabrics.  Last minute shopping and people watching.
JFK to PDX.  Fall into bed......dream lovely dreams.

Cuteness galore

www.dribbleduds.com

Ruffles and pinkness.  Lovely.

Ghosts, dreams and nightmares........

Boo!
I would love to post a few pics from my Charleston and Savannah trips here, but my computer doesn't recognize my camera for some reason.  Whatever.  Once I get the work around, I will share some pretty pics from the South.
We're getting into Halloween.

.....eyeballs are floating in the courtyard fountain (you can't see them because this pic is from last year).  I've glittered bones on a silver tray (despite sounding grotesque, it looks pretty lovely....in a festive, holiday, but not everyday type way, you know?).  And.... I saw this yesterday in the Pearl.  I need one for my car!

A fresh change from Christmas wreaths on front bumpers in December.

Do y'all know about Pinterest?  It's like crack for those who wouldn't know better.  Fair warning.
Lovely dreams.
x,
A

Hold me back.

Am in Savannah with mom, sightseeing and doing some company work.  When I saw this sign for the South's version of Carl's Jr,  I just had to stop and take a pic.  Not sure this would succeed in the PacNW.
Ooooh, yes, lots of lovely moss dripping tree pics to share.....but this sign is so overwhelming at the moment.
Lovely dreams everyone (!).....try to keep ghost thoughts away.  Evidently, Savannah is haunted.  Hmmm.  Thank you to my special friend who helped keep me awake here and in half moon bay with ghost tales.  I'm being productive during insomnia.  Ha!

I might have a rebel*.....

Posing for a lovely Boston skyline view.  She isn't bored with the dinner conversation yet....

Doing her best to be gangster.  We went swimming and ordered room service ice cream sundaes when we got back to our hotel.
*perhaps she is just doing her job as lovely adolescent girl?!?

Rome

Beautiful, chaotic, and delicious.

My handsome tour guide.

Souvenir stands.....see the silver guy?  He had a little party favor whistle (the kind that rolls out when you blow on it) that he would activate every few seconds so we knew he was there.  Hilarious.

At the Campo de Fiori.

A window at Piazza Navone.

Outside the Colosseum

More Piazza Navone

a Roman building (not sure where I took this).

A totally original photo from a trip to Rome.  

We're still talking about dinner here.

Getting into the Roman lifestyle with our friend Juan.

I spent the first few days in Rome not really getting what all the fuss was about.  But then...after a few meals, people watching, dodging all the traffic(!), talking French to people who didn't speak English, wandering around the quiet areas, taking siestas EVERY day, having late and lovely dinners.....I got it....I could have stayed there for another month!  But by day 5 my heart ached, you know, that ache when you miss someone so very much.  So, on day 5, when I got to the top of the steps which led to the Borghese Gardens (thank GOD for that sanctuary of calm in Rome) and I saw this...all spelled out and on display.... it made me smile.

Breathe deep. She's ready.

If this much progress is made in a few hours, then 11 years are nothing!!

\

6th grade starts next Tuesday.  Hold both of our hands.
x,
A
P.S.  This is a favorite year where I met most of my best, most lovely friends.  Crucial......maybe epic is today's word??

More than meets the eye...

Layers.

Look closely and see if you can see everything.
Paris, April 2011.
x,
A

Lunchbox napkin project! Reduce and reuse.

This is actually kindergarten!

When daughter started preschool, the school's lunchbox policy was no waste (and two fruits and vegetables).  Every school day, I packed 2 cloth napkins: one for her placemat, and one to use.  Not sure if it's a french school lunch custom, but I thought the policy was lovely.

For example: 2 lunchbox napkins.  Placemat and napkin!

To carry on the tradition, I  started the lunchbox napkin project (see CFAC's website, at side bar, for link to etsy site....aack...I don't know how to do all those fancy hyperlinks) to benefit the water project.  Thanks for looking.
Do something lovely for yourself.  You deserve it!
x,
A

Lunchbox napkin project! Reduce and Reuse!

For example: 2 lunchbox napkins used as placemat and napkin!

When daughter started preschool, the school's lunchbox policy was no waste (and two fruits and vegetables).  Every school day, I packed 2 cloth napkins: one for her placemat, and one to use.  Not sure if it's a french school lunch custom, but I thought the policy was lovely.  To carry on the tradition, I started the lunchbox napkin project.
It's ready to go...finally!!!..a few choices are posted on my Etsy site.  See sidebar for link to shop.
Thanks for your ongoing support.
x,
A

Cruel

but good.
mmmmm........so lovely.

Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

• by bon appétit magazine, on Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:18am PST

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By Bon Appetit magazine

We found these over at the blog Becky Bakes yesterday. Becky, it turns out, was inspired by Jenny at the Picky Palate blog. Both bloggers suggest using double-stuffed Oreos, obviously. Guess you can't spell overload without o-r-e-o. Seriously guys, this is the new cupcake.

Here's the recipe:

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 10 oz bag chocolate chips
• 1 pkg. Oreo cookies

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugars together with a mixer until well combined.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda.  Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined.  Using a cookie scoop take one scoop of cookie dough and place on top of an Oreo Cookie.  Take another scoop of dough and place on bottom of Oreo cookie.  Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo cookie is enclosed with dough.  Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Makes about 2 dozen VERY LARGE cookies.

For the love of Audi*

Spent the last 2 days shopping for a car.**   When I finally decided what I wanted (color, engine horsepower, packages, wheel size/style), I had to leave the dealership to take daughter to a 5th grade graduation (!)  pool party.  So...... H was alone to get all the paperwork/trade in/negotiations completed.  The salesman told him, "Your wife loved the car so much the price just went up 2 thousand dollars."  H responded, "My wife told me not to pay more than x amount for the car."  Touché.  We got our price.
I pick it up tomorrow just in time for road trip to visit my dad and grandma!
**Seriously, what is more painful than car shopping?  Swimsuits?  Jeans?  Why can't it be easy?  Like shoes and handbags?
*umm, err, I mean God?

Year-end program. What a lovely, extraordinary 8 years.

Costumes for tomorrow's performance.  I hope I get some good pics!

Little reminder :

The children all need their costume

Anna-Sophia : Waitress

Michael : Waiter black pants and white dress shirt

Addison : CIA agent Sunglasses and dark clothes

Anthony : Waiter black pants and white dress shirt

Vivian : Silly teenager

Emma : Silly teenager

Hannah : Silly teenager

Annika : A super rich client (Bill Gates' daughter)

Max: Russian mafioso white dress shirt, dark pants

Santo: CIA Sunglasses and dark clothes

Nora : A lady ( beautiful hair dress if possible)

Nicholas :  Russian mafioso white dress shirt, dark pants

Carter : CIA agent Sunglasses and dark clothes

Meredith : Rich client

See you tomorrow,

Rozenn

5th grade and PFS are almost over.  Bittersweet.
x,
A

Granville. Rhymes with TV.

After 6 lovely days in busy Paris, a train ride to Granville proved to be just what I needed to relax.   Well, also knowing I was picking up daughter from her field trip helped.  I should have video of us parents (and kids!) at the reunion.
I couldn't get enough of this place during the 2 days I was there.

This is the entrance to the staircase (steep, very steep, no railings) to the sea from the Christian Dior museum and garden.

This is a picture of I don't know what, but it caught my eye in a residential window, so I climbed up a fence/ledge type thing and took a pic!

This pic is from my hotel room.  When I ordered room service, the front desk asked if I wanted it delivered to my room or if I would, "Take it by the sea."  I took it by the sea.  How could someone resist that option?
I'm going back.

An unexpected lovely/unlovely mix

Birthdays are a big deal around here.  My family's, friends', and mine (!).  They are full of treats and huge, grand arm sweeping surprises.  But my last one, last month, was a bust.  Don't get me wrong, the gifts and well wishes were stellar (as always!) but the tone rang sour with daughter's  unexpected, impending school closure.   I almost forgot all about MY DAY.  Worry friends, I celebrate 1/2 b'days.
So.......I've been thinking about last year.   H told me that morning, "Just put on something nice and be ready at 7:00."  Daughter was sooooo excited.  I couldn't extract ANYTHING out of her.  What a vault!
This is what pulled up:

And this is her inside, shrieking about the TV:

I still, occasionally, crack up about how people rushed to the limo when we pulled up at Pazzo to see who was inside.  Just us.  They were disappointed, but I have a great memory of something that makes me laugh.  That's a special gift, no?

Above song keeps running through my head.   Incessantly.  Not sure if it's a gift (the incessantness...is that a word?).   Oops, sorry.  I didn't mean to get it stuck in your head too, if you chose to click on it.
Make everyday lovelier than your b'day!  How's that for making up for last month?
x,
A

Paris, je t'aime*

I loved this moment when H tossed daughter my camera and told her,  "Get ready to take a picture of your mama and me."

She got all giggly.  Super darling.  Wish I had a pic of her at that point.
*Yeah, corny post title, but the following is even cornier:

Evidently, lovebirds put padlocks on some of the bridges over the Seine and throw the key into the river to signify undying love.  Who needs to do this?   If it's undying, why pollute the river?  Why not just buy your special someone something pretty/handsome to wear or look at....or... do nothing and just be?  The French are miffed out over it, but the dressed up locks do make a compelling pic.  Google "padlock on the Seine" for the article(s) that won't let me paste HERE.
More on France trip later.  Home less than 3 weeks and already penciled in another Paris trip.  Lovely.
x,
A

4 french stamps for sale

I have a complaint to the French government.*  I bought 7 postcard stamps at La Poste and said, "Les timbres pour la carte postale aux Étas-Unis."  Repeat.  Repeat.  The lady smiled, nodded her head (I think I now recall a smirk) and sold me stamps for within Europe only.  Do you know how I know this?  Well,  as I sat in the laundromat, writing a pretty postcard to my mom,  I had a thought, "Is this the right postage?"**  I went around the corner to above mentioned La Poste and a much friendlier French man told me I had the wrong stamp.   Aaaah.  I have the right postage now and  4 extra bleeping stamps (no exchanges, "Je suis désolé pour toi." )  So, family and friends.....perhaps you'll still get the first round (he said the postal service might still deliver...like it's a judgment call).  If not, you'll get the second.  More postcard writing next week!
You need the purple for postcards to US.  Not the blue:

*Yeah, do you think they are going to listen?  I can hear it now, "You are American.  You must suffer here.  We do everything right. We are the French."
 **Intuition.  Never ignore it!
Now some pretty pictures.  I'm going to fall asleep on a lovely note tonight!

Along the Jardin du Luxembourg gates is an exhibition titled "Femmes Eternelles."  I especially liked this one:  I would call it under the watchful eye.

And tulips in the garden  Wait.....french tulips.

Finally, it might or might not be lovely....I went back for the handbag today on Rue Princesse and, I am serious, it was no longer in the window!
Off to Normandy tomorrow to pick up daughter on Wednesday.  Hooray.  Hooray.
x,
A

Fermé le dimanche.

Aaaawww...no matter how many times I visit Paris, I always forget most everything (except the cafés) are closed on Sundays.
So, it was window shopping on the left bank today.  I saw this in a window:

You can't see it, but the lock reads, "My purse is my kingdom."  Could you imagine unlocking it every time you needed to get inside?  Probably a waste of time especially because you know we fill our handbags to capacity (heavy!).  But still..... how cute?
Then this drove down the street:

Total stroke of luck:

I saw above bike the day I got here, but was too foggy to pull out my camera.  I loved how the crate read MAMA (of course, daughter on field trip is on my mind!).  I thought about this bike and regretted snapping a pic.   Today I was out walking and it was still there.  Lucky me!!
Lastly, sunset on the Seine (March 2007).  Tonight reminded me of this pic.

Bonne nuit.
x,
A

Man, I miss ice cubes.

It's warm (bordering hot) in Paris.   Ice is rare...no, pretty much unavailable here.   A refrigerated, not even cold Desperados costs 3x as much as one from the grocery shelf.  But, it's worth it after a long day on your feet.   These are not available in the U.S.  Pic of one from my hotel balcony!

H, you aren't flying to Paris next week just for the Desperados are you? Ha!

In the city of perpetual beauty and style, I found tacky.

What color would you choose?

Oh, how time passes and things remain the same.  I took the pic below in the Palais Royale Arcade last  Oct. 09 to capture the chandelier for possible decor in my home.
I am serious here, this same man was standing in his shop today18 months later!

Uncertain if he realized I wanted a pic of the chandelier (my french can be spotty), but I love how he posed for the photo.  Mom, do you remember this?

Now I know how mom's feel when their kid's(') don't write or call.  Daughter's been in Normandy since Sunday....no emails,  no calls, no postcards, which is a good sign that she's independent, having fun, and learning alot (!), but still......

At PDX getting ready to fly to CDG!

Taking pic of her dad and me before she leaves for security.

So, hi Mom.  Everything is good and I am having a lovely time!!!!

More wandering, museums, eating, and people watching tomorrow.

Lovely dreams.  I'm tired.

x,

A

P.S.  Don't believe the guide books.  I went here yesterday and it was a total waste of money.  I didn't see the point, but the building was beautiful!!!

P.S.S. Whoever out there took my trench coat on the flight to Paris....I want it back.  But, on the lovely side, I'll have to buy a new one.  :)