“May I live like the lotus, at ease in muddy water.”
Have a happy day.
Love you.
Me
May I
Robin Toujours
Merci La Cuisine Paris
While in France, we are usually busy with family and friends. This year, our trip was spiced with very personal meaningful moments.
One of the things we did was take a cooking class. I have followed a Parisian Cooking School for many years on Instagram. I registered us months before class as they fill up very fast.
This year we took an hors d’oeuvre class. It was wonderful. The experience was only positive and welcoming.
We went to La Cuisine Paris.
I shall just post the link to La Cusine Paris here~ https://lacuisineparis.com/
Many people ask us about things to do while in Paris. This one is top of our list, even though it took us so long to sign up. The owner and staff of La Cuisine de Paris are amazing. English is spoken as is French. The classes are as simple or complicated as you wish to experience. I took so many photos, I learned so many wonderful techniques and we met the sweetest people. {Taking the class and working there}
My Larry is already talking about next years class that we will take. You know that LARRY DOES NOT COOK, right? Well he does now and now he feels comfortable with me in the kitchen.
Merci beaucoup La Cuisine De Paris. The experience was beyond expectation.
Love you.
Me
Sunday, Dinner and Movie
Yesterday Larry and I had a lovely day. The skies were gray and life was at status quo level.
We went to church, did a few errands and we had…Sunday Dinner and Movie. I prepared a new recipe and we enjoyed a spectacular Spanish wine.
I made crab stuffed portobello mushrooms, salad and country french bread.
Our Movie was Fanny’s Journey. I watched this movie last November, on the day before we left for Paris. If you watch Fanny’s Journey, please give it time. It is subtitled and starts out a bit slow, but the “set-up” is very important. After the movie, I asked Larry what he thought. He said: Everyone should see this movie.
The wine we had with dinner was a Christmas gift. Kathy, thank you so much. It was the perfect wine with our dinner and we toasted you and your family. Larry and I love that you are part of “our” family.
Yesterday was filled with pleasant love. You know the kind…..
Love you.
me
To Be The Smile
Yesterday was all over the place. I was happy, worried, anxious and content. What is it about January that hits us in the gut every year? Or is it only me?
I did not want to cook dinner so Larry and I ate McAlisters sandwiches. My lazy ways are continuing. What can I do? Do I need inspiration or a kick in the jeans?
This morning has started out OK. Larry is in Duncanville, TX for a meeting. I am dressed and ready for my Friday-Tai Chi class. It is OUR class, except when Larry has an early Friday meeting or conference call. Then I go alone.
I love getting up early and going to a class. It is the perfect start to a day. Tai Chi is very interesting and I have a lot to learn. The class {the students} I am in, have been together for a long time. They do a warm up, choreographed routine, a sword exercise and a fan routine. I love the fan routine but will be happy if I can learn the choreographed routine.
I want to master positive energy. To be the smile in a sea of frowns.
The Academy Of Arts And Sciences have not called me about the gig yet. They need to know, I am cheap at twice the price. Go on, smile. Happy Friday!
Love you beyond the moon.
Me
Dear Oscar Academy
I am tired. Tired of hearing about Kevin Hart and the “Oscar Apology”. I have my own thoughts about apologies and how to approach subjects when a person has hurt another. Over the past 25 years, I have been witness to inflicted hurt and denial. But, with that said, that is in the past and there is nothing anyone can do about the yesterdays in our life.
Moving on, the best way possible is what a hurt heart needs. A smile and true actions. Sometimes it is difficult. An estranged cousin recently called and demanded a phone number for a family member. I just did not respond. Sometimes I wonder what arrogance lives in the hearts of people when their actions are appalling.
Back to important thoughts….Dear Oscar Academy. You need a host or two on February 24, 2019. My Larry and I are not busy. I have a few skeletons in the closet as I refuse to apologize for anything I have not done. My life is blemished but happy. Each day is a joy and as I get older, I realize that life is entirely to short to waste a single moment being insulted, hurt, or disrespected. Learning to just walk away was my greatest lesson.
No one is blemish free. But….we all have the ability to move on and make the future joyful and kind.
Dear Academy, have “your” people call “our” people…
Love you,
Me
The Organic Kind
The days have been cloudy with migraine headaches. I am not sure if I had the flu or just a series of headaches that caused flu like symptoms. Either way I was miserable, throwing up and in bed.
Today is a much better day. I have worked on a recipe and organized a pattern that I will make into a top.
The recipe is mine, but is based on a French treat we had while on Holiday this year.
{Larry could not get enough of the treat so I promised myself that I would recreate it here, and surprise him}
The sun is out and the day is cool. it was a perfect day to play in the kitchen. Using ecrous, and spices, I made a double batch of a roasted, healthy treat….
Larry is in Dallas working. I cannot wait for him to come home and try the ecrous! {the nuts!}
I found the pattern below on Etsy. It is my “go to” place for vintage patterns. It is exactly what I had in mind for jeans, but will test it out with the fun {dog} flannel fabric. I do not often wear fabric with “things” on it. This will be interesting.
The aroma of roasted nuts is driving me crazy. I guess I should try one. Or two.
I wish you a happy day, filled with lots of nuts. The organic kind.
Love you.
Me
Rest Well Paula
On December 23rd, my book group received bad news. Sweet, dear, Paula passed away. She joined The Friends Book Club before I did and that is where she and I met.
Paula, had high energy and loved to read. The last book that the group read together was Paula’s choice. She missed our last meeting because she was ill.
This kind lady will no longer be at Book Group. It is difficult to imagine our group without her. I will miss her very much.
Today, Larry and I will attend her funeral service. Her sons will be there and I am anxious to tell them how much I loved their Mom….
Rest well Paula. You are going to be missed.
Love you.
Me
Dinner In Austin
On Thursday, My Larry and I got up very early and drove to San Antonio. He had meetings and I had my knitting. After his meetings, Instead of staying in San Antonio, we drove back to Austin where we checked into our favorite little hotel.
Sweet, wonderful, Larry. He said that if I kept him company on the trip, he would take me to dinner at my favorite restaurant in Austin for dinner
That is exactly what we did. Our hotel is a few blocks from the restaurant. It is a nice walk in downtown Austin, Texas to and from dinner.
Are you ready for a brand new year? I think that I am,
Have a happy, wonderful day….it is Sunday dinner and movie day!
Love you,
Me.
Sunday, Dinner and A Movie
Yesterday, Sunday Dinner and Movie was a blessing. The stress of the holiday had caught up to me and Larry made dinner. Potato salad, and grilled burgers.
Our movie was The Holly and The Ivy. {My favorite Christmas Carol}
The movie has an interesting history, it was intense and in the end….well….you will just have to watch it.
I can hardly believe that it is Christmas eve. My heart feels a bit melancholy and I look forward to a brand new, productive new year. 2019 sounds wonderful. {with lots of Sunday, dinner and movies.}
Love you,
Me
Wound Up
Today started with walking five miles in the fog. The first four miles were a breeze but when I start mile five, cramps kicked in. I suspect this is the pain/gain part of my exercise commitment. I took a picture but it looks like a gray mess….with so much fog. I will be back at the lake tomorrow, perhaps it will be a better day?
I came home from exercise, to wind balls of yarn. Last week, I bought a yarn swift and yarn ball winder. It was shipped in two pieces and I am patiently waiting for the “swift” {ironic isn’t it that the SWIFT is late to arrive?} While waiting, I am making due with the winder.
I frogged the project I started….to re-wind the balls of yarn that I had wound myself. It is fascinating watching the ball winder. So glad I have THREE MORE TO RE-WIND! Not really. It is interesting though and it is important for me to have the yarn feed from the inside of the ball.
Here is my primitive set up. I am so excited for the swift to arrive…because I bought the most amazing yarn in France and cannot wait to wind the skeins up. {more about that later}
Larry has gone to meetings in Dallas and I can hear my mothers clock ticking the time and chiming the hours. How I miss her this time of year. The special way she had of decorating the tree and the wonderful cookies she made.
This is the time of year to reflect on our faith and remember the special people who are not with us any longer. I have a question…..Why does this reflection change so drastically as we get older?
I adore hearing from our friends via holiday cards and seeing them at parties. It truly is about the special “moments” and making memories. Good memories.
It is quite true. I am wound up today and ready for anything. Bring it on….Christmas, I am ready!
Love you,
Me.
PS: My friend Molly’s sweet dog passed away this morning. I send you love Molly. XOX …Ricky is with Libby now…..