Christmas Time's a Comin'!

Happy Surprise to mom!!!

Originally we weren't able to come to Wisconsin for Christmas with my mom - we're running low on vacation days. But then Thanksgiving weekend we found out from my younger sister that she would be shipped to Afghanistan before Christmas of next year. I didn't want to think about not spending another Christmas without my sisters and my mom (and her birthday on the 25th too!). So Felipe and I decided we were going to come back to Wisconsin for Christmas...but that we would surprise mom. Best decision I've ever made regarding a surprise. I learned after Dad passed away, that time with the family is too valuable to pass up. I had to be there with everyone this Christmas.

We spent the last month collaborating with Mariam and Grace about our arrival. Grace was coming into town ahead of us, so we arranged with her to be picked up from the airport. She told mom she needed to "pick up a friend" from the airport and managed to get mom into Milwaukee for the day.

Felipe and I got to the airport really early yesterday - our flight was leaving at 8pm and we arrived around 4pm...we didn't want to risk anything with holiday traffic leaving Manhattan. Grace and I kept in contact via text and I kept her updated on our flights arrival.

When we landed in Milwaukee at 10:15 (only 15 minutes late!) I sent mom a video on her iPhone - earlier in the week I had lip synched to Raffi's "Christmas Time's a Comin' " while in front of our tree at home. I sent the video to her as a little hint - because the chorus goes "Christmas time's a comin' and I know I'm going home..."

Grace knew then we were on our way out of the terminal, and so watched for us and was ready to film mom's reaction - which you can see in the video above. I was walking straight towards her, and she was looking directly at me but it didn't register to her that it was me. It wasn't until I waved at her that her jaw dropped and she recognized that it was actually Felipe and I walking toward her.

Best surprise ever. Merry Christmas to us!! and to all of you too!!

Where Has the Time Gone?

Today marks three years since dad's death, and I'm not quite sure where the time has gone to. "They" are right when they say the hurt and the loss gets better with time - at least it has a bit for me. I still think about him and miss him on a daily basis, but I know he's with me. The picture above is of the gravestone - we've finally just go his name on it this month. It took much longer than I had hoped/imagined, but these sorts of matters can be more complicated than on might think.


1985


2007

For what it's worth, the anniversary of his death will always be a good reminder at this time of year to really appreciate the people in my life and not take for granted the time I have with them. I'm especially grateful for my husband - Felipe is the best partner I could hope to have. And I love my mom and my sisters, even though we're often very far from each other. And I love my extended family, and the time we get to spend together when I visit Wisconsin. And my friends, no matter how often we talk or how often we visit - all of you are with me every day in both in spirit and in the way you have influenced or impacted my life.

Thank you.

Europe Trip Continued: Paris Day 4

On Thursday we met with one of Felipe's friends, Hadi, for a drink at La Terrasse (address: 2,place de l'Ecole Militaire in the 7th arrondissement). Hadi had chosen a cafe/restaurant on the corner across from the Ecole Militaire. We did not have much time, as Hadi was just coming off of work, and we were to meet others for dinner. But we had a nice visit, the first visit we've had since my first trip to Paris with Felipe in June 2007.


I just loved the look of the signs on the street corner.


A nice woman from California was sitting next to us reading a book. She offered to take our photo, which we accepted.

Before we had met Hadi, we had some small amount of time to pass. We'd walked down the avenue a short way, and didn't see much of interest. But then there was a very narrow side street that passed between a couple of buildings. We took this to find ourselves on a small cobblestone pedestrian street filled with beautiful shops. I could live on a street like this. Such a stark difference to the areas of NYC that I spend most of my time in.


A bright, fragrant flower shop.


Oh my God, the fromagerie....why oh why can't one of these open on my block!


And of course a small wine shop (right across from the butcher shop - not pictured).


After drinks with Hadi we took the metro to Grands Boulevards to find the restaurant Clementine (address: 5 Rue Saint-Marc, 75002). We had planned to meet two of Felipe's former EY Paris colleagues, Sebastien and David, for dinner there. David chose the restaurant and he chose very well. It was on a very short street, off of the main Boulevard Montmartre, but not too far. We arrived and waited outside a bit, after some minutes deciding to ask within if anyone else had come yet. As it was, Sebastien was waiting at a table upstairs.

The food was fantastic! (it went quite well with the terrific company that we had with David and Sebastien). We each ordered from the menu the entree, the main and a dessert. I started with a tomato mousse with fresh cut tomatoes and a salad. It was delicious! The mousse was so smooth, and a bit tangy. The salad, well - arugula is one of my favorite salad greens!


The main for me was lamb with tarragon sauce, with ratatouille and gratin potatoes. If I could recreate this meal on a weekly basis I would. The tarragon sauce with the lamb was perfect. And the sides were delicious and not so large as to fill you up.


For dessert, well I opted for a cheese plate. Maybe it was inspiration from the fromagerie we'd seen earlier in the day, or maybe it's just that I LOVE cheese. It did not disappoint. Unfortunately I wasn't told exactly which cheeses I was getting. I do know that one was a Camembert, and one of course a blue cheese, and a goat cheese. But there were two I wasn't quite sure of.


We had such a delightful time with Sebastien and David, it was nice to see Sebastien again and to finally meet David for the first time. I look forward to seeing them again on our next trip! maybe at another terrific restaurant.

Stay tuned....I will be finishing my Europe posts by the end of the year. And the next post will begin our Avignon trip!

Yay! A Real Christmas Tree This Year!

Felipe's new 2011 Ornament - Glitter Santa


Glitter Santa's friend, Glitter Snowman

Felipe and I decided that this year we were going to get a real tree! This is my first real tree in about 10 years and his 2nd real tree ever! So after work we stopped by one of the tree stands on the upper west side and picked out our first ever real christmas tree together. We carried it home (I held the top part, while he held the trunk) and put the Christmas music on and trimmed the tree. We don't have space in our apartment for a large 6 or 7 foot tree, so this one is about 4 feet, and to give the illusion that we've got a larger tree, we set it on top of a side table. Here it is!


I really enjoy sitting on the couch looking at it. And the smell is terrific!

One of my other favorite things about having a real tree, are the fantastic shadows that the lights and the branches cause to fall on the wall. Just beautiful!

Europe Continued: Day Three - Food!

Coffee at LaDuree

We started day three by going to have breakfast at Ladurée Bonaparte - home of my favorite pastry ever! Breakfast was a little more involved than we would usually do, but on vacation I was willing to go out on a limb! We each got the typical breakfast - a small plate with assorted small pastries (brioche and croissants) with yummy currant jam, the awesome french butter, cafe au lait, and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. Yum!


The restaurant is beautiful, with amazing paintings on the walls.


We really enjoyed the food and picked up some pastries and macarons for later - they have so many delicious flavors to choose from!

(Photo from the Laduree website)

Ladurée Royale
16, rue Royale - 75008 Paris
Tél : +33 1 42 60 21 79

After Laduree we walked around FOREVER! I mean, legs about to fall off walking around. but we had such a nice time walking through the streets, window shopping and enjoying the city in general. While walking along the Seine we passed a building that had a bunch of art propped up against the windows. There was no one in sight, but there was a small stool and a set of paints. We didn't have any cash on us, so we thought we would find a bank and return when the artist returned. Well let's just say that you can see your bank on every other corner, until the moment you need it. We walked for a half an hour through the winding streets before we found the right bank. Then we walked another twenty minutes to get back to where we started!

But it was worth it. By the time we returned, the artist was back, and we purchased two sketches/paintings for Parisian building. I really enjoy picking up something arty while we travel - it's easy to bring back and is a nice souvenir!


After all that walking around we went to Le Grand Epicerie, my favorite grocery store in the whole world! There is nothing not to love about this place!...unfortunately I don't have any photos. Let's just say that it has every grocery product you can imagine, from all over the world. Felipe and I go every time we're in Paris, and shop for fun stuff to bring home and a little bit of food to have a picnic lunch.


Me and my violet flavored Religieuse.....mmmm.... (no, I didn't just have pastry for lunch, I ate regular food too!)


Felipe and some super yummy green olive tapenade on fresh baked baguette.


After lunch we wandered around a bit more. I suppose when I put it that way it sounds like we had nothing structured to do, but I tell you that we love just having the time to wander and people watch. Towards the late afternoon, before we headed back to Laurence and Sylvain's place we were walking down the street and the sky and buildings caught my eye. I do love Paris!

More posts to come! Again, apologies for the belatedness in my posts!