Xmas would not be Xmas...

... without TONS of food, sweets, chocolates and more food (and champagne). (And wine). :)


Making traditional truffles!


This year's xmas dessert is the chestnut white log: Buche aux Marrons. Delicious and sweet :)


Cooks without wine (=outrage! :P)


To die for king prawn soup with homemade shrimp broth!

Wonderful pear/rutabaga/rosemary puree with cream spinach and a tenderloin in berry/champagne vinegar sauce. YUM-MY!

Holiday Season

We've spent a wonderful christmas this year (as every other year), but this year was more special as Gabe's face totally lit up on xmas morning when he discovered all his gifts "under" the tree. Or rather, all piled up in his brand new wagon! He was ecstatic! We spent a quiet but wonderful xmas eve, after a walk to the "crazy house" on W12th St, we had dinner just the 2 of us (Gabe was sleeping) and spent the whole xmas day with our friends Chris, Angele and Andrew, and ate, drank, ate, drank, ate some more. The boys had a great time, they both loooooved my king prawn soup, went for a ride in the wagon. We all had a great time!


Crazy lit house on W12St. We go every year now as part of our xmas eve routine :)


Gabe's brand new wagon full of gifts! Thank you Santa!


Xmas morning: busy morning :)


Wagon ride for Andrew and Gabe

With Chris, Angele and Andrew

Trail of Lights

What's the most awesome thing to do in Austin in December? The Trail of Lights at Zilker. Just the Best. Thing> Ever!

Weekend with Benoit

Benoit came to visit after the AGU in SF all last week. It was a short stay (too short) but a good one! Unfortunately Gabe was sick, but we still managed to get out of the house as it was nice and warm yesterday (unlike yucky today! bla). For the first time I actually walked on campus and took Benoit there, we shopped a little and saw the Trail of lights which was so awesome and worth the wait! Ended with a good round of 'ritas and a good home cooked dinner by Benoit :) Oh, and needless to say, Gabe found a new friend :)

Happy Holidays!!!

Gabe is sick, sick, sick

Our poor little guy's been sick for 5 days now, with a 3rd ear infection (in the left ear this time), a severe bronchiolitis, and the stupid crappy virus that's been going around that has made him vomit for the last 4 days. I am so sad, and tired, and feel bad for him. Sick of doing laundry, taking showers, cleaning up constantly.
At least, let's look at it the bright way, he'll probably be healthy by xmas! No more playdates for him before that!
And Benoit is coming for the weekend, I hope we'll manage to do some stuff as we can't really take Gabe outside right now. Boooooo.
So, that explains the lack of pictures lately, nothing to see here!

Weekend at Grandma's house

Gabe's checking Imari out :P
Originally uploaded by manueb

We spent the last weekend in Virginia at Grandma JeRena's house, where Gabe finally got to meet his 2 year old cousin Imari! They were both super cute all weekend, very cheerful and barely needed any supervision at all, real sweethearts.

My first jewelry showcase on Etsy!!!

My first jewelry showcase on Etsy!!!
Originally uploaded by manueb