GIDDY-UP GIDDY-UP LET'S GO !

May the Year of the Horse bring you and yours peace, happiness and lush green pastures!

I went on the Internet to search for a Year of the Horse greeting to share with you and decided I like this Japanese postcard best.  I hope you'll enjoy it too.

ROOM NINETEEN

Have you ever read “To Room Nineteen” by Doris Lessing? It’s about Susan Rawlings, a happily married woman who, in order to get some time alone, rents a hotel room every afternoon where she just sits, and be free.  "I need to be alone more than I am."

I, too, yearn for a Room Nineteen.  A secret hideout where I get to keep a grip on my sanity for just for a few hours every Sunday.

No one will be invited.

TREATS FROM FRANCE: MACARONS AND MORE

I'm fat and I blame my boss.  I really do.  He keeps foiling my diet plans.  Last month, he lured me with macarons from Lenotre. 

Today he brought with him macarons from Macarons Gourmands, Fauchon crepe cookies, and a selection of canistrelli from Corsica.  This is too much!

What have I done to deserve this? :-)

TREATS FROM SOUTH OF FRANCE: HOMEMADE FOIE GRAS

This Christmas, a beautiful homemade foie gras from Maman de Michel’s pantry graced my dining table. Doesn't it look ravishing, sitting in its bath of shimmering gold?

My co-worker, Michel, hails from the southwest of France, where I'm quite sure every household and restaurant boasts of its very own recipe for homemade foie gras or rillettes. For isn't the southwest region of France is the largest producer of foie gras in the world?

Michel’s mother preserves her own foie gras every year.  Her traditional recipe comprises a whole liver (foie gras entier) that has been de-veined, cleaned, seasoned and cooked in its own fat. This is foie gras in its purest form.

She uses duck liver because its more flavourful than the goose.  Not only does she make the foie gras, she also does the canning herself.  How cool is that?

Merci beaucoup, Michel!  Joyeux Noel et bonne année! 

OFFICE PARTY - CHRISTMAS 2013

Christmas celebration started at 5:30PM today.  Music, games, booze, simple food and a whole bunch of crazy people.

Is it a reindeer, or a moose?

Maybe its just the booze

Well, it doesn't matter anymore

Merry Christmas one and all!
(hick!)

The party ended on a good note ...