Go Gos

I woke up singing, "Vacation's all I ever wanted," and immediately YouTubed the song to find this gem.

Oh eighties music videos.  The finest.

I will be heading back to the States (quelle suprise, but really though) for some family time and to change out my wardrobe...maybe replace all of those pants I've been ripping...don't even say it' all of those croissants.  I won't have it.

Happy Holidays, mes amis!

See you in two weeks :D

xoxo BISOUS

L'Addiction du Cafe

It's a real problem here!

I give you this intense coffee machine in the Salle des Profs.  Usually surrounded by cafe-crazed French-folk looking to get a little espresso.

Nifty (and pretty decent) for only 0,45E.

Move Over, Martha

Things got crafty for a little holiday soiree at the apartment.

Homemade gift wrapping.  Bow thanks to Pinterest.

I obviously have some spare time.  Note I spent $0 on these fantastically festive decorations.

About to bust open traditional English crackers thanks to our lovely English amigo, Rich.

A Never-Ending Sunday Brunch

My favorite cafe has started a weekly Sunday Brunch.  Of course mes amies et moi were first on the list for this scrumptious affair.

The two and a half hour meal proceeded as follows.  Bon appetit!

Viennoiseries

Hot chocolate, fresh squeezed orange juice, homemade strawberry jam and praline spread

Omelette, smoked salmon and stuffed mushroom

Assiete de fromages (plate of cheeses)

 Applesauce with special winter spices

Thoroughly stuffed and satisfied.  Nothing like great food with great friends.

Will This Ever Get Old?

I don't think so.

Sacre Coeur

Crazy Talented Man (with ridiculous core strength) hanging from a lamp post while juggling a soccer ball

 Montmartre, looking up to Sacre Coeur

Eiffel Tower from across the Tuileries

Parisian Holiday

Holiday time is crazy in Paris!  The famous Christmas Markets showcase some interesting items.

Practical

Briehn, you want these cheetalicious legwarmers?

Traditional street food, gauffres (like waffles avec Nutella)

Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees, beautiful sky

Notre Dame tree

Greve

Greve means strike.  The funny thing about the French is that they love strikes.  Everyone does them.

What's even funnier is that they plan these strikes far in advance and post signs like the below.

This is hanging in the Teacher's Lounge in my school.

Sort of takes away that element of surprise, non?

When I'm Not Eating Nutella on Everything

I'm baking Nutella cookies from scratch.

Eat your heart out.

Caught My Eye

 

I love how I'm still discovering cool things like this around town.

Dancing in the Street

Casually walking on the street et voila:  some pink-loving, male ballerinas pranced out of nowhere to entertain us.

Oh why yes, I did get a tutu thrown at me, how did you know?

The Usual

Sundays have come to involve whipping up an omelette and a few lesson plans.

Rustic omelette this week.

Just wanted to show you a close up of the flakiest, cheesiest meal to date.

Blois...All Lit Up!

"Tell me what you eat and I'll tell you what you are." Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Julia Child ain't got nothin' on me!  Just whipped up a stuffed zucchini for dinner.

 Want to know how?  It was tres facile...
1.  Wash zucchini

2.  Cut in half and scoop out insides

3.  Sautee some onions and spices

4.  Mix tomatoes, onions, zucchini, parsley and cilantro in a bowl

5.  Stuff the zucchini with the goodies and sprinkle with some fromage

6.  Bake and enjoy!

Tours

Our orientations take us all around France.

Today, we ventured to Tours, a short 30 minute train ride southwest of Blois.

This is the Hotel de Ville, currently under construction (what isn't here?!):

Tour was in full holiday swing.  Here is their holiday market:

 Loved the cute couples walking ensemble.