french cookbook

This weekend, other than thinking of my Aunt, her kids, and all of the families that were effected by the death of 5 teens, was rather nice and relaxing.

We haven't been home in over 6 weekends.... so dinner with friends, wine at my neighbors house, walks with Elle through the Hyde Park Farmers market, chocolate chip pancakes in the morning cooked by my husband, and watering my lawn...made me finally feel at home again and a chance to enjoy this great little area we live in. It's hard to believe we have lived here for 3 years. Hyde Park, an area within Cincinnati, has really grown on me. And it's amazing to me that we are already growing out of this house. It will be hard to move, whenever that will be.

My Dad hung up every shelf or art/pictures in the home. Even my "hotel" sign in the guest bedroom. He always hung up things a little too high. They were always perfectly straight. He never needed a level, but he always went too high. It will be hard to one day say goodbye to this home as my parents knew this place. They spent time here. I will be heartbroken to not be able to share a new place with them.

I am getting super excited for our trip to Paris and Ireland. More so Paris as we get to spend time with two of our great friends who have relocated there for work. To be able visit a beautiful place AND see your friends who will know everything about the City will be incredible. Ted's throwing me a "french" inspired 30th birthday party in August and he had been searching for French recipes. I found the perfect cookbook today at Williams Sonoma and this cookbook makes me happy! I cannot wait to serve some of these fun things and wash it all down with a sip of Veuve Clicquot Champagne! (we actually have plans to visit the Champagne region while in France). This book also shares some of the best bakeries in town and best places to eat. I cannot wait to go to the local market and have a picnic... all while looking at the Eiffel tower. It almost seems like a dream. A trip of a lifetime it will be. I just wish I had Mom and Dad back here to listen for hours on the phone when I returned to hear all about it. It's strange to not have the people who would listen the longest around anymore. I'd tell them every detail. And they would listen.........it'd be Dad's topic at the local pub, "look what my daughter got for me in Paris".......