A blog full of memories
The sun-dried tomatoes add quick colour and savoury sweetness to the creamy thyme and mushroom sauce. I was delighted to discover adding cottage cheese gives you the delicious creamy consistency of full fat double-creme de Gruyère (or other heavy cream).
It was my mother-in-law’s birthday last week. I know she wouldn’t want me to tell you which one, so I’ll just let you guess. I will, however, introduce you to her special wine. In 1999, my father-in-law created a special this wine for her: Cuvée Romaine. It is named for my mother-in-law. Cuvée (blend) and …
It’s going to be a beautiful day ! (I believe in the power of positivity!) Between work, the commute, and family, you haven’t spent enough time outside. You won’t remember another day at the office, but you will remember this day. We’re going to start with a hike and get some views like this: We’re …
When I first moved to Switzerland in 2010, I started a Hidden Dinner Club. It was a heartfelt effort to discover good food, good wine, and good company when I moved to Switzerland in 2010. I had a few events, but then I got a real job and I just let it dissipate into oblivion. Well– …
Mpants started saying to me as I hug him and put him in bed: “Mum. I love you….and I’m famous, and handsome, and I have a cute butt! “ I know I have mentioned the cute butt thing, but I swear I am not the source of the famous, handsome thing. He seems to have …
We had steamed broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and BBQ steak last night for dinner. Mpants grabbed a stem of broccoli from the bowl and stood it up on the side of his plate. “Look Mummy. A brocco-tree!”
I arrive in my car and try to park without disturbing the car traffic or foot traffic at Domain Piccard. Jean-Christophe Piccard is sitting on his step tying his boot lace. “Vous êtes arrivée au bon endroit?” Are you in the right place? he asks me. I remind him I made an appointment to interview …
Last night, I read Mpants the infamous “Cat-in-the-Hat” by Dr. Seuss for his bedtime story. We got through the mischevious cat and everything that he can do. We got through Thing One and Thing Two. I told him those two little things reminded me of him and his brother. Running through the house. Total destruction …
Even if fondue is a Swiss national culture and food dish–it is not on my list of favourites. When I first moved here, a friend had us over for raclette (on a sunny, fall, Sunday afternoon–so it we took our time). It was a 7-hour raclette party. 7-hours! My husband mistakenly took me for fondue …
“Is it pretty Mummy?” Mpants asks as I survey the living room they have decorated with three rolls of toilet paper. He looks so earnest and asks again: “Is it pretty?” “It’s lovely sweetie. Thank you.”
We have been playing with balloons a bit before bedtime the last few nights. We try to keep them in the air with only one part of our bodies: head, foot, hands. Tonight, Mpants says: “Look Mummy. I am using my nose.” And he bounces the balloon off his nose. He continues: “Then I do …
Yesterday, the boys were bouncing on the trampoline playing with some super-sized pillows. I overhear Jman direct Mpants: “You be the pickle. I will be the burger.” Squeals of laughter.
Over the holidays, I was catching up on some of my favourite podcasts, and I found this one about olive oil from Planet Money (produced by NPR in America). In summary: [su_quote cite=”ROBERT SMITH” url=”http://www.npr.org/2015/07/16/423605233/greeces-lost-olive-oil-how-export-barriers-stifle-economic-growth”]The Italians buy Greek olive oil in bulk. They put it in Italian bottles. They slap on Italian labels, and they …
Taking a random tram ride to the outskirts of Bern, serendipitously finding a playground, climbing in a huge swing with the boys, looking up at the sky as the sun pokes through the clouds. Jman shouting: “Higher! Higher!” as I pump my legs awkwardly while lying on my back. Mpants squirms onto my belly and …
Jman sneaks a cherry tomato from the tray as I am cutting them for the salad and pops it in his mouth. Two seconds later, he opens the drawer under the sink and spits it into the garbage. “Blech. Blech. Blech.” “Something wrong Jo?” “Tastes like an old snail’s smelly fart!” “Blech indeed.”
So, tonight Jman demands:”Get me a drink!” I reprimand: “What do you say?” “CHICKENS OBEY ME!!” I have created a monster
One night I was talking to Jman before he went to sleep. I was telling him how his brother is really important. And how he is (or will be) his best friend and they will have a lot of great adventures together. And they will need to support each other and confide in one another. …
We are driving home in the afternoon. “What would you like for goûter? (snack time)?” “Cookies!!” Mpants exclaims right off the bat. “Chocolate eggs!” Exclaims Jman (on a chocolate high from Easter). “Raspberry purée?” I offer as a solution. Something between the two demands. Exactly like their mother, they looooovvvveee all things raspberry. I have been …
I asked the boys tonight if they had eaten enough. Did they have enough for dinner? Jman: “Yes! I ate ALL my soup.” Mpants: “And I ate ALL my cookie!” Hmmm. I did have to help Mpants eat his dinner. He ate most of what was on his plate. BEFORE he could have his half …
Mpants stands in the doorway when we get inside. He always wants me to help him get undressed. I have started to get him to do it himself. “You can do it Mpants. Take off your jacket.” “Nooooo. You help me.” “I think you can do it. Here, I will unzip your zipper….zip…now you take …
M-pants and I were playing a new board game that daddy had bought for Christmas. It involves monuments, tokens, and a map of Europe. He took the boat monument and started making it sail in the ocean around Italy. “Mommy. I sail in ocean.” I am surprised–and quite pleased–that he knows the word ocean. I …
