That time of year, again!

From Christmas 2008

The weeks that lead up to Christmas are always a bit of a rush. But this year has been crazier than usual (this is my third festive season!). Daddy comes home from work late, mommy busy with the Gabster, friends visiting and, of course, all that shopping!

But the crazy rush of our career-obsessed, consumer society shouldn't get in the way of the really important things - even if it means taking just a few minutes to breathe deeply and remember what Christmas is all about. So I downloaded a few Dean Martin holiday tunes, poured myself some milk, and started decorating our little pine tree. Okay, I'm still only 83 centimeters tall so most decorations ended up kind in pretty close vicinity - but it's the Christmas spirit that counts.

From Sam and Rob's Christmas extravaganza

From Sam and Rob's Christmas extravaganza

From Sam and Rob's Christmas extravaganza

The Paris pre-Christmas season culminated with Sam and Robby's salmon, champagne and egg nogg extravaganza. Everyone who counts in the Paris festive social calendar was there, especially my dear friend Tess. After that blow-out I was ready to close the shutters on Paris for a few days and head out to the country where my abuelita and tío were waiting for me with smiles, presents and an inordinate number of calories.

I may have turned two a couple of weeks ago, but I'm not too old to enjoy my culinary favorites. A real Franco-Cuban aliance of puerco, yucca, and frijoles negros, fois gras, smoked salmon, and aged mimolette and comté (24 and 30 months respectively) - yes, I actually eat (and love) all that stuff. I'm a sophisticated little Parisienne

From Christmas 2008

From Christmas 2008

Of course, Santa was generous with someone who had been so good all year - and so were many others! My cousins Ricky and Anna sent us some beautiful presents - just check out Gab's new hat! Then there was that moment that can hardly be described - the culmination of the entire Christmas season, the wrapping paper, the box, the tape... The Winnie the Pooh! I couln't believe it! The very one that I see on YouTube while sitting on abuelita's lap. He was there, with me. And he hasn't left since. This was Gabriel's first Christmas, and my third. I''m told this thing comes around every year but, can it get any better?

From Christmas season is approaching!

Fall is back

From Fall at the Chetif Moulin

The clocks have been turned back, pushing the short fall a step closer to winter. Paul and Roselyne, the friendly gardeners, have cut all the flowers right back and soon they will begin to prune the trees. Then, in late November, it will be time to plant Gabriel's tree. Things are starting to shut down for the winter here at the Chetif Moulin.

From Fall at the Chetif Moulin

Every season brings something special to the Sancerrois, and fall is certainly no exception. The vineyards fill with vendangeurs picking grapes for the new vintage, leaves turn brown, and the air starts to smell of burning leaves and branches.

From Fall at the Chetif Moulin

This has been a nice fall season. It started with Gabriel's first visit to the country pad; Mimi was still here and she played with me on the slide. Later, daddy took me out to pick apples and Clarita took them to make us a nice compote which mommy and daddy ate with Boudin Noir (yes, people eat that here).

From Fall at the Chetif Moulin

The sun has paid us a lengthy visit, as have a number of friends from around the world. We've really amortized the grill this month. Most recently, Poppy and James came by to share what might be our last barbecue of 2008. Now it's cleaned and stored awaiting the enthusiasm of spring.

But for now it's falling leaves and chestnuts. It's time for staying indoors on short days and cooking fattening treats (like the chocolate macarons that daddy made the other week). Time for blue and purple flowers. The cows will soon stop grazing and switch to a strict winter diet of hay. Gabriel is in for his first cozy winter in the Chetif Moulin.

From Fall at the Chetif Moulin

Right now, I'm running a terrible fever and am far from feeling myself. But I pick up knowing that soon the Christmas lights on the rue Lecourbe will be turned on, ushering in my third holiday season.

From Fall at the Chetif Moulin

Check out some autumnal splendor here: Time for tweed

4in15

From Before bed

It was time to move on.

This is our new blog. I hope you found your way here without too many problems, like Gabriel did.

After a couple of weeks in the Chetif Moulin with abuelita and tío Jacko, we arrived back in the 15th arrondissement, all four of us. Daddy still has a few days off but I was back in Am Stram Gram early the following morning (crying, as leaving daddy is never an easy thing to do - I don't wish such a trauma on anyone).

From Before bed

We missed abuela and tío terribly, but Paris is nice too. There were all our familiar places on our familiar street in our familiar cartier. But something has changed. It's time for a new beginning - afterall, I'm almost two now - life goes on, things change, and you can't hold on to the past.

You can still see our old blog here: 3in15

Gabriel is growing quickly, maybe too quickly. So far I've only served up kisses and a few light caresses; but if he keeps getting bigger I may have to punch him so he knows for sure who's the boss here at 88 rue Lecourbe!

Want to see some pictures of us before bedtime? Check out messin' around.