bakeries in europe

Living abroad for many years i can admit the many atops at the local boulangerie in geneva,lausanne and paris...yummy treats and marvelous breads.the gouter, an afternoon snack for youngsters on up is a tradition.favoring dark chocolate and crsp french bread as a kid then moving towards pastries as i grew up the tastes and smells always drive me wild.
Imagine the goverment limiting what you could consume in europe?food for thought to those who want to propose limitations on school lunches,portions and such.it is up to parents to control the intake of food not a governing body!That said, those who live in glass houses with derrrieres speading like a monday wash should shut up!

the joys of pets continues to amaze us.with a houseful of four legged creaturethe days are filled with their antics and craziness. that fits in so well in our household.last night , one of the cats ,Sinbad, a black rescue about 3 years old...decided to scale the christmas tree and capture a bird ornament...so far 3 have been ripped to pieces.cannot wait to fill their stockings with toys and treats!

black friday why name it that?$$$$

i am off to pick up some framed protraits of us...to hang upstairs in hallway.tony moved all the Gruau's downstairs hallway.then do some shopping at Encantada,take a couole of the dogs to the Jeferson park then gym and meet tony for dinner at Kingfisher.
lucky us..Tony wants a turkey dinner so he can make sandwiches next week...so will pick one up and prep tomorrow and he can roast it!Guess the meal yesterday wasn't enuf...we joined friends at their restaurant and a good time was had by all.
WE saw"Burlesque" yesterday..real fun ...Cher belted a few songs,Christina was delicious,lots of dancing..gotta get the soundtrack asap...maybe I am crazy, but there is something so alluring about Stanley Tucci...always have liked himn but really noticed him in Midsummer Night's Dream with Rupert ,etc.Nore to self..find his other films on Netflix!

carnival cruise

best said ...we have always avoided a mexican riviera cruise...now i know why.one note on cruise ships: when first boarding avoid conversation with too many///they will hunt you down and you can't shake them!

quickly wanted to mention the wonderful character of the Italians...i found almost everyone terrific and reall nice...maybe the shop salespeople have issues but i usually win them over with a smile.my landlord,allessandro,(will use one of his larger apts.next trip) looks like my friend greg...anyway he met me on the street and took me up...helping with the heavy luggage..why i take so much???..and i was a small apt in the torre (tower) on via da benci..adequate as i move around a lot during the day and night in florence...i did mention i needed an duvet and t.v. which he brought over the next day.great guy.
plus the folks i met around town and i did win over the salesmen at dolce gabbanna...trying to find something to fit my chest and shoulders..heck i am not that big....they all looked cute in denim white shirts and black ties.made it to womenwear and saw the most beautiful woll coat with a floral pattern w grosgrain belt!

it's not just italians that can dress with style.

Oh i know the feeling of stepping out looking terrific.in Italy i swear there is someone organizing,pressing and folding clothes for the wearer...anyway..they do have a flair and definite style...but that doesn't men the americans or english don't have the style and substance.unfortunately...as said before we have lost that real sense of choosing good clothes that are flatering and have style.again the loss of formality to being comfortable.
in europe for example, they have a taste level that is continually inspired by new design and family values on presenting oneself in the best possible manner.they do not go out and buy oddles of clothes, they window shop,watch the styles in the magazines and on the street.even the frenchmen have not not given up to lacklustre clothes...suits are perfect fitted even on older gentlemen.the french women on the other hand could take a lesson from the italians.throw in some glamour,use a bit of makeup and for goodness sake get a manicure!
so america take a stand.educate your children in manners,style and putting your best foot forward.it all starts at home...hey have a family dinner once in awhile,don't ket your kids go out looking like sin and misery!

monsoons

finally some good rain with thunder and lightning...love that.of course the german shepherd wanted to play tag!when it rains like this your stuck, esp. when trying to get out if a car.
years ago i was taking my mother to lunch.she was wearing a dress and coat in yellow and white linen...needless to say she wasn't about to dash to the retaurant door...so i tore in and ordered and she sashayed in after the deluge...looking fabulous .son was drenched...it was so funny.