Creative Juice

Ten Years

Ten years ago today, Thierry and I woke up and marched ourselves over to the Miami Beach city hall and made things official. This day remains one of my most cherished memories. Happy anniversary, Mr.T! Je t'aime.

More photos and memories of that day here, here and here.

Nine Times

I didn't wake up this morning and jump on my bed from the excitement of what the day has in store for me. But I did nine years ago at the prospect of marrying Thierry. Happy anniversary, mon amour.

(Other anniversary posts here and here.)

Daily Downpour

It's been years since I've been in Panama during rainy season. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Everyday since we've arrived, we've been honored with a show-stopping downpour. It usually happens in the afternoon. You can be going about your day and before you know it, BOOM!, rainfall. Non-stop.

In a matter of minutes everything becomes flooded. An umbrella is of no use since water pelts you from every angle. Sometimes it is accompanied by flashes of lightning and rolling thunder. Sometimes the lights flicker a few times before they just give out. And it always smells like rain.

Yesterday I sat in the car for ten minutes waiting for it to pass. It did. Today, rain started and hasn't stopped. It just keeps washing the day away. Kind of cool if you have nowhere to go.

Photos by Denise Laborde

Scenes from Christmas

Sharing meals.

It was a (Lego) Technics Christmas for Andrea

Love to wtach these two cousins play together

Lucien's first Christmas

Board games near the fire

Last night we came home after a week-long celebration with family. It has been as fun as it has been cold. Beween un-packing and playing with new toys we are perfecting the art of being together.

Wish you all a nice end of the year :)

La Toussaint or How I Opened My Heart to Fall

Last night we came home after spending five days in Ladreyt, my mother-in-law's family home in l'Ardèche du nord. The boys and Thierry are on vacation for All Saints Day and this short getaway to breathe crisp mountain air was glorious.

I don't usually make the distinction between fall and winter. To me it's just cold and colder. But this week I got the whole fall-is-my-favorite-time-of-year thing that I read about on so many blogs. Three days of sunshine and two days of continous rain. The weather was an in between place perfect for togetherness and doing nothing in particular. Simple really.

Love this maple tree's color.

Andrea waiting for a fish to bite. One never did. (Photo by Aïta.)

Reading and talking and playing by the fire.

Cousins playing.

Beautiful light. Clean, crisp air.

Maxi cuddles with Ama to nurse his double ear infection.

Outdoor adventures.

Lucien meets Bonne Maman, one of three great-grandmothers, for the 1st time.

Walks in the sun with Lucien in tow.

Smiles + Love.

A tray of chestnuts ready to be roasted on an open fire.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can see the rest of the photos here.