Sunday, April 26, 2009

She's back...

soon! We're taking a trip to Paris May 18-June 1, so I may be dual posting here and at my new blog. I can't wait! So if you're still checking in, be ready for Rowan's first trip to France. (I'm a bit terrified about the flight and the jet lag, so if you have any tips for me, please comment.)

À tout à l'heure!

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I am tired of doing laundry and tarting out my old blog for another chance.

So I'd really like to win another 12 BumGenius 3.0's. I love these diapers, and I'm not a squeamish girlie-girl who can't handle seeing poop twice (yes, that's totally a dig on my stepsisterinlaw.) I feel better about the lack of diapers in the landfill, I love that my daughter never has diaper rash, and quite frankly she looks absolutely adorable in them. But really, I'd rather do a bigger load every 2 days than a small one every day. Pick me! Pick me!

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Monday, January 07, 2008

Les Fêtes


Back to reality.

Our dear friends left yesterday, after a week of good conversation, good eating, and lots of fun. The house now seems so quiet, with only 3 people and a dog in our home. We really miss them, and miss having such wonderful amis in our neighborhood, like we used to. We picked up where we left off, and shared many a laugh, baby tip, recipe, and a beer or two. They brought us a huge bag of les goodies françaises, including things to make our own pain français, cornichons, rillettes, clothing for Rowan from Du Pareil au Même, bonbons, and lots of other wonderful things that we miss. They can't put France in a bag, but they sure tried, and we had a wonderful time speaking a little, eating foie gras, and drinking champagne as we celebrated La Bonne Année. Too bad there isn't room in a bag for two adults, a baby and a 60-pound dog to sneak back into la belle France.

But, in a way, they gave us something they didn't even know they brought. They showed us our home, through their eyes. We got to play tourists, driving through the mountains, eating out at our favorite restaurants, and sharing the good things about Happy Valley. Finally, Dr. B said, he feels like this is his home. After seeing it through J's and A's and M's eyes, he can now appreciate the place we are raising our daughter. What a special gift. We can't wait for our next visit with them, whether it be here, same time next year, or there. (Donations accepted.)
Bonne Année à tous!


Photo credit: pdphoto.org.

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Saturday, August 25, 2007

I Couldn't Have Said It Better

David Lebovitz is fun to read. He cooks. He eats. He butchers the French language. He writes books. And he lives in my old hometown.

Today, he addressed a subject that took me a long time to figure out, and one I still don't understand.

Les serpillières.Link

I agree, David, 100%. Yuck.

And I am convinced that this is the reason French grocery stores have that, um, well... OK, the only way to describe it is "the stank". They reek.

Wouldn' t your house stink if you dragged a dirty, sopping rag around the floor every day?

Ew. Gross.

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Monday, June 25, 2007

Belle


Belle
Originally uploaded by MrsBinParis
New photos are up on Flickr (click this photo to go there). I hope to blog soon, but certain little things are preventing me (like the baby who prefers to sleep leaning on my chest.)

New events are happening right and left, and we'll soon be packing up to move to Pennsylvania. Anyone got some boxes? We are going to need all the help we can get...

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

our new family!


our new family!
Originally uploaded by MrsBinParis
She's here, after 29 hours of labor. Long story, and I don't have the energy to write it now, but know that she's beautiful, and perfect, and has a heck of a set of lungs on her! (I just wish she didn't like to give us a concert every morning from 2-5.)

Rowan Amelia

born June 9, 2007; 8:03 AM

7 lbs. 5 oz., 19.5 inches long

Light brown hair, great big eyes, and she smells like a sugar cookie.

We love her so very much.

More later, when we've recovered a bit...

More pictures on my flickr page, and more to come.

Oh, and if you've tried to call, sorry--I don't often get a chance to answer the phone. When she's not eating, awake or screaming, I'm doing my very best to sleep. It doesn't always work, but I'm trying. I would love to hear from you soon, but will need a little time to adjust.

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Directions


How to get to Paris, France, from Madison, WI (according to Google Maps.)

"From:

Madison, WI Drive: 4,712 mi (about 29 days 21 hours)

1.Head south on CR-D/Fish Hatchery Rd toward Catalpa Rd 0.6 mi 2 mins

(blah blah blah, through WI, IL, OH...)

Passing through Pennsylvania
Entering New York
(Blah Blah Blah)
Entering Massachusetts

(More Blah Blah Blah...)

18.Turn right at Long Wharf 0.1 mi
19. Swim across the Atlantic Ocean 3,462 mi 29 days 0 hours


20.Slight right at E05 0.5 mi 2 mins (A slight right. You know. From the ocean.)

(Blah Blah Blah and many traffic circles later...)

35.Turn left at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville

Paris
France"


You gotta try it.

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