Diary of Paris

The next few posts will be excerpts from the diary I kept of my trip to Paris.  Any time I could find, I wrote a bit here and there about the things we were doing.  It was nice to capture some of the moods and feelings I had at that very moment, instead of trying to recall it all upon my return.  There will also be photos. Lots of photos.

"Day 1: Traveling to Paris

I’m only two hours into the trip and the flight is so uneventful alone!  No issues with seat assignments or decisions about whether the children need the in flight meal.  I can’t believe how ordinary I feel sitting here at the window seat with an empty seat between me and an old coughing Egyptian man who decide to curl up on his seat and the open one next to us to sleep.  But I’m OK with it because, unbelievably, I slept in my seat.  It got me thinking that if the circumstances were as easy, maybe I’d sleep on all flights.   Probably it’s because it’s the first moment of quiet I've had and I jumped at taking a nap.  Either way, I’m thrilled.  There are no children on the flight with the exception of two boys who look to be around age ten, but no small children.  I’m among adults on this flight and I haven’t had to speak two words more than “yes please” and “ water please”.  I blend in for the most part as a grown up.

(side note: I have this odd insecurity as a mom that I can only properly function in a motherhood role now.  I fear that if I’m alone, my maternal side and all the messy, frumpy, disciplinary, snack packing, nose wiping tendencies will still shine through and I’d be exposed as a pseudo grown-up.  A mother to the average person and therefore not entirely blend in.)

Interestingly enough, the only thing exposing me as not quite a grown up during my travels is the hole in the knee of my leggings.  I know, I know, but they are so comfy. 

Anyhow, after coming to the realization that I’m passing as an adult during this adventure, even two hours in; makes me think about how much of a motherhood island I have been on lately.  It truly is an island. It’s paradise and a padded cell all rolled into one with no way off the island.  Never does it feel more isolating than when I am flying with my kids. 

Here I am with all the other grown ups on this flight and usually I am with my kids just trying to get from point A to point B without too many breakdowns (from me and the kids) and the crazy contrast between these  two scenarios has me giggling to myself. 

Ciao,

Sara

P.S. I have to admit that I ate the EgyptianAir cherry preserve packed with a spoon and savored the flavor of the cherries.  I’m in need of some GOOD food in a BAD way! Paris, here I come!"

solo trip

photo found here

My sweet darling husband surprised me for my birthday with a trip to Paris to meet a girlfriend of mine, Sunny, whom I became close friends with in Manila, Philippines.  We haven't seen each other in years and she's living in Belgium with her sweet family and...oh my goodness we are both getting a weekend away from our kids and husbands.  A girl's weekend, just the two of us in Paris.  It's this weekend!  I can't wait.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that since my eldest daughter, Adelaide who is now almost six years old, was born, I have not had a weekend away from my children.  I have only spent one night away from my daughters in six years. OK, I guess I had two nights in the hospital when Arabella and Ashlynn were born but I can't possibly count that. It sounds ludicrous to be honest.  It's not that we don't travel or do things.  It's just that we tend to do it as a family. My husband travels for work and I am the one who stays home with the kids.  It's just the way it is.  The last few months I've really been feeling the need to #1 have some time to myself and #2 get out of Ethiopia.  Justin took my hints to heart and bought me a ticket and arranged Sunny to meet me.  What an amazing guy!

It's the most luxurious gift I can ever imagine receiving.  Four entire days just worrying about myself.  No one else to feed and clothe and wash but myself.  Even the task of packing my suitcase and filling it with only my personal things; not leaving space for a stack of diapers or children's books, feels so decadent.  It's silly that as a mother now, these simple things seem foreign to me but they do.  At this point in my life personal time IS the ultimate luxury.  I really cannot fathom what I will do with a long weekend of peace, quiet and me time.  I am pretty certain the the long flight to Paris alone will be alarming in and of itself.  Sitting there, with a book and maybe getting a soda and not having to worry about little fingers in my cup or someone kicking my tray to spill the drink.  I can only imagine that for hours, maybe even a good portion of the entire trip, my hands, feet and mind will continue humming with the momentum that is my life with my girls.  I notice just how much chaos I am wading through only when I finally sit down in silence for a moment.  The contrast of my daily life compared to this weekend in Paris is going to be very strange indeed.

But you better believe I am looking forward to it.  Not only the quiet time to myself, but the time I will get to spend with my friend.  I'm really excited about walking in clean air and clean sidewalks. I can't wait to shop and eat and take in the daily life in Paris.  Explore neighborhoods and museums.  Photograph new things!  It's all going to be fabulous.

No tiny buns to wash or hands to clean, no meals to cut up or milk cups to refill.  No tiny shoelaces to tie or hair to untangle.  No meals to cook or clean up.  How many days will I have to be gone before I'll be missing my sweeties?  I'm guessing less than one!

I'm devouring this neat insider blog about Paris.  A friend passed it to me to scope out before my trip and I can't get enough of shopping section.

On my list
The famous Paris flea market

Bensimon shoes

This entire post is just perfect.

What about the food?  You might ask.  Well, anything is going to be delicious and different than what I am getting here in Ethiopia so I not worried about eating well this weekend.  That's just a given.  

salad and the stuff on top

We eat a ton of salad, which is awesome because I love salad.  The lettuce is fresh and all the veggie toppings are colorful and gorgeous.  I am working on mastering amazing salad displays.  At least once a week we have a big hearty salad for dinner.  It's healthy and easy.  Win!

 This salad was part of my ongoing attempt at finishing off our leftover Easter ham (accepting suggestions- I've already made soup, quiche, and sandwiches).  The key to making salad filling enough for the main course is to add protein (meat or eggs-or both).  The key to making salad interesting is the special toppings (homemade croutons, seeds, coriander or cheese).  The key to making salad delicious is the dressing.

 Making dressing at home is so easy that it's unlikely I will ever buy bottled dressing at the store again.  At home you tailor it to your liking, make it fresh for every salad, and don't need preservatives like the jar stuff.

This is my favorite dressing recipe I've developed.  I usually throw it together without measuring, but this time I measured and took notes so I could share with you.  I bet you already have all the ingredients in your kitchen too.

Sara's Citrus Honey Mustard Dressing (yields enough for two large portion salads or four small salads)
1/4 cup fresh squeezed citrus juice (lemon, lime or orange)
1 Tbsp vinegar (I like red wine or balsamic)
1 Tbsp your favorite mustard (I like the seedy variety)
2 tsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Mix all the ingredients except the oil.  Add the oil in a thin stream whisking vigorously.  Taste and season if needed.  The great thing about this recipe is that I vary it all the time. You can add garlic, Parmesan, feta, fresh ginger, soy sauce, parsley, coriander,  peanut putter, etc.  Of course the mustard can be omitted with certain changes.  It's liberating to create your own dressings and not rely on a bottle that sits in your fridge for who knows how long.  Plus it tastes so much better.  You must give it a go!

oh yeah- I had a birthday

My birthday was on Easter and with my concerns over getting my catering job done, I completely forgot to mention it on the blog (other than posing photos of my amazing self made birthday cake over here).

It was a spectacular day and I made a delicious Easter ham meal. My girls made me cards and shared extra hugs.  What more could a gal want?

 Speaking of birthdays and more; I am dying to share news about my amazing birthday gift from my husband but it really deserves it's own post!

catering

I very excitedly accepted my first large-ish catering gig a month or so ago.  The order list was long and gave me a bit of anxiety to think about accomplishing.  When it came down to the week of the party (this past week) I relied on my grocery list and a detailed cooking/baking schedule.  I was pleased with the results.  I think my customer was too.

Hungry caterpillar cupcakes

all in the details

This weekend I am catering my first large-ish brunch for a friend/client of mine.  I have a whole slew of food and sweets I am making this week in preparation for her big delivery.  One thing I am excited about doing are the treat bags for the children's take-away party gift.  All the kids get a little bag of homemade caramel corn as a thank you.

I couldn't stop at just bagging the caramel corn.  For me parties are all about the little details.  The pretty appetizer plates, labeled drinks or personalized napkins.  I love adding small do-it-yourself details to my parties.

For the caramel corn bag I made little thank you tags with stamped green bees to go with my friend's Hungry Caterpillar/bug theme for her son's first birthday.  Once again baker's twine really tied it all together (pun intended)!  I am obsessed with the versatility of baker's twine.

find me over at CultureBaby

I met Natalia after drooling over her beautifully designed and curated online global baby boutique, CultureBaby. The first thing I had to do was link her up with Salem so CulureBaby could have a gorgeous baby item from Ethiopia.  Ashlynn as my model, I sold her on these amazing baby blankets.

Isn't it gorgeous? You should see them soon for pre-orer at CultureBaby.

Natalia was also kind enough to interview me for CultureBaby's newsletter and blog.  I am featured as their CultureBaby Mom for April.  So cool.  Thanks Natalia!