Texas + Things That Look Like Texas, But They're Not + Misc Paris Updates

Texas

Last month, Kyle and I visited Texas.  It was so wonderful to see everyone.  We managed to fit a LOT of things into ten days... Paul's bachelor party for Kyle, a visit to Austin and Texas wineries with great friends, moved Mom from Wisconsin to Houston, Suppa' Sistas with my girls (naturally), Birthday happy hour and dinner for Kyle, grilling with great amigos at The Harris's (Is that correct punctuation?? I can never figure out how to properly punctuate last names ending in "s". It's a serious problem for me) , lots of Mexican food, catching up with my Dad, Brother and sweet little niece Kylie, a long, indulgent sushi lunch with The Dupnicks (exactly what I needed on the last day of our trip!), and so much more. We love and miss all our Texas people very much, and it was excellent to spend even just a small amount of time with those we were able to visit. So much action, in fact, that I barely took any pictures.  Here are the few that we did take...

Mom's new home :)

Becker Winery with Jenn and Carrie.  Such a great way to spend a Sunday. We'll do a lot more of this when we move back to Texas.

 Kyle's Bday happy hour at Hay Merchant

 Kyle REALLY misses grilling.  Not that it would be the same in France, the steaks just don't compare to Texas!

Thing That Look Like Texas, But They're Not


A while back we were invited by Chantal and Remy to meet them at the Paris Salon de l'agriculture, the French version of the Livestock Show.  Now, we were hesitant as native Houstonians (home of the best Livestock Show and Rodeo, I think we can all agree), it just didn't seem like an area that France should be dabbling in to us.  Well, we stand corrected.  It was unbelievable.  We will definitely be going every year.  In fact, we will probably go multiple times and spend allllllll day there next year.  


Let me see if I can accurately describe the scene to you, so you can share some of my enthusiasm.  It had all the typical Livestock Show-y things - like cows, horses, pigs, foul smells, the works.  BUT, add to that an entire convention center, nay, TWO entire convention centers filled with food and beverage specialties from every region in France (that took up one of the buildings) and just about every country around the world (and this the second building).  It was heavenly.  


Chantal and Remy had to leave early to get to a rugby match, but Kyle and I stayed for the remainder of the day and forced Julie to join us.  She did not regret it.  If I would describe anything as "right up Julie's alley" it's two entire buildings filled with culinary specialties of the world :)

Are you kidding me?

 Do you think this smiling lamb is the sweetest little thing, or the creepiest little animal you've ever seen. My vote is for the latter.

On to the good stuff.  

This is in the French Caribbean section. Spicy food, island cocktails, dancers, live bands.

 Other regions of France

 Can't keep my paws off of anything pistachio flavored. YUM.

 Busted. More sweet treats.

 These faces are saying "Are you flipping serious? This is the best place on earth!"

 Just whipping up a little something in my pan.

 I'll give 5 euros to anyone who can tell me what this is...

 Mmmmmm Hhhhmmm

 The non-French section

 "Italian Truffles are the natural Viagra - before... after" haha

Misc Paris Updates

Since we got back from Texas we've been staying pretty busy.  I went back to the museum tours a few days a week, Kyle has had a lot of projects at work, we're preparing for visitors that are coming very soon -Kyle's dad this week, Brandon and Carrie right after Fred,  then Clay and Holly in May - fun times ahead!


Last weekend we celebrated Remy and Chantal's marriage at an after party with them and some of their family and friends.  It was a great time.  We couldn't be happier for them!

Le Beau Couple

Remy and his new brother-in-law

 It was just bad timing and she totally isn't, but doesn't it look like Remy's sister (above me) is mean muggin'? 

 One of the many things that is so awesome about a city like Paris is that you never know what you're going to come across next. Below the bar where we were initially celebrating was this underground, cave-like bar. So cool.

Another highlight of the past couple weeks was buying our first copper pot. It may sound silly, but it was a big moment for us.  We want to slowly collect a full set of copper pots from E. Dehillerin, the famous kitchenware store in Paris where people like Julia Child bought their culinary goodies.  

Look at this gorgeous thing.

 We brought it home and promptly organized an Easter dinner with our friends to break her in. We made boeuf bourguignon, what else?

 Look how happy he is :)

 We pulled it out and... gulp... it looked like this! What happened to my beautiful, shiny, perfect copper pot?! It turned into this funky silver, neon, splotchy, rainbow thing. Ugh. We feared we made a very pricey and sad mistake. Sadness.

 Don't worry though (I'm sure you are just distraught over this riveting story, right?). We made a trip back to see our helpful friends at E. Dehillerin, and they sold us some copper cleaner that did the trick with a little elbow grease.  Turns out that putting it in high heat in the oven for too long turned the color. (In case anyone else out there has a copper pot, the trick is cooking very slow and low to maintain these little gems for a lifetime.)

 Good as new and cooking fabulous meals again! Happy day.

To summarize, life is great, we're doing very well and are excited to have more excitement in the near future. Oh! Annnnd we are going to Normandy with Kyle's dad and to a B&B at a vineyard in Bordeaux with Brandon and Carrie.  We can't say enough how truly grateful we are to have these opportunities and to share them with our loved ones.  

Bisous!
Maygan