Bonnes vacances à tous!!

I'll post when I can.... Looking forward to seeing friends along the way!!!

Have a nice vacation wherever you are going or even if you're staying put!!

Bizzzzzz, Leesa

A Look @ Life!

Hi Everyone!

Please come over and look at my new blog,  A Look @ Life.  I am going to use this blog as a Photoblog.  Hope you enjoy it!!  

This dog had some serious smoker's voice!!

Here Kitty-kitty!!!

Shots around the neighbourhood!

Last week's Wednesday night picnic on the Seine...

This Wednesday, we had quite a few more people at the picnic.. Unfortunately for me though, I went to the nearest McDo to use the restrooms with some others and we were gone for a good 45 minutes and by the time we got back it was almost time to leave!!  All of the public restrooms in the area seem to be looked up by the time we arrive so that's why we have to walk to McDo... It was fun, though, and thank you all for coming!!  Hope we will have some more in mid August!

Capoeira on the Seine

Chocolate cupcakes....

Made these for Arlene's b-day last Sat. (chez Dawn et Tom).  Arelene's b-day is actually this Monday!  Joyeux Anniversaire Arlene!!!

More Henna... I DO have nice feet, though!

I think the left foot, because I applied the henna on thicker... looks a bit better and darker... Maybe it just looks better 'cuz it's darker... I think it's orange henna, not red henna.  I like red henna better.  

I'm NO expert on mehandi design...

but I tried!It's NOT too easy applying it on your own feet... I'm not very talented, as you can see!

Traditional henna (mehandi) designs for weddings are beautiful.... I looked online for some ideas, but when it came right down do it.... Unless you take the time to practice or unless you are somewhat more talented than I am, you will come out with something much more primitive!! It wasn't very easy to squeeze the henna paste out of the container.  I wonder if Indian women prefer to use plastic tubes or if they are okay with this medium?  I found that while it was okay at first, once the henna started to clump up inside near the tip, it because almost impossible for me to squeeze out. As a result of my unsuccessful attempts to squeeze and squeeze, I resorted to cutting the tip of the tube until it got to the point that it just squirted out in huge globs- so what was the point??!!!  I'm not so great at it, it's only my first time, and even Alex agreed that I get someone next time who knew how to apply henna and to make nice designs... I actually met a woman in line at the post in Antony... So, I know need to locate her number and see if she's still around!!  Who knows, maybe I will host a Henna Party chez moi!! That would be fun...  Let me know if you are interested!!!  

Crumbs and Doilies Cupcakes in London!

If you have a chance, please check out the beautiful and very colourful cupcakes chez Crumbs and Doilies... I think this may be my very favourite cupcakery- because they offer cupcakes in such a wide variety of colours and decorations... 

Note:  Picture taken from their website!

TVs FAV Ma dies............... Sophia

Estelle Getty as Sophia in The Golden Girls: 'I had a terrible white wig, a cardigan and an old handbag' Photo: REUTERS

I cannot tell you how sad this news makes me feel!!  "The Golden Girls" has ALWAYS been one of my very favorite sitcoms!!  Estelle, you will be greatly missed... RIP!!!!

Estelle Getty, who died on Tuesday aged 84, was best-known for her portrayal of Sophia, the intractable, Alzheimic, octogenarian mother in the long-running television programme The Golden Girls, for which she won Emmy and Golden Globe Awards and a total of seven Emmy nominations.
She herself summed up her acting career as follows: "I've played mothers to heroes and mothers to zeroes. I've played Irish mothers, Jewish mothers, Italian mothers, Southern mothers, mothers in plays by Neil Simon and Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. I've played mother to everyone but Attila the Hun."
A diminutive 4ft 11ins, as Sophia Petrillo Estelle Getty stole the show from her co-stars with her pithy one-liners. When one of her house-mates, the man-mad Blanche (Rue McClanahan) complains that her life is an open book, Estelle Getty's character responds witheringly: "Your life is an open blouse."

Beech Yoga Sandals- in pink!!

Just mouth-watering over these puppies from Yoga Sandals for the past week, trying to decide whether or not I should buy them... Pink's my fav. colour- so that's a plus... also the OM charm to go with it... The cost is $29 for the sandals and a total $40US once ordered and delivered to my dad/step-mom's place pre-France final destination. Anyone ever own a pair of these before? Any opinions? I read a lot of good things about them for health/posture so they seem a worthy investment... I am sure there are some readers out there who can give me some feedback... Thanks!

Breaky in America...

OH MY!!!!  Look at those PHAT honkin' crêpes.  Not my photo, btw... Got it off of CHOW.

By  Aïda Mollenkamp

"It’s all upside when it comes to making pancakes from scratch—cheaper, better tasting, and just as easy as the boxed stuff—so treat yourself to homemade cakes for breakfast. And if you’re not a morning person, don’t fret because the batter fares just as well when made ahead.

Gameplan: This batter yields thick, fluffy pancakes. For a thinner cake, adjust the recipe to 1 cup of flour.
If morning is not your thing, the batter can be made the night before and refrigerated, and will make for denser and cakier pancakes.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Fresh fruit, butter, and maple syrup for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl until evenly combined; set aside.
Whisk together milk, oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla (if using) in a separate large bowl until eggs are foamy and sugar is dissolved.
Add flour mixture to liquid mixture and stir until just mixed and moistened (batter will be lumpy), about 50 strokes. Set mixture aside to rest while griddle heats or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 16 hours before using. If batter has been refrigerated, stir before using.
Heat a large, seasoned cast iron skillet, frying pan, or griddle over medium heat. Test to see if the pan is hot enough by sprinkling a couple of drops of cold water in it: If the water bounces and sputters, the pan is ready to use; if it evaporates instantly, the pan is too hot. Using a paper towel, rub pan with vegetable oil.
Ladle pancake batter onto pan: 1/2 cup for large (6-inch) pancakes, or 1/4 cup for smaller (4-inch) pancakes. Cook until bubbles completely cover the top, about 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side until bottoms are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately."

The view from a Paris Plage café.... Ahhhhhhhh! Alors ça ... ça c'est la vie!!!

Paris Plage 2008 (Hotel de Ville)

This year's Paris Plage is graced with LOTS of sun and hot weather.... YAY!! It was about 82F or so.
A game of petanque....
Out on the boardwalk..... down by the sea.......

Patriotic candy corn

From America to France via Justin... I'm finishing up what was left in the bag!!  YUMMM!!!! These are THE BEST candy corn I've eaten... Much better flavor than the orange, yellow and white variety in the fall!!!  

Soooooo MANY cool bloggers out there...

that I can't even name them all ..... My favs are on my bloglines and blogrolls... So, here's to all of you.... A BIG SHOUTOUT and thanks for making the blogworld a fun one to write in and be a part of..... Leesa 

To Justin... An American in Bourgogne

One of my fav. bloggers, fellow expat, and real life new friend in France!!

These are for you, Justin:

Keep on Bloggin'.....

I just rewrote Jerry Garcia's (no relation to me) cool song, "Truckin''"

It's called " Bloggin" and I'm dedicating it to Justin, Le Tigre and Penny after reading the recent posts on Justin and Le Tigre's blogs tonight...   This one's for you all!

Bloggin' - Got a new post up now

Keep Bloggin' - Like the doodah Blogger

Together- We'll keep bloggin' along...

Just keep Bloggin' alonggggg....

What in the world ever became of ______________?

Deleted the blog, left the blogosphere, you know it ain't the same...

Living behind the scenes, reading others' blogs and daydreamin'-

All the other bloggers say, "Ain't it a real shame?!"

Bloggin' here up in France,

Been thinkin'- You got to get back online

Takes only a wee bit o' time- you pick a topic

and just keep Bloggin' on....... 

Little India on Sunday...

On Sunday a group of us met up for lunch in Paris' Gare du Nord quartier (fondly known as Little India). We waited to long to eat at Dishny so chose a different resto. down the street-- Thanks to Animesh's recommendation... Otherwise we would have been waiting for hours!!! It was okay but the waiter was really nice! The pink, rose lassies were really good! I bought 4 Bollywood dvds and some henna for my feet!!