Happy New Year 2009 from France!!!

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever you are doing, Happy New Year 2009!!!!

Happy New Year 2009!!!

Well, the outstanding fireworks off the Sydney Harbour have come and gone.... and it's the New Year in the Southern Hemisphere now... So... I want to wish you ALL a STELLAR New Year... 

In light of all the battles and wars  going on in the world right now, I would like to dedicate a silent thought/prayer out to those who are suffering.  Let us take a moment to mediate/pray/whatever it is you do... to send out thoughts to those whose New Year WON'T be spent in celebration... It's a sad state of the world... but I would also like to give thanks for all that I have and all who I am.

I wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year. May 2009 bring us closer together, unite us in PEACE, and open our hearts to those who are suffering...

         Happy New Year 2009

**ALL PHOTOS TAKEN OFF THE INTERNET.

Ron's Nude Year....

Blogger friend, Ron from Vent blogs on for the New Year. Ron is an AMAZINGLY FUNNY individual and I highly recommend you click here to read his greeting, Happy Nude Year. Right back at ya, Ron!

P.S. Ron has a way of making his readers feel, Oh so special!  Here are two fun creations that Ron has given his fellow bloggers... Merci beaucoup, Ron!!!

Robert Plant, the vocalist for the classic rock group Led Zeppelin, is on the list to receive a CBE for his services to music. Since the 1980s, he has enjoyed a successful solo career and performed with other artists around the world.

Who would do this to their dog?!!

**Photos taken off the net

A Memorium to Steve Spencer

I just found this memorium to Steve and thought I'd pass it along to anyone stopping by this blog who know him.... It's a real shame that Steve left the world way to early, he's up there with my mom... dancing the samba, no doubt.  Rest in Peace, Steve

A "pause" today chez Aimée's -- L'Oisive Thé

Oh Oh!! I just checked out Barbara's latest post and there I was... Today, Barbara, her hubby Didier, and I had a nice, cozy tea time at our fav. salon du the' in Paris-- L'Oisive Thé.  Hop on over to Barbara's blog, Home in France, for the skinny!! We had a great time!  Thanks Barbara et Didier... Nice to see you both again!!  

The best breakfast ever!

The BEST cappuccino EVER!!!!!!!  Move over Peets!!
Alex being a model student!

I swear, I don't really eat croissants or pain au chocolat... but we ordered this croissant aux amandes with some sort of chocolate cream filling-- maybe similar to nutella.  They were to DIE FOR... Out of this world!! I never wanted to take my last bite.... And, don't get me started on the coffee... I had two like the one in the picture... Easily the best cappuccino I've had in France.... or elsewhere for that matter... Yet another reason for us to move to Strasbourg!!!

L'Acadamie de la bière à Strasbourg

This is such a great little pub! The people who worked there were sooo friendly and the guy even remembered me from when I was there in October with Lindsey... He even pointed to where we were sitting... How's that for leaving an impression?!!  I think there is one in Paris, too... 
Alex getting settled in....
I know, I know.  I don't drink beer, but what the hay?!! It's à la pêche~ peach beer.  It tasted more like a carbonated peach drink than a beer--- a real woman's beer, I know.... Alex likes REAL beer, not me!!!  I tasted some of Lindsey's when we came to this cute little pub in Oct.  What a great find this place was!! Try it the next time you're in town!
This is the famous, "tarte flambée" -- aux pommes et à la cannelle... flambé avec du Calvados! YUMMMMM is all I have to say!!  Sooo good when it's hot out of the oven! A must try!!

Colorful lights in Strasbourg

Bretzls GALORE!

     A familiar sight in Strasbourg is the Bretzl... I think Strasbourg should be named, "Home of the Bretzl," though I'm not quite clear at this point if pretzls are Alsacian or German... or maybe BOTH! I'm going to Google it when I'm done writing this! It reminds me somehow of the way I saw bagels ALL over Krakovie (Krakow) when I was in Poland. Alex mentioned something about a bredzl sandwich being yummy! More to explore. Oddly, I didn't see much choucroute around. I think this would be a PERFECT comfort food in the winter time! Choucroute = sourkraut.  If you'd like to learn a little more check out Food Lorist's post with the recipe.

Tarte Flambée - lardons et fromage

This was Alex's lunch when we were walking through the marché de noël.  Mine was just cheese.

Even more of Strasbourg

More from Strasbourg!

Kouglof- tradional brioche of Alsace

Meant to make you DROOL Part 2