Her name is Maria and she’s done more to get us excited about our upcoming trip to Prague than all the books collecting dust on our coffee table. Just look at this sweet smile!

With Maria’s guidance, I made two batches of Ovocné Knedlíky this weekend [...]]]> I’ve recruited another Czech grandmother.

Her name is Maria and she’s done more to get us excited about our upcoming trip to Prague than all the books collecting dust on our coffee table. Just look at this sweet smile!

With Maria’s guidance, I made two batches of Ovocné Knedlíky this weekend – and we ate every last one! Are they light and healthy? Uh, no. Deliciously sweet and buttery? Oh yes. Definitely yes….

making the dough with wondra

dumpling dough

these photos borrowed from TheKitchn.com – click the photo to be taken to her website.

So, my question to you is this: If butter and cheese raise your cholesterol and red wine lowers it – am I even?

Maria’s Recipe for Ovocné Knedlíky

Make the dough: combine 1 cup Wandra, 1 package of cream cheese and 1 egg. Once you’ve mixed up all the ingredients and formed your dough, put it in the fridge for a few hours (up to a few days) to harden up a bit. One batch yields about a dozen dumplings depending on the size of fruit you use.

Prep your fruit by cleaning, pitting and drying whatever you are using. Strawberries, apricots and plums are best (in my opinion!).  You don’t want any fruit that is excessively wet or your dumplings will get soggy.

Making your dumplings: Slice off a disc of dough and flatten like a pancake. Put your fruit in the center and wrap it up. Pinch the dough together to seal. Boil the dumplings for 10 minutes.

When serving, top each dumpling with toasted bread crumbs, sugar (we like powdered) and generous amounts of melted butter.

Take a break from the beach and stroll along the boardwalk to admire the views of the sea and the old port. And when [...]]]> This stylish, seaside town was once frequented by European nobility and is no less glamorous today. You can’t walk down the beach without bumping into a beautiful European or  sun-drenched surfer.

Take a break from the beach and stroll along the boardwalk to admire the views of the sea and the old port. And when you need a break from the sun – go shopping! art, fashion, souvenirs – all in abundance.

Finally – don’t miss the weekly night market in the “old” part of the city. Absolutely magical!

p.s. When I was nearly 40 years old, this mom-of-two went surfing in Biarritz, France! Yea, I know! Pretty amazing, right?

The Basque Country is an area of southern France and northern Spain along the Atlantic coast. To be honest, I know only this much about [...]]]> This week, I helped a very sweet lady plan her trip to the Basque Country – and I couldn’t stop gushing about how much I love that region of France.

The Basque Country is an area of southern France and northern Spain along the Atlantic coast. To be honest, I know only this much about the historical significance of the Basque Region.

What I do know is this: The Basque Country is a stylish and delicious mélange of French and Spanish culture. Where else can you enjoy fine wine and French cheese for lunch and Spanish sangria and fresh seafood tapas for dinner?

Have you been? Do you have any must-sees? Mine are: Biarritz, Fetes de Bayonne, San Sebastian and Bilboa.

I find Paris to be very family friendly [...]]]> Spring is in the air! In the last week, I’ve spoken to no fewer than four people who are planning a spring trip to Paris with their families. How can I get in on some of that? I’m going to Indiana! Not that I’m complaining, mom! :)

I find Paris to be very family friendly – with the glaring exception of Le Metro – good luck navigating that system with a stroller. Here are a few of our family’s favorite activities:

1. Le Jardin des Plantes and Natural History Museum  – a local favorite.

2. Bateau-mouche – fun way to see the city and spot all the monuments.

3. Parc Floral – ropes course, mini golf, etc (a little outside city).

4. Jardin de Luxembourg (great kid play area).

5. Le Louvre – have the kids play on this website before going – they will want to find everything they learn about!

my girls at le louvre

6. Musée d’Orsay – make a scavenger hunt out of it by visiting the gift shop first, buy postcards, and then find the painting that matches the postcard in the museum.

7. Eiffel Tower – take the steps if you can!

8. Climb all the steps to the top of Notre Dame, count the gargoyles.

9. Le Petit Train from Moulin Rouge to Sacre Couer.

10. Champs Elysees at night for ice cream and an evening stroll…

a stroll in the garden

If you are going for a month or longer – consider bringing your child’s scooter and helmet. It’s a fun and fast way of getting around the city.

And if you have a babysitter, you must go to Aux Trios Mailletz - the cabaret downstairs was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.

And finally, if you need a personalized travel plan… let me introduce you to my friend and Your Travel Planner.

Bon Voyage!

It was break-through year for me, ski-wise. I’m not longer afraid! I was even brave enough to do some moguls and the half-pipe! Yeah, I’m awesome. (p.s. I’m not awesome. My 6-year old still calls me Slow-y-Pants.)

We enjoyed a [...]]]> Great friends, brilliant sunshine and spring skiing – it doesn’t get much better than this!

It was break-through year for me, ski-wise. I’m not longer afraid! I was even brave enough to do some moguls and the half-pipe! Yeah, I’m awesome. (p.s. I’m not awesome. My 6-year old still calls me Slow-y-Pants.)

We enjoyed a very special Seder dinner with several other families. I was so proud of the girls, who really got into the reading and singing. Sasha accidentally said Jesus instead of Jews which was so darn cute I couldn’t stand it.

And bonus! No altitude sickness!  (Though an oxygen tank was on standby…)

We are incredibly lucky to have great friends in beautiful places.

my snow angel

spring skiing

sun worship

a beautiful seder

a snowy easter egg hunt

more cowbell

Delicious – Chocolate Idiot Cake (because an idiot could bake it). Recipe and photo by David Lebovitz

Target on Pinterest – Sometimes when you are overwhelmed with daunting tasks and self doubt, the only sensible thing to do is go to Target.

Bentlily - What [...]]]> Looking for something to do this weekend?

Delicious – Chocolate Idiot Cake (because an idiot could bake it). Recipe and photo by David Lebovitz

Target on Pinterest – Sometimes when you are overwhelmed with daunting tasks and self doubt, the only sensible thing to do is go to Target.

Bentlily - What a nice way to capture memories.

Homeland - Just finished season one. Wow.

Books! I’ve been on a reading frenzy this month! My three favorites:

• Truth in Adverstising: A novel, by John Kenney – think modern day Mad Men
• Where’d you go, Bernedette?, by Maria Semple – hilarious book by seattle-based writer
• The History of a Pleasure Seeker, by Richard Mason – a steamy, guilty pleasure to read…

Have a great weekend everyone!

2. Wear just the right amount of pink.

3. Ski fast.

4. Win a cowbell.

Perhaps. But if you are trying to [...]]]> Sophia is recovering from a mild concussion and for several days she was not allowed to use her brain. I mentioned this to her French teacher who said, “It’s no problem, French language comes from here,” as his hand touched his heart.  oh, s’il vous plaît!

Perhaps. But if you are trying to learn French as an adult, your head will get in the way. That, and the time needed to sit your butt in a chair and conjugate verbs.

A few of you asked me for French language resources – here’s what I’m using these days:

Vite et Bien – find it on Amazon.ca; instructions are in French.

Moleskin notebook or French cahier - to make conjugating verbs slightly more aesthetically pleasing.

About French –   for explaining grammatical concepts and online practice tests.

French Today – sign up for her weekly Unique Tips.

Joyeuse Saint Valentin!

for conjugating verbs

Now that the kids are back in school (whew), we mommy types have a tiny bit more time on our hands. Which for me means… time to start working on next summer’s séjour!

This year we’re trying something new. Instead of finishing the school year in Provence, our plan [...]]]> Happy New Year séjour families!

Now that the kids are back in school (whew), we mommy types have a tiny bit more time on our hands. Which for me means… time to start working on next summer’s séjour!

This year we’re trying something new. Instead of finishing the school year in Provence, our plan is to try out a few summer camps in Annecy, France. The city is looks gorgeous – right on the northern tip of pristine Lake Annecy and surrounded by mountains. Annecy has something for everyone: endless outdoor activities – beaches and boating, hiking and biking – plus great restaurants, fresh markets and charming shops and little canals running through the heart of the city.

We confirmed the apartment a few months ago, so now it’s time to start planning all the other details.  Lots of families have asked me about  how to find and enroll their children in summer camps, so I’ll be sure to share with you what I learn.

Bonne Année tout le monde!

This incredible woman is named Claudette Hunt and she owns France: Homestyle. Claudette specializes in helping travelers find the perfect rental property in France. By all accounts, [...]]]> I met a woman yesterday who said that her company’s mission is to sell happiness. Isn’t that wonderful? Who wouldn’t want to buy some of that?

This incredible woman is named Claudette Hunt and she owns France: Homestyle. Claudette specializes in helping travelers find the perfect rental property in France. By all accounts, she is excellent at what she does – from property selection to personal service. She is certainly selling my brand of happiness! I’m already dreaming up ways we could work together….

Hat tip to the wonderful and supportive ladies of Le Networking. If you are a francophile living in the Seattle area, consider joining us!