tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58075809363998241102024-03-04T22:13:57.080-08:00Effacée in SwitzerlandSuffering from smalltown syndrome in suburban GenevaFusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-71167864578318390342013-04-03T01:50:00.000-07:002013-04-03T01:50:01.923-07:00She definitely knows how to suck up to me my little Miss Sunshine aka Lil Miss Feisty<br />
<br />
She often says with the strongest conviction<br />
<br />
Mummy est plus le monde de dep which translates to 'Mummy is the most beautiful/prettiest in the world'<br />
<br />
or<br />
<br />
Mummy est la reine du monde entier which means 'Mummy is the Queen of the entire world'<br />
<br />
<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-55248848103796988712013-04-03T01:49:00.001-07:002013-04-03T01:50:44.328-07:00Happy 10th birthday to my darling first born.<br />
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Today 02/04/13 marks exactly ten years since I became a mother for the first time.<br />
<br />
That fateful day has forever changed my world with your arrival and subsequently your younger siblings.<br />
<br />
<br />
I will be grateful and forever thankful that you were brought into my life : a sweet, charming and most sensitive boy.<br />
<br />
I love you Petit Suisse<br />
<br />
your loving mum<br />
<br />
<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-19219731187613663182013-02-17T03:35:00.001-08:002013-03-20T16:04:52.603-07:00My 34th birthday : 16/02/2013<br />
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<br />
I celebrated my 34th quietly with a passage at the beautician for a relaxing massage. I also bought myself some beauty products and creams to maintain my youthful appearance. I then had a professional makeup artist give me the star treatment for the day.<br />
<br />
Shrek gave me a waffle maker (that I went and bought as he was busy working) and we made good use of it immediately with delicious Vietnamese coconut and pandan flavoured waffles (which in my opinion are the best kind of waffles). On a regalés !<br />
<br />
We then went to a restaurant with the party of : Shrek, myself, Petit Suisse and Lil Miss N. I picked a restaurant that was unpretentious : Le Grand Cafe. Shrek chose the most unpalateble dish for his main : filet de dorade which did not taste at all fresh as if it has been cooked and recooked several times...all in all it was not too bad except for the big faux pas re Shrek's main course.<br />
<br />
We had terrine de canard, foie gras, rillettes de saumon and cocktail de crevettes comme entrées.<br />
The four plats were noix de Sainte Jaques grillés, tartare de boeuf, suprême de poulet and the sorry filet de dorade.<br />
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Glaces, crème brulée and yin et yang (fondant au chocolat et glaçe de vanille) completed our meal.<br />
<br />
It was the first time we went out to dinner just the four of us as the two little munchkins were with my inlaws.<br />
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I enjoyed my birthday celebration. Merci mes coeurs d'amour<br />
<br />
<3 p=""><br />
<br />
<br /><!--3--></3>Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-57351733951419505812013-02-14T12:39:00.001-08:002013-02-14T12:39:17.615-08:00St ValentinesWe barely celebrate St Valentines but today was an exception. I simply gifted Shrek with a lovely meal and Lil Miss N drew meaningful and loving cards.<br />
<br />
I have 5 amours in my life...that is fulfilling enough but it does not hurt to express and voice it in simple gestures to symbolise the love we have for one another... Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-39791766330941797232013-01-19T05:59:00.003-08:002013-01-19T05:59:37.475-08:00Ski librePetit Suisse tried skiing for the first time thanks to the <a href="http://www.snowforfree.ch/?lid=de">Snow for free program</a> (a sponsored event) which gives kids who have never skied or snowboarded before the opportunity to try skiing/snowboarding for the first time or to hone their skills on the slopes. It is true to its website name completely Gratuit. The program even lends material to kids. Petit Suisse being a debutant was able to learn and enjoy himself. He took on Piste Bleu which is the second level.. I am so very proud of my little baby for I was a bit dubious beforehand as to how he will fare and if he would be able to ski at all seeing as it was his first time trying out skiing shoes and putting on skis.<br />
<br />
<br />
It exceeded my expecations and went better than I had hoped. When he came back from the day long séjour he exclamed I had a blast and would love to go skiing again.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks again to the <a href="http://www.snowforfree.ch/?lid=de">Snow for free </a> organisers, sponsors and everyone involved who made it happen !!!<br />
<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-38308361470323676112013-01-16T15:30:00.001-08:002013-01-16T15:30:07.623-08:00Fondue ratéWho would have thought that I could screw up Fondue that quintessential Swiss specialty of bread being dipped in melted cheese.<br />
<br />
<br />
I learnt that 1 tablespoon of bicarbonade de sodium is enough to render the Fondue elastic resembling the texture of chewing gum and thereby ruining Fondue altogether. Luckily Shrek was there to save the day. Merci mon coeur <3 p="p"><br />
</3>Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-85806567555597750152012-12-31T15:02:00.002-08:002013-01-08T06:32:48.344-08:00Happy New 2013<br />
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<br />
We celebrated NYE in spectacular style and ate like Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses.<br />
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Our menu<br />
<br />
Huîtres au naturel<br />
Foie gras sur toast<br />
Bouchées des saumon fumée sur lit des legumes<br />
Bouchées des terrine de truffe sur lit des legumes<br />
<br />
<br />
We finished off with un Gâteau des Rois accompanied by Clairette de Die mousseux and Veuve Cliquot Champagne. Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-52151420114374037852012-12-30T15:33:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:33:09.612-08:00Scatterbrain<br />
<br />
usurped by forgetfulness<br />
<br />
wretched brain forced by the hands of time<br />
<br />
etched by souvenirs and <br />
<br />
enthralled by rose-coloured memories <br />
<br />
Age is merciless<br />
<br />
ravaged by years passing<br />
<br />
compromised by degradation<br />
<br />
left with longing for the good old days<br />
<br />
that cease to exist<br />
<br />
The good old days were in fact <br />
<br />
not so great <br />
<br />
but blurred by a skewered vision<br />
<br />
appears visibly superb<br />
<br />
clearly a trick ones own memory plays<br />
<br />
denial of current state<br />
<br />
Surrender, surrender to the new age<br />
<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-65403914785523909392012-12-30T15:31:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:31:11.532-08:00I love Merveilles des Maroilles and Boursault cheeses. They are utterly delectable: tasty morsels of dripping, runny dairy with bite and strong character/gôut. <br />
<br />
I also love love love the ultra creamy 'Masgonzola' which is a 50%-50% mix of Mascarpone and Gorgonzola. I find Most Italian cheeses fad, bland and tasteless but I particularly like Masgonzola. mmmmmm<br />
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<br />
Engadiner is a blergh cheese. I have to include my likes and dislikes contrasted agaisnt one another for comparison. <br />
<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-14559669386466725222012-12-30T15:30:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:30:26.950-08:00Miniature train models<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu3A7VQ0LKx_lghMZyi9j_cx_kgNcqnsSTuxgFtBdF8eBbOXUkg9a6OegT9lIXpuaAiXqdHshiydco77C0AdX0eLoTcmmXZsLBO8snqg6-G9Rfe4PBBA1dmHLiIciDSyezbf3tVXmnGVZ/s1600-h/P1000219.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417216429125849346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu3A7VQ0LKx_lghMZyi9j_cx_kgNcqnsSTuxgFtBdF8eBbOXUkg9a6OegT9lIXpuaAiXqdHshiydco77C0AdX0eLoTcmmXZsLBO8snqg6-G9Rfe4PBBA1dmHLiIciDSyezbf3tVXmnGVZ/s400/P1000219.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Depiction of Tracks<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyuhxDTRtZ581m6PTTNUA9g6PzGkkGZpu8TvZ1jGiMOQx6De1Q9sE7Mf_yqCKGhF_euXLydq-PabrhyphenhyphenRyUje4VquaX1nAAv5mfNUZNqpvwiihtX-5wMXOkiSj9tmBBdkSl_N55wHmvXp7/s1600-h/P1000218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417214178449661138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyuhxDTRtZ581m6PTTNUA9g6PzGkkGZpu8TvZ1jGiMOQx6De1Q9sE7Mf_yqCKGhF_euXLydq-PabrhyphenhyphenRyUje4VquaX1nAAv5mfNUZNqpvwiihtX-5wMXOkiSj9tmBBdkSl_N55wHmvXp7/s400/P1000218.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Jorat-express with life-like observation tower<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sWcMy8iVkr_h6mO-2AE_4BWyt8z33I_iYr9QQpKdP0vFg9T50OLyXJ9p__5vOsyTJfZhIeF2Oggf8vedF3f4KnJbc02bDpsd-iTasCt8vq9Iikn8LBeFRVPCvwrA5SiOc5DCvf_EkhnC/s1600-h/P1000216.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417212402575862482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sWcMy8iVkr_h6mO-2AE_4BWyt8z33I_iYr9QQpKdP0vFg9T50OLyXJ9p__5vOsyTJfZhIeF2Oggf8vedF3f4KnJbc02bDpsd-iTasCt8vq9Iikn8LBeFRVPCvwrA5SiOc5DCvf_EkhnC/s400/P1000216.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
train in motion<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HIPkpqn_neaYny3Ou3RnN4uD_wlsdFaWTEHc0j2jltvjG_bwcNDWEvCjv4SnsrPLCJxXjpI45Bv-4GrK6kMU7i6sZOFinYbWbVsB6LEV-YMs-Yoq9hAEOhAbZIJgVtqilZ3kTwA3WNr4/s1600-h/P1000212.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417209751176977106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HIPkpqn_neaYny3Ou3RnN4uD_wlsdFaWTEHc0j2jltvjG_bwcNDWEvCjv4SnsrPLCJxXjpI45Bv-4GrK6kMU7i6sZOFinYbWbVsB6LEV-YMs-Yoq9hAEOhAbZIJgVtqilZ3kTwA3WNr4/s400/P1000212.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
La Sarraz station<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz8xSLuA-asLyhTJBKJqpwkrNORkrAo6b6e3shPwpDzeusNTvfGpHZUCcLiXM8D2ZDDgfZN4V8EsjafUirEoaxMsgWgmi-Dhksq7obohcksQGuhXHHHrs8zcjCY4rdoKhFDOXtwrdBHy0/s1600-h/P1000211.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417208497922649810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz8xSLuA-asLyhTJBKJqpwkrNORkrAo6b6e3shPwpDzeusNTvfGpHZUCcLiXM8D2ZDDgfZN4V8EsjafUirEoaxMsgWgmi-Dhksq7obohcksQGuhXHHHrs8zcjCY4rdoKhFDOXtwrdBHy0/s400/P1000211.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Mines du Leman<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9uVBuQ8y2zifzR3DHr-V3U77bMbuG7Jx61MX1fY2M37P-E3zm26NvyhI6yseRUY_jkRggtdK_lm-ydRyLc5_wj1NOAq7ZVJYWWdVHOcvkJYfK4bhmx89wGSBqvGD23v6l_jOtUAljPVv/s1600-h/P1000210.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417207737491952450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9uVBuQ8y2zifzR3DHr-V3U77bMbuG7Jx61MX1fY2M37P-E3zm26NvyhI6yseRUY_jkRggtdK_lm-ydRyLc5_wj1NOAq7ZVJYWWdVHOcvkJYfK4bhmx89wGSBqvGD23v6l_jOtUAljPVv/s400/P1000210.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Rocher<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DAHqU7pTc3XUCupaM78AF-Mok4aKavafQ4b2AM5d6qN-R7-75kGlNvaPm3H8Kcb03PbpSFTBdTIwyeT0IRHvNU906Jd6zUICrRGkYpTEOOCEFlODR4x_TtIHmXw72jkAi3-dSqiYFhV_/s1600-h/P1000209.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417207062737528706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DAHqU7pTc3XUCupaM78AF-Mok4aKavafQ4b2AM5d6qN-R7-75kGlNvaPm3H8Kcb03PbpSFTBdTIwyeT0IRHvNU906Jd6zUICrRGkYpTEOOCEFlODR4x_TtIHmXw72jkAi3-dSqiYFhV_/s400/P1000209.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
Château d'Oex with miniature lake and mimic bathers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8TV2dUaIgLaGjutAnpUnzPF55Mcq9ZoahVSI8gpRzv3jgSN92a00S5HYMfu5Q3STrZuAAu4rXmsjonxO7q7mzLolOphrnWkLM3GU0ANWXjoiUj4S1G-Kz8ushv36Lu2Z7QXffo_R5Zue/s1600-h/P1000207.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417060130786764802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8TV2dUaIgLaGjutAnpUnzPF55Mcq9ZoahVSI8gpRzv3jgSN92a00S5HYMfu5Q3STrZuAAu4rXmsjonxO7q7mzLolOphrnWkLM3GU0ANWXjoiUj4S1G-Kz8ushv36Lu2Z7QXffo_R5Zue/s400/P1000207.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Railway bridge<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbLYJnIb4HAw2wWyaFhXpKxW923sQmcJRuXtDwPX7PBawyA7wK08TNGIxwxTmZbFPKUescFZMbailqwWS8_SoWAKoeqL6Ys50hQ8_N4XeMYjb9BO4fxzdrmWvHqkDlRmAKxxF1nCrzqau/s1600-h/P1000206.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417055784359361698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbLYJnIb4HAw2wWyaFhXpKxW923sQmcJRuXtDwPX7PBawyA7wK08TNGIxwxTmZbFPKUescFZMbailqwWS8_SoWAKoeqL6Ys50hQ8_N4XeMYjb9BO4fxzdrmWvHqkDlRmAKxxF1nCrzqau/s400/P1000206.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Frontal view of railway bridge from another angle<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbMHXxkxBIpTwQAwLxrinFnlqRCQozgRnXbt1q1Pp9r11Nekw4wfdzKb57htxC-XkepcjoPDAquDGNkrxBUONg6RpZYXWVhyh_sYqPaJQ6puzwwdMTl9ZGynFy5YFuxp4uAhoBMMo9apf/s1600-h/P1000204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417023370257857170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbMHXxkxBIpTwQAwLxrinFnlqRCQozgRnXbt1q1Pp9r11Nekw4wfdzKb57htxC-XkepcjoPDAquDGNkrxBUONg6RpZYXWVhyh_sYqPaJQ6puzwwdMTl9ZGynFy5YFuxp4uAhoBMMo9apf/s400/P1000204.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Castle Lucernois<br />
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Some photos of the miniature trains and circuits/model sceneries depicting real life stations, objects that they were modelled after. They are great works of art as it takes a skilled and patient craftsperson to construct such life-like minuscule details.<br />
They are really life like and magnificent.Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-87502213084529893322012-12-30T15:23:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:23:24.095-08:00Bouncy, juicy and springy beefballsBo` viên just the way I like them. I made the first batch of 500 grams of beef mince to test out <a href="http://neckredrecipes.blogspot.com/2007/12/ngau-yoke-yuen-springy-n-bouncy-beef.html">this marvelous recipe</a> and it turned out better than my expectation for my very first attempt. I forgot to add 2 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder for my second and more substantial attempt and the balls were much more compact, spring-less and not bouncy at all. The key for me is the baking powder and the steps. I will be recreating this recipe again. <br />
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Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-12887254156270360562012-12-30T15:13:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:13:15.401-08:00Kumquat seedsThe kumquat seeds Shrek planted have flourished and miraculously grown. We still have a long way to go until we can actually cueillir les premiers fruits but I declare it a victory in itself that the seeds scattered into the soil on our bac sur le balcon has actually given way to greenery and flourishing plants. They will need to be repotted into a pot for the indoors as the dreaded winter is coming...<br />
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Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-48356922878572468382012-12-30T15:12:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:12:51.821-08:00Mish MashOur recent menus have featured <br />
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bu'n riêu</div>
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mi` xaò do`n </div>
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chicken nuggets à ma façon</div>
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Tam Ky` chicken rice is way better than Hainanese chicken rice which I find extremely bland and boring, Tam Ky` (Viet version) has pizazz and is jazzed up and colourful to boot. It is a dish I periodically prepare and is a big big hit here at the Effacée household. </div>
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ga` rôti : chicken thighs and drumsticks à ma façon. I discovered <a href="http://zuncon.multiply.com/recipes/item/9/9">this wonderful recipe</a> and it is a winning recipe approved by the toughest critics aka the Effacés in Switzerland clan. </div>
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go?i cuô'n</div>
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pancakes</div>
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cha'o ba`o ngu' </div>
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soufflés au pommes de terre</div>
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soufflés au patates douces</div>
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banana cake</div>
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gratin au patates douces</div>
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tomates mozzarella</div>
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bo` pi'a</div>
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Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-77058594305687892192012-12-30T15:11:00.001-08:002012-12-30T15:11:40.573-08:00Beyblade Metal FusionShrek recently spent a good part of his day off modifying Petit Suisse's and Baby Taz's Beyblade toupies. <br />
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He found some metallic washers, discs and screws and odd bits and bobs and smoothed them out using a machine found in the atelier. He has rendered Petit Suisse and Baby Taz's respective toupies les vraies Metal Fusions thereby giving them more spin and managing/maintaining their spin for a longer period. He has created a monster and timeless hit. </div>
Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-50006293675639814082012-12-30T15:08:00.001-08:002012-12-30T15:08:15.821-08:00Happy 3rd birthday lil Miss Feisty !!!My darling little Miss Feisty turned 3 on the 20th of March 2012. It was a whirlwind of stacked donuts fabricated by Lil Miss N and Petit Suisse disguised as a birthday cake.<br />
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She then blew out her candle for the first time with said donuts. We had another small celebration with Les Lionceaux, a playgroup we frequent. She became shy and effacée all of a sudden, refusing to blow out the candles or even react to people wishing her a happy birthday. When asked later on why she became statue-like and crispée she replied : I became aware of all the attention focusing on me and I had a moment of panic.<br />
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We are not done with the celebrations as yet as we will have another party with all the trimmings: friends and family.<br />
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Happy birthday my special little girl ! May you stay feisty but at the same time loving and caring towards us 5, your nearest and dearest !<br />
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<3 nbsp="nbsp" ove="ove" p="p">your dearest mummy, daddy and your three siblings<br />
<br /></3>Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-65841523224631472462012-12-30T15:07:00.002-08:002012-12-30T15:07:23.020-08:00The mystery of the missing avocado<br />
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<br />
Recently I bought two avocadoes : one I used in a delicious impromptu concoction that involved Coquilles<br />
St -Jacques for our cosy Christmas dinner at home.<br />
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The other one I left on top of the toaster oven as it was a place that was easily accessible and I knew that I would find the avocado without difficulty...Alas two days later when I needed the avocado it was nowhere to be found. My first instinct was to blame Shrek as he is the resident tosser... he would without hesitation throw out anything and everything on a whim because he cannot stand accumulation of objects...sentimental or otherwise. Yet he would anticipate events that might never happen and buy in anticipation...he knows what I am talking about but we won't be dwelling on that here... I have searched relentlessly and fruitlessly and futilely for the missing avocado and I know I will one day find the rotten avocado hidden somewhere ridiculous. We still suspect maybe the kids played and hid it somewhere but they cannot tell us where or if they have in fact seen the avocado in question...............<br />
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The missing avocado remains a big unsolved mystery in our household and I have wracked my brains but the answer is nowhere to be found.<br />
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<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-36538409796670514562012-12-30T14:51:00.001-08:002012-12-30T14:51:20.732-08:00The cast of characters<br />
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<br />
Shrek : my darling hubby (who can sometime be an ogre in every sense of the word hence his befitting nickname)<br />
<br />
Princess Fiona : moi-même<br />
<br />
Petit Suisse : A, our eldest son<br />
<br />
Lil Miss N : E, our second daughter who earned this nickname because she is pigheaded and naughty at times.<br />
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Baby Taz : as the name suggests he is a whirlwind of Tazzie madness. He is the Energizer bunny without an off button or option and he wreaks havoc wherever he goes, his saving grace is that he has good intentions and a good heart/is prone to sharing and caring.<br />
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Lil Miss Feisty : She is as feisty and fiery as her name, she can hold her own and that's exactly how she should be !<br />
<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-8776094609607674102012-12-30T14:51:00.000-08:002012-12-30T14:51:09.286-08:00Monetary gainMonetary gain is still the best incentive.<br />
<br />
Exhibit A<br />
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Petit Suisse is a radin in the making which is fine and dandy except he is very calculating with his own parents i.e. Shrek and I. I need to rectify this asap as it is fine to be stingy and frugal but when it comes to your birth parents who have given you life, raised you and who do not count how much you have cost them one should not as a matter of principle be a calculating little bugger.<br />
<br />
Petit Suisse and Lil Miss N are receiving very small sums each Sunday which represent their pocket money. As an encouragement and incentive<br />
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They tend to be reticent when it comes to doing house chores but at the mention and promise of monetary reward their bright eyes immediately light up. I guess the old adage is true : Noone is too young to want to work for money.<br />
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<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-41263889512319943232012-10-15T14:47:00.002-07:002012-10-15T14:47:41.149-07:00FâchéeShrek and I decided that we would defrost the freezer tonight. As planned we set out to defrost with aplomb and as we were nearing the end of the defrosting business, Shrek took the opportunity to remind me that I kept a lot of junk in the freezer which is correct hence I have no qualms agreeing with him then. He then went on to lecture me about the amount of junk I keep accumulating and how I had to be radical and toss everything into the rubbish tip.<br />
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I do agree I am a hoarder and that I should throw out unnecessary stuff but he really went too far by suggesting that we were suffocating under the amount and weight of stuff and that he could no longer handle it. He went on to tell me I had mauvaise foi and etc etc... He pretty much blew up and I teared up because I could not palpate the ideas he was throwing around anymore. I wanted to call it quits mainly because in my eyes he wanted space, order and structure : something which I could only maintain periodically because it was a constant battle to intil order into our place.<br />
<br />
I still believe strongly that a house is not a museum and thus cannot be treated as such. I can only make progress by attempting to organise and tidy up momentarily because the state of perfect neatness and order cannot last indefinitely. I can of course make an effort to procrastinate less and hence clean up messes more efficiently but I can only try my best and Shrek must understand this.. Living together equals compromise and if he wants his way all the time, that is not about to happen. He can get his way some of the time but he must also give way sometime. Work is different as different rules apply to the workplace but when one is at home one must be able to feel at home and at ease and not constantly clearing this and cleaning that and so forth. Life is for living and not just experienced through a series of motionless stilllife.<br />
<br />
I hope Shrek will eventually work on himself as I work on my own hoarding and neatness issues. Shrek has a tendency to compartmentalise everything. Everything must have its proper place and nothing must be out of place. He must have empty spaces and bien rangé without any surplus. He is very Swiss in his thinking. I am pretty much the opposite of all that.<br />
<br />
We will find un juste milieu without breaking hopefully.<br />
<br />
One step forward...<br />
<br />
<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-36437198086067492442012-05-13T11:12:00.001-07:002012-05-13T12:10:25.761-07:00Happy Mother's day/Bonne Fête de maman !!!<br />
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<br />
It is my 9th Mother's day as it is intricably linked to Petit Suisse's age. I am proud of my children and hope that the legacy and heritage passed onto me by my mum will in turn be passed onto my children.<br />
<br />
I use this blog as my open diary for my children, future grandchildren and future great-grandchildren to have an insight into me as first and foremost a woman (hopefully remarkable and incredible at that but that is not for me to say...it is for them to decrire), a mum and a wife.<br />
<br />
I hope they will appreciate all the nurturing and love I have shown them over the years...and Shrek as well. I hope they realise that as human beings we are prone to mistakes, failure as well as success, happiness and triumph but the most hard won battles are saveured much more. I want them to stand on their own two feet and be grounded but always reaching for the stars and that we are masters of our destiny but there are forces beyond our control and comprehension. Life is unpredictable, miraculous and beautiful with all of its complexities and imperfections.<br />
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I received as gifts for La Fête de Mères : 1 marigold from Lil Miss Naughty in a pot painted and creatively beautifully by her, 1 purple flower (not sure of the name) in a recycled aluminium can dressed as a pot doted with hearts by Petit Suisse, one cardboard flower decorated by Lil Miss Feisty, a poem written on a heart by Lil Miss Naughty. I also had the privilege of being invited by Lil Miss N and Petit Suisse to a special Mother's day brunch. They split the cost of the brunch (for me only as Shrek took care of the rest) in half. They paid with their own pocket money which they have saved up.<br />
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A touching Fête de Mères<br />
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Here is the poem offert par Lil Miss N<br />
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<br />
J'ai écrit "Je t'aime dans la neige : le soleil l'a effacé"<br />
J'ai écrit "Je t'aime dans le sable : la mer l'a emporté..."<br />
Alors j'ai écrit dans mon coeur "Je t'aime Maman"<br />
Là, il restera gravé.<br />
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<br />Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-81792081648549344002012-01-01T05:53:00.000-08:002012-02-14T14:51:14.060-08:00PerseveranceLil Miss N tends to be discouraged all too soon as exhibited in two incidents described henceforth : she was practising her violon when she slouched and played like a cricket croaking without any effort whatsoever, Petit Suisse made smart-alec* comments such as 'C'est nul, tu fais tout faux' and her reaction was to just give up and bawl her eyes out... all the while complaining that <span class="hps" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:130%;" >Je ne serai jamais</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:130%;" > </span><span class="hps" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:130%;" >capable de jouer</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:130%;" > </span><span class="hps" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:24px;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">au violon</span></span><div><br /></div><div>the second involved her braiding woolen strings into a bracelet, she stumbled and made one or two consecutive mistake and decided that she had had enough and toss the unfinished bracelet into the garbage bin.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Shrek had one of those fortifying talks to Lil Miss N to iron out any self-doubts she might have been harbouring. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As a kid Shrek was not given opportunities to learn to play a musical instrument or have very many extra-curricular activities outside of school. Given that we do our best to give our kids exposure to and the opportunity to learn musical instruments the very least is to give it their best shot and persevere. Practice and effort makes perfect although we are not in any way aiming for perfection, I do aim to give them a well-rounded education with music, literature, scientific discoveries and philosophy. They can then decide what they want to do with all that knowledge and know-how but the most important lesson Shrek and I want to instil into our kids is 'perseverance'. Perseverance is a virtue unto itself but more than being virtuous it is a dogged approach to life that can 'keep them moving forward' borrowed from the 'Robinsons' </div>Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-31727838520554508782012-01-01T05:52:00.001-08:002012-12-30T15:10:55.786-08:00Random things they sayBaby Taz 's speciality is to repeat<br />
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'C'est pas juste !' whenever he feels indignated or left out.<br />
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Lil Miss N often says to me ' Tu es la parfaite mummy !' or</div>
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'Tu es mon grand amour pour toujours/toute la vie'</div>
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</div>
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Baby Taz will continually say 'On a pas ça' which can be heard most often after the bombardment of toy advertisements during the busiest period of the year preceding Christmas/Noël as that is the best time to rouse and brainwash children into action and hence indirectly influencing parents' and general public's gift buying/purchasing decisions.</div>
Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-46404426803892809662011-12-11T10:02:00.000-08:002011-12-13T05:23:19.593-08:00List of dos and don'tsI have summarised for easy access the major issues from which emanate beaucoup de nos disputes.<div><br /></div><div>1. stinginess : mine in particular, I have to stop thinking petit...this one is difficult but I can take re-assurance in one thing since I am une radine I fit into Swiss society like a bee in a hive because generosity is not the Swiss' forte. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Bouts de ficelles : see 1. (this is a recurrent theme)</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Timeliness : Shrek is very strict when it comes to being on time, it is a principle he has ingrained within. I agree with him when it comes to work and professional obligations but as for personal RDVs etc... I beg to differ : there needs to be some flexibility. I attempt to be on time for cours, école etc but personal RDV between friends and family gatherings are not as inflexible. </div><div><br /></div><div>4. Hoarding : mine again and Shrek's desire to throw out unneccesary stuff. Enough said, I am a hoarder and Shrek is not, he is the quintessential minimalist here and he would like order, cleanliness and an unencumbered apartment. Unfortunately I cannot and will not be able to meet/attain his high standard. We obviously will have tiffs* over this issue. </div><div><br /></div><div>5. Preparing for the worst : Shrek's tendency to overthinking and readiness to tackle the worst case scenario usually blows up and he takes all things out of proportion because he gets lost in the anticipation before the actual realisation of an event. Take for instance the most recent example : I had an appointment at the hairdresser's for an eyelash extension at 12h30 on December 10th. Shrek being prévoyant had dreamed up the scenario that involved panic because there were manifestations expected for Escalade thereby freezing the public transport system resulting in heavy delays and ruining our day. There would be la foule partout...bref Armageddeon was nigh. He was stressed because we had been invited to un petit goûter de Noël the same day at 15h and he was mightily and highly worried that we would be stuck in a delibitating public transport system rendering us late for the meeting time fixé à 15h (see point 3. re lateness and Shrek's abhorance). We made it to the RDV chez coiffure sans problèmes or delays. There was no such pandemonium and the eyelash extension was done in record time so we made it back in plenty of time. We were even early so we had to hang out for half an hour or else we risk arriving too early for the afternoon tea which would be unbecoming because being on time involves being neither too early or too late, but on time : harder than it sounds. Shrek's eager anticipation and preparation or readiness for the worst case scenario is sometime uncalled for. He tends to lecture me re : why I had to make an appointment on a weekend in December, the busiest part of the year etc etc .... why I failed to see such apparent declic and so on and so forth. I am not very prévoyant and tend to be spontaneous : un vilain défaut but if I plan my life to the minutiae where is the joy in that ? Life can give us bad and good surprises, it can exceed our expectations or leave us dissappointed and desasperated but life most of all should not be une fleuve de predictability. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway I have a lot to learn and with the years of experience adding up should be able to evite and avoid incensing** Shrek. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="header" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><h2 class="me" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; display: inline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">* tiff</h2><sup style="height: 0px; line-height: 1; vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 0.75em; "></sup> <span class="pronset"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/d/g/speaker.swf" width="17" height="15" id="speaker" align="texttop" quality="high" loop="false" menu="false" salign="t" flashvars="soundUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fsp.dictionary.com%2Fdictstatic%2Fdictionary%2Faudio%2Fluna%2FT02%2FT0293400.mp3&clkLogProxyUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fwhatzup.html&t=a&d=d&s=di&c=a&ti=1&ai=51359&l=dir&o=0&sv=00000000&ip=b2c46a9e&u=audio" wmode="transparent"></embed> <span class="show_spellpr" style="display: inline; "><span class="prondelim" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">[</span><span class="pron" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; display: inline; ">tif</span><span class="prondelim" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">]</span> <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: small; "><img class="luna-Img" border="0" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: text-top; background-image: url(http://sp.dictionary.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_Serp.png); background-attachment: scroll; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: -491px -482px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; " /></a> <span class="pron_toggle" style="display: inline; "><a class="pronlink" alt="Toggle for IPA" title="Click to show IPA" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; cursor: pointer; margin-left: 11px; ">Show IPA</a></span></span></span></div><div class="body" style="margin-top: 0em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="pbk" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: small; "><span class="pg" style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; display: inline; font-style: italic; font-size: 13px; padding-right: 3px; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">noun</span></span></span><div class="luna-Ent" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; "><span class="dnindex" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(123, 123, 123); display: block; float: left; width: 28px; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">1.</span></span></span><div class="dndata" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; font-family: verdana; font-size: small; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">slight</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">petty</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">quarrel.</span></span></div></div><div class="luna-Ent" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; "><span class="dnindex" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(123, 123, 123); display: block; float: left; width: 28px; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">2.</span></span></span><div class="dndata" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; font-family: verdana; font-size: small; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">slight</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">fit</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">annoyance,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">bad</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">mood,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">like.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 class="me" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; display: inline; ">** in·cense</h2><sup style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); height: 0px; line-height: 1; vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 0.75em; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">2</span> </span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </span><span class="pronset" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/d/g/speaker.swf" width="17" height="15" id="speaker" align="texttop" quality="high" loop="false" menu="false" salign="t" flashvars="soundUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fsp.dictionary.com%2Fdictstatic%2Fdictionary%2Faudio%2Fluna%2FI01%2FI0100900.mp3&clkLogProxyUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fwhatzup.html&t=a&d=d&s=di&c=a&ti=1&ai=51359&l=dir&o=0&sv=00000000&ip=b2c46a9e&u=audio" wmode="transparent"></embed> <span class="show_spellpr" style="display: inline; "><span class="prondelim" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">[</span><span class="pron" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; display: inline; ">in-<span class="boldface" style="font-weight: 700; ">sens</span></span><span class="prondelim" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">]</span> <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: small; "><img class="luna-Img" border="0" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: text-top; background-image: url(http://sp.dictionary.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_Serp.png); background-attachment: scroll; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: -491px -482px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; " /></a> <span class="pron_toggle" style="display: inline; "><a class="pronlink" alt="Toggle for IPA" title="Click to show IPA" style="color: rgb(0, 85, 187); text-decoration: underline; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; cursor: pointer; margin-left: 11px; ">Show IPA</a></span></span></span></div><div><div class="body" style="margin-top: 0em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="pbk" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: small; "><span class="pg" style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; display: inline; font-style: italic; font-size: 13px; padding-right: 3px; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">verb</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">(used</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">with</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">object),</span> </span></span><span class="secondary-bf" style="font-size: 13px; display: inline; font-weight: bold; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">-censed,</span> </span></span><span class="secondary-bf" style="font-size: 13px; display: inline; font-weight: bold; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">-cens·ing.</span></span></span><div class="luna-Ent" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; "><span id="hotword" style="position: static; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">inflame</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">with</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wrath" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana; font-size: small; ">wrath</a><span id="hotword" style="position: static; ">; <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">make</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; cursor: default; ">angry;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static; ">enrage.</span></span></div></div></div></div>Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-49884614426881827222011-12-11T09:34:00.000-08:002011-12-13T05:24:05.087-08:00RadineOnce une radine, toujours une radine...<div><br /></div><div>Recently we were invited to un goûter de Noël : an informal gathering whereby we eat finger food/hors d'oeuvres and chat awhile. As Noël was approaching the host requested that we have a little present/gift exchange for the kids. I was told by Shrek who was informed by the host to bring symbolic gifts under 5 Swiss Francs. As I am wont to do I took the route of cheapskate, minimalist approach and so we came with cheapskate petits cadeaux. Shrek was flabbergasted by the kids reaction as they were expecting quelque chose de beau et genial...malheureusement their expectations were not fulfilled and so dissappointment ensued. I felt bad that I had not brought gifts above the suggested symbolic mark as others brought more consequential presents. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So I am the cheapskate or radine or stingy one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fair enough...I was reprimanded and chastised by a furious Shrek whom if I had not known any better made it out to sound like I had committed a serious or heinous crime against humanity and that I would have to repent my sin now. Also I was reminded that as a consequence of my actions I should live on a deserted island no less because my social skills are lacking and this will in turn affect my children's ability to make and maintain friendship. Seriously I need to just take a step back and remind Shrek that if he was right then by now I would have no friends, on the contrary I have very generous, loyal and good friends whom I still see eventhough we are separated by two continents. Shrek on the other hand has very few friends that he still maintains regular contact with eventhough he is far more generous than I. Friendship does not begin or resume with one or several faux pas such as the one I committed herewithin. It is a complex relationship that needs constant work and it definitely has to be a 2-way street otherwise it becomes tiresome and wearisome. I understand that I have to improve this aspect of my personality : concretely to attempt to be more generous but I do not feel that the weight of what Shrek had charged me with is proportional to what I did. Finally big deal if kids were dissappointed, if it was our kids they will just brush it off in no time. Kids these days receive gifts and do not take the time to appreciate. The novelty of something brushes off soon after the act of opening presents. They play with it intensely for a few days and the week after it has already been relinquished to the has been. </div><div><br /></div><div>I want my kids to appreciate all the simplicity and complexity and beauty life has to offer. It is not always about material things but we often forget this and try to give our children the very best we can offer and more often than not this is tied in with how much something costs.</div>Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807580936399824110.post-64268766985155944272011-12-07T03:48:00.000-08:002011-12-07T04:09:17.773-08:00Happy 4th birthday Baby Taz<div><div>Petit note : Baby Taz's birthday falls on the 6th of December and as disorganised a mum as I am failed to post in time to coincide with his real date. </div><div><br /></div><div>6th of December 2011 : Baby Taz turned 4 ! </div></div><div><br /></div>Today marks the anniversary of Baby Taz's entry into the world via voie basse four years ago !<div><br /></div><div>We had a small albeit just between the six of us celebration. As requested by Baby Taz (true to his namesake/astrological sign the Golden Pig) the little party involved copious amounts of all les interdites aka junk food : chips, boissons gazeuses galore, nuggets, bâtonnets de poissons panés, frites, bonbons, Rimuss (champagne sans alcool) and un gâteau d'anniversaire décoré haphazardly with crème chantilly and dispersés de bonbons. </div><div><br /></div><div>Baby Taz received little cadeaus : complets and une photophore/bougeoir de Noël. I hope to celebrate it with some friends in about a months time so there will be more ambience de Fête but for now this will do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Joyeux anniversaire mon petit cochon (with the dearest sentiments) !!!!!!!!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Nous nous t'aimons !</div><div><br /></div><div>Mummy, Bo, Petit Suisse, Lil Miss N et Lil Miss Feisty</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Fusionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145193636033112456noreply@blogger.com0