weather madness

The other day Vincent and I (and lots of other people!) were in Sydney, Australia. And an interesting climactic event happened. It was the hottest day on record, ever (in the city at least). Temperatures hit 46 degrees Celsius (about 115 degrees Fahrenheit). Luckily, we were on vacation so we could go enjoy the heat in style...by drinking heaps of beer while catching up with friends. (Don't worry--there is so much water in Australian beer, there was no way for us to become dehydrated.)

Vincent noticed that in Massy that day it was like -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) and was getting dumped on by snow.

That's a 51 degree difference (or 91 degrees in Fahrenheit--which, let's be honest, sounds much more impressive).

Let's just say I was happy we were in Sydney.

Now, however, we're not--and Massy is cold and dark and ... cold. But that's nothing, because next week I'm going to Trondheim, Norway where it'll probably even colder...and even darker!

adieu.

2012 is over my friends. Thank Earth's rotational orbit around the sun!

Seriously. Thank it.

And tomorrow, Vincent and I will be starting the New Year in style. We've got two weddings in two weeks on two different continents. Wahoo. Bring it. Friends. The sun. The beach. The oh-so-cheap-good-food. The birds. The snorkeling. The elephants. The booze. I am extremely looking forward to a change of scenery. Did I mention there's sun where we're going? And like, summer? Numnumnumnumnum.

See you later Internet. I'm not taking you with me this time. I'm also not taking my phone, so don't try to call me either. I'll be back when I'm back.

christmas does not have to be a massacre

...of animals that is.

I can't remember what it's like in America, but here in France they are all about "let's-eat-as-many-animals-as-we-can-in-one-meal." It's heart wrenching. I mean, really, what has that cute little duck EVER done to you?

Anyway. I'm going to dinner with the in-laws, and I decided to bring my own main. I'm sick of picking at bread and trying to explain why I'd prefer not to consume murdered flesh. (Do I sound like a cliché? I didn't used to be like that, you know. But, the world and everyone in it has changed me. Thank you for that?)

I wanted something that looked lovely and was filling. I found this recipe for Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Wild Rice Salad by Beard and Bonnet from one of my new favourite blogs: Oh My Veggies!

Hello. I'm a delicious acorn squash with wild rice and other goodies. Eat me.

It turned out exactly how I dreamed it would--and I cannot wait to eat it. But I will. For 4 more hours.

Stay cool my friends. Also, try to eat less meat for the holidays. Think about all the room you'll save for dessert!

trop mignon.

So. Winslow loves beans, and tomatoes, and spinach, and corn, and zuchinni, and well...she eats anything really. A really un-picky parrot according to the standards of parrot books and on the Internet. She also is ridiculously cute and curious. Although, I wouldn't call her a "morning parrot."

In the last week, we've taught her "step-up," and she loooooves it when we scratch her neck and under her chin.

Come visit. She loves new people!

it's called progress.

Such a big girl now!

Awwwww!