Day 81 from Burbank - Aunt Bonnie Goes French Skinny

4 and I went to Aunt Bonnie's today. She bought all this good stuff for lunch because she's been reading The French Skinny Experiment and is very supportive.

Baguette, tomatoes, cheese and strawberries for dessert.

So delicious.

The truth is, Aunt Bonnie has always been very healthy and is naturally French Skinny. There is a wonderful Farmer's Market near her house every Wed. and she stocks up.

4 and I are still trying to recuperate from the Rocket Party and the Horsey Day.

Hubby made dinner. An interesting conglomeration of beans, rice, veggies and tortillas.

I surrendered to his vision.

And it was delicious.

Day 81 from France: Stripes

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris SoCal...

I have a new Sunday night tradition since I've been back in LA. ManEater and I go to James Beach for cocktails. Last night was low key. We ran into her chef friend who is in love with her. He was there last Sunday as well.

All of a sudden, I spotted a handsome tall drink of water at the end of the bar with a black leather motorcycle jacket with a white stripe down the sleeve. I asked Chef if he knew if Stripes was single and non-stupid. Chef had just met Stripes but said that he seemed intelligent. So I asked our girlfriend the bartender if she knew anything about Stripes' situation. "OMG!" she exclaimed. "I wish I was attracted to him because he is PERFECT!"

Turns out he is a professional screen writer, owns his own house in Santa Monica, has never been married, no kids, and is educated, natch. Bartender said something to Stripes and it seemed like an eternity before he came over to me and we spent the rest of the night talking.

I NEVER see a guy out in public, much less a bar, and feel that immediate attraction. I couldn't believe that I was talking to this 6'5" sexy smarty-pants AND IT WAS INTERESTING! Within the first 5 minutes, when he realized I live in Paris, he started speaking fluent French to me! We spoke exclusively in French the rest of the evening and ignored everyone around us.

He went to high school not that far from where I went to high school, he was an athlete (hence the body,) fell in love with a French girl and moved to Paris where he became fluent, writes screenplays here in California, is not a drug addict or an alcoholic and have I mentioned how handsome he is? I think I'm somewhat obsessed.

At the end of the night, I did something I never do. Unprompted, I gave him my number and I said, "Listen, I like you. You are interesting. I would love to see you again. Here's my email and phone number. Contact me sometime if you want."

We'll see if he calls.

Today, I spent my morning at The Apple Store AGAIN. Ugh...

Love cute computer geeks.

The Chef had ManEater and I over for dinner. It was delicious. I did my best to ignore the Laker game that was blaring from the tv.

Happy Sunday: Marie Laforet

This chanteuse was popular back in the 70s. I discovered her in college thanks to an inspiring professor. I hope you enjoy Marie Laforêt.

Joyeux Dimanche!

Honkey Ho

Karen sends her updates from Burbank, CA

Our friend, Patty, has been trying to get us to ride her horse for a year. Finally today we're on our way!

Pear and a little cheese for the long car ride.

This is her horse, Honkey. Short for Honkey Tonk.

By the end of the day my little angel will know how to stop the horse by saying "Honkey Ho!"

Hubby keeps trying to say he's not a horse person. For some reason I don't believe him.

Patty's little doggie is a love.

Before we can ride Honkey there's some work to be done.

4 happily does his share.

And then our friend gives 4 his first lesson.

She was so gentle and confident that he was on the horse by himself no problem.

Then she took him for a little ride through the country.

While I looked at wildflowers.

It's really beautiful out here.

Everything you'd expect to find on a ranch.

Wagon wheel.

Camel.

Camel???? What the heck is he doing here?

Patty explains that he belongs to the neighbors next door.

Everyone is yelling at me to get away from him because he spits.

He didn't spit at me.

We are all hungry. I'm a little worried because there's nothing really out here. The only restaurants I've seen are chain restaurants. But then Patty explains that there is a French restaurant around the corner. Let's go for it.

Literally a half a block away is Le Chene French Cuisine.

You would not believe this place exists out here.

It is beautiful, chic but not stuffy and everyone there is fantastic.

These are the owners. They greeted us at the door.

They set the menu here for us to look at.

Our friend orders a bloody mary.

I get an ice tea.

Hubby gets a French beer.

I decide to go for it with Escargot.

They make their bread fresh every day and they grow most of the vegetables they serve.

Delicious.

Our REAL French waiter, Michele. I love this part. So he wanted to know why I was taking so many pictures and I told him about the French Skinny Experiment. He then told me that no one in France would have iced tea with their lunch. (He made the stinky smell face) One would have orange juice, apple juice or water. And you don't drink coffee with dinner either. Only after. For a price he would be willing to give me etiquette lessons.

I love him.
I still had the iced tea.

Our friend ordered this.

Hubby ordered this.

I had the Duck Confiet Salad.

And a little taste of my friend's lunch.

4 ordered homemade ice cream for dessert.

My dessert.

Lunch is FANTASTIC. If you are ever out that way stop and eat there!

No stairs.

No walk.

Asleep very early.

Day 80 from France: Crêpes in LA

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris SoCal...

I ate SUSHI!! for dinner last night in West Hollywood with BadAss and had a low-key evening drinking wine.

Today started off with a trip to the farmer's market in Hollywood with Saskatoon. I drank a delicious coffee and ate a small part of a GI-normous breakfast burrito. I took the rest home with the hopes that I eat the rest over the course of this week. I was never good at eating leftovers. That was always SwimSwim's job.

There were no more picnic tables available so we had to sit on the curb. Boooo...

The farmer's market was fun. There was even a crêpe man. It made me miss Obsessed! a little.

The Sun Cake!

Karen sends her updates from Burbank, CA

To get this Rocket Birthday Party started, Hubby took 4 to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, so I could decorate the cake.

I didn't really know what I was going to do. Except I had to make it look like this.

Picture from the internet

When the guys got home from the JPL they walked in and saw the cake.

4 gave me a hug and whispered "Mom, you made me the perfect Sun Cake."

Misty eyed, I realized this was one of those perfect moments.

I know in a few years this sweet perfection will probably change, so I'll enjoy it with a sappy full heart.

A few days ago Lisa spotted this rocket stuff and asked if I needed it. I did because I forgot about plates and cups for people to use. Yay Lisa!

Rocket Party favors.

I kept it easy breezy with watermelon, pizza and Sun Cake.

After cake it's time for.........

The water powered rocket!!!

Who's more excited, the kids or Hubby? I don't know.

Of course Aunt Tammy is there with other rockets.

And once the giant water powered rocket gets caught in the tree it's time for the Buzz Lightyear rocket sprinkler.

Shaboom was there to share the day. My family was so excited to finally meet her. Shaboom brought me a size 8 dress with the tags on them. It's kind of tight. Not like the magic France pants. I'll just keep it here in the closet for awhile. Waiting for me.

It was a wonderful day.

A perfect day.