I’m pregnant.  And if I hear one more woman who hasn’t had a child in over ten years tell me how blissful I should feel while I’m in the midst of a hormonal meltdown the size of Poughkeepsie, I just may beat her about the head with my well-worn copy of What to Expect. I’m… Continue reading Pause for Pregnancy

Paris has, for me over the years, been many things, not the least of which is an incredible epicurean experience.  In my memories and dreams of Paris, its essence is decadent pates, creamy, mold-ripened cheeses and bright yellow eggs atop a perfectly browned béchamel-encrusted croque madame.  It is tiny bubbles floating merrily upwards in golden… Continue reading Paris. Pregnant. Perfect.

My husband and I are standing on a cobbled road of the Alfama, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon.  The stones beneath our feet are smooth from generations of footsteps.  Colorful tiles dating back hundreds of years climb the walls around us creating intricate swaths of blues and greens.  Fountains run with water that… Continue reading Lisbon: That’s How We Roll

Today has been one of those days.  The kind when writing something – anything – sounds about as nice as banging myself on the head with my hole-punch.  Our cat, Daffodil, has been particularly forceful in his lack of support for me as a writer today.  He began with a barely-heard mewling behind my desk… Continue reading Knackered Ickle Nutter

Based on the date of my last posting, it appears that I’ve been slipshod in my approach to blogging recently.  Which has (fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how I choose to view it) left me with enough fodder for twelve blogs.  But I’ve been re-inspired, so to speak, by my newly-blogging fashionista cousin, Veronica (you’ll… Continue reading Shenanigans. Of the Nighttime & Birthday Varieties

I was wrong.  It’s not often that one hears me say this.  (Mostly because I’m ridiculously stubborn.)  I was wrong.  It just feels funny saying it, let along putting it in writing.  I may need to practice.  (Oh, who’s kidding who?  It’s such a rare occurrence, why practice?!) What was I so wrong about, you… Continue reading Autumn Means Beer, Bratwurt & Break-ins

We’ve just returned from ten days in Italy – spectacular Rome and dreamy Umbria.  We rented a little apartment in Rome in a maze of side streets two blocks from the Piazza Navona.  Our windows had geraniums in them and opened onto a quiet courtyard in the back and a bustling enoteca in the front. … Continue reading Caio, Bella

I decided to go for a nice, relaxing swim at my gym today.  By “nice” and “relaxing”, I mean “obnoxiously loud” and “tranquilizer-necessitating”.  I’m fairly certain that every parent within a ten-mile radius of my gym decided today was the day to take advantage of “kids’ time” in the pool.  Ten-year olds with a penchant… Continue reading Swimming in $#!&

Query:  How long does it take to feel at home in a new country?  How about I let you all know when I find out.  Because at this point, it’s all just a big crap-tastic festival of newness.  This is not to say that London doesn’t have wonderful things to offer – anyone who’s ever… Continue reading Home Sweet … Home?

Last week I was scratching my head to come up with something interesting to write about.  But try as I might, the only things that happened were that we grocery shopped online (which is so much fun, by the way) and continued to explore our neighborhood (great dim sum just down the hill!). Luckily, this… Continue reading Birds, Bees and Pea Soup