The traditional saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." But for us, Spring arrived early as April delivered blooming fields of colorful tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils right outside of Amsterdam. Amsterdam has been on our list to visit since we moved to France over two years ago. We originally planned to go to Amsterdam over … Continue reading Tulips, Hyacinths, and Daffodils (Oh My!) in the Netherlands
While living in Europe, we try to taste the local flavors and dishes of each country. We have tried some fantastic eats like fondue in Switzerland, and tomato bread in Spain. When we made it to Belgium, we knew we had to try their long list of famed delicacies: chocolate, waffles, beer, and French fries. Our first … Continue reading Discovering Belgium: Tasting Our Way Through Brussels
If there's one thing for sure, the French enjoy their holidays. Particularly in May. It feels like France has a holiday every other week in May, and maybe that's because it does. There's May Day (Labor Day) on May 1, WWII Victory Day on May 8, Ascension Day on May 13, Whit Monday on May 24, … Continue reading Faire Le Pont: Long Weekend in Barcelona
The long-awaited opening of terraces arrived in France on Wednesday, May 19. Restaurants and bars that are lucky enough to have an outdoor space reopened precisely 203 days after closing for the second lockdown in October. Previously a ghost town, our neighborhood is starting to feel alive again. In the days leading up to the … Continue reading Enjoying the Terraces in France
French macarons are one of the most widely recognized items alongside croissants, berets, and baguettes. I’ve always loved eating them but recently enjoyed making them. These colorful pastries are perfectly smooth on top with raised feet, a chewy bite, and a decadent filling. But were they always this picture-perfect? Let’s explore the history and origin … Continue reading The History of French Macarons
February 2 is a day rooted in different traditions all over the world. It's a day for many that determine the outlook for the upcoming year. Americans look forward to February 2 every year to see if winter will be extended or determine if spring is on the way. Certain religions celebrate this day as … Continue reading French Traditions: Chandeleur and Crepes
It's Thanksgiving in France, which means it's just another ordinary day. That is if there are any ordinary days while in confinement. It was a comfortable 55-degrees outside, and we enjoyed all the sunshine we could during the one-hour allotment at lunch. I had the day off work and "enjoyed" listening to Jordan on his long conference … Continue reading Our First Thanksgiving in France
If you look up the definition of a trip planner in the dictionary, you'll see Jordan's picture next to it. We are textbook planners, sometimes planning our longer trips down to the hour. But COVID has brought out a sort of whimsy in both of us. We don't have the luxury to plan in advance … Continue reading Fondue for Two: Our Spontaneous Switzerland Trip
I don't know about you, but Fall is my favorite time of year. Cold nights and crisp air start to fill the air. Oversized sweaters come out from the back of the closet. Warm blankets now have a permanent place on our couch. Trees begin to change from green to vibrant shades of orange and … Continue reading Chasing After Fall Foliage
There aren't too many downsides of living above a bakery, or boulangerie. We can sometimes enjoy the smell of freshly baked bread coming through our windows in the mornings. When we first moved here, I would wake up in the middle of the night because I could smell bread being baked. The only downside that … Continue reading Saturdays are for Chocolate Croissants
