Delicious Cravings: Speculoos Cheesecake Bars

I haven't really had too many specific cravings during this pregnancy.  There was the time I really wanted a birthday cake, and there was also the time I really wanted a good BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, but other than that, I haven't truly craved anything too specific.  BUT.  I have definitely had a sweet tooth this whole pregnancy.  Which is pretty unlike me, I'm much more of a salt tooth person.  But lately I...

A Thanksgiving Guide In France

It's Thanksgiving Week!  It's Thanksgiving Week!  Hooray!  As you probably know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.   To me, it really marks the beginning of the holiday season and I love everything about it:  the food, the festivities, and the thanks.  Usually, we celebrate an Orphan's Thanksgiving in San Francisco with 25 or so of our closest friends, but this year we'll be doing things a little bit...

What’s Cooking?

With all the rain the last few weeks, we've basically been housebound.  Hunkered down on the couch with blankets and cooking up lots of good food.  I thought I'd share some of the yummy meals we've been eating recently. Roasted Red Kuri Pumpkin & Coconut Soup *recipe found here  Autumn Vegetable Roast *toss with olive oil, s&p, garlic, and chili flakes.  bake at 400º for 30-40...

A New Season

Earlier this week, after a long day of travel returning from our trip to Stockholm, I sat down in my apartment and realized that our lives here in Montpellier are changing.  Seemingly overnight, the brutally hot summer days have been replaced with crisp morning air and fall leaves.  The bins in the fresh markets that once held peaches and almonds are now filled with chestnuts and squashes.  The throngs of French...

Slow Cooking Thirty

Happy Monday, Friends! First off, thank you to everyone for all the 30th Birthday Wishes.  I feel so loved and wiser already.  I had a very relaxing birthday here and we had a fun time continuing the celebration here with an impromptu Saturday night party.  I spent the morning of my birthday having a café creme and my favorite breakfast pastry, une feuilleté, which is basically a pain au chocolat with a...

Cardamom Apple Upside Down Cake

On Sunday, our dear friends Nate and Jess had us over for a delicious farewell dinner.  It was our first of many goodbyes and it wasn't easy!  We always love spending time with them, and lately their friendship has been especially valuable because a few years ago they also relocated to France with the same company as The Hub.  We've been picking their brains and asking them countless questions over the last year...

A Stuffing “For The Rest Of Our Lives”

You can probably tell by now that I like to use a recipe when I'm cooking.  I'm good at following directions.  When I need to improvise in the kitchen, I panic.  What can I say, it's the perfectionist in me!  I want to know that it's going to taste good.  I'm not sure what came over me, but when I made that Stuffed Acorn Squash last week, I just knew I wanted make a few small changes to the recipe and turn it...

Vegetarian Inspiration – Stuffed Acorn Squash

Last week we had our dear friends Marq and Dawn over for dinner.  They are both vegetarians so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try out a recipe from The Kitchn that I have been eyeing:  Stuffed Acorn Squash.  Little did I know that Marq does not actually like acorn squash.  When he admitted this to me I told him, "too bad, I already bought them so now you have to eat them."  You can say that...

My Secret to a Delicious Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is hands down my absolute favorite holiday and I'm so excited that it's right around the corner!  For the last 5 years The Hub and I have enjoyed an "Orphan's Thanksgiving" in San Francisco  with about 30 of our closest friends.  These Thanksgivings have been some of the most fun and memorable holidays of my life!  (sorry Mom) I will now share with you the point of difference that makes our...

Muffins for Mommy

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of meeting baby Otis, Randi & KC's bundle of joy who arrived on 10/27! I spent the day with mommy and baby and did not want to show up empty-handed!  I decided to continue in the fall spirit and whipped up some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. These were super easy and made about 15 muffins, so I was able to keep a few for me and The Hub to try.  Perfect for...