Food note

As mentioned before, in french school, all children have the same lunch. This is the weekly menu of the department 78 we live in. There is a starter, a main with side, milk product like cheese and ending with dessert. 

The children are encouraged to try new food. They can ask for more serving if there is extra after everyone is served. On the thurday of that week, there was raclette. I was sure the boys would enjoy their lunch and they did!

A1 is choosy with cake and biscuits. He like me, does not like chocolate. He does like chouquettes. On new year's eve, my friend brought chouquettes over. She told me it was easy to make them with the thermomix. I found the receipe online and tried it out. Indeed, it was easy. The boys finished them up over dinner and next day's breakfast. There were 4 leftovers as they had the least sugar on them.

While writing this post, I found the receipe in english (non Thermomix). Try out this easy to do pastry here.

It is colder

2017 started on a cold note. The average temperature for the past two weeks was between -5 to 4 degrees. This week, though it was very cold, it was sunny and dry. The fireplace worked hard and we had almost used up our supply of wood. The same amount saw us through last winter.This year, we would need double. Seb is going to order more wood.

A2's room is facing north and in the evening, his room was 15degrees. We had to use the portable heater to boost up the temperature to 18degrees. This is the recommended temperature for bedrooms.

The boys had football practice on friday evening with the temperature at 3 degrees. There was no snow. Unlike 2013 where the garden was covered in snow and we would built a snowman.

Speaking of snow, we are heading to the mountains to ski. Hoping to get plenty of fresh snow but not snow storm.

Bangkok, Thailand

I just noticed that this post was in my draft. I uploaded the photos few months ago and totally forgot to post about the Bangkok trip.

We took the public transport including the ferry along the Chao Phraya to visit Wat Pho temple. This was my second visit to Bangkok after 20 years. I am sure I visited this temple but it was still impressive to see the reclining Buddha. The boys pointed out Buddha each time they saw one. There were Buddha everywhere.

We also visited the National Museum and came upon a German/English guide. As we were the only family visiting on a Thursday morning, the guide tried to explain in English and in his limited French to the boys. Other than us, there were students on field trip and a few visitors here and there. This place was peaceful and the funeral chariot hall was full of interesting and beautifully crafted objects.

Having my mother with us, we visited markets as well and even had durians right there sitting on a bench while the guys (Seb, my nephew, A1 and A2) waited patiently for us. None of them like durians. Too bad for them.

Below are some photos of that long away trip. We won't be visiting Asia this year. Hopefully next year, we can celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore.

Pine cones a plenty

We received a big box of pine cones from our neighbour.

Apparently, pine cones are great as a fire starter for the fireplace. They crack when burning. Just the kind of sound a successful fire in the fireplace should be producing. I like that sound. 

A1 came home from school and asked to have one. He learnt that lady birds make pine cones their home during winter. He wanted to build one by poking holes into it with a screwdriver. Seb proposed to hang it in the garden once the house was completed.

At the moment, it is too wet to go out hang the lady bird's house. And tomorrow, we might have snow.

Another upcycled bag

I made another bag. This time round, it was for A2. He was happy to have his own upcycled bag.

This bag is slightly different from the other upcycled jeans bag as this is made from a boy's jean. In order to give the bag a bigger storage space, I lengthened it by adding part of the pant's leg. You can see the inverted V just under the zipper.  

This second experience was smoother than the first. I hope to make a third one as this is a fast and easy project. Just need to find someone who needs one. Any taker?

Cold new year

2016 ended on a cold note. It did not snow but it frosted. The temperature for the past few days was a few degrees below zero. 

We went out to the forest to walk the dog as usual but other than that, we kept warm at home. 

On new year's eve, we invited two families to celebrate with us. They are my neighbours and did not have to worry about drink and drive. They walked home at 1.30am.

The kids stayed up until the guests were gone. The next day, A1 woke up at 9am. That is the latest he can sleep. 

A start of a new year. Hoping this year to be good to everyone in terms of health, family and work. You and me included.

Frozen webs here and there. Just lovely. This was on the wood shed.

The forest turned white.

The boys using their bicycles to break the ice.

Kapla fun that reached the sky.
When it fell, it made loud noise.

Handsome warming up. He enjoyed his forest run even in this cold.