ballet and hot chicken salad
The temps have dropped and we are over here mixing wool with linen and bringing out the boots again in a last ditch attempt to make summer dresses work in cooler weather. I had to dig out a puffer and beanie when I headed to yoga yesterday morning and we have a weekend forecast of rain. Ugh. How old does it make me to open every newsletter by talking about the weather? It really is a universal conversation.
Neilson is finally feeling better following a slowdown from a knee injury immediately followed by a chest infection. Charlotte turned 7 months this week which completely snuck up on me. She’s starting to sit up without falling over, and most recently has figured out how to dig her toes into the ground while she’s on her belly to create some form of…scooching.
We are heading to the US in a week and a half. Not that I’m counting or anything. I’ve lined up my dentist appointments, a photoshoot, and have some new babies to visit. Otherwise I’m keeping our schedule wide open for time with cousins, catching up with friends and swimming in the pool.
This week’s exciting adult move was getting a car here! We’ve wanted to for a while now but have mostly been limited by lack of parking space or garage. We were able to find an affordable garage and headed to the used car lot to head home with wheels. Unfortunately in France, they don’t give you the car right away since it needs to go through another round of inspections. So we waited out the hail storm and ordered our uber home. Not quite as gratifying but we are waiting on Christmas to happen any moment now.
ballet
Went to Monaco last night to see our friends in Les Ballets de Monte Carlo perform. A triple bill with Wheeldon, Maillot and Sharon Eyal including a live orchestra and some beautiful Ezio Bosso music. I’ve been intrigued by Sharon’s work for a while now and it was an incredible piece. The highlight of the evening was definitely seeing my friends as the stars. I get the same way watching bike races on tv or up close “I know them!!!”
hot chicken salad
The first time I made this childhood staple for Neilson, he was very confused where the salad part of it was. It’s a chicken salad not a lettuce salad. If you have a rotisserie chicken or any chicken leftovers it’s the perfect simple dish! No measurements needed.
a few stalks of celery chopped
one onion diced
a couple cups of chopped chicken
half a lemon
tabasco, salt and pepper
shredded cheddar
mayonnaise
jalapeno chips…or just salty ones if you’re here in France
Heat oven to 350f/180c. Mix it all together to create the consistency of your choosing. I’m a light mayo kinda gal. Spread out in a square baking dish and cook for 15 min to heat all the way through. Then*** crinkle your potato chips on top and bake again until the chips are toasted/a little brown et voilà.
joy report-mostly just things I ate
discovering a new wine bar with all the cozy ambiance
cappuccinos with a new mom friend
catching up with friends over bowls of pho
the arrival of gelato season
pasta in the sun
wearing my grandma’s jewels to spice up an outfit
poppies on our table in all their organic, wiry glory
a hike with friends and picnic overlooking the sea to remind us how lucky we are to live here…and how lucky we are to have survived the walk down with my 7kg tagalong worn on the front lol.
dance parties after dinner
discovered Abbie Gamboa and have her amazing voice on repeat in the mornings
opening my email to this pinch me photoshoot with Mirth from February!
Opened up the tdf substack chat over here and you should join us! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼