Chapeau, Marie-Thérèse!

Yesterday, there was this broadcast on Arte about Marie-Antoinette.
Lola wanted to watch it... she said she knew she was the queen who was cut in 2 parts at the end of her life.

huh
Such details are so attractive for such curious minds :)
So ok we watched it, I explained what could be explained to a lil one.
Finally the most difficult part was to make her understand *when* all that happened. "centuries ago" is a mysterious concept for Lola who's hardly taming the tomorrow/yesterday/today thingie.

Anyway, Lola was a bit shocked that a queen could lose her head this way (apparently being cut in 2 parts is ok, but having one's head cut is less fun! .. lol).

Till yesterday being a queen was one of the job Lola had planned to do later. I think she's changed her mind. ;-)

To explain Marie-Antoinette's violent death, I told Lola something like "the queen had too much bread and did not share, people got crazy because they were so hungry and poor" (which I think is way enough explanation for a 5 years-old one)
Lola was a bit sad for the hungry people, but much more sad for the lil headless queen, of course! ;-)

And while we were in the middle of all that, I kept thinking about what had just been said about Marie-Antoinette's mom, Maria Theresa of Austria.

She was an Empress, ok, which is a tough job I can imagine. But besides being an Empress, she gave birth to 16 kids! Can you imagine that?!!!! When you know all what it takes to make a baby (talking physical strength and energy)... I just cannot imagine that to happen 16 times!



And in the broadcast, they said Maria Theresa used to keep reading the reports from her ministers even when she was having contractions.

Wawww, une force de la nature, cette Marie-Thérèse!!!!

Cross your bits for me

I've another rendez-vous tomorrow morning with my publishing house.
I'll give them the 14 illustrations "boards" that are ready for the second book of the series, and I should get there the text of the third book I have to illustrate before the end of next month.

I like what I did, really, which is definitely what matters. I hope they'll enjoy it too. We'll see.

I've also to finish the first *items* I'm creating for my new lil biz, so far the result is pretty good I think. Martin's working on it too! We're both inspired :)
I should be able to show something in my gallery in a couple of weeks(I will have to create another gallery for these new items, but later).

And I'm working on a new painting, which is maybe the hardest job since you need real inspiration to paint, you've to be able to explore in yourself what you want to express, the way you want to express it, etc.
I'd say 20% of this new painting's done. I hope to finish it before the end of the week. Challenge!

Well, if I was paid for the time I spend on my works, I'd be rich, I tell you! but... it does not work this way. And I still play lottery every week

edit: the rendez-vous went really well! The three books should be published by the end of May :-) I think I will spend a very lazy evening tonight, just to celebrate all that! (dancing around)

What kind of webuser are you?

How do you spend your time on the internet? games, news, blogs, information?

let me see, at the moment I use it for:
-blogs of course (and I'd love to have the time to discover new ones too. I miss that)
-music (I mainly listen at my radioblog stuff)
-my biz
-facebook on which I spend more time than any other site... lol (being a big fan of the music challenge and scrabulous devil thingie huhu :P)
-news, information research
-shopping
-gossips (perezhilton, etc ETC)

...and when I have some lil time left, I love surfing on dailymotion or youtube, in the art/animation channel.
There are real jewels there! And I must say I'm a bit jealous of these people who have such a sense of creativity in them, and the latent to express it (both being equally important)! :)

Anyway, here's a lil film I've just found, I really like it! So simple but so well done, with the touch of humour that makes it perfect (for me at least :-)

V_WATER
envoyé par tudoempaz

(relax) take it ...hmmm.... easy ? :P

Tanja (ok, you don't know Tanja, she's a great friend of us from Hamburg) sent me an email yesterday to share the wunnnerful piece of news :

Easyjet is about to start flights Paris-Hamburg (they will start in March!)

A cheap airline to go to Hamburg, that's just perfect!

9 years, the most beautiful 9 years of my life!

(It's our wedding Anniversary today!)
(dancing around -the pole-)



... and for those who still wonder about this housewife's hobby...:

The Office, season 3

(now you don't ask anymore about the "last movie you've seen", but more like about the "last series you've watched", times have changed huh :P)

I've just spent the whole evening watching youtube stuff from the Office, season 3, to share with you a good laugh... but I could not decide which extract was the best! Maybe this one !

We've still 3 episodes to watch, and it's gonna be pure pleasure! The American Office is getting funnier and funnier! The dvd we watch are Michelle's but I think we'll buy them, it's just too good.

Sooo, I ask you *the* question? What series do you follow at the moment, hm?

meBizlady

I've just finished the illustrations of a second book, I'll deliver them next week and start with a third book.
So much work and time required for that!

Anyway, for now I have a couple of days to make a new painting (which is a wunnerful break)
.. and also some time to think more about the new lil biz I wanna create which would complete my biz with the paintings.

My mind is boiling right now.


Martin and I got the same idea on the 1st of January, that's a sign!

I don't want to tell anything before knowing if I can make it... it's top-secret stuff but but if you're really curious, I can at least tell you I will still use brushes and painting for this new project!
huhu :P

Billy, Feuerzangenbowle and huge bretzels

10 days in Hamburg =

(just because I needed an excuse to play with smileys, huh :P)

-hours in Christmas markets drinking Feuerzangenbowle
-Santa Claus above our head crossing in the sky in front of the Rathaus (fantastic!)
-cosy evenings with Achim, Christa, the kids and lots of candles

-Billy, the so friendly Scottish pub owner, opening his pub for us on the 24th
-a New year's eve with wunnerful friends, all playing bagpipes outside at midnight

-meeting Marcus at a Christmas market (we had not seen him since our wedding!)
-zillions of fireworks
-the shock to see the lil boys (who were around me at our wedding) almost as tall as Martin!!!
-hours spent in spielplatz with over-excited kids
-the yummy dinner and delicious drinks we had at the September
-the brunch on Sunday with family and friends
-and all these moments we had alone, for ourselves :-)


and here are the photos:

Christmas in Hamburg 2007

Cinema Festival at chez Candles: and the winner is ....

James, absolutely, totally James.


During the holidays, we've managed to watch a few movies, and Casino Royale was the best suprise.
Actually I was a bit tired of the james Bond series, very disappointed by the last ones...
But this one, woooaaaa!
First I though the new JB/Mr Craig was just good meat for the eyes. But I was wrong, the movie was fresh, while sticking to the James Bond atmosphere, avoiding all the heavy clichés (or playing with them). The dialogues, the script, Eva Green naturally. Perfect. A surprise!

the big loser of the festival :P :


I expected something much better from Stephen Frears. The Queen was the most boring one I had seen in ages. All the Diana stuff in it, the poor approach of it, and the rest was so uninteresting! After 45 minutes I gave up.


The voice of Homer in German was really funny! It was, ok, I liked the movie but, just like I enjoy a doughnut once a year, huh :)


Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix is actually the only book of the series I haven't read. It was a wise advice from Martin who did not enjoy it.
The movie was particularly uninspired, even the characters, costumes included, etc...
Now I worry because I've just seen that Paul Yates, the director, has made the next Harry Potter movie! Oh noooo!!!! The next books are so good, I hope he won't spoil them!


To avoid watching too many cartoons (but now I think of it, I love cartoons!), we had to make compromises with the kids. Here's another compromise. No surprise. Lola loved it!


A most wonderful surprise. I couldn't believe it was made for tv. Helen Mirren, who's also very good in "The Queen" I admit, is brilliant here. I spent a great moment with Elizabeth I


Unfortunately, they were not available in English. I tried in Spanish with German subtitles, but it was too confusing , I could not help reading.. then I lost the threads with the Spanish and finally understood nothing! lol
As usual Spanish is spoken too quickly for me... I also realized that I'm really fond of the German language now, I should have watched them in German!
Anyway, I really can't tell how good or bad these 2 have been! lol

I also wanted to watch Babel but I had not enough time... boooo

Allo Candy? C'est Robert!

That's the first thing I heard on the phone the other day!

Here are the details:

Robert: "Hi there, is it Candy?"

I: "hmm??? well somehow yes"

Robert: "Maybe you don't know me, I'm Robert Plant"

I: "Hmmm, from ermm work? Compuserve maybe?"


Robert: "Ermm, no from Led Zeppelin"

I: "Oh yeah, sure! Hi Robert"


Robert: "Hi Candy, I read your blog about everyday, even though I don't dare participating... and I've seen you've been stressed with the kids lately!?"

I: "hmm, hehe, well yeah just like a busy mama"

Robert: "Oh I wanted to tell you I know so much how it is! Not easy everyday, huh... But you're a great mama, I can see that from what you write (LOL). And if you want any advice then just give me a call, I'd love it!"

I: "Ok, Bob, I'll do that, that's so nice of you! Take good care! huggles"



Voilà, I just woke up after this Robert Plant's call the other day and I really started my day with a delicious laugh! Loved it!

While you're here, happy new year my friends, I'm back with + 2kg but the holidays were so fantastic that I wouldn't mind taking 2 more kilos to start again.

I'm still on a diet though.
Pfffffff
A usual woman's life: being on a diet.
So unfair

Okies, I'd better run... I'll let you know when I get news from Robert! :P


PS: I like Led Zeppelin, but I'm not a HUGE fan, huh. That was somehow the weird part!

PPS: I hope you've noticed I'm getting beder and beder with photoshop and my graphic tablet! I'm sure you can hardly see the mike that Robert was holding on the pic! (proud smile) hehe

2008 teaser

Oh, when I come back, please remind me to tell you about my phone conversation with Robert Plant (you know? Led Zeppelin, etc!)

no kiddin!!!

Big-boy-in-red time (no not the perv!) (hmm, wait I must think about this one!)

I'm in a multitasking mood, but I feel ok, multitasking feels very kewl when it means you have to get ready to jump in a plane (tomorrow) for holidays!
Yeeepeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I hope you'll all be spoiled by the big boy, and I wish you a happy new year, with no stress, lots of chocolate and Johnny Depp's moments (sowwy guys ;-)

Thank you for being around! Mwaaaaaaaaaaaa!

It feels hmmm hooo haaaaaa

One of the great things with Christmas and New year's stuff is that I can check if I can still hold a pen!



I love writing cards, just because now it feels precious to write to someone.. it's different, old fashion, alive, emotionnal! yes!

And I realize I don't have the adress of many around here :P
I won't name anyone but if you feel like it, I'll happily add you to my adress book ;-)

I can get lazy now, parce que je le vaux bien quand même!

I've finished the main work on my next book.
It's been hard. But now I can leave on holidays without anything to do!

And I've just finished all the wrapping! Phewwww!
Even the 2 cats of the family, Charlie and Chino, will get their Christmas' treat :-)



What about you? Everything's done? Just waiting for the big man dressed in red? :-)
You're in a Christmas mood or the opposite?

We call it "Dragon's fruit" ..

..and you (English speaking ones) call it "strawberry pear" (cute name but I prefer ours for once :P)



I've had 2 of them so far, Martin finds them tasteless (shrugging)... they're good and juicy! Close to the kiwi me finds.
And they're so beautiful, really
(I'm blabla-ing right now, yeah yeah I know)
Inside they're white and black, a wunnerful contrast with that pink and green. Nature is definitely the most talented artist!

Amen

I don't know how's your week so far, but mine has started in some ugly ways!
Yesterday got the award of the most shitty day of the month.
From the early morning at the post-office with a screaming Loup and 250 people in the queue to hours of useless work... I finished my day in some real dragonish mood. Grmmmpphing, spitting fire.

Well, today was kinda better. If it goes on this way, Wednesday will be close to normal.
Yeeehaaa.

The best gift ever... cheap but priceless!

Have you ever heard of the movie The Polar Express ?
Well, I'm not a real fan of it, but the kids LOVED it!

It's about kids making a trip to visit Santa Claus.

At the end of the movie, Santa Claus asks the little boy what he really wants for Christmas. He will be the first to get his present.

The boy answers "one of the reindeer's bells"
(because the sound of the lil bells reminds him Santa Claus is for real)

***

A friend of mine today told me she's going to offer a lil bell to her daughter, presenting it as a reindeer's bell.



such a good idea!!!!
Not the most expensive one (at all) either!

I'm going to find 2 lil bells for my devils. They will absolutely love it (as much as the story behind!)



edit: I have found them! 4 euros for 2 adorable reindeer's bells! Yeeehaaaaaa!

Christmas, doubts and a most adorable crèche

I'm a creche girl.
There must be a connection with playmobiles here. Somewhere. In the dark.

I wanted a new crèche, not the ugly plastic stuff I had anymore. But crèches are so SO expensive here!
... It's been more than a year I look for a new one, one I can afford.

And, tada, I've just found one, really adorable one.
The men there are a bit too bearded (???) and I can't figure out who's Joseph, but... for 12.90 euros, it's perfect!

The baby jesus and his mom are smiling, the angel too. Perfect.
Joseph? I still don't know, I think I'll chose the shepherd, he's cute.



I can't imagine making my Christmas tree without making a crèche.
A family tradition of course.
But... No. It's not that anymore.

I think I *need* to give a meaning to this Christmas time, and making a baby the centre of such a celebration fits to what I believe in.

(that was the not boring part above, now grab a glass of rum if you want to finish with the post :P)

Of course, just like every year, I'm wondering *why* I celebrate Christmas
And for the first time, putting myself into questions, my beliefs, etc, I can bring answers (for meself, that is).

do I believe in God?
I actually don't know.

Who can prove some kind of God exists?
nobody as far as I know

Who can prove some kind of God does not exist?
nobody as far as I know

Believing is comfortable, not believing is comfortable too (in the way that it helps to not put everything into question all the time)

Not knowing is not so comfortable.
But I feel pretty ok with that :)

I'll celebrate Life with Christmas, and I'll covered my babies with presents (in my dreams!), simply because I'm so happy to be their mom!

A very first time

I know many people won't eat foie gras, and I can understand that (I don't even put the links about the geese feeding, it's too ugly).
But I'm so weak when it comes to good food. My mind and heart tell me I should resist, my pleasure has way less limits.

Anyway, the other day, I tried a speciality from South West of France (a blessed region when it comes to food!)... figs stuffed with foie gras.

It was like Heaven on earth.





What about you, any brilliant food discovery lately?

PS: how do you recognise a blog writer? it's the noisy/crazy one taking pics of everything, even of what you're eating!

"Your lil brother is very cute

...juste like his sister, huh"

That's what I heard yesterday when I was running in the street with Loup.

First thought: huhu, first time I hear that!


Second thought: Am I getting that old?!!!
(because, come on, if you really think of it, you don't tell such things to young-ettes!)



edit: Martin is laughing at me about that! (rolling eyes) :P

Hey it's almost Christmas

...so why spoiling (much more than) the spirit of it?!





okok, back to happier stuff, with a lil something dedicated to Lola who's a real fan (and such a great imitator of him!) :-)

mr bean joyeu noël
envoyé par kingfantasy

THE Christmas tree part 2

You know what, I think I've just finished my Christmas shopping!!!
tadaaaa!


90% of my xmas shopping was done on the internet... so I hope I'll receive everything just in time!

The other shopping I made was for our lil tree. Our Christmas tree finally stands proudly in our bedroom (which is the living-room somehow).

here's what it looked like first... so small and almost naked. It caught a cold, got really down too.



I had to do something!
Cheered it up, promising it a magical transformation. Lola and I decided to make it GIRLIE. PUCCA power, you see.

We got pinkish ribbons and a few other lights.
Our lil tree LOVED it,
and when it started to giggle, we knew it was a success! ... the depressed lil tree had just turned into a happylovelygirlie xmas tree :)

THE Christmas tree

Of course I was to post a pic of our Christmas tree.
There are things in bloggies that come again and again year after year, the photo of one's christmas tree included.

But, sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet, I have failed here!
My Christmas tree is a mistake.
It lacks about everything.
Tomorrow morning I plan to make a shopping trip dedicated to our Christmas tree. We MUST do something before it's too late.
More lights, more whatever? maybe.

So far, I don't get why our Christmas tree looks so miserable.
Maybe our tree is sad.

or maybe not.
It must be my fault anyway, I wanted to make it kinda look plain...pfff

I believe in miracles!

After 25 months of terrible nights, with a lil devil always finishing his nights with us, we've enjoyed a "normal nights" (normal night = sleeping).

Since we've installed the bunk beds (lits superposés), Loup even ASKS to go to bed!


For you, who spend standard nights, snoring, making love and all, you just do not realize how wonderful your nightlife is.

Waking up with a lil one happily snoring between you and your other half is cute once a year, but really annoying when it's just everyday like that.

So yes, it's a miracle that Loup finally starts to make his nights.
It feels hmm, unique. Precious.

:)

Facebook-ing rhymes with ...

(mind boiling!)

exposing
sharing
time consuming
giggling
playing
laughing
thinking
big brother-ing!

and really REALLY entertaining

(would you add anything to the list,hm ?)

In a couple of weeks ...

...we're in Hamburg to celebrate a wunnerful Christmas with Achim and Christa.

And you know, these holidays are my xmas gift, I can't wait for them.
I count the days
I dream of all this relaxing time with a family I miss, with friends we've not seen since ages, and in a city that I really love!



What about you, any plan or vacation for Christmas time?

Here's my plan (niark niark niark)

You know how much Wednesdays can be hmm busy (as in "exhausting", "threatening", "energy sucking") for us mamas.

It's the Devils' Day,
the day where there's a break from school here in France.

So far, I've been a Wednesdays' slave, and now I say STOP. Enough is enough is enough.

Is enough, huh.

I'm taking back my freedom : I send Loup to his creche another morning, on Wednesdays!

Yeeehaaaaaaaa!

And having a free Wednesday morning to take care of Lola is just great!
I'll have some time for her, some time to work -and paint my nails-, time to take Lola to her dance classes, etc. And no doubt Loup will enjoy his morning (he has no choice anyway! )



(above is the picture of the devils who prefer to remain anonymous. Very wise of them huh)

Paris, Sofia and I

I had forgotten how Paris could be beautiful. When you *live* there, you don't realize anymore, except when you allow yourself to do so.

I could talk about its bakeries (before anything else, of course!), its buildings and so different districts, its bars, pubs, brasseries, and restaurants, its shops, its inhabitants who come from just everywhere. But nothing can beat a walk on a sunny day across Paris. Then you can *feel* the *shhpirit* of it.

Paris is also the city where you just take your car (bloody cars!) and suddenly drive in front of a Sofia Coppola, with her baby in the arms and her man following.

Yeah, Sofia Coppola, la bella vita, chachacha quoi!

Martin agrees with you (cause I can read in your mind huh), and does not see why I got so excited!
I don't know either (lol) but I did get excited. I had my cam in the hands, but it was just too late when I realized it.

Xmas time + rue de la Paix, you can be sure to meet celebs'! Yeehaaaaa!

So what now?

Nothing. It was just like one of these days: "Woww, I LIVE in Paris!!!!"

Girls just want to have fun ?

...and what about boys, do you think?

Let's see with Loup.
He loves trying everything, playing night and day, cooking, cleaning (I train him well you see!), building his own bed (with the help of his papa, huhu), dancing, playing with dolls, making necklaces (he is so good at it!), putting make-up and dressing like a princess.

Yup, Loup definitely just want to have fun!

And isn't it wunnerful to have an older sister when you're a boy?
So fantastic to experience the funniest giiirlz'games!!!

Loup loves it. He has the shape of a mini rugby player, but does not mind wearing his sis' tutu. And I love how serious and "involved" he is at these games too! hehe