Cookies!!!!

Ovvy got his first real test today with chewy chocolate cookies.


I mixed the dough by hand in my Ikea bowl, using the awesome spatula that Diego gave me. I miss my KitchenAid mixer!


This morning I tried to buy a cookie sheet at one of the really awesome professional kitchen stores here in Paris, but my oven was too small for the sheets they sold. Instead I bought a mini-tart tin, which looked like it would allow me to make a dozen cookies in minimal space.


I was right! They came out perfectly!


And they tasted delicious!

Here's the recipe (which I created by trial and error from several other recipes):

Chewy Chocolate Cookies
3/4 c. (150g) white granulated sugar
1/2 c. (100g) salted butter, room temp
1 egg
1 t. vanilla extract (reduce to 1/2 t. if using the strong French syrup-style vanilla)
1/2 t. baking soda (bicarbonate)
3/8 c. (45g) cocoa powder
1 c. (120g) all-purpose flour (bio type 65)

Mix together sugar and butter. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in soda and cocoa powder. Add flour. Mix well. Bake for 10 minutes, at 325F (165C) for dark pans and 350F (175C) for light metal pans. Enjoy warm with ice cream or cool with a glass of milk!

Bambi

This has been a Bambi week. In other words "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". So I'm sorry its been a bit quiet on the blogging front, so I'll try to catch up since a lot of really great things happened today!

First of all, I FINALLY got my receipt stating that I have turned in all my documents for my resident permit. I was supposed to get this two months ago, before my entry visa expired. Anyways, through a ridiculous series of events, I finally got it today, thanks to the help of two incredible ladies! (More about that in another post.)


"Look, Mom, I'm official!"

And then the next, and possibly even more incredible thing happened when I got home. Diego's birthday present to me arrived early!


"Hello, I'm Ovvy the Oven!"

DIEGO IS AMAZING!!!!!! He bought me a totally kickass oven for my birthday!!!! I've already preheated it and tomorrow I'll pick out which recipe to use to inaugurate it. My lab mates better get ready for some cookies on Monday!!!

Just incredible, from 3000 miles away, that guy still knows exactly what to do to make me get all teary-eyed and know that he is thinking about how to make me smile every minute. I am so lucky!!!!

Buttons and beyond

This weekend, I went searching for buttons for a knitting project. I looked on Ravelry to find some recommended places in Paris and ended up heading to Le Marais, an area in the 4th arrondissement (district). There I found Entrée des Fournisseurs, an adorable crafting store. You can see some of the ribbons and buttons through the windows. It was a lovely place full of all sorts of knitting and sewing supplies. I even bought a small sewing kit since I managed to give away ALL of my sewing stuff before leaving Boston and I've managed to put a few holes in things here in Paris. And I bought buttons! But those are a post for another day, since the recipient has not yet received them.
:-)


Oh yes, and there were glowing sheep. They were for a completely different store, one that was selling nice wool sweaters.

Motto for today

and most other days too:



(It is one of Diego's Christmas presents to me that definitely gets a lot of use!)

Worldwide

Don't park your matte black Beemer SUV like an asshole or bad things will happen...


(Look at the mirror...)

L'Exposition

This weekend, I decided to take advantage of the arts scene in Paris, so I went to see an Exposition at the Grand Palais about Matisse, Cézanne, and Picasso. It was centered around the Stein family, who were very big patrons of modern art in the early 20th century in Paris. There weren't any photos allowed, so just trust me that it was a really great show! I especially liked the progression of styles shown in the Picasso works. I don't think I've ever seen so many of his works in one place. I'm definitely a fan of his work from about 1900-1910, but I'm decidedly less interested as he delves into cubism. Also, the Matisses were fabulous, and the colors were cheery and intense, especially when contrasted with the grey raining winter days of Paris.

Overall, a fun way to spend an afternoon!

Un bébé

When I go back to Boston for my graduation, my friend and amazing brow girl Tina said she will come in during her maternity leave to do my brows for me for the big day! So I picked up a little something for her during Les Soldes. So freaking cute!!!!!



And some closeups so you can see the french...


Small, medium, large


"I pinch!" "Pinch me!" They are in a boat.