inspiration everywhere

What is it about autumn?  So lovely and fleeting that makes it feel imperative to enjoy each moment that comes.   The vibrant hues of fall have slowly started to amplify across the hills and mountains. The first rogue leaves have begun to flutter across the road on my way to work.  And week-ends are filled with time outdoors a little too hot underneath a thick sweater but no longer warm enough to be without it...

I've been feeling so lucky in this season of our lives.  Félix has finished his Masters program and Clover started school.  Work is crazy. But I'm starting to be able to catch my breath every now and then. The days and weeks are flying by so fast that it feels even more essential to enjoy these sweet moments when they come about...


















We stopped at to the Barrage d'Emosson the other weekend on our way to meet up with friends. The Emosson dam is past Chamonix just over the border into Switzerland.

We didn't make the hike to see the dinosaur tracks but we marveled at the dam's engineering nestled in among the peaks...

We admired the view all the way down into the valley below.

And we made wishes on dandelions...

 

Really, all the perfect components of a fall outing.

Hope you are finding many beautiful and fleeting moments to enjoy this season.

afternoon at the park

We headed to the park an excuse to get out of the house and into the fresh air . It was one of those beautiful fall days, one that starts crisp and cold but quickly warms up, making heavy coats an unnecessary afterthought.

The fall leaves have tumbled from their high canopy into a think blanket covering the ground.  We spent some time picking them up, tossing them and watching as they drifted to the ground.  They crunched underfoot, their earthy smell heady and heavenly as we walked towards the pond.

With the the sun magically filtering through colorful leaves, only a few ducks remain hiding in the shadows of the still water.  The rest have already flown on towards warmer climates.

Clover has developed a new habit of walking with his hands in his pockets -- all the time. I find it adorable.  I don't know where this came from.  Except I am always afraid that he's going to fall and end up flat on his face.  But then again that kind of seems like the constant risk of an energetic toddler, regardless of where he puts his hands, doesn't it?

3 things for a chilly fall day

When we came back from Corsica, we were greeted by a fog so thick the majority of the weekend we could hardly see across the street. The trees would peek out only occasionally.

The gloomy, grey mist and sharp cold were the perfect welcome back to fall reality.  All I wanted to do was curl up with a book on the couch, huddle under thick blankets and slurp hot soup to try to shake the chill. I guess, sometimes the best way to greet the cold weather is to simply submit to it.  The thick brume has  since left us so I'm looking forward to spending lots of time outside this weekend. No matter the weather though, I hope you find a way to keep warm this weekend!

Here are my three picks for keeping cozy:

1. Curling up with a good book -  Bringing up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, the only woman to win the Man Booker prize twice, it looks easy to get lost in the pages. On a fluffier, chick-lit note, 50 Shades of Grey has arrived in France.  Thinking I might just have to add that to my book pile, too. Have you read it?

2. Homemade soup on the stove - One of my new favorite recipes for tomato soup. If you still have a couple good tomatoes left, it's easy and delicious.

3. Bundling up with lots of layers -  Really pretty scarves keep you warmer.  It's a proven fact. I like these from fashionABLE, not only do they look good and keep your neck warm, they also help create sustainable business for women in Africa. It's a win-win.

By the way, these are not sponsored links, just things I like and couldn't help sharing.


So don't hold out on me, what are your picks for enjoying a chilly, fall weekend?

the passing seasons

Can you believe it's fall already? I keep asking myself that question, too. My answer is no, I can't. I really can't. But here we are.

So, I guess I'll happily embrace that unmistakable chill in the mornings and relish the warm afternoons that disappear a little too quickly behind the setting sun.

How about you? Are you welcoming fall with open arms or a stiff upper lip?

moving along

With the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA tomorrow, it seems like it is time to slowly say goodbye to autumn and start to embrace the arrival of winter. Here's to hoping the snow will cooperate!  I am so thankful to have had such a beautiful fall, that we could do so many fun day trips as a family and spend so much time outdoors.

fever pitch

It seems like we are at the peak moment where the colors are so vibrant.  Little dots of fire are speckled across the hillsides. We took a stroll to Chamonix and had an amazing lunch on the Brasserie de l'M terrace. Even the vulgar service couldn't detract from the deliciousness of our meal, the Salade de l'M essentially a salade de gésiers, served with the biggest slab of foie gras and a sprinkling of rose salt. The presentation was beautiful.  And for dessert, since Clover was a little to antsy to stay on the terrace, we walked around Cham and stopped in for macarons.  A caramel au beurre salé marcaron was a perfect ending to a divine meal.  I love days like this - blissful family time, amazing food and ideal fall weather.

fall fervor

This fall, we've been going on lots of family walks to make the most of the warm sunshine, the cold, crisp air and the sweet smell of fallen leaves.  Some friends came over for an impromptu dinner party the other night. Our table was looking a little empty and it was too late to buy flowers. I opted for some leaves and collected a bunch of these autumn beauties in the dark, minutes before our guests arrived.  Recently, the winds have started to pick up and bring the colorful leaves flurrying and swirling about the street. I’m reveling in this most recent transition from toasty, sun-filled afternoons to blustery, wintry weather.  How can one not love this time of year?