You can do it.... flower arranging

dreamalittleblog.com

karinlidbeckbrent

Flower Arranging

The best book even if you are not new at it.  There are so many wonderful ideas inside.

Brass planter

Beautiful brass container for a large floral arrangement.

Art Glass Vase

This gorgeous vase would look just as pretty with big white hydrangeas in it as it would a colorful red and yellow bouquet.

Experiment with some of the things in your kitchen, they make great containers for a single flower or a large bouquet. Use your tureens, Turquoise Ball jars and anything else you can think of.

Have fun!!!!!
A Bientôt
Audrey

Winter White

photo by animals-zone.com

I have always loved the color white, especially in winter.  The beautiful snow falling down, the gorgeous animals who live in this environment and the designers who go all out for "Winter White".

Karl Lagerfeld blouse

Donna Karan skirt

Donna Karan satin blazer

Ralph Lauren sweater... I love it

And to go with this sweater, how about this darling purse.

Moyna handbag

I love it.......

Vince gorgeous cashmere sweater

So, that's my idea for winter white.  I hope you like it.

Now for a couple of recipes.

I love Lemon Drop Martinis so here is my favorite and easiest recipe.
Perfect Lemon Drop Martini recipe

1 1/2 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1/2 oz triple sec
1 tsp superfine sugar
3/4 ozfreshly squeezed lemon juice

Dip your martini glass in lemon juice and then sugar for this lucious edge to your glass.

photo by sanjuanparent.com

Chef Jose Andres recipe for Mashed Potatoes with olive oil and Manchego... simply delish

1. 2 heads of garlic, top third of each cut off
2. 1/4 cup Spanish extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3. 6 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
4. Water
5. Salt
6. 3 cups heavy cream, heated
7. 1/2 pound young Manchego cheese, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Stand the garlic on a large sheet of heavy-duty foil. Drizzle with oil and wrap in the foil. Bake for about 1 hour, until the garlic is very soft. Squeeze the soft cloves from the skins into a small bowl and mash with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, bring the potatoes to a boil in a large pot of water. Salt the water and boil over moderately high heat until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Shake the pot over moderately high heat for 1 minute to dry the potatoes.
3. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher, then mash in half of the hot cream. Add the remaining cream and mash again. Stir in the Manchego to melt, then slowly stir in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the mashed garlic. Season with salt and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and serve.

I hope you enjoy .

A Bientôt

Audrey

It is hard to believe that 2013 has ended and 2014 has begun.  Where do the days go? 

The first Tuesday of the month bloggers are writing about changes and resolutions and I thought a lot about this and decided I didn't want any changes.  I would like a year just like the last one and I would be very happy.

It started out and ended with travel and being with my family.  Living half the year in France and half the year in Dallas, I have to really plan well to see everyone.  We are an immediate family of 20, children and grandchildren,  and getting together isn't always easy.  We had a gorgeous wedding in Chicago in July and a ski trip to Utah for the holidays so that was two times this year we were all together.  That's a blessing.

Sunrise in Deer Valley Utah from my bedroom window.  

Sitting around the firepit and watching the skiers whiz by.

A few days in Paris is just around the corner as I head back to the States for a couple of months.  I always think of food when I think of Paris, why is that?

huffington post photo

I will be in New York for a few days before I go to Dallas.  I think of food there too.

mykikicake.com photo

I am still trying to think of what I would like to change.  I am not worrying about the few extra pounds I might have added this year, nor am I thinking about the new crinkle around my eyes.  Just make 2014 as happy as 2013 was and I will be happy.

This always makes me blissful.  My lovely Skye.

A bientôt
Audrey

A Day in the Life

Spending the holidays in Deer Valley, Utah is a gift.  Every day there is another beautiful sight to see.  This is early morning looking out from the deck of the house.

There is so much to see and do, not the least of which is the wonderful skiing.

So much is about the food, all of which is wonderful.  From the buffet in the morning to the buffet in the afternoon, it is non-stop delicious.

For children of all ages, a candy buffet

How can you resist this dessert selection?

Things to make you feel comfortable in this cold, dry climate

Bliss softening socks

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

The perfect sweater to put on after a cold day on the slopes.

Cashmere sweater

Chalet socks

Prada Sneakers

Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year and may 2014 be your best year yet.

A bientôt

Audrey

Holiday Cocktails and Parties

Here we are, the first Tuesday in December and Christmas entertaining is on our mind.

At the fabulous Mansion Hotel in Dallas they prepare a drink called a cham- cham, it is champagne with a small amount of Chambord raspberry liquor in it.  So delicious and festive.

Is this really a cocktail, yum yum.  Delicious chocolate martini.

                         the selling diva photo

A very old fashioned "Snowball" cocktail, served by my parents every year.

Ingredients
1 handful ice cubes
2 shots advocaat

½ shots lime cordial
½ shots sherry
lemonade, to top up
Method
1. Fill a tall Tom Collins glass with ice cubes.

2. Pour in the advocaat, lime cordial and sherry then top up with lemonade.

3. Stir thoroughly and serve immediately.

Advocaat or Advocaatenborrel is a traditional Dutch alcoholic beverage made from eggs, sugar and brandy. The rich and creamy drink has a smooth, custard-like flavor and is similar to eggnog.

Now, what would I wear to this cocktail party.  It would depend on whether I was having it at my home or I was going to a friend.  At home, I tend to be more comfortable. This top over a black body suit, perfect. 

I love this top by Donna Karan

Donna Karan

Happy Holidays to all!!!!!

Joyeux Noël et bonne année

Audrey

Dear Deer Valley

I just spent the Thanksgiving holiday at the new ski chalet of my son and daughter-in-law in Deer Valley, Utah.  Their grown children were there too, making it a wonderful family day.

The home is beautiful with magnificent views of the Jordanelle reservoir and mountains.

Thanksgiving lunch was delish...thanks to the hard work of my daughter-in-law.  For so many years I did the cooking, it is now such a pleasure to have someone else do it, especially with a new twist on my old recipes.  Having once owned a home in Deer Valley myself, I am very familiar with the area so it was a trip down memory lane for me, a wonderful one.  My grandchidren all learned to ski from my ski in/ski out house there in the 1990's.  To see the next generation continue the fun is a wonderful thing.

Unfortunately there was no snow yet but when we return for Christmas I am sure there will be even if it is man made.
That did not stop shopping for new ski boots.

Along with my children and grandchildren I will return to Deer Valley for Christmas...
There will be 22 of us, oh my how did that happen?  The blessing of a large family is still a wonder to me.  With two married grandchildren and the newest grandchildren seven month old twin boys, the family is still growing.

I am looking forward to sitting around the fire, drinking mulled wine and enjoying telling old family stories.

A walk down Main street in Park City and a stop at the No Name Saloon for lunch was such fun.  Buffalo burgers, a first for me, were smiply delicious.

Now I am returning to my life in France for a couple of weeks and then back to Deer Valley for Christmas.  No complaints but perhaps a bit of fatigue might set in.  I will have plenty of time to relax at the St. Regis spa where I just had the most gorgeous massage.

I miss my sweet doggie Skye but saw this cutie while we were shopping and it reminded me so much of her.

Hoping all my dear, dear friends and wonderful family enjoyed their turkey day too.

A Bientot from the happy traveler.....