Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

we do ice skate in nevada!

Here is the proof...allbeit on a man made ice surface at Lake Las Vegas...we do what we can.

emma and her two wheeler...finally!

A few months ago, Emma decided she was not a bike rider. so much so that we donated her princess bike to charity. however, last weekend, she calls me outside to show me that she can ride Piper's two wheeler! low and behold...bike rider...no training wheels. Peer pressure at its best!

Can't take them anywhere!!!

You would think that the children of a chef would know how to behave in a restaurant!! HAHA!

School pix are in!

what's missing from this picture?

Parenting

"Take a moment to listen today, to what your children are trying to say.
Listen today, whatever you do, or they won't be there to listen to you.
Listen to their problems, listen to their needs; Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their smallest deeds.
Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter, find out what's the matter, find out what they're after.
But tell them that you love them, every single night, and though you scold them, be sure you hold them tight.
Tell them, Everythings's all right, tomorrow's looking bright!
Take a moment to listen today, to what your children are trying to say.
Listen today, whatever you do, and they will come back to listen to you.

High School Destruction 3

This certainly isn't East High. This is our beloved Alma Mater undergoing demolition and reconstruction. Photo #2 is the blockos that exist now for the students on Ft. Wash ave. Wow, can't wait to see the new building next year! It is my hope that my kids will one day go there!!

Olivier Dubreuil - Master Chef of France

Olivier has been named Maitres Cuisiner de France...Master Chef of France!!! Read below about this prestigious organization!! Bravo Cheri!!


"Master Chef of France” is the most envied title that all chefs aspire to have! But not everyone can become a “Master Chef of France”. Their motto is “to preserve and spread the French culinary art, encouragetraining in cuisine, and assist professional development.”

A prestigious Association of Chefs

The Master Chefs of France are given the highest classification in restaurants guides and are often mentioned in specialised magazines. Most of the leading chefs, the “Meilleurs Ouvriers de France” and the winners of culinary competitions belong to the Association.

The public authorities recognise the important work carried out by the Master Chefs of France “to preserve, advance and perpetuate the tradition of great French cuisine”. This is why they have no hesitation in granting them honorary awards, especially those of the “Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur”, the “Ordre National du Mérite Agricole” and the “Ordre National du Mérite”.

The Advisory Committee of President Reagan attributed the expression “the Banner with the most stars in the world” to the Master Chefs of France during a trip to the United States.

Restaurant professionals, promoters of training and good quality products

The Association of the Master Chefs of France employs nearly 10,000 qualified people and is also closely involved in the activities of the Regional Commissions for vocational diplomas and school-leaving certificates granted by specialised schools.

It participates actively in action to promote products of “top quality”, such as the Red Labels and “Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée”, or European signs of quality, such as the IGP, AOP and STG.

Dynamic promoters of French culinary art

The Association of the Master Chefs of France promotes professional excellence through numerous national and international cooking competitions.

Its members serve on juries for official competitions: “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”, International Pierre Taittinger Prize, Prosper Montagné Culinary Prize, Curnonsky Prize, Bocuse d’Or, National Trophy for Cuisine and Pastry-making, etc.

The Association of Master Chefs of France organises Competitions for the Best Apprentice Chef in France and the Best Apprentice Chef in Europe.

Our Ginger Kitty

A very sad day. Our beloved pet, Ginger, has passes away. We were lucky enough to spend 13 wonderful, happy years with her and she was a big part of our family memories. We will love her always. Murr.

Sadist or Allergist?

Take a look at Spencer's back after his allergy prick test!! 60 pricks to test him for trees, weeds, grasses, animals and molds. Turns out..highly allergic (duh!) to trees, weeds and grasses. No pets or mold. poor baby!!

blast the media!

okay..just have to get this off my chest. who else out there thinks the media has blown this economic crisis out of proportion? while i agree that the mortgage sector has had free reign for too long, i don't think that the media should panic all americans into another depression. after all, those not affected by the mortgage crunch are still making a living and buying stuff. if we didn't hear that the stock market was crashing or that our economy is nose diving EVERY TIME WE LISTEN OR READ OR WATCH, maybe we would relax and let the cyclical nature of things take over. as it stands now, the MONEY DRIVEN media would have us believe that all of america will become SHANTYTOWN any day now.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss. let's all take a deep breath and go to target.

Time Flies...

My little Emma turned six years old this week. Here are some shots from birthday parties..time flies when you're livin'...

thluruuuurrrrpppp!

that is the sound of me getting sucked in by FACEBOOK!! Thanks alot Jill!!

Who Knew?

Who knew that these three irrigation valves could cost me my sanity! Wholly Crap! I am doing the lawn now, (after 2 years of paying a fortune to have someone cut and blow my lawn..not that lawn..dirty mind) and what a hassle. Discovering lots of things that should have been seen and taken care of by PAID WORKERS! But nooooooooooo. I have to admit after 48 hours and several flood catastrophes, I had to call in an expert. And here i thought i was doing a damn fine job....Ah, the saga of the stay at home mom continues.

Busy painter girl

Had to do something with our blah foyer...check it out.

Deserving Makeover

My friend Tiffany went away for the weekend and I snuck in and did a surprise makeover on her bathroom. THe before pix are weak but the after is fabulous..she loved it!

HOTEL DEL CORONADO

We spent the last dog days of summer at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. (coronado island to be exact) We stayed at the Victorian and it was like going back in time! Loved it. I even went to the gym and the movie "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour was playing!! (look it up) Here are some photos. SPencer actually got up on his 9 foot surfboard with no lessons...he was a natural! Emma was handstanding and swimming most of the day! Good times!

Mad for MADMEN

Please tell me that everyone out there is watching this fabulous new show on AMC! Set in the late 1950's and early 60's, the premise follows the ad agency, Sterling Cooper, on its intriguing journey through that time period. Men were smoking, drinking whores who loved their women demure and dirty. It is truly fascinating to watch these powerful men rule their roosts and to catch a glimpse of what it was like for our mothers at home, too. If you don't tune in, please start this Sunday at 10 pm (check local listings) and also rent season 1 on DVD. Important first three episodes to gain background knowledge about the characters. LOVE IT!!

Longing for the old days...

Nice to know that summertime is as challenging for me as for all modern moms. Back in the day, which, by the way, was a Wednesday, we played outside with the neighborhood kids from sun up til dinner. Our mothers never had to even think of entertaining us. Nowadays, we are more inclined to "find" activities for our children and supervise them the entire time. What up wit dat???? Anyway, as I actively search for activities for my offspring in the 115 degree heat, here are a few choice photos from our summer so far.

Gotta Love Summertime

We were fortunate enough to spend some time in Avalon this year and had the best time!! Skimming, surfing, boating, and biking.

Les Dubs in France

We have been in France since the weekend and are having a wonderful time. The attached photos are from the Maison Forte de Reignac...a stone home built over 600 years ago in the Dordogne region. This house was literally built into the stone mountainside. Apparently Cromagnum man lived in the wall of stone prior to this house being built. The second photo is the family atop the largest sand dune in Europe-the Dune du Pyla. so cool. more photos to come. Abientot!

Happy Birthday Olivier!

Happy 41st to my loving hubby! Many many happy and healthy more!! Oh, and happy birthday to my boy crush Shia Labeouf who turns a spry 22 today! What a day for mankind!

PRIMA DONNA EMMA

Emma had her HIP HOP dance recital yesterday. She really shined! Brava ma belle!!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!

Spencer played in the post season tournament for Henderson United and won all four games to win the CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Congrats! Sore feet and after three days of soccer but well worth it!

girls weekend!!

One of the things i cherish the most is friendship. This past weekend I spent celebrating just that. I often say that i went to the University of AXO but seriously, the friends i made there are enduring and dear. Here's to us ladies and many many more!!

Emma "Pele" Dubreuil

Emma has started soccer. She did very well and her team won by a landslide!! Congrats Emma!

BRIAN HEAD UTAH 2008

Went for a long weekend to Brian Head UT. The snow was perfect...snowmobiling, skiing and tubing. Had a blast..shots and video. Spencer was a natural and emma showed amazing stamina for a 5 year old!

well...another project under our belt. what do you think?

just some cute photos to ring in valentine's day.....olivier, spencer and emma are my eternal valentines...i am so lucky.