La Capitale de Noël

In December I had the opportunity to go with some gals from my ward to a cooking class in Strasbourg!  It was a bit crazy to work out since the terrorist attacks in Paris were fairly recent and a travel ban to France had just been lifted.  The French/German border was way backed up as they were pulling over motorists checking passports (I forgot mine but was able to charm my way out of it with my suave français ;) and the entire city center of Strasbourg was blocked off to all vehicle traffic with armed guards stationed at every entrance… they searched my bright pink suitcase too… I guess I shouldn't tote bright pink suitcases around.  

  But, other than that, Strasbourg was just as wonderful and charming as ever. I had forgotten how beautiful it is at night during Christmas!  My one and only Christmas in France during my mission was spent in Nancy, but we had a special Christmas zone conference in Strasbourg and I remember walking back to the sisters' apartment and marveling at all the beautiful lights and booths.  This time we combed the city center and I was just awed by its grandeur and beauty.  They go ALL OUT with their decorating… there wasn't a street or alley way that wasn't lit up and decorated…It is, after all, called the "Capitale de Noël." Apparently, they take it very seriously. 

Most of these pics I stole from my friend Beverly who has mad photography skills. My phone camera results pale in comparison. 

The cooking class was a lot of fun and oh my gosh, the food turned out AMAZING.  We made foie gras stuffed ravioli in a cream of mushroom sauce garnished with hazel nuts and parmesan cheese,  duck confit, mashed potatoes, and chocolate/pear soufflé.  The ravioli was the best part…

Pears carmelizing

Our instructor

If I look a little sick it's because I was dealing with first trimester fatigue/nausea

That is a mushroom!  He has skills

Well, wouldn't you know it, after raving to Ben about the trip, he wanted to go check out la capitale  noel for himself, so on the 23rd of Dec. we did a little overnight excursion.  We took the high speed train (so we wouldn't have to deal with border traffic and parking) and visited Strasbourg and Colmar over two days.  It was a fun adventure.  And my pics aren't half as good, because they're taken with my phone… we were kicking ourselves for not bringing the canon...

but what are ya gonna do?

This street was amazing and the pic doesn't begin to do it justice… it was all white and super bright… so beautiful. 

You can't tell from the pic, but all the bears in this Santa's workshop window display were marionettes that were all moving simultaneously…  busy at work sewing, cutting, sawing, etc… it was soooo adorable, and the oddest thing was that it was in a pharmacy window display… I love how they just go all out.

While we were there James got his first haircut… he wasn't a fan of the whole process… but he turned out so adorable… she cut a lot off and he looked transformed into a little boy!

The next day it was on to Colmar.  This was also a part of my mission… I have a pic of me at a Book of Mormon stand in the middle of the city center.

Colmar at Christmas was just as magical as Strasbourg… it's one of those experiences where it doesn't seem real and you wish you can transport your whole family to see it for themselves. 

 

 And I have officially reached my maxed out limit on photos for one blogpost.

Wintertraum (Winter Dream)

One of my favorite things we did over this holiday season was ice skate.  

Ever since the girls have seen Inside Out, in which the main character, Riley, is an avid skater, they've shown a greater interest in learning.  

These pictures were taken on December 30 in downtown Stuttgart at the Wintertraum (Winter Dream),   where some of the remnants of the Christmas market were still standing… the rink and a few food stands.  They had classic Christmas music blasting through the speakers and it's quite festive.  Ben went a little paparazzi-ish on us and took a million pics from the sidelines.

The first time I took the girls skating was a week earlier in Colmar, France, and we didn't get any pictures.  But, I hadn't laughed that hard in a LONG time.  Em (who had been a few times already this season) was happy to just hang onto the side and safely scoot along, but Caroline (whose first time it was) was bound and determined to take off into the rink as soon as possible.  Her little legs were so floppy and as she clung to me or the side of the rink, they would go a million miles and then inevitably go out from under her and down she would go!  She did her best to stay up... she was like a starfish clinging to the wall… it's hard to describe but she was sooo funny…others were laughing at her too.  She was just a hot mess and all over the place… but as soon as she caught her balance for a split second she would let go of me and yell out, "Look Emily!  I'm doing it!" after which she'd take a hard fall.  She was bound and determined to learn and she did not let the slippery ice and continuous falls deter her.  I had to help her up each time, but she never cried or got mad even though it had to hurt on her boney little behind.

The second time out Caroline was much improved, believe it or not.  She fell probably about SIXTY times… but by the end of the two hour session, she was out on her own… she did NOT want me to hold her and she would skate several meters before taking a fall!  And Emily, again, was safely scooting along on the side.  Her main goal wasn't so much to independently skate, like Caroline's was, but rather to not fall… she just did what ever it took to NOT FALL. And I can't say I blame her. So, she hung onto the side.  To each their own.

Getting braver and better

And check her out!  She's practically a pro!