Where's My Euphoria: 2011

Thursday, October 27, 2011

My Winter Project

http://knittingandsomemore.blogspot.com/2008/08/photographer-mittens.html

I'm sad that I didn't come up with this idea! Gloves with a shutter finger hole so you can take pictures.. genius! This should keep me busy for the next month! So excited to make these!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Carrot Soup... nom nom nom

With not a lot of food in the fridge nor money in my pocket, I decided to make a carrot soup for lunch today. After doing some searching online, I found a recipe that sounded good so I gave it a try and it was honestly the best carrot soup I've ever had! It's simple, fast and healthy! I didn't have any coconut milk and decided to go without the cream and added some broccoli to it and it was amazing. (The cloves and curry really add to the flavor.)
Alors, 'tis the season of soups, so give it a try and enjoy!

Ingredients
Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds carrots - peeled & sliced
1 large onion - finely chopped
1-2 garlic cloves - peeled
5 whole cloves
4 cups water
2 tbsp coconut milk
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp curry powder (optional)
1/4 cup chilled whipping cream
fresh cilantro or parsley - for garnish

Directions
Heat oil in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, garlic, curry powder and cloves and saute until onion is translucent, about 8-10 minutes.

Add 4 cups water. Cover and simmer until carrots are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Remove the cloves from broth and discard. Puree soup in batches in a blender. Return soup to same saucepan. Mix in lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Beat the whipping cream and coconut milk together. Now add this to the soup and allow to simmer for a few more mins.

While serving, transfer the Curried Carrot Soup into bowls. Drizzle some more cream if desired, and garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Mom's visit

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Je n'ai pas de chance...

As I was walking to the train station this morning I heard that sound we all dread. The train was leaving. Disappointed but not in a huge hurry, I patiently waited the fifteen minutes for the next one to come along. For some reason this morning the Transilien (aka the suburb train) was stopping at every stop. Normally it goes straight from La Defense to Paris Saint Lazare sans arrete. I realize this means nothing to you, but let's just say it added a good ten minutes onto my trek into Paris.

When we finally arrived at the station I was already late for class so I walked quickly to line 12 which takes me straight to my stop: Sevres-Babylone. After a four minute wait the train pulled in, packed with Parisians headed to work. We stuffed ourselves in and just when we thought there wasn't any more room, people forced their way in. After one stop the train slowed and barely inched forward, jerking every few seconds to a complete halt. Then we didn't move at all... The conductor announced over the intercom that there was a blockage and thanked everyone for their patience... yet time continued to pass with no mercy. Sandwiched with at least 30 other people in the area of the train by the door (around 6 ft by 6ft). I finally managed to awkwardly take off my beanie and jacket without hitting too many people and watched as the men in their suits wiped the sweat from their brows with their handkerchief. People began to moan and a few shouted as I realized an elderly woman had sat down and was beginning to vomit. Everyone pushed as far away from her as possible, which only meant a step at most. Someone passed her their water bottle and others tried to fan her with the Direct Matin journal in attempt to get her some air. More time passed yet nothing happened. We all just stood their, staring at each other with sweat trickling down our temples. A young woman near me began crying into her scarf as the man behind me gently said, "Excusez-moi, ca va aller." in an attempt to comfort her. Every so often the conductor would announce that it would only be a few more minutes and we hoped it was true. Any signal that we were going to move and people would breathe out a sigh of relief only to remain motionless. "Putain" seemed to escape the lips of everyone around me and I wanted to say it too.

I couldn't help but think of the Seinfeld episode of Elaine trapped on the subway, surrounded by people. You hear her thoughts as she screams inside her head. After nearly an hour of standing, hoping I wouldn't faint, my inside voice was all screamed out.

The good news was it finally rolled forward and got me where I needed to be, even if I was over an hour late for class. But you can bet I wasn’t in any hurry to get back on the metro after that.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Morning of Mourning

My beloved Grandpa Cook has passed on. I'm relieved to know he's no longer in pain but so sad that I won't see him again in this life. He was a truly amazing man and will be greatly missed. I will always cherish my afternoons spent listening to him tell stories from his younger days and our evenings of watching Jazz games together.
He had a way of making every one in his life feel important and special. I'm grateful for all his encouraging words and the amazing example he set.

The well-traveled man who hated to go

began his mornings at the Country Store

Sharing stories, sipping a cup of jo

Then off to the field where the wind did blow

Warm sun on his neck, he'd work 'til called for

The well-traveled man who hated to go

Cowboy boots on, with his hat tipped just so

Daydreams of chasing wild mustangs once more

Sharing stories, sipping a cup of jo

Work took him places yet you'd never know

he'd walked along the Okinawa shore

The well-traveled man who hated to go

He'd speak of the past, the times long ago

Fond memories you may have heard before

Sharing stories, sipping a cup of jo

An elopement with the girl he'd loved so

Sixty-seven years passed. Love to adore.

The well-traveled man who hated to go

Sharing stories, sipping a cup of jo

Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Red Beret Series

For Aimee's last Saturday in Paris we decided to wander around the city and take photos. So for the days to come when she'll miss the charming French life, I hope these pictures will give her a smile.

Baguette and Beret, a photo by Bree Sage on Flickr.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Paris Vogue Fashion Night

The Chloe Balloon, a photo by Bree Sage on Flickr.

Lauren Cooper with her well earned Chloe balloon.

Emmanuelle Alt - Editor of Vogue Paris

The crowd outside Dior

Last night I went into Paris with my friend Lauren in order to check out Vogues Fashion Night. Avenue George V (cinq) was filled with models, fashion enthusiasts, photographers, designers and the curious (me). High heels, short dresses and size zeros were abundant. The champagne flowed like water for those special enough or patient enough to get into the stores. Louis Vuitton had models dressed as maids, greeting everyone who walked into the store. Heart shaped balloons were being handed out at Chloes but that required pushing, shoving and being yelled at by the guards because the French don't know how to form lines. The street was hectic and when the parade of mini coopers pulled up in front of Prada, girls began to squeal and run as they saw Paris Vogue Editor, Emmanuelle Alt sitting in the front seat with three models in the back. Cameras flashed, Videos rolled, iPhones were busy calling, messaging and updating their facebook on the excitement going on around. I just stood there in awe by it all. Not because I was in the presence of "celebrities" because lets be honest, I had no idea who any of these people were. This was a whole new world to me. I had transported into the Vogue magazine and was seeing everything in the flesh. I enjoy fashion but I know nothing when it comes to designers. And here I was, completely surrounded by the latest and greatest in Parisian style. I wanted to take pictures of nearly everyone I saw, but was so fascinated by it all that I hardly took out my camera. When I noticed one man with a fancy camera taking photos, I quickly stepped aside to get out of the shot. He lowered his camera and smiled at me and I realized that he was taking my picture. I laughed self consciously and kept walking. It's moments like this when the girl from Utah feels out of place in a city like Paris, France.

If you're interested in seeing a bit what Fashion Night was about, here's the link: http://fashionsnightout.vogue.fr/ Where the video is at around 2:05 (hour two, minute five) is when I was standing there watching it all.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

An Attempt to be Parisian

Portrait in Paris, a photo by Bree Sage on Flickr.

Sunday in the city with my sidekick Aimee.

One of our last weekends together, as she prepares to return to Canada.
I will miss her more than words can say and am so grateful for the friendship we share. She's the sister I never had; my gemini twin. Jet love toujours.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Smoke and Sparks

Smoke and Sparks, a photo by Breetastic on Flickr.

Bastille Day Celebration

Fireworks, Military Parade, more fireworks and so many people that you'd have an anxiety attack ... or at least I did.

It was fun but no 4th of July.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Pont Alexandre Bridge

Pont Alexandre Bridge, a photo by Breetastic on Flickr.

Here is the most famous bridge in Paris, along with a very French car.

Aimee and I spent all day Sunday in Paris walking around. I took a few pictures and ate a lot of food. It was the perfect way to enjoy the day.

Check out my flickr for more photos.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Le present c'est maintenant

Le present c'est maintenant, a photo by Breetastic on Flickr.

Wandering around the streets in Metz, France.
Charming city with a lot of history, having been bounced back and forth between France and Germany during the wars.

Check out my Flickr page to see more photos. :)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Found my Doppleganger

My friend sent me this link and asked if it was me... it's almost creepy how much this girl and I look alike!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjWNQq8C5pw&feature=related

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Cut

Before

After

Last week I decided I was going to cut all my hair off and donate my ponytail to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Foundation, where they make wigs for women who have suffered from cancer. I figured it was one way I could pay it forward. So Saturday I had my first salon hair cut in France. (I've been having my friend who's an au pair trim it for me since I've been here.) I knew it was going to be difficult to communicate what I wanted, so I took in pictures of Ginnifer Goodwin's cute pixie cut and am thrilled with how it turned out! Five years worth of hair gone and I feel completely liberated! Not to mention I'll be saving money on shampoo and conditioner and time.. loads and loads of time!