Who WOULDN'T eat this?

Whew!  What a summer.  It's been quick and long at the same time.  I'll post more about our summer adventures soon, but right now I wanted to share with you something that is very seasonally appropriate.

Back to School and Lunch packing.

(Eye roll time)  It's true that I love providing healthy, whole food options for my babies when they are at school.  I like knowing what they are eating.  There's something about it that makes me feel like a part of me is with them THERE.

I just wish someone else where preparing them. I hate packing lunches.  I hate it.  Oh, I do it - and every single day, both Mila & Rémi have a little snack box, a lunch box (or thermos) and a fruit.  But, I really, really do not enjoy it.

I was thinking that maybe I just lacked inspiration.  So, I hit the books = the web.  I found some great resources for ideas, many of which I've already tried.  100 Days of Real Food is one that I like a lot right now and all of the ideas are very do-able.

I did come across this insanely amazing woman, Ida Frosk.  I mean, I just have to imagine that her inspiration for creating these beautiful pieces of food art was the same as many of us Moms; getting our kid to like our food.

For that, I salute you, Ida.

Now, having said that, I will NEVER show these photos to my kids because they will forever be disappointed each and every time they open their lunch box at school.

Mykonos, Greece

A couple of weeks ago, Arnaud had a week long global conference in Mykonos, Greece.  Luckily, all of the stars were aligned and we were able to swing a romantic weekend after he was done working.  The kids went to Mamie & Papy's place in France and we soaked in some much, much needed sun.  

The best salad I've ever had in my life.
Spinach with honey vinaigrette, sunflower seeds and manouri  cheese.

Hard at work

The Dames

I have to admit.  I have not been faithful.  I have been having a secret affair for months now.  Only, it has nothing to do with my beautiful marriage.  It's with my cooking.

Not all the time, but only on those occasions when I want good food but am not in the mood to actually prepare it.  But, I refuse to do fast or crap food.

This is where Dames Dietz comes into play.

From the moment you see the exterior in it's Dwell-dom, you will be drawn to go inside.  But once you walk through the huge sliding glass door and see the beautiful Dietz sisters smiling widely at you, you instantly feel welcome and ready to taste.

Elisabeth and Marieke Dietz are the cutest girls on the planet with a mean talent for cooking.  Here at Dames Dietz, I have found my dinner once a week now for 4 months.  OK, maybe more, but please don't tell Arnaud that.  ; )

Everything from freshly prepared beef stew, to fois gras, fresh baked bread and pastries and organic vino.

The Dames sisters are the queens of service with food fit for a king.

Thank you girls!!!

Sweet Mornings before the noisy little people wake up

Nooks

I used to have a blog, called Nook and Burrow.  It was my blog from when I lived in Michigan and really loved that I had an outlet to share all of my favorite "nooks" in either my house, or others'.  I no longer keep that active, but I wanted to continue to share a few of my favs from our new house.  Mila & Rémi's rooms.  

First up, Mila's:

And Rémi's little space:

Two years ago, Mila made this for Rémi's 2nd birthday