In this blog's new format, I've noticed that I always start my blog with an update about what Claire is doing at this particular moment. Well, today I'll end with what she's up to.

Brian and I sometimes discuss "what ifs." One in particular was "what if we won the lottery (or had too much money to know what to do with)." Just to preface, I'm happy with where we live, having one car, living near enough to family to visit and make local calls, grateful to have health insurance, and live is very good for us. However, it's always fun to dream!!! Once we'd paid off our car and student loans and a little credit card debt that's almost gone, I'd love to buy a little apartment in Lyon, France that we would live at in the summers. I'd splurge for air conditioning, which most French homes don't do, but money's no problem. I love waking up and knowing there are several bakeries within walking distance where one can buy breakfast, healthier "pain entier" I believe or the more decadent "pain au chocolat." I love planning your meals around what you could find fresh at the street markets where the farmers bring their organic (usually) produce and cheeses into the city for good deals (especially at the close of the market and they don't want to take their food home!!!). I love food shopping and eating fresh produce. In America, I question what is "fresh" produce. Nothing seems to taste the same as in France. I've heard we genetically alter our food, is that true? Maybe that's the difference. Maybe it's the air, the soil, the atmosphere in France that makes food tast better. I don't know, but I'd prefer their lifestyle of eating over our anyday if we didn't have to fly 12 hours to get there each time. Realistically though, we'd like to get to France before Claire's two because she'd have a free ride, but I have verified this with the airlines.

The next thing I'd do or maybe during one of our summers in France, is to go to cooking school. Right now I want to raise a family so I'm willing to settle for watching cooking shows and experimenting on my own. But, I'd love to take a class or two from a real cooking school and learn how to chop vegetables correctly, pick out the best food from our stores or markets so I could wow people with my cooking. I'm not a terrible cook, but I'd like to learn more. I like our family get togethers and would like to contribute interesting dishes! I don't want to open my own restaurant.

Claire is working on a little diaper (I hope) while playing under her play gym. She's been there during the 20 minutes I've been writing. It's nice that she doesn't need to be held all the time and can occupy herself sometimes. I'm going to get her now because she's starting to make some noise. She's a great baby, we are very blessed!!!  ¶ 8:57 AM