Happy Anniversary aux petits amours

Well I'm a couple of days late, but HAPPY 1 month ANNIVERSARY JORDAN AND HOLLY!!!

These two cuties were united in marriage one month ago, December 29th. I didn't say anything about it on here at the time because....I don't know.... jet lag from a 27 hour flight and a 10 hour time difference... too much laundry... Christmas decorations to take down... or just the enormity of realizing that my first-born is a husband, the head of a new family, that I am now a mother-in-law and that I'm already so spoiled with the two beautiful, fun, loving daughters that I have and I get to have another one!! What???

So, here are just a few pics of the wonderful time we had in Alaska and the wedding. And Jordan and Holly, we are with you, praying for you, proud of you and so excited about how God is already using you together to bring glory to HIS name!! Hugs from France!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Proud papa with his D.R. cigar

Little snow princess

What a privilege for Florent to marry these two!

In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone

-Christina Rosetti

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

-Albert Camus

There's a certain Slant of light, Winter Afternoons
-Emily Dickinson

Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.

-Victor Hugo

So when you're cold From the inside out And don't know what to do, Remember love and friendship, And warmth will come to you.”

-Stephen Cosgrove

la fête des Rois

We had some dear friends over for lunch today after church, Jérémie and Marilyne and their 3 kids, and Jean and Christine and their 2 girls. I made the meal and the ladies each brought a dessert. Christine was sweet to bring a gluten-free clafouti in honor of Emilie. But I was especially excited about what Marilyne brought.

Around this time of year, if you go to someone's house, or have someone over, you are very likely to eat a "galette des Rois", or Three King's cake. The official day for eating the galette is the 6th of January, or Epiphany. It celebrates the wise men coming to bring their gifts to the baby Jesus. We celebrated Epiphany with Florent's parents on the 6th, but can expect to eat several more galettes before the month is over.

We Three Kings

The cake is usually made with puff pastry filled with frangipane, a yummy almond paste. Historically a dried bean was hidden in the cake, and the person who got the bean was "king for the day". Nowadays, you're more likely to find a small toy or porcelain figurine hidden in the galette. If you buy one in the store, you get a paper crown too, for the temporary royalty!

Queen Manon

The galette is cut into the number of pieces corresponding to the people around the table. Then, the youngest person sits under the table and calls out the names of all present. They get their piece of galette as the little one calls them out. Then everyone begins to eat, until someone bites down on the "fève", and is crowned by the others.

Lise, Manon, Célia and Eline under the table

Our queen of the day was Manon. Her mommy made the galette and she herself had hidden the "fève" between the layers of puff pastry. It was only fair that she should win! Whoever is crowned king or queen then has to choose another to "reign" with him or her. Manon chose her papa, and Jérémie looked quite regal with his crown!

Vive le roi!