celebrating joyful living every day. and dachshunds.
Bonjour! To celebrate many things - namely, being young and being alive - L’Husband and I recently spent the night in Chicago. In addition to the large, real concerns of the pandemic, political turmoil, and social strife (le sigh), it’s been a busy year for ma famille, from selling a home in Vermont to purchasing… Continue reading Christmas in Chicago
Bonjour! As summer winds down and I settle in to my new home and work routine, I'm trying to take quiet moments for simple pleasures where I can find them. I love being outside in nature, especially by the water (how I miss Lake Champlain in Vermont!), so when my aunt invited L'Husband et moi… Continue reading Pancakes at Clinton Lake, Illinois
Bonjour! Y’all, I just flew on an actual airplane. Tellement, I mentally prepared for the weeks, if not two months, preceding this eventuality. After doing nothing and going nowhere during the pandemic (does the grocery store and carrying out food count?), L’Husband and I trekked from Vermont to Illinois via car - sans Le Chien… Continue reading Y’all, I Flew on an Airplane and Did Not Freak Out
Bonjour! After more than a year holed up at home, L’Husband and I venturing forth and driving from Vermont to Illinois. A recent post recapped some of the highlights of Day One of the drive from Vermont to Pennsylvania. Today's post continues the fun and covers Day Two of the drive from Pennsylvania to our destination of… Continue reading Road Trip, Day 2: Pennsylvania to Illinois
Bonjour! After more than a year at home, L'Husband and I are on the move. Our first trip since moving to Vermont in Fall 2019 turned out to be a road trip back to central Illinois. Sadly, Le Chien did not join us, and we drove out over two days with an overnight stop in… Continue reading Road Trip, Day 1: Vermont to Pennsylvania
Bonjour! It’s starting to feel like spring in Vermont, and I’m eagerly anticipating warmer weather, more sunshine, and a visit to le lac (and my COVID-19 vaccine). Today's post shares some pictures from a campfire picnic on the shores of Lake Champlain in South Hero, Vermont, a fun way to get outside with family and… Continue reading Campfire Beach Picnic on South Hero, Vermont
Bonjour! This week, Mon Chéri and I are on vacation. Though we are not leaving Vermont and barely leaving the house, our staycation has been très quiet and relaxing. We're baking, taking Le Chien for extra walks, and waiting for Borgen to finally come on Netflix. On Vacation While Staying Home “There is nothing like… Continue reading Vermont Staycation Hike
"He who would travel happily must travel light." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Bonjour! I love to travel and enjoy planning trips, organizing what I will need to take, and sharing what I've learned about the process (through beaucoup de trial and error) over the years. As 2019 draws to a close, I'm beginning to think… Continue reading Ultimate Travel Packing List
"The journey is the thing." - Homer, The Odyssey Bonjour! Ma Famille and I recently traveled to Galena, a small town in northwest Illinois on the Mississippi River. L'Husband and I rented a historic miner’s cottage via Airbnb and took Le Chien with us. Today’s post shares our highs and lows of staying in an… Continue reading Airbnb Stay with a Dachshund
"All in all, Vermont is a jewel state, small but precious." - Pearl S. Buck Bonjour! My long weekend in Vermont to visit Mes Parents was just as relaxing and beautiful as I'd hoped. There is indeed something précieux about that small state tucked between the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Champlain, and the White River. I… Continue reading Long Weekend in Vermont
"When you figure out your suitcase, you figure out your life." - Diane von Furstenberg Bonjour! This weekend, I am visiting Mes Parents in Vermont. They recently retired from central Illinois to Middlebury and I haven’t seen their new cottage yet. The bad news is that L'Husband and Le Chien can’t join me on this… Continue reading How to Pack for a Long Weekend
Joie de Vivre 