Getting ready for tomorrow

Today we paid for our cakes and bread for Saturday. Norbert helped set up the furniture at his brother’s. Yesterday I got my hair done. It’s been a while, like six years. I got my hair highlighted and cut with an added scalp massage bonus.

It is snowing today. Our village had the first snow of the year and second snow since November 20^st, 2013. I hope it doesn’t continue to snow on Saturday. I like snow, but it would be an inconvenience for everyone.

Shopping at Part-Dieu mall

Today Norbert and I went to Part-Dieu mall in Lyon. I got some sweaters, blouse, skirt and some stockings. I never realized how big this mall is, it's about four floors.

 

I love the many installations throughout the mall.

 

It was a really busy day! I'm not big on crowds, I was glad to finally go home.

This always happens when I'm trying to take an "unusual" photo. Your usual photo bomb!

I really liked this art installation. Very unusual and colourful.

 

Meanwhile, "somewhere" in Lyon......

 

 

The vans in this photo are "prostitute" vans. They were everywhere in this particuliar location. The girls stay in the van waiting for a potential client. When they are available they have a candle on the dashboard lit up(battery operated). Laws here are very different. Girls cannot go up to men, it has to be the other way around. Of course I think a law just came into play that changes this as well.

 



Is it winter or spring?

In the last few days we have been having beautiful weather. It makes me believe that we are in for an early spring. I will say this, this has been the warmest winter in about three years. Walking the dog I have seen bees, lizards running amongst the leaves, mushrooms, other bugs and toad activity. Least I forget all the noisy birds who are real happy with the warmer weather.

This little beetle was scurrying off to hide in the grass.

Mushrooms in January!

Christmas ornaments from JCPenney

Today I got my Christmas ornaments from JCPenney. They were on clearance, but to be honest I think next time I will just travel to the US and shop there and bring the stuff back. It’s better and I get to see family, friends and do a lot of things. It’s not the expense of shipping and handling, it’s the other tariffs which are expensive. That being said I like my ornaments.  The day before, I (finally) got my ribbon candy. I ordered it in late November (or the 2^nd of December, I can’t remember) and I finally got it on January 2^nd. There really is a big difference when using snail mail and DHL. However I ordered some cards in October using snail mail and I got them within a week.  Both vendor and I were pleasantly surprised. Btw, the candy is good. Norbert and I have been enjoying this sweet delight.

The angel is a tree topper.

 

Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

This is a recipe I tried for the first time for Christmas dinner (2013). However, I think this pie is better suited for Thanksgiving.

Caramel Apple Pie

Prep : 10 min

Cook : 45 min

Ingredients :

12 ounces of granny smith apples
2 - 3 ounces packages cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup of caramel topping
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Beat cream cheese, egg, sugar, flour and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl; spread mixture over graham cracker crust.

Combine apples, caramel topping and cinnamon in a small bowl; gently spoon over cream cheese to keep two distinct layers.

Bake in preheated 375F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until apple mixture bubbles up around edges of pie. Cool on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature; promptly chill leftover pie.

Pie Crust:

Ingredients :

Graham crackers (you can also use McVities original digestives)
butter

Directions:

Crush the crackers until they are fine crumbs. Do this in a bowl.

Melt the butter and gradually pour in the bowl with cracker crumbs. Mix! Then take the mixture and spread it throughout the pie pan.

Butter and crackers are measured according to your taste and the size of the pie pan.

Note: If I was to do this recipe again I would cut the apple pieces smaller and thinner and make a cinnamon crumble to put on top of the pie. Other than that it was pretty good.

 

Ready to eat! Pie with a side of vanilla ice cream topped with hot caramel sauce.