BACK FROM PARIS

December is here, and I can't believe how quickly the latter half of this year has flown by. We have been back from Paris for a few days now and I think I am finally getting over it. Granted- things still don't taste right, but my taste buds should start compromising soon enough.

I finished our photo album from our trip- so check out the album titled Amsterdam- Paris...

CHRISTMAS IN SHANGHAI

The holidays are approaching, and I have to say that Christmas in Shanghai is so far from normal, it's hard to even call it Christmas. Last year, I made the mistake of not putting a lot of energy into celebrating the holidays, and I really regret it. This is a new year though and I have learned from previous mistakes... so holiday merrymaking- here we come!

Christmas can't possibly be the same as it is when we are home with family, friends, familiar foods and decorations, but I have to work with what I have. So my $10 seriously fake tree that's missing a leg (gotta love China)- is waiting in the living room for a creative fix and some new ornaments. Phil and I will have our annual fondue and decorating party this Friday, so I need to get to IKEA (the one easy and decent place for Christmas decorations) to purchase all of my lights and ornaments by Friday.

I have also decided to give my annual cookie exchange party a try here in Shanghai. Due to the hurting economy, many of our friends are staying here for the holidays- so when I put the idea for the cookie exchange out there, I had a surprising amount of interest.

I am even thinking of hosting a holiday pot luck or dinner of some sort. A friend of mine let me borrow her holiday edition of Good Housekeeping that someone brought back from the States, and I am inspired! I can't tell you how comforting it is to thumb through pages of cookies, holiday recipes, and gift ideas. I don't even mind Paula Deen's somewhat sacrilegious approach to food- afterall, she is wearing a most festive red sequin top and Santa hat. I mean who could hold her reference to dark chocolate and red wine as being "nasty" against such a cutely clad little lady? Ahh, holiday cheer...