Caffeine in the Mornings

Espresso in the house!

I don't go far without my thermos mug of coffee and I carry bags of chocolate covered espresso beans like most people carry gum, but I'm not much of a coffee shop fan.  I was forced into experimenting a bit more with coffee this fall, because I couldn't figure out how to order a regular black cup of coffee in French or Spanish.  I liked it.  Now we have an in-house espresso machine, which is the most used toy from under the tree this season.

The cup and saucer (and machine) are from Home on Water St. and we're currently enjoying Rocket's Holiday Blend espresso. The fruit bowl and plate are by Alexis Templeton and the table cloth is a Basque tapestry we bought in San Sebastian.  (Apologies to everyone who came here expecting to see someone gutting a seal. I'm on vacation.)

Photo Credits: Tim Rast

Wormwood in the Evenings

Lori found us new Absinthe glasses for Christmas.  Absinthe has quickly become my spirit of choice this winter.  I love the licorice taste and the clean blue flame on the sugar cube. Its a drink to enjoy with friends in front of the fire, especially if you want to feel like you're up to no good.

Photo Credits: Tim Rast

Happy Holidays!

If you need me, I'll be right here.

Photo Credit: Tim Rast

Lourdes-travaganza! Spectacular! Spectacular!

Lourdes, France.

Blending in with the pilgrims.

A little chapel in the woods

Shopping!

For the water...

We accidentally did the entire Stations of the Cross looking for a family heirloom.

Our Local.

Shopping!

The Celtic Cross - Our quest is at an end!

You won't like the frankfurters - "they're plastic".

Big Mary.

Little Mary.

I can't judge. My hometown has a spaceship on the highway.

Shopping!

Shopping!

The Grotto.

Shopping!

Shopping!

Photo Credits: 

1, 3-9, 11-15, 17, 19, 20: Tim Rast

2, 10, 16, 18, 21, 22: Lori White

Bowring Park in the Snow

The lights are on in Bowring Park. With the snow last night in St. John's, the park is beautiful.  I stopped by for walk around the pond after a brutal day at the computer and a slightly more productive evening of Christmas shopping.  There's no cabin trip this year, so I'll have to make an effort to get out and enjoy the city.

Photo Credits: Tim Rast

I Hate Writing Reports

Wish I was here.

or here...

or here...

Not here.

Photo Credits: Tim Rast

The Road to Cabrerets

Cabrerets, France

Cabrerets is an impossibly picturesque village built into the limestone cliffs that contain the Célé and Sagne rivers in southern France.  These limestone hills are dotted with farms and towns and riddled with caves, including many containing paintings from the Upper Palaeolithic.  Lori and I took these photos of Cabrerets and other towns on our way to visit the cave at Pech Merle...

 

The ruins on the left are the called The Devil's Castle (château du diable).  Its was built by the English and destroyed by the French over 600 years ago. Cabrerets.

Cabrerets houses.  Who wouldn't want to live here?

Photo Credits: 
1-3, 5-8 Tim Rast
4, 9, 10: Lori White