A few of the sweets that were served over the weekend at get-togethers with friends. Sugar cookies (top), my ugly-looking but OK tasting cranberry, almond and caramel pie (middle), and finally, banana bread and gumdrop cake!

On Saturday we had a big potluck at Lisa and Alain’s. There was Cornish hen, guinea fowl AND quail, served with a pear & pecan salad, roasted squash, broccoli and hazelnuts, garlic mashed potatoes and topped off with my aforementioned ugly pie.

On Sunday I drove out with Lisa and Nadine to Ottawa to visit Emilie and her kids, who are ridiculously ADORBS. Emilie had a bunch of holiday sweets for us, recipes she recently copied down from her grandmother. So great!

Don’t you just love getting together with friends for the holidays?

On July 31, my friend Lisa, who has been near and dear to me for the past 18 years, got married to her sweetheart, Alain. The festivities were held in the Champagne region in France, where Alain grew up. I wanted to share some photos of their GORGEOUS wedding, which was extremely touching and so much FUN! …  A HUGE thanks to Teri whose photos I liberally pilfered for my blog posting purposes!

Here are the Compagnons doing an archway after the church wedding!

First there was a civil wedding at Breuil town hall, and then a church wedding next door, in Breuil’s tiny and SUPER old church.

Not sure WHY we were laughing, but this outtake makes me laugh.

Some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for. Taken at the “vin d’honneur” where we drank much champagne and ate little beignets.

Shoe fashion! And yes, I really should have had nail polish. I’m a little embarrassed!

Teri got some great “under the umbrella” shots of the different couples!

Photos by: Teri and “Monsieur Nicolas”

Lately I have been living a bit vicariously through one of my best friends, Teri, who is living in Greece for five months. Just LOOK at that amazing photo of her taken in the Larissa region.  I wanted to share it because I think a lot of us – perhaps even yourself – put off doing the things that will make us happy. Because they’re hard to organize, because it’s important to work, because it’s too far off the beaten path – there are many possible reasons.  Teri has reminded me that you only live once. Thanks Terks.