Postcard from the beach

I'm hitting the beach !

Hi !  As I mentioned in my previous post, je travaille d'arrache-pied has become my new favourite expression. Translated, it means that I am working like a fiend. I have another week or so of intense work before I can fly off to a beach for a quick hit of sun and heat. (It still feels like winter here.)  

d'arrache-pied

Thinking about this shoe . . .

The Oyster Bar

Crazy fabulous shoe !

Hi !  Here's a quick iPad sketch of a shoe I couldn't help but notice while shopping today.  I don't know who made it, but I felt that liquid summer feeling wash over me when I saw it.  It's not exactly the style of shoe I would wear, but it made me feel warm and sunny for the rest of the day !

Ps:  If you happen to know who the designer is, please leave a note in the comment box.

A perfect day to hang out at the tea bar

Someone stepped on my foot !

Aaaak!  I was at the chiropractor's office today having my neck adjusted - it's still a bit sore from my car accident. On my way out, I stopped at the reception desk to schedule another appointment, when someone walked out of one of the treatment rooms and accidentally stepped right on my foot. Ouch!

Feng shui for the boudoir

My car is back !

I'm so excited, I picked up my car after not having it for over a month due to the car accident. I'm glad not to be driving the grandmama style rental car that the shop gave me (it was a conservative sedan that was not the least bit perky). So today, me and my little car are heading out for a drive over the bridge where the accident happened. Need to purge that awful memory ...

The lineup

Cooking with Mr. Li - Part 2

Hi !  Now that I'm mostly recovered from my car accident, I'm back in my neighbour Mr. Li's kitchen.  Lucky me, he's cooking up a storm today, and teaching me a few Chinese phrases along the way !  

Mishap on the bridge deck : Part 2

Hi !  Here's an update on my car accident, made from a little collection of my iPad drawings.  I'm feeling much better, but my neck is still stiff and a little sore.  I had to postpone last week's visit with my neighbour Mr. Li, but he'll be dropping by in a day or two to assess the feng shui situation chez moi.  I'll most definitely post an update with lots of notes on our session !

For the full story, please read the previous cartoon.

Mishap on the bridge deck

Soaked by the Pineapple Express

The Pineapple Express has arrived ! It's a weather system that originates near Hawaii (where pineapples are grown), bringing lots of moisture and warm air to parts of the Pacific Coast. It's not really raining pineapples, but it is raining a lot !

Cooking with Mr. Li

The Haircut : Part 5

Hi !  I'm just leaving to meet up with my neighbour, Mr. Li, but wanted to post the latest news on my haircut before running out the door.  Mr. Li will be teaching me how to cook a few Chinese dishes, and I'll be posting them on my blog in the next few days.  As well as being a good cook, he is a well-practiced feng shui master and offered to drop by to take a look at my place.  I can't wait to hear what he has to say!

Happy Valentine's Day

Year of the Snake

Sun Neen Fai Lok!  Happy New Year to those who celebrate the Lunar New Year !

The Haircut - Part 4

Dressing to offset a bad haircut

The Haircut - Part 3

To read the full story, please refer to the previous two cartoons.

The Haircut ~ Part 2

The Haircut

Hatsy's sore throat remedy

I've been sick with a sore throat for the past several days.  I caught it early, so rather than take antibiotics to wipe out any lingering bacteria, I spent most of the week around the apartment drinking tea with lemon, honey, maple syrup, and ginger.  I also slept a lot, which really helps. I made carrot and kale soup, ordered in sushi and spicy thai food, and watched Fellini films.

First, put your hair in a pony tail ...

My earthquake bag contents

Here are the contents of my West Coast earthquake bag :

water purifying tablets

1 can opener

1 fork

1 spoon

2 cans of albacore solid white tuna packed in olive oil

12 peanut butter energy bars

2 teacups

6 Orange Pekoe teabags

1 roll of silver coloured duct tape

1 Swiss army knife

batteries

1  30.5cm x 30.5cm square of aluminum foil

extra underpants

footless leggings

2 pairs of socks

oversized cashmere sweater

1 quasi blanket (from an airline)

6 Ativan (just in case anyone goes off the deep end)

36 sterile bandage strips in various sizes

iodine and antibiotic cream

needle and thread (for stitching up the wounded)

prescription sunglasses

2 toothbrushes

1 tube of toothpaste

1 container of dental floss

1 package each of breath mints and peppermint gum

tube of MAC  'Cosmo'  lipstick

waterproof mascara

liquid body soap

1 jar of face cream

dry shampoo

1 collapsible hairbrush

1 jersey cotton hairband

pony tail elastics and hair combs

1 roll of toilet paper sealed in a waterproof plastic bag

monthly lady things 

1 pair of Doc Martens (tied to the earthquake bag handle via the boot laces)

5 ml bottle of lavender essential oil (for relaxation and to avert bad smells)
photocopies of important documents (sealed in a waterproof plastic bag)
cash
8L of water (in the apartment fridge)

AAAAK ! Tsunami advisory !

Aaaak!! The other night, we had a tsunami advisory here on the West Coast.  Thankfully, an evacuation wasn't necessary this far down the coastline.  Nevertheless, I couldn't sleep until it was officially lifted.  While I was waiting, I made this drawing of an imagined evacuation. 

Back on the West Coast

It's 2013!  I'm on the West Coast dodging raindrops.  I brought a few faux furry winter things with me but haven't had a chance to wear them yet.  It's cold here, but it's more like a rainy, damp, chilly cold.  This evening, I took a hot steam, then ate dinner and watched a movie in my pyjamas.

Happy New Year !

Party for 24+

Hi!  I'm on the West Coast this year and will be hosting a New Year's Eve party for some of my great friends.  My initial plan was to invite 24 guests to help ring in the new year, but the list has since grown to 32 and might end up at 36.  The party took a bit of planning so I thought it would be fun to share my shopping list with you.  It only includes food and drink so remember to pick up things like cocktail napkins, candles, hand towels, hand cream, mints, asprin, and so on.  Also, don't forget to hide your bank statements and turn your computer off. 

Happy Holidays !

The spanking story aftermath

Germ shopping with Hatsy

Tante Angélique's Vinaigrette

Hi !  Here is the recipe for my Tante Angélique's honey / Dijon vinaigrette.  It's easy to make, and perfect for a leafy green salad.  Please Tweet any questions or feedback to her via Twitter at @tanteangelique.  She would really love to hear from you !

The Spanking

Hi !  I've been on a little break...   As I mention in my cartoon, I've been hanging out with Philippe this past week while Monsieur is away. We've been having a lot of laughs ~ even about the time he called me a few days after our break-up. . .

 

An old haunt . . .

Philippe's new +1 : a glimpse at what really happened inside the lecture hall

Hi !  The other day I posted a small drawing of me snoozing during my ex-boyfriend Philippe's lecture.  Here's the longer version . . .

Please do not rescue this girl . . .

The Theoretical Basis of .... or Hatsy's nap time

Can't sleep . . .

Pasta with tomato sauce for Monsieur

Here is the recipe for the pasta and tomato sauce I made for Monsieur.  It looks long, but it should take you less than an hour to make. I usually serve it with a baguette or an Italian bread, salad, and a full bodied red wine. Monsieur texted me the next day from Milano to say how delicious it was.  I think he meant to say how delicious I was.

Époisses delivery