la vie rose

le 20 décembre
	Today it's finally "goodbye, Schmitts," and "hello, Cassam-Chenaïs..." but I can't leave without a snapshot of the Schmitts' jazzy décor. The chair's name is "Giraffe." FINALLY off on Christmas vacation! So much good stuff is coming: time at the Cassam-Chenaïs', then Paris and the Alps with LAUREN!
le 23 décembre
	Géraldine's birthday isn't until tomorrow, but with so many holidays stacked on top of each other, we're celebrating it a day early. This photo was staged. The first time we lit the candles, Clément blew them out before Géraldine got anywhere near the cake. On sourit, on ne bouge plus... Cassoulet: DECIMATED.
le 24 décembre
	Christmas eve: what better day for a picnic at the beach? A little paysage to whet the appetite. Hianta and foliage. "Emma, where are your shoes?" The bright Christmas sun! It was a good picnic. While we ate, a dude in short sleeves and hot shades entertained us by dropping and doing push-ups in the sand, flexing his 'ceps, and sauntering over to whip off some pull-ups on the kids' jungle gym. Hianta's mom fell in love with him a little - she narrated his exploits and made eyes at him while Hianta writhed with embarrassment. Tonight, it's church in Villeneuve and then la grosse bouffe!
le 25 décembre
	Joyeux Noêl! Exotic fruit tips: Pitahayas are pretty but tasteless; go for the love in a cage. Emma's abused Dou-dou threatens suicide.
le 28 décembre
	Today is Hyacinte's birthday: fête numéro 4 since I've gotten here. The party never stops! Not sure why we put on vampire make-up for Hyacinte's birthday, but all right... TOMORROW, tomorrow, tomorrow, I am taking a train to Paris to meet up with Lauren! YES.
le 6 janvier
	8 AM, on the train to Paris. Dec. 30 : the luxurious NIGHT TRAIN. Lauren's camera on the fritz. Reflection of our petit compartement. Preparations for the Réveillon : Olivier + Lauren. Hurray, steamy kitchen! Hianta oversaw the production of 3 (was it 4?) of these tartiflettes. Hianta + moi : reunited for a New Year on another continent. Benjamin's carefully-prepared marmite of Schtroumpf, a.k.a. Smurf. Marci, me, Lauren. Julien awaiting midnight and the unveiling of the Song of the Year. Glasses enhance ANY party. These glasses belong to a de Villepin, as a matter of fact. The châlet. The village of Serre-Chevalier. Alps, water... pretty!