Preparing For Paris: Part 1

In September, Emily is headed off to live in beautiful Paris, France for 4 months until mid-January. She is living there for a semester in an apartment, and I'll be flying out mid-October to stay there as well for 90 days. We've been planning the trip for a long time, and have finally started preparing for it this week.

One of the many things we need to do is get together some warm(er) clothes for the Winter in France. California's perpetual Summer has been amazing but for the first time in 4 years I'll be living in and around snow, so we'll need to prepare. Emily has never lived around snow before....crazy....so she needs a lot of things. I don't think she's ever worn any footwear besides dancing heels and flip flops.

We hit up the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade and did some shopping today. Got a few shirts, a new sleeve-less rash guard for surfing, some new surf wax for my board, and some new flip flops. I ended up buying the opposite of what I needed. GG.

Emily on the other hand got some awesome stuff. A bunch of nice classy shirts and pants to keep her warm and keep her looking all stylish in Paris. Then we came home and ate some food and started drinking Spanish Coffee. Ever had that stuff? Holy cow is it good...

Spanish Coffee:

1/2 shot Bacardi® 151 rum
1 shot Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1 splash triple sec
coffee
whipped cream
sugar rim
cinnamon
nutmeg

Sugar the rim of a tempered Pinot glass. Pour 1/2 shot Bacardi 151 rum. Use candle lighter or match to flame the rum. Turn glass repeatedly to allow flame to caramelize the sugar on the rim. Don't melt it completely, just caramelize it. While rum is still flaming, sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg lightly into flame. Add Kahlua, a splash of triple-sec, fill with fresh coffee, a bit of real whipped cream (not the spray gunk), then sprinkle a bit more cinnamon on the top. The flame will probably go out when adding either the Kahlua or coffee, but if not, or if you are afraid the glass is becoming too hot, simply place a cocktail napkin over the glass for a second to smother the flame.

So....good.

Tonight...who knows. Something fun. Surfing tomorrow, come onnnn Sun!