ssssssssshhhhhhhh.....Surprise!

Anna's 30th Birthday Week (of course it couldn't be constrained to one day or a single weekend) ended with a bang. With the help of many of our new friends via blackberrys, iphones, text messages, and good old fashion keys under the door, we were able to put together a smashing surprise for Anna! She had no idea that a quick stop back by our place after the pub to drop off some things would lead to a house full of people, drinks, and cake!

Though I tried to act like it wasn't a big deal, the most difficult part of the entire planning process involved Anna's repeated demands for her favorite cake and frosting throughout the week. Little did she know it was secretly transported from the U.S. via special courier (our prior roommate Allegra) and then brought to life by a three member baking team (thankfully she didn't head to Partridge's to make it herself, though she suggested it twice).

Thanks again to everyone who helped out and were able to make it. We are sorry everyone back home couldn't be here as well, but click here and see below for more pictures of the special event.

Anna's 30th Birthday in Paris!!

What a birthday! We had an unbelievable trip to Paris and loved every second of it. The Eurostar was great and so easy! Amazing to be in London and a few hours later in Paris! We stayed right off of the Champs Elysees, which was magnificent! They still have the street decorated for the holidays, so it felt quite festive! We once again ate our way through the city- we are getting quite good at that!! Luckily we walked everywhere so felt we deserved the delicious chocolate croissants, cheese, bread, crepes, ice cream.... We went to fun dinners, one of which was on top of the Pompidou and had a view of the entire city. We finished off the trip with a trip to the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d'Orsay. Once we were home Sunday night we couldn't believe we had been on the Eiffel Tower earlier that day. This is quite an experience, to say the least!!!


Then, on Monday, my actual birthday, my London friends took me to high tea- it was so sweet of them and made my birthday very special! And then to top off the perfect 30th birthday, Allegra is in town for the week! What a TREAT!! So after Nils and Allegra worked all day they took me out to dinner and a pub quiz. You know how we love games! Needless to say we lost due to the fact that the first round was general British knowledge. Dan and Esther came and helped us in the last few rounds, but the damage had already been done. It was a the perfect way to enter the next decade!!!

Pastry School

It's official, I finally started pastry school! And... I love it!!! It is very hard work and definitely not glamorous, but the end product makes it worth it! It has only been two days, but I have already learned so much! Here is a picture of my first project- it is puff pastry with poached pears and almond creme.


Close up- notice my fanned poached pears. :)

I have met incredible people from all over the world. This is such an amazing experience and I am so thankful for it!! Today as I was walking home, I finally felt that I was a part of London!

**In the future, I will post my creations on Anna's Patisserie Adventure (see link on the side bar). I wish I could send all of you at home some of the pastries I am making!

Our Trip Home

Happy New Year!

We realize we may have lost many loyal readers since we haven't written in quite some time, but we hope you will rejoin us in our adventure!

Our trip to California was amazing! We had a great time with all of our family and friends! We started off in our old neighborhood in San Francisco, (thanks Allegra!) where we were able to see many of our good friends. It was great to back and so fun to stroll on our favourite streets (note British spelling). We then spent some time visiting family, celebrating Nils' mom's birthday, and enjoying the food and restaurants we have been missing i.e. Villa Corona, P.F. Changs, Our the Door, Nicks Crispy Tacos, Chipotle... why not eat out when it is half the cost? :) 

We were then off to San Diego where we ate loads of Mexican food and frozen yogurt, and wore flip flops every chance we got. Christmas in paradise! We went to our friends' wedding (congrats Austin and Margaret), spent time with family and friends (and niece, baby Emma), and celebrated Anna's mom's 60th birthday! It was all so much fun! The day we left it was 75 degrees and beautiful, and when we landed it was 0 degrees (Celsius). It made coming back hard, but we are looking forward to the next part of our adventure. 

Stay tuned for many more posts this month- up next Anna starts cooking school and our trip to Paris.