What can I say? Your words have been amazingly touching and good to read, overwhelming us with joy. Thank you are two words rather weak to describe how we feel about what you said.

Really, merci.

So yes, life has been good over the past two weeks. Tremendously changed too, as anticipated. Our little L. made it happen this way. We’ve created a home nest that’s brought incredible joys, fun, play times, laughter — and lack of sleep too. These puffy ones? These are mine! My dear parent friends, I understand what you were talking about…

We truly can spend hours staring at L., observing her facial expressions when she naps, eats or gets changed — my favorite ones are when she smiles with her eyes closed or when she purses her lips. Irresistible.

Our friends? They’ve also been wonderful. They’ve brought us food on many occasions, like delicious spiced meat balls, homemade applesauce, fennel salad, soup and duck. We’ve also eaten some of the dishes I had cleverly frozen prior to L.’s arrival: last night we relished on a dish of comfy pumpkin lasagna. And I must say, food has not tasted that good in a long time; we enjoy eating much more slowly, appreciating every single bite we put in our mouth.

I thought I was not going to cook at the beginning after L’s birth. I had been told that like many, I would find it hard to. But despite the general tiredness, it made me really feel good to do so: the call in me was just stronger.

So I cooked, because my body is craving nutritious foods even more so; because we new parents need to, and because I want L. to grow strong and healthy.

I made a few dishes of slow cooked tajines, nutritious salads, simple vegetables soups, sweet apple clafoutis — and I baked cookies, granola and many types of muffins too. Snacks during pregnancy were a must — they are even more so during breastfeeding times. I enjoy them during the day, and at night, when the house is filled with silence and P. and I are taking care of L.’s needs.

Yesterday’s morning, as we lay in bed for a family nap, we kept wondering whether this was really all happening. We kept staring at the little one cozily nested between us, and we felt overwhelmed and warm inside. The house sounded particularly quiet, perhaps because of the snow that had kept piling outside. As the sun was generously out, I was looking forward to taking a short walk to the park, to feel the cold wind brushing against my skin awaken my senses. The park was like a magnificent white playground: it felt good to be there.

Upon my return, I was filled with a rush to bake.

Don’t ask.

Between feeds, I decided to make hazelnut carrot cupcakes.

I did not really know where the recipe was going to take me. I simply let it happen, naturally. I used carrots, nutritious flours like hazelnut, quinoa and amaranth, Muscovado sugar, eggs, olive oil, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and plain yogurt to add moistness to the baked goods.

Sometimes, I simply know that some ingredients will work together, that they will be right when combined.

We loved the end result. These cupcakes are lovely to enjoy as a snack, or eaten for breakfast.

Et moi ? I was happy to have a new healthy snack to feed the many hungry times I have during the day. The icing was for the visual fun, for those of you with a sweeter tooth — I personally prefer them plain.

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We are home after a wonderful journey that gave us the best Christmas present ever. Lulu was born on Christmas day at 12:28 am. She is our bundle of joy. We are learning about her; she is learning about us, and we love her dearly. It is really how many parents describe: irreplaceable.

Needless to say that life has been busy since then. And not much cooking has yet been happening.
On my end, I am already loving feeding her, and I sense that she loves that too.

I hope your Christmas will be merry and full of joy — and great company and food. We shall talk soon!

“I feel trapped inside!” I told P. as I kept looking at the snow come down. I even think that my entire face was stretched by a sulking expression.

“Well, it’s a good thing that bébé has decided to stay warm in the oven today!” he replied, laughing.

The snow started Friday night, and has not stopped since then. It’s quite lovely to watch as it paints the entire landscape around us in an untouched sparkling white sheet. Yesterday, we managed to walk to the store, to buy some milk. In reality, it was really an excuse to get out. Because I *had* to get out to feel the fresh air brush on my skin and run through my lungs. In fact, as soon as we were out, bundled up as we were in bulky winter jackets, I already felt much better. Quieter too.

Then today, we had many ambitious plans to do things. Like, for example, do a little bit of Christmas shopping, and even meet friends for dinner. But the weather told us differently. Instead, the weather told us that really, the best we could do was to stay in. And slow down.

So we complied.

We decorated our small Christmas tree while listening to the soundtrack from Pedro Almodóvar’s Hable Con Ella movie, because it was just the mood we were in. And then I decided to cook comforting food: like cook a what-I-have-in-the-fridge vegetable soup; fry slices of Spanish chorizo; bake hazelnut and carrot cupcakes — and prepare yam and turnip galettes.

All put together, they made a lovely colorful lunch, one that we enjoyed with a green herb salad on the side.

And then, we sat down on the couch for an hour or so, munching away on a few juicy clementines while feeling the peacefulness of the day as the snow kept falling down and down.

Quietly and steadily on this wintry day.

The day of the winter solstice too.

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“It’s next week, I tell you!” I told P. looking at the calendar hanging by the kitchen door.

“Incroyable !”

This is really the way we feel this year. Christmas next week? I don’t think we have been as little prepared for Christmas as we have this year. Preparing for bébé’s arrival has taken every bit of our energy and time — and thoughts. Take for example the following: I am unable to remember where I put things, sometimes even the point of a conversation, stopping myself in the middle of a sentence.

It’s funny, really!

With food, though, things seem to have stayed somewhat on track, at least consistent. I don’t forget to prepare food, and to eat — quite on the contrary. I did not think much about it at first, but I have even started to freeze some dishes to keep us going during the first days we will spend with bébé. Then, food ideas have kept flooding my mind too, making me wish I had more time, and ability to eat, the many things I really want to cook.

I made these amuse-bouches for example, for one of the videos kindly shot by the people at How2Heroes. Ah..oh…yes, please, be indulgent, it’s my first cooking video experience — with, on top, a pregnant woman’s brain.

These potato nests are filled with flavors. They are light and refreshing, wonderful before starting a festive meal. In only one mouthful, you can taste crispy potatoes with a finish made of fried leeks, sweet and juicy apple and pomegranate, silky crème fraiche, and refreshing crab. The bonus? All the steps can be made ahead of time, and assembled at the last minute.

They will be on the menu for our Christmas, should we be home that day - unless bébé decides to arrive then, and feast with us.

Well, we shall see about that. In the meantime, I ate these treats this afternoon. Excellent as a snack for a gourmande pregnant woman!

I promise!

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