My favorite home scent is figue … pardon my French, I much prefer the Francophone spelling. Candles, soaps, dishwashing liquid, home spray, I’m a figue addict. It has an intoxicatingly relaxing smell, much better than lavender. “Savon de Marseille” . A protected name, the soaps need to be produced in Marseille according to strict standards. [...]

I’ve visited Paris so many times yet I never tire of it. “I love Paris” by Cole Porter and Ella Fitzgerald Every time i look down on this timeless town, Whether blue or gray be her skies, Whether loud be her cheers, or whether soft be her tears, More and more do I realize that… [...]

In my dreams right now is this house by the lake! Exactly as is, including the giant tree and the spacious grounds. But in the meantime, I’ll happily settle for our little townhouse, with a cherry tree and a teeny weeny view of the lake from the attic’s window. Until my next post … take [...]

Coming from a Catholic country, I didn’t grow up waiting for a bunny and searching for eggs during Easter. Rather, my maternal grandfather would take us to the province to see “bloody” Holy Week processions, in the literal way. The Philippines, after all, are world renowned for our crucifixions and penitents who whip and slash [...]

I was standing next to this chestnut vendor one cold autumn day, waiting. Just waiting for him to open the lid of the roasting pan. He saw me and took pity. Without uttering a word, he pointed to the pan. I nodded yes. I tried to focus as fast as I could and snapped my [...]