We are all still coughing and I have to say it’s on the level of unsettling now. The boys are 5 weeks in, I’m 3 weeks in. So I’m guessing I will be coughing in France, mais non! So be it. We trudge on. In trying to aid my coughing fits I went to acupuncture twice. Dr. Chen stuck needles in my face, neck, arms, thumbs (!Ouch!), chest, stomach, shins and feet. It was brutal, but I could breathe again when he was done which was amazing. I thought for sure he had cured me. But then I was up again that same evening hacking away like a maniac. Be gone plague!

To distract myself from all the mucous forming in our chests, Peter bravely invited us all down for a sleepover.  This was very much fun as his loft is still unfurnished and the baby is now dexterous enough to play soccer in all that open space. It’s also always fun to hang out with him because he’s always game for whatever schemes I come up with. On this night I wanted to take some tips from a GOOP – Cheese Board. We were so close to Murrays’ Cheese Shop on Bleeker…please please please? Not only were both my husband and dear Uncle Peter game, they both went to forage! This was arduous because it was hot out, but it is no punishment to go to Murray’s cheese shop. They came back with some top picks from the Goop board and all kinds of other little specialties. We had ourselves a lovely little French picnic for supper.

Terrible, unappetizing photo of amazing food

Later, to distract us from the pending debt crisis, I made Summer Ice Pops. Not just regular ice pops, but ice pops from recipes in the NY Times Magazine (which I love PS, and can’t give up. I’ve tried). It’s my goal to make them all before we leave. But I’ll tell you…I’ve Gooped and Smitten Kitchened the ones I’ve tried by substituting agave for any sugar in the recipes to make them a little less intense.