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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Cousins' Visit, Day 1

We just had a 2 fun filled days. My cousin, Maryann, who is married to Claude Tayag, a famous artist, culinary chef and author, came for a visit all the way from the Philippines. And to add to the excitement, our other first cousin, Bubut, also came to join us from Alexandria, VA. It was a challenge to pack everything I wanted them to see in 2 days, but I am happy to say that a lot of it was accomplished.


After the airport, we drove around St. Francisville and visited Grandmother's Buttons and some antique shops.

 It was so nice to be with my cousins, Bubut and Maryann, who I both grew up with.


 Claude was like a kid in a candy shop when he saw vintage kitchen tools spread out on a table. You should have seen his excitement! LOL! Now, this was the first time I met him personally but when I saw that look on his face, I knew I would not have a hard time pleasing him.
He must have spent at least an hour in that little room.




All these egg beaters ended up in his cart. And this was after he already put a lot of them back.

Just look at that excitement!

Even the sales clerk was amazed and wondered what Claude would do with all of them:-)

From St. Francisville, we went straight to Roux 61 to eat. All that shopping made us hungry.

Before they came, I asked Maryann what I would feed Claude. I was really nervous about feeding them because for one thing, I am not a good cook. Besides, what do you feed a culinary artist who has been featured on Anthony Bourdain's "No reservations" show and whose restaurant "Bale Dutung" back home is being flocked by politicians and famous actors?


But Maryann reassured me that he is really easy to feed, that all he wants are steak and oysters. So this is where we took them to eat both.


We could hardly fit all the food that we ordered on the table.

We had so much fun eating, talking and just bonding.
 We went night swimming to relax after we got home.

Below are 2 books written by Claude (the second with Maryann too) published.

What a fun day we had! The  next day was even more hectic which I will post on another day. For now, I will be relaxing and just recovering, lol. They all left yesterday because they had to be in Memphis for a meeting today. Claude was invited for a big event and will be cooking for around 350 people, I think.

I would like to add also that Claude is a very talented painter and his work is often displayed on exhibits.

I miss them already! Thanks for your visit, guys! Come back soon!

I would like to link with



Paula's What's It Wednesday at


Thanks to everyone who stops by and to the hostesses for all their hard and dedicated work.

16 comments:

  1. What fun to spend time with your two cousins and the famous Claude. How cute he looks with all those egg beaters he bought. I hope you have autographed copies of his cookbooks!

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  2. Oh goodness Christine, so much fun!! I love it when I get to be with my cousins from NY too, sometimes they visit, or I go. You all look like you are having a BALL! So many memories, and all the food you're having. Alejandro can't get enough of chefs from the world, I am going to ask him to look for your cousin and visit him. Your cousin and all the egg-beaters made me laugh and all the fun he's having in the store, like an amusement park for a chef, lol! Have a great weekend all of you!
    FABBY

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  3. Super, super, SUPER cool!!!!!! Wow! You keep good company, Christine! I would have been worried sick about what to feed him, too!!! I'm glad you guys had a good time and that Claude was able to find some cool stuff. I am sure he appreciated your thoughfulness in taking him places he would really enjoy!

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  4. Looks like so much fun! I would say you all had a lot of good eats too! Thanks for allowing us to tag alone! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  5. Looks like a great time with family. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Hi Christine! Oh, what fun you must have had with your cousins. You all look so cute! What is Claude going to do with all those egg beaters? :)
    Thanks for including us on your outing!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  7. What an interesting post! I read it..looked at all that delicioius food..checked out the books but I have to go back a second time..don't want to miss a thing.

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  8. That was "SUCH FUN"...I LOVED reading about your little family reunion and MEETING famous CLAUDE! You all look so HAPPY and I (((LOVE))) the story in the shop with the kitchen utensils. "I would have bought those too",hehe! I bet when he goes home he'll wish "He bought more"!
    WOW, that was a great meal to serve to a chef!!!
    You all look like you're glowing from fun...But I also noticed you FLORIDA TAN??? at first I thought of your pool BUT now I'm thinking it was your trip to see the "Triplets"!
    Have a wonderful week,
    Big Hugs,
    Donna

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  9. What a lovely post, Ate Xine...

    I missed back home tuloy? How I wish I could grab his cooking books.

    Hope to catch you up (hopefully soon) so you can feed me too. Waaahhh... loka ang fween mo. Just miss PI.

    Happy mid-week, Ate.

    Hugs,
    /Chie

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  10. What a marvelously fun time ya'll must of had. It shows on the faces in your beautiful pictures sweetie!

    I like to think of myself as a good cook and I'd be dang nervous cookin' for Claude also!

    God bless ya and enjoy your day dear one!!! :o)

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  11. How fun! I bet it was really interesting to get to visit with such a talented person too!

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  12. How blessed you are having such a lovely, talented and happy family.

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  13. Cousins are the best! We have some double cousins, sisters married brothers. That makes them the same blood line as sisters and brothers! We have so much fun. Visiting from Vintage Thursday, hope you can come by. Blessings, Debbie

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  14. Looks like it was a wonderful visit. I love those vintage items he bought. That is so awesome that he has written books and is so well known. The pool looks so refreshing :)

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  15. Sounds like you all had such a lovely visit together! I have (and use) my grandmothers egg beater and it makes me smile too. :)

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