CHRISTMAS 2009

We haven’t seen snowfall like this in quite a while. Here’s outside our home and outside the most famous home in America.  Dec 19 broke a 70 year long record as the most snowfall in a single day in the month of December.  For us, 13-17 inches!  And just in time for CHRISTMAS!

DUNCAN TURNS 2

Duncan celebrated his 2nd Birthday with family and friends last Saturday.  I wanted to thank the lovely people who sent gifts; Uncle Bob& Aunt Linda, Cousin Kevin, Aunt Jane Olga & Anastasia, Aunt Marilyn& Uncle Jima, Aunt Vera, Nana Eve, Cousin Philomene and Cousins Charles& Teresa. 

Our home was full of kids and grown-ups all wishing Duncan well.  I want to also thank the people who helped make the party a success;  Grandma Joan & Donna, Pappy Mike, Aunt Franciea & Jessica, Uncle Corbin & Sam, & Jamie.

Baby news:  Sean is doing well.  First Trimester ends next week and by the end of November we will probably know the sex of the baby!  Yeah!

MORNING GEVALIA THOUGHTS

Do you ever look at your plate or while drinking from a glass and wonder where your food/drink originated from?  Well, we all have special indulgences that we partake in that we prize for all there nuances. 

Coffee, has been a part of our lives since we were adults.  Even though we have toned down the caffeine (about two tablespoons to  a decanter of coffee), we still relish the full bodied flavor of our favorite brands which comes from GEVALIA coffee   www.gevalia.com

I know some like the Brazilian coffee beans and exotic rare ones.  I like the ones inspired by European coffeehouses,  like the famous Antico Caffe Greco Coffeehouse.

Antico Caffè Greco
“This is an institution on via Condotti, next to Prada and near Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps, and it’s more than 200 years old,” says Faraone. Caffè Greco opened in 1760 and has been a haunt of Keats, Stendhal and Goethe. “I remember when I was a kid, the time I went to Rome, my dad said, ‘And this is Caffè Greco!’ I probably didn’t get there by myself until I was 26, but it’s always been an institution.” Faraone adds it’s a classic Italian bar where you can get coffee, dolce and drinks any time, but it’s expensive. “The interiors are fantastic and the bartenders have been working for generation to generation, passing the job down through families. But it’s more a place of history than a cool place to go.”
Via Condotti, +39 06 679 1700.

GEVALIA coffee has rights to import their coffee, which we love and serve to guests when they visit.  So, when you visit next time, ask for a cup of coffee.  We are sure you will be as pleased as we are.

HAPPY EASTER 2009

CHRISTMAS 2008 in PICTURES

GREAT CAKES AT DESSERTS BY GERARD

We were happy to discover this delicious bakery last Christmas by chance.  Desserts By Gerard  http://www.dessertsbygerard.com/   is a wonderful, affordable French style bakery located in Oxon Hill, MD.  We bought some lovely desserts there last Christmas including the pictured Buche Noel (  Yule Log) which is cake wrapped like a log with Grand Mariner butter-cream filling and topped with fresh berries and candied log “bumps”.  Like the cute lil mushroom.

Sean and Inge’s cake also pictured was from this bakery.  It was the most deliciously balanced cake of sweetness and raspberries…mmmmmmmmmm.

We believe this place beats out savvy smart Cake Love in Silver Spring, MD, as well as any French Bakery you could possibly find.  How lucky we live close to this one.  The owners are a husband and wife team.  He once worked as the pastry chef at The Watergate Hotel.  We will be visiting again and hope you check them out as well.

HOW IS BABY DUNCAN LOVED??.. Let us Count the ways..

Yes.  Our baby boy will be named:  Duncan Shaw Gary Mansperger.  and “no” Baby Duncan is not here quite yet…. 

Duncan, means ” Brown chief or leader” in Gaelic or Scottish.  We liked the name Duncan because it is unique and sounds good with our last name. 

SHAW is J’s family name and

GARY is Sean’s father’s name.  Both names will be included as middle names for Duncan.  

Sorry, it’s been a long time since an update on our situation.   It’s been a busy 2 and 1/2 weeks.  2 baby showers, a celebration of our second wedding anniversary and general excitement and preparedness for our upcoming birth.

ANYTIME…  Duncan could arrive any day now is the answer from the Doctor.  Could be tomorrow, could be on the actual due date Oct 2. Or after!!!!   Just a waiting game now.  When it does happen, we will make calls and try to create a phone tree so we can reach as many people as possible to share the news.  Our next appointment with the Doctor is on Friday, September 21st.  So, we will definitely have an updated post by Saturday the 22nd on this site.Sean and I do want to take time to thank all of you who have sent gifts, given gifts or just generally shared warm thoughts of support and encouragement.  It has made all the difference in the world to us.NOTE: TO SEE MORE PICS  CLICK ON MANSPERGER FAMILY PHOTOS ON THE RIGHTSo here’s some pics of what we have been up to.

First, the Baby shower thrown by both our mothers and J’s sister:

Second, onboard a cruise on the Potomac to celebrate our second Wedding Anniversary:

More Pics from the Fun LaborDay cook-out at Devona & Marcia’s:
FOR MORE PICS:  CLICK ON MANSPERGER FAMILY PHOTOS  that is on the right hand side of this web page.   Thanks to Beth& Chris Cavett and Uncle Bob Mansperger for their photos of the Babyshower.

The Gift of Flowers

Over the years, Sean and I have exchanged flowers like many couples as an expression of love.  Here are a few.  The Iris is very significant to us because one of our first romantic dates took place overlooking the cascading Italianate fountain at Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park in D.C. (formerly a private residence and garden) where the irises were in bloom at the time.  My favorite blooms are the scented Gardenia and the lovely purple Lisanthus.