Well, if you've made it to today, you've survived the holidays! Woke up this morning to the typical Seattle December. Rain, 51 deg. F, and... well... more rain.

I hope all had a wonderful Christmas and holiday with good cheer shared amongst family and friends. Since birth, I alway get a little extra cheer - by birthday happens right before Christmas. On the big day (my birthday - don't ask which one), my lovely wife picked up some AMAZING croissants from a local Tom Douglas restaurant/bakery (along with an incredible coconut cream pie... coconut pie... in December... seeing a trend here? ;-)

Since I usually relate to the world through sailing or experiences I've had while around the water, the croissants sparked yet another memory. Sure, I've had them in Paris and other "typical" places. But, what I remember most (unexectedly) were fresh croissants and coffee in Tahiti while chartering there years ago. Maybe someone can help me understand from a culinary perspective why they just seem to have such a light and airy texture... From cultural perspective, there is just something about eating a sophistocated croissant while wearing wearing shorts and flip-flops anchored off of Vaitape... ;-)