December Daily {:13:} Herboristerie, Market, Baking Madness

So I'm trying something new and blogging from my phone to see if it'll work while I'm on vacation next week. So far so good!

Today was major task mode for a few hours. I filled out my end-of-the-year evaluation form as well as did my final expense report for the year. I filed some papers, did some online banking, and then headed over to the actual bank to deposit a check.

From there, I went to the equivalent of the Whole Foods store to look for tamanu oil. I started doing the Oil Cleansing Method to wash my face about a month ago, and I'd read good things about this tamanu oil. The problem is: I have no idea how to translate tamanu oil. I was hoping that because it comes from  a French Polynesian island, I'd have some luck. 

At the whole foods store, they had every kind of oil one could dream of, except turmeric oil (another I was looking for). The girl was able to find in her computer what we think might be tamanu oil, and I happily bought a bottle. 

I'd looked up online ahead of time where to find a store with oils, in case the whole foods place didn't have it. I had to follow google maps to a back road tucked away in Noailles, but I found this little gem of a shop!  It's called a Herboristerie, and they've been in business since 1815 in Marseille!

They didn't have turmeric oil either, so I guess I'll just go with the tamanu. At least I hope it's tamanu. Really, I don't know what it is. Haha. 

From there, I needed to get over to the market in Noailles, but that area is under major construction. Check this out: 

I finally made it out of there and to the market, where I bought all the vegetables for my party on Sunday. I love buying my veggies at this market because it's so cheap and lively!

I dropped all that off at home, grabbed my shopping cart, and headed over to the grocery store. On the way there, one of my "this is why I love where I live" things happened. Frozen yogurt is still in the new phase here in Marseille, and the only yogurt shop is on my street. The workers walk up and down the street offering samples to passersby to introduce them to the yummy treat.  I get a free sample, which is the perfect little boost, at least once a week. 

Since I'm throwing a Christmas party on Sunday, I began the baking madness tonight. That's what I'll be doing all day tomorrow, except for a break in the afternoon when I do English with *Amy. 

So far:

Chipotle salsa done

Eggs boiled for deviled eggs

3 different cookie batters made and are chilling in the fridge. 

Hopefully I can knock out the rest of the menu tomorrow and spend Sunday morning cleaning at a restful pace, instead of dashing around like a mad woman. 

Don't expect a long post tomorrow. It'll basically say: today, I baked. The End.

(So apparently, publishing posts from my phone makes the horizontal photos HUGE.)