Les Marguerites

C'est Paris!!

He Came From Away

While I was in Paris, my blog friend JB, flew in for the day from Mainz (Germany). He says I'm a hoot, and I say he's a MESS! :) What fun it was getting to know him, and we all shared a lot of laughs that day. He and I especially enjoyed trying to understand each other. JB's a New Zealander ( and just between you and me, he talks funny) and well, I have that southern thing going on. He said he only understood half of what I said! I'm not surprised. Thank you JB for spending the better part of your day/night on the Metro, in airports, on airplanes, AND missing all the soccer matches that day just pour moi! You're another reason I love blogging, my friend.

To see JB's clever interpretation of our blogfest, check out his Mainz Daily Photoblog and his other blog, You Must Be From Away.

And a special hello to JB's cousin in Leeds, England (not Leeds, Al) who follows this blog!

JB and Peter gratefully share a quiet moment while I'm lagging behind taking photos! Oh it didn't last long, believe me.

What are the odds of finding a café in Paris with a map of New Zealand??

Arches

I spent a lot of time at the Place des Vosges this last trip. My flat was just a few blocks away. I was able to stroll late in the day when the shadows were just perfect. Even the pigeon posed at just the right moment!

Église Saint Séverin

I'm pleased that I can resume my Sunday focus on Paris churches for a while. Today, the beautiful Église Saint Severin on the left bank of Paris.

Bittersweet

Taken from the sidewalk outside my apartment shortly before I left for the airport.

Mad About Paris...

that's us! Mary and I met after my first trip to Paris in 2007 on Virtual Tourist.com. Her name was Mad About Paris and mine was Paris Mumsie. It didn't take us long to connect and swap real emails. Mary lives in Cincinnati and has more trips under her belt than I, but in the meantime my "internet friend" and I have hooked up in Birmingham and Cincinnati once and in Paris 3 times now. This trip she was able to share the apartment with me for four days and we had a ball. She's got this internal compass that I was not born with and can navigate Paris like a pro and walk my legs off. I just tag along and smile. Here we are sharing one of many glasses at Place des Vosges. Miss you Mar. When's the next trip??

Travel Update!

Thank you all for your good wishes for my safe trip home. It was safe but......delayed! I had a flight cancelled in Newark and had to be rerouted to Charlotte where I missed my connection and spent the night there. I arrived in B'ham at 10:15 this morning. It's nice to be home but I do miss Paris, but you knew that!

The Time Has Come....

Gare de Lyon

to say , "Au revoir Paris" once more. I was blessed with a ticket back to the city j'adore from a dear reader and friend. I tried to squeeze every last minute out of every single day for him. I leave as I always do, with a heavy heart, but take home so many wonderful memories of old and new places and friends that made this yet another series of Paris moments I won't forget. I will cherish them and relish revisiting them with you each day.

REAL Street Art - 3 Artistes. 3 Murs. 3 Villes

It's no secret that I don't groove on graffiti , but yesterday while Peter I were along Canal St. Martin, we stumbled on some *brand new ( oui, so new Peter didn't even know about it) street art that made us stop dead in our tracks and take a boatload of photos. Warning.... I have so many, you will probably have to suffer through more. I'll wait a bit before I post another. J'adore this wall. I want to take it home avec moi!

* 14 juin, 2010

100 French Strangers - Trois Pompiers de Paris

French Strangers 64, 65,66

Trois hunky Parisian firemen. Mon plaisir. Need I say more?

As if I didn't have enough problems, now Picasa says I have used all my space and I"ve had to buy more. Grrrr Hopefully by tomorrow I can load photos here again. I had this one in draft.

Enjoy!

Trois Amies

Today a look at Mary, Genie and Marie enjoying a quiet moment at the fountain in Tuileries on Friday evening. And yes, I got to prop my feet up and enjoy the view of le Louvre as well!

Marche Creation de la Bastille

How could I resist this shot of the artist and his baguette?

This one is for Eiffel Tower Suzy

This morning Mary and I headed all the way to the 20 eme to the Grande Brocante-Quartier Saint-Blaise. Over 600 dealers offered a wide variety of ............JUNQUE! Mary and I decided there wasn't one thing we wanted to buy but it was worth the trip for the experience and the photo ops. I will tell you what we learned, no matter the country, everyone's tacky junk looks all the same! While we were there we did enjoy a little look at the cemitiere Eglise Saint Germain de Charonne behind the church.

We took the metro/bus back to Bastille for the Marche de la Creation Bastille and really enjoyed seeing the artwork there. After a nice lunch, we rested for a bit. Good thing, because we met fellow bloggers Janet Kincaid and Maya Lucchita and some of their friends at the Musee d'Orsay at five and wandered the area behind the museum. A short rain shower drove us inside a nearby cafe for wine and much laughing and chatting. A delicious dinner in Montparnasse capped the evening off. Another late night and long day. Bonsoir!

Repetto - Tutu Divine!

Today was another Paris marathon. I don't know what became of my grand plan to take it easy this trip and just "BE" in Paris. Mary and I hit the streets at 11:30. Peter, Genie and Marie joined us for lunch in north Marais, after we strolled around and did a lot of looking and photo taking. Peter left us in the late afternoon and we walked/bused to Place des Vosges area for a well earned glass of wine. To our delight Richard Nahem (Eye Prefer Paris Tours) joined us! After a quick dinner at a local cafe, Mary and I met Genie and Marie at Opera Garnier and then scooted down rue de la Paix where we all ohhed and ahhed and fell out over the fab window at Repetto. Known for their ballet shoes and dance apparel, they also sell cute ballet flats in a zillion colors for a mere 150 euros. They were closed to our dismay, so we had to settle for photographing through the glass. We continued across Place Vendome and ended up at Tuileries where sat for a bit at the fountain with our feet up. Around ten we bid them goodby and Mary and I stopped at Nemours for a last sip. It goes without saying that I am very very tired. Bonne nuit!

Blogfest Paris Style

Peter, JB, Owen

Mary

Apparently the Blogger gremlins are still at it . I now see that the Thursday post is under the Wednesday post. Well I'm adding a little petite cadeau pour toi, a glimpse at our blogger gathering today! The mileage award goes to JB (Mainz Daily Phot0) who jetted in for the day and arrived in time to share a ride with mon amie Mary from Cincinnati this morning. After coffee, we (finally) found Peter ( Peter's Paris ) and Owen ( Magic Lantern Show) for a grand walkabout. We stopped for lunch and champagne at Petit Bofinger and then on to a street market and some sights in the Marais. In a steady rain we bid au revoir to JB so he could catch his flight. After a nice glass of wine at Dome St. Paul, Peter and Owen boarded the Metro as well. A really good day with old and new friends!

And ummmm oui, I know this isn't a great photo, but I was balancing an umbrella well trying to take the picture! I guess I proved you CAN take a bad photo in Paris!

Shower the People You Love with Love....

Even a civil ceremony at the city hall deserves a shower of multi-colored rose petals, n'est pas?

(Try and guess how excited I got over stumbling on this find yesterday!)

Alabama computers don't understand Paris time and I'm too weary to figure it out. For the duration of this trip, blog posts will appear whenever the PC and I feel up to it. We won't disappoint , but we do not promise punctuality! Vive la France!

100 French Strangers - Dejuener Avec Amies

French Stranger #64 - Frank, owner and chef

Yesterday I welcomed my dear blog reader ( and Francophile, imagine!) Genie from Mobile, Alabama and her friend Marie from Houston to Paris. Genie took us to one of her favorite restaurants, and we were not disappointed. Hier & Aujourd'hui ( 145 rue de Saussure, 17 eme) is a small family owned restaurant and the food is wonderful ! Genie and I had monkfish with fresh green legumes and Marie had lapin. We three shared two entrees and a chocolat creme brulee that was magnifique! Good friends, good food, good wine, friendly hosts. Another Paris moment I won't soon forget!

BTW, It's not always easy getting a seat so call for reservations at 01 42 27 35 55

Today, a blogfest in Paris. Stay tuned for details and photos!

(I'm having some Blogger issues so I am unable to move my photos or enlarge them. Pardon!!!)

Bienvenue `a Paris

Place des Vosges

What better way to start my first day in Paris. Merci Peter!

BLOG WARNING: This poor Alabama laptop doesn't know which end's up. Paris time, B'ham time it's totally confused. Therefore, posts will show up when I feel like it and when the computer feels like it. Stay on your toes!

Les Dancers

A photo from last summer's stay near rue Mouffetard. I am planning gathering my dear friends right here next Sunday to enjoy this grand Paris moment!

THIS COMPUTER DOESN'T SPEAK FRENCH TIME. POSTS WILL BE PUBLISHED WHEN THE COMPUTER AND I CAN GET OUR ACT TOGETHER!

100 French Strangers - The Organ Grinder

French Stranger #64

This man was performing right outside the Franprix on rue Mouffetard. If I've misnamed this instrument, please correct me.

Tomorrow..........Paris, the city j'adore!

Belles Portes

le Marais

La Grande Mosquée de Paris

The Grande Mosque de Paris, located in the 5 eme, is the largest mosque in France, and the second largest in Europe. We passed it many times on our way to the Jardin des Plantes. For you Paris, je t'aime fans ( oh I know who you are! ) , you'll find it familiar.

Musée Rodin en Juin

The gardens surrounding the lovely Musée Rodin are just spectacular in the summer. Formerly the Hôtel Biron, a small museum that is one of my very favorites in Paris.

Le Nemours en Janvier

Pardon. I know this photo was taken last winter. As most of you know, I just stroll through my photos, on almost a daily basis, to choose the photo of the day. Last night I was wandering again, and I found this, and it brought back many wonderful memories of Nemours... summer and winter. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Enjoying a Good Book

Yes, we're back at the Palais Royal today. I snapped this photo of these ladies just enjoying a warm summer afternoon with a good book. A Parisian pasttime that I plan to enjoy on my next visit. I can hardly wait!

Paris From Above

I took this photograph from the first level of la Tour Eiffel in March, 2007. I have not been up since. I've just never been willing to waste hours in line to ride up, and well I wasn't willing to walk up either.

May I recommend Yann Arthus-Bertrand's wonderful book, "Paris From Above".

Today I include a photograph guaranteed to make you all smile ( laugh out loud?). Who says you can't take a bad photo in Paris? My night photography skills of her are legendary. For the life of me I can't seem to get it right. I had some marginal ones from last January, but they were deleted in a computer snafu. Probably a blessing. This trip, I will go right back one night and try one more time. Stay tuned!

So wrong. I'm ashamed!

Macarons de Mobile

It's no secret how I feel about a well made macaron ( please don't confuse these with the coconut macaroon!). Well today, I am thrilled to introduce you to macarons de Mobile.......Alabama!!! Mais oui, mon chère amie Genie brought me a box of the most divine homemade macarons that have passed my lips. Genie, by the way, is a new blog reader, and she came through B'ham last week, and we spent a wonderful evening together. Ladurée move over, Genie has mastered the art! We will both be in Paris together shortly, and we'll sample some together and perhaps decide on new flavors for her and daughter Holly to try. I'm hoping that the violette ones will be as wonderful as I imagine! :)

BTW, in case you're interested, my very favorite is the pistache with an Italian buttercream/nutella center. Ohhh....I'm in heaven!

La Fenêtre du Val de Grace

If you look closely you will see the columns through the open doorway beyond.

Nombre de Onze

rue de Payenne

Marais

Marais Reflection

This is a reflection in the window of Alexis, in the Marais. As I've shared before, this shop has always been closed when I've photographed it. Perhaps on my next visit I'll find it open. If so, I'll take you inside with me!!

Walk With Me

"Let's grow old together......and look back on life and smile."

Braxton Brown and Peggy Smith

A very special Paris moment pour moi.

Paris Rouge XXVII- Marilyn in Paris

This stenciled urban art I found in the Marais. All I can find is the name PIMAX. I've googled it but have come up empty handed. And oui, I've combed all of Peter's blog posts on this subject and couldn't find this particular artist. Any help my dear readers can offer will be appreciated. For now, let's just enjoy Marilyn with the .......ummm banana!

What???

Today is City Daily Photo Theme Day. The June theme is funny signs. I thought I'd share this one from Paris as well!

I must have walked past this ad on billboards in the Paris Metro a thousand times, and I can tell you I never quite figured it out. A Parisian amusement park that features an old steam engine, a Native American chief giving bow and arrow lessons, as tourists watch from their jeep in the middle of the desert! And as for that building, with Indians on horseback..... I give up!

BREAKING NEWS

Linda Donahue, editor of Parisien Salon.com, tells me I am the winner of the first Parisien Salon Photography Contest! I couldn't be more pleased. If you've not visited her site, you MUST!