Moulin Rouge - Paris Rouge IV

Last Sunday we trekked to the dome of the Sacre Coeur. Afterwards, we strolled ( very slowly) through the streets of Montmartre. In looking back through my photos, I found yet another rouge theme. I've not been inside the Moulin Rouge. Maybe that's something for the next trip. To learn more about the Moulin Rouge, visit Peter's Paris post. ( I'm getting pretty lazy about all this research stuff. Peter assures me it's ok to send you all over to his blog for all the scoops! Just make sure you don't stay over there!Ha)

Portes Rouges , Montmartre

Hotel des Arts, Montmartre

Window Shopping

My friend Altadenhiker, whose blog is one of my very very favs honored me last week with a post about moi!  I was flattered and offered to return the favor. Alas I don't have her way with words. Never have and probably never will.  Her posts have moved me to tears and made me holler out loud with laughter.  She is as we say down here, "something else!"  It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words,  so today KB, this one's for you.  Something tells me this might have been you once upon a time!

Travel Update: I finally arrived back in Birmingham today (Saturday) at 12:30 pm! I spent last night at a hotel in Atlanta and took the Airport Express home from there this morning. For the gory details and photos, check my Birmingham blog today: http//birminghamalabamadailyphoto.blogspot.com

Departure Update

I am at CDG again and it looks very good that I will be flying to Pittsburgh at noon then on to BHM this evening!! Merce beaucoup for all your good wishes!!
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Guess Where I Went Today? - Jardin des Plantes

As most of you know, I took a day off from Charles de Gaulle Airport and had a little R &R. I spent an enjoyable few hours strolling around Jardins de Plantes. I have posted photos from previous trips there when I was here with my family in June. It's really hot, but I cooled off under the shade of the many trees. It was a very nice day to be in Paris!

When the Going Gets Tough......

French Strangers 30 and 31

the tough head off to their favorite Sicilian restuarant, l'Isola for dinner!! Once I got back to my neighborhood yesterday and got my wits about me, I strolled down to the Mouffetard area and had veau citron at my favorite place. I even topped it off with a fabulous dessert of panna cotta with a divine raspberry sauce and some expresso. Things could be worse!

Just noticed I had a Paris Rouge theme going today without even trying!

French Stranger #32 - The friendly street musician

And in honor of Chuck Pefley's 63 Birthday

French Stranger #33 on a very fine red scooter!!!

TIme on My Hands

Food Court - CDG Airport

Just a little update. I may be in Paris for a while longer. I am flying standby and didn't get on the first flight this morning and the rest of the day isn't looking so hot either. Who knows, I could be an airport bag lady and live in Paree after all! Stay tuned for the latest updates.

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2:30 pm- I haven't made it on 3 flights now. One more at 4:30 for Atlanta. If I don't make it I'll leave and come back tomorrow. I don't love Paris when I'm on standby!HA

UPDATE: I have decided not to make the trip back to CDG tomorrow. The numbers don't look favorable and I'm going to enjoy a quiet day in Paris and start all over again on Friday when things look better. Stay tuned!

A Fond Farewell

I leave today for home. I have had the most amazing summer here in France. I have met so many wonderful, friendly people and seen so many beautiful and interesting places. A special thank you to my friend Peter who was again so very generous with his time and made my trips to Paris so much fun. I'm a very lucky girl! Am I sad to be leaving? You bet, but I found this quote from Eddie on Nathalie's Avignon blog yesterday that says it pretty well.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

"Ne pleurez pas parce qu'il s'est fini. Souriez parce qu'il s'est passe."

I will continue to post photographs here as long as I have them. When they run out I guess I'll have to figure out how to get back to Paris for more!

Night Moves

Last night I revisited the fabulous Louvre after dark. Peter and I did a night shoot back in June , but I was anxious to have another chance. This is probably on of the most magical places in Paris in the evening. We didn't want Janet and Maya to miss it. This time I tried to find something a little different to photograph. Again, these were shot without a tripod. Sorry Fabrizio, I know I should not try these without one, but this was a last minute decision, and we weren't prepared with all the right "stuff"!

You Won't Believe Where I Went Today..... To The Dome of the Sacre Coeur!

Behold the power of peer pressure! When you get four photobloggers together, the stakes get high. Today Peter and I met up with Janet ( DC Confidential) and Maya ( Maya Photography) for a stroll through Montmartre. We hadn't been at the Sacre Coeur 10 minutes when talk of climbing to the dome started. Since I was the only one who had previously made the climb, I wasn't too keen on reliving that hellacious trek. However, when the other three applied a little friendly pressure, I caved and showed them the way. Once we all reached the top, there was a photographing frenzy!!! I' m quite proud of my accomplishments and am now going to take a handful of ibuprofen and say bonne nuit!

PS After we finished there, we walked all over Montmartre, ate a delicious dinner at La Coupole and ended the evening by walking over to the Louvre and taking night photos. Have mercy!

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Thanks to Maya for taking these photos as proof that we made it!

E. Dehillerin, A Chef's Paradise

Today we found E. Dehillerin. For you Food Network fans of Ina Garten, this is where she buys her copper pots when in Paris. Founded in 1820, this store is a treasure trove of cooking utensils and every shape and size of copper pots and pans you can imagine. The extra added bonus was the extremely friendly salesmen. One even knew where Birmingham is located!!! More French strangers along with some photos of this wonderful shop located on rue Coquilliere in the 1st arrondissement.

French Stranger # 28

French Stranger #29

( He asked me if he ever gets to Birmingham what is the first thing he should see. My answer was, "Moi" of course! )

Guess Where I Went Today? - Luxembourg Gardens Again!

Oh yes, I am back in Paris ! Today, after a delicious lunch off rue Mouffetard ( my old stomping grounds) we headed to Luxembourg Gardens for a photo shoot. I found some new and interesting things to photograph that I had not seen on previous visits. Today just a few. Many more to come.

Sailing boats is a favorite passtime for the kiddos

Outside the photography exhibit

Aloha from Luxembourg Gardens

Beautfiul fountains everywhere

Good Morning Sunshine!

Fontaine-Fourches and all the surrounding villages have the most amazing sunflower fields. These sunflowers are grown for sunflower oil. Our group had a grand time photographing these sunny fields.

About face!

Lisa left on Thursday for her home in Germany. We already miss her and the wonderful

tarts she made for us!

A Day in Troyes, France

Eglise St. Pantaleon

On Tuesday we visited the lovely city of Troyes, France. It was so charming and we elbowed each other trying to get the perfect shot! This group is starting to get competitive!!! Here are a few of the many photos I took.

Eglise St. Madeleine

Guest Photographer - David Draper

Today I am happy to feature the work of David Draper. David is participating in the photography workshop here at La Bonne Etoile. I think you will agree that David is very talented.

Joigny, France

Agnes' Cat With an Attitude

Meditating

Museum Nogent sur Seine

Bon Appetit!

Petit Dejuener

Many of my friends have asked me to show you what I've been eating here. Well that would take many many photos, but today a sampling of the delicious meals we've had here in the French countryside.

(There were more photo ops but we ate them too quickly!)

Escargots - what was left after a delicious entree!

Fromage

One of our favorite entrees - tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil and chives

Croissants