THE FRENCH OPEN

Sometimes when you do something to please someone else you end up having a good time too.  That's what happened to me yesterday when I  agreed to go The French Open with David.

Don't get me wrong...I like tennis.  And, as many of you know, we played (together and separately) in Atlanta years ago.  But to go and sit for hours just watching...not my kind of pleasure!!!  But, though I was David's first choice as a "partner" to take, when, at my encouragement (!!!!) he asked several different friends, I was the only available one!!!  I knew he would go alone, but that would be no fun...even for David.  So I went.  I put on my little t-shirt dress (it was warm outside), tennis shoes, hat and sunscreen and was ready to sit.

Now,  besides not sitting in the heat for long periods of time, most of you know I also don't wait in lines for many things or many people.  I've waited in line for shoes and to meet Sarah Jessica Parker several years ago (what a blast that was!!! and I got cute shoes at the end!!!!!!).  I even waited HOURS in the sweltering Roman heat to visit The Sistine Chapel!!  But yesterday, we waited to get in and then again to get something to eat.  I have to say, however, the lines were very efficient and pretty quick.

This was getting near the end..there was a lot of line before this point

Thousands and thousands of people!!!!

The best "food" I ate was a soft-serve chocolate ice cream cone with small chocolate chips in it!!!!!  We got one while watching our second match.  I could have eaten another for lunch but decided on a salad--I have to be good sometimes!!!!😉

Though we are living in France, my blood runs stars and stripes so I rooted for the American in the first match, Caroline Dolehide, whose opponent was Swiss.   It was a really good match,  and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the girls play.  The American won so that was a nice finish.

Caroline is on the right

The second match we watched was between two American girls; one, Madison Keys,  is one of the top 32 players in the tournament.  She grew up in the Quad Cities (we lived there for a while years ago) and first became interested in tennis when she was four because she liked the white tennis dress Venus Williams was wearing at Wimbledon!!!  I thought that was so cute (I knew a little girl once who felt the same way!!),  and it shows an eye for fashion can even pay off in athletics!!!  I enjoyed this match as well and Madison won it pretty quickly.  Now Caroline and Madison will be playing each other in the next match....maybe I can watch it on TV.

Not white, but all coordinating!!!!

After watching those two matches, we grabbed a quick lunch then shopped!!!!!  I couldn't come to The French Open and not buy t-shirts for all the little boys (who are not so little now!!!!).   Mission completed we headed for home tired but having had a fun day...BOTH of us!!!!

EUGENE DELACROIX

Mondays are typically quiet days after the weekend.  Neither of us has anywhere to be and my Chiro isn't open (yea!!).  So that leaves the day open to...whatever we want to do (gotta love retirement!!!).

Yesterday afternoon we went to the Louvre (we bought a year's pass so feel we can go for a few hours and not have to spend the entire day) primarily to get a feel for it and see how it's laid out.  We spent time in an area that showed how the Louvre developed and, as we were leaving, we noticed they had an exhibit of paintings by Eugene Delacroix. We decided to visit it another time,  but in the brochure I had noticed, at a different location, you could visit his home/studio and the art there.  I'm much more interested in that!  I just love seeing where and how people lived.

We decided to go to his home today.  This is Ascension Day in France so an official holiday and many places are closed.  We weren't really sure if the museum would be open or not.  We took a chance! We took a bus to the area of the Musee then, before we went there, we walked by an apartment we had been really interested in before moving here.  It's also in a great  location but had no elevator and with my leg that was a deciding factor against it.  Seeing where the apartment actually is made us appreciate our apartment and our choice.  Renting sight unseen is difficult so it's nice to feel you made the best decision.

I digress....we found the little street the Musee was on and it was darling!  A circular, small cobblestone street with a small center area.  Very cute!!!  If you weren't looking for it, you could miss the entrance to the Musee.

This would be a cute little street to live on!

We walked through the entrance into a cobblestone courtyard.  Now this is my kind of museum!!!

I imagine these are apartments around the Musee

Once in we were able to, at our own pace, go through the rooms ending with his studio that overlooks this beautiful garden.  This was his actual home, and it said he enlarged the windows looking into the garden for the light it brought into the room as he painted.  We walked down some stairs and sat in the garden for a while.  I think I would love having a garden like this behind my little house.....except for the maintenance of it!!!!

That large window looks into his studio

Three paintings by Delacroix form the backdrop to the Chapel of the Holy Angels at Eglise Saint-Sulpice just a walk from his studio.  This tiny chapel was inaugurated in 1861 and in 2016 the City of Paris restored it.  We decided to take the walk (we'd been to Saint-Sulpice before) just to "walk the steps he walked every day while painting" and see these particular paintings now that we knew more about them and the artist.

Compared to other churches we've visited, Saint-Sulpice is not as ornate or overwhelming.  Perhaps it's just a less-crowd-visited church...I don't know.  But it's still a nice place to sit for a minute and reflect....

Eglise Saint-Sulpice

In the chapel where the three paintings are, one is on the ceiling and the other two are on the walls.  The wall paintings were done in a different way in order to help preserve them in the climate of Paris.  Interesting....

Jacob's struggle with the Angel

It's amazing to me someone can create like this!  And it's amazing it's still here after all these years for us to enjoy.

Leaving the church, there is a beautiful fountain and benches where people can sit and enjoy the day. I sat there for a few minutes and watched a little boy with his arms in the fountain up to his elbows!  Little boys are the same everywhere!!!  Before I could snap a picture of him, he was off chasing the pigeons that were everywhere (reminded me of a piazza in Italy!!!!).  That picture I got!!!!

Simple fun of chasing birds!!!

People ask what we do each day.  This is what we do...we walk the streets, we visit the different quartiers, we step into the magnificent churches, we view art in a new way, and we take the time to watch a small boy chase birds!  Oh, and maybe we have a crepe or ice cream cone!!!!!

OUT OF TRAGEDY, JOY!

Tomorrow is the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.  This will be a mega media event as was the wedding of his brother, William, and his mother, Princess Diana.  Most of you who know me know I admit to being a celebrity freak.  I own it..I have always loved reading of the lifestyles of the rich and famous.  That included royalty.  When Diana married Charles, I watched.  I even owned a book about Diana and her journey to royalty.  I was also watching in 1997 when every news channel was broadcasting her untimely death from a car accident in Paris.  I felt as though they were talking about the death of someone I actually knew....it was so sad.

Over these past almost 21 years, I've continued to watch her young sons grow into men.  One following a fairly conservative, serious path and the other following a more rebellious, independent path.  But Harry seems to have found his way...and tomorrow he'll marry his own princess...still doing it his own way.  And I'll be watching.

Today,  as we were waiting for the bus, we were in front of the tunnel at Pont de l'Alma where the wreck killing Diana occurred.  We walk by there all the time as the market we shop is very near there.  I never noticed the pictures of Diana placed around a sculpture of the flame on the Statue of Liberty at the entrance of the tunnel.

Even after all these years, looking at all the pictures made me so sad.  I was glad when the bus came!

As David and I talked about the accident, we remembered she and Dodi had left the Ritz earlier that evening of the accident, and I asked David where that was compared to where Pont de l'Alma was.  So....we went to Place Vendome where the Ritz is.  Like I said, celebrity freak!!!!

The Ritz-Paris

This is very pretty area surrounded by many designer stores...seeing the hotel just put a face on the place mentioned in all those stories broadcast all those years ago.

But tomorrow is a new day.  It's a happy time and, like the Hallmark movies I love, the girl wins her guy and they (hopefully!) live happily ever after.  Isn't that how fairytales are supposed to end???  And I like to think Diana is looking down and smiling at the fine young men her little princes turned into !!

OFFICIAL AT LAST!!!

Little by little, step by step, we are becoming Parisians.  Nearly six months ago we began the official process of moving to Paris when we met with the French Consulate in Houston to obtain a long-term visa.  Though we had heard horror stories about this process, we found it to be a piece of cake.  Since we've been here, we've spoken to others who did have terrible experiences at the French Consulates in their home states.  Visa application - check!  As you know, our visa got lost in the US mail, but we retrieved it in January from our local post office.  Visa - check!!

Once we got here and were pretty settled, we knew the next thing we needed to take care of was getting our Carte de Sejour, the residence card.  I think the main purpose of this card is to prove our right to be here longer than 90 days without carrying around our passports.

Yet another official stop!

So yesterday we arrived at the OFII for our 3:00 appointment with all our necessary papers intact.  As you do in similar situations in the US, we sat in a room of people waiting for our names to be called.  Honestly, this was also an easy experience for us.  They called our names, we went to the desk, they asked for such-and-such papers, they stamped our passports and said "Au revoir".  And we were out!!!   Carte de Sejour - check!!

The final thing we have to take care of is going to be a little more difficult, I'm afraid.  It's our health insurance.  As has been the case with several of these things, no one seems to really know what we need or how we can obtain it.  So we (by "we" I mean "David"!!!!) research it and figure it out on our own!!!  I know this is something I talked about before we left based on things I'd read.  I'm not sure if all I'd read was completely accurate...once we have this final piece in place, I'll let you know what the healthcare looks like here.

Tomorrow is cleaning day!!!!!  And then....some fun!!!

QUIET MONDAY

Waking to a cloudy, cool Paris Monday in the aftermath of a migraine headache, we decided to just take it easy and stay in till later in the day.  A light breakfast was eaten as we talked about the things we each wanted to address while we were staying in.

There's always a little laundry since the machine is small and the loads are long.  And then, for my things, there's the drying rack which takes considerable time.  I had some snail mail I wanted to write and also some emails I wanted to take care of.

At the market on Saturday we had purchased some fresh peas for a new pasta dish we wanted to try.  I've never cooked with fresh peas, green beans yes, but not peas.  In the US I never needed to since I could get frozen peas.  I couldn't find them here so....fresh peas!  So one of the things we did that morning was shell peas.  I actually enjoyed the process and they looked beautiful!

How pretty do these look?

Early that evening, before we went to BSF, we prepared the recipe "Lemon and Pea Carbonara", compliments of one of the bloggers I follow.  The recipe was pretty easy.  We used fresh pasta from the market and our fresh peas and, voila, a pretty, very tasty light dinner!!!

Light and lovely!

We buy the pasta for "deux" (two) so don't really expect much left but there is, so it looks like we'll have a nice little lunch some afternoon!  And I'll be looking for other recipes where I can use fresh peas again!!!!

CELEBRATION DAY!!!

Yesterday was May 8, VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), a holiday in Europe celebrating the end of World War II in Europe.  There was a ceremony at Arc du Triomphe with the laying of the wreath by President Macron.  It's an official holiday in Europe so offices, many stores, some restaurants and markets are closed.  Schools, too, are closed so everyone celebrates!!

For me, in my little world, May 8 has its own special meaning.  Forty-seven years ago David and I had our first date when I invited him to my Senior Prom!!!  We talked yesterday about that day and our ensuing romance and wedding.  We would never in a million years have imagined ourselves ever living outside the United States, let alone Paris, France.  

So, what did we do for our "anniversary"?  I've been craving pancakes.  I'm really an egg eater and don't care much for pancakes or waffles for breakfast.  But, for some reason, it's something that has really sounded good.  I'd read a book, "Pancakes in Paris" by Craig Carlson, months ago about his journey opening an American-style diner in Paris that offered American breakfasts.  His journey resulted in the Breakfast in America restaurants (there are now three in Paris).  And we were off....

Breakfast in America

It's not a fancy place and looks like a 50's diner inside.  Space is relatively small but cozy,  and the staff was very friendly.  American rock and roll was playing in the background.  It kind of felt as though we'd gone back in time.  I'd come with a purpose,  so I ordered the Deuces Wild, 2 eggs (any way), 2 slices bacon and 2 pancakes.  I also miss bacon.  The service was really quick,  and the food was good.  This was way more food than I normally eat for breakfast so some pancakes were left, but it was delicious and a fun, morning outing.

What a way to start the day!!!

We had decided to visit the Jardin du Luxembourg since the weather was so beautiful.  We had hoped we could find bikes to rent to bike around the Garden,  but Patrice had told us he didn't think they allowed bikes.  Patrice was right!  No bikes or dogs!!!  Oh, well.  This is a wonderful place for families, couples, singles....there were people everywhere.  Some were sitting in the shade reading, some were sitting in the sun soaking up the rays, and many were sitting around the large fountain where small boats can be rented and sailed in the fountain.  We sat next to a man who had his own sailboat and was installing the sails and riggings.  Children (and some adults) would come over and watch as he labored over his boat.  And then came the moment of truth.....would it sail???

His boat is remote controlled but he sure labored over those sails!

I think we all wanted to applaud!!!

....and away it went!!!!  I think those who had watched him were almost as excited as he was!!!  Many of the larger boats are remote controlled...there were young men there with boats, not just children.  What is they say about men are just little boys with larger toys???!!!  

Such a deal for so much fun!

However, you don't have to own your own boat to sail.  You can rent a boat for 4Euros for 30 minutes!!  With the boat (which is not remote controlled) you get a long stick to help retrieve it when it's time to return.  What a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon with your children!  We had fun just watching the adults and their bigger boats and the little children as they watched their boats sail off.

Sometimes dads have to help!  Our grands would enjoy this, I think!

The Garden also has tennis courts (we think you can rent a court), a playground (that was full!!!), a large court where we watched boys playing basketball and a dad and small son practicing tennis, joggers everywhere and multiple places to seek refreshment.  Though ice cream abounded, today it was warm and I was thirsty so we just got a cool drink.  I told David the next time we come to the Garden I will:   1) wear tennis shoes (I had on sandals since it's warm)  2) bring our picnic basket so we can have a little picnic and 3) bring a book so we can spend the afternoon just enjoying our day.

Time for a refresher!!

The rest of our day was pretty quiet.  For our "anniversary" dinner we fixed "Braised Brisket with Ginger and Coriander" from a new cookbook Nikki sent for Mother's Day, "French Classics Made Easy" by Richard Grausman.  And waiting for us for later from the patisserie is a Mi-Cuit, a chocolate double-cookie looking pastry with a molten filling.  After all, it is a day of celebrations!!!!!

MONDAY MONDAY....

We knew Monday was going to be a busy day...filled mostly with enjoyable things.  But, like often happens, the day took a few detours of its own!!!

The first activity on our plan for the day was our participation in an interview for the ACP Today radio show that is broadcast the first and third Mondays of each month at 8:45.  We had been contacted several weeks ago and asked to participate and, of course, we said "why not"?  So, for the first time since we've been here (I think!), I was up at 6:45 and we were out the door a little before 7:30.  After two Metros, with some walking in between Metros,  we had to walk an additional couple of blocks because the Metro was down where we were to exit.  We arrived right on time (amazing!!!) and rang the bell to enter the building.  No answer.  So maybe the staff isn't there yet.  We wait.....ring again.   No answer.   David checks the initial email.  You guessed it!  The program airs, live, at 8:45 P.M.!!!!!!!!!!   Argghhhhhh!!!!!!! There are legitimate reasons David made this error, but the bottom line is he goofed up!!!!  So, we went home!!!

The second activity for today was lunch with some new friends.  Diane and Patrice befriended us really before we even arrived in Paris in October.  Through the "Bloom" event that we had originally planned to attend in October, we met Diane and she has kept in touch with us since then.  They invited us to lunch in October, which is when we met Patrice and got to know them both better.  We haven't managed to get together since we've been here,  but this was the day.  We met them at a small restaurant where some business friends had given us a gift card.  The day was absolutely beautiful and perfect for eating outdoors...the best way to enjoy the day!

Le Relais de l'Entrecote

Though we were outside, we were in the shade which was really nice.  It was perfect!  The thing with this restaurant is they only offer one menu choice - salad, steak and frites (French fries that were to die for!!!).  Those of you who know me know I'm not a big beef eater and this beef is prepared "medium" (meaning pink inside-really not my choice!).  But I went with it,  and I have to say it was the best beef I have ever had!!!  Seriously, it was fabulous and had this great (I'm thinking mustard) sauce.  Part way through our meal, our waitress came by with more beef and more fries (I did pass on more fries...only because I had already eaten too many!!!!).  Then, of course, we all decided on dessert.  I opted to be "good" so instead of ordering my usual chocolate/ice cream delight, I ordered what I thought was a small pastry cup of berries with whipped cream.  Well....what I got was a large, pastry filled with berries (strawberries/raspberries) on top of ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!  And lots of whipped cream!!!!!!  Oh, well.....I had no choice but to eat what I ordered!!!!!  I love when those little surprises happen to us.  It's like buying a great pair of shoes and when you get to the counter to pay for them you discover they're on sale!!!!!

Lots of smiles when desserts look like this!

After our delightful lunch and a stroll through St. Germain Des Pres Church, we headed home for my chiropractor's appointment.  Our original plan had been to go to BSF following this appointment,  but because of the earlier time error with the radio interview, we had to miss BSF and to go back to the radio station.  Another long trek and my leg was killing me from all the walking we'd done😢.

Back at the building where the radio broadcast was being done, we were welcomed by a Amit, an ACP member who is just one of quite a few who host these broadcasts.  Others to be interviewed were Jake, an ACP staffer who shared about church membership;  Joe, A Campus Crusade ACP member who is involved in the Men's Bible study and Kym, an ACP member who was sharing a song that has special meaning to her.   Having never done anything like this before, I felt a little uncomfortable at first and was very conscious about choosing my words and not rambling (I know, I know.....but I really was very controlled!!!!).  I discovered the thing to do is forget it's radio and just talk as if you were having a conversation.  That I can do!!!!  David and I talked about it later....I enjoyed the experience and would be happy to be one of the volunteer hosts if they ever needed one.  We decided we'd make a good couple host team!  

In my next life, maybe I'll do this!!!!

Because I wanted you to get a real picture of our radio experience, I'm posting this terrible picture that my sweet, but non-paid therefore not always great, photographer took at the beginning of the session!!!!  This is why real bloggers make money...they pay professionals to get good shots of them!!!!  But don't I look like I know what I'm doing???!!!

Anyway, we were getting on the bus to go home at 10:15 and hadn't even eaten dinner!  We came home, had a little leftover quiche and went to bed.  It had been a busy, but fun, day!!!

BUREAUCRACY AND BONHEUR (Happiness)!!!

With May Day over and lilies of the valley taken off the streets for another year, we spent most of  Tuesday getting our physicals for our Carte Sejour (Residence Card).  I keep thinking "how much more must we do to stay in Paris for one year without issues?"  But this card will be something we keep on our person at all times so if we are ever stopped (for what I don't know???!!!),  we can show proof we are allowed to be here.  It's safer than carrying our visa around.

We were sent the information we needed to have with us (prescriptions, immunization record etc.) and an appointment time.  We showed up, got chest X-rays, did the eye chart examine, weighed and measured, fingertip bloodwork and a breathe-in/breathe-out exam and, voila, we passed our physicals!!!  In two weeks, we go for an "interview" with our approved physical forms in hand, an online-purchased stamp.  Following the interview (assuming we are approved!), we're official residents!!!    It's just French bureaucracy,  and it is what it is---that seems to be a phrase we often use here!!!! No sense getting frustrated...just do it!!

After a day of blood giving and getting on scales ( 😓), today was a day of "bonheur" (happiness)!  After David returned from Bible Study, we had our usual breakfast, he did some accounting work and I did some cleaning and laundry then, we were out....!!!

Recently, I'd read about an exhibit in an unknown (to us) museum, Musee des Arts Decoratifs.  It ends up the article I'd read wasn't actually an "exhibit" but a piece of an exhibit.  The article was about a famous courtisan, Emilie-Louise Delabigne.

Musee des Arts Décoratifs

In the 19th century Mademoiselle D. was just a poor , working class Parisian girl with a single mother working in a sweet shop in a working class neighborhood.  This became an area where men would go looking for "steamy" liaisons!!!  According to the article, the girls involved in this weren't the normal prostitutes, but ladies who "dipped their toes into this kind of work to pay a bill or two....not something they did regularly.   Anyway, Mademoiselle D wanted out of her poverty-stricken life,  and she worked to become the best girl in the game even giving herself a new name"Valtesse".  She "worked" for artists, musicians and acquired mass wealth never marrying.  Story is she even had a bench by her tomb for her lovers to sit and cry!!!  I love that!!!!

So what's at the museum????  Her bed and one of her portraits.  This bed is beautiful, and I told David I want one like it when we get back to Texas!!!!!  I love the ruffled, lacy bed linens and told David I'd like to shop our flea markets to find some to use now and when we go back.  He just rolled his eyes!!!!!

Think I could find something like this in Plano??!!!

By the time we left the museum, it was lunchtime so we walked over to this great little boulangerie, Boulangerie EK Louvre-Palais Royal.  This is one of several locations Eric Kayser has in the city to share his divine pastries and desserts.  There were also sandwiches, salads and drinks you could purchase to go---that was our plan!!  He has boulangeries/patisseries world-wide and is said to be one of the best bakers in Paris.  We bought a turkey-avocado sandwich and a brownie (gotta have dessert!!) and took off for the Jardin du Palais Royal.

Here's another "I'll Never Be a Skinny French Girl" lunch!!!

What a lovely place for a little picnic!  Lots of green space, a fountain and benches/seats for people to    sit leisurely and enjoy the quiet sunshine (today at least!!).  The seats around the fountain were taken so we found a little bench in the shade and enjoyed our lunch.  By the way, we split the sandwich and the brownie!!!!!

These are the days I can't replicate in Plano....these are the days that call me to Paris!!

MAY 1 - LA FETE DU TRAVAIL (Labor Day)

I'm not sure where April went, but if May brings warmer weather then "bienvenue Mai" (welcome May)!!!!

So today is May 1, which in France is La Fete du Travail or Labor Day.  This is a national holiday so many (most it seems to me) stores, shops, patisseries, markets etc. are closed as well banks and other official offices.  Metros and buses seemed to be running although I read some were striking.  

One May Day tradition in France dates back to 1561.  All over the city you'll see vendors selling small bouquets or sprigs of lily of the valley (muguet).  This is said to be a symbol of good luck.  This little spring offering became official when King Charles IX received a sprig himself and decided to return the gesture and offered the flower to every woman in his court.  Somehow this charming little tradition continued and, more recently, was linked to Labor Day after demonstrators wore the pretty sprigs in their lapels during their marches.  Politics aside, I just like any tradition that involves fresh flowers being given or bought inexpensively!  When David went out early to get our morning croissant, he came back with a muguet for me!

Happy May Day!

  

After a quiet morning and with many museums, shops and sights closed, we decided to visit a couple of churches we've passed on the bus but not visited.  Like David said, "God is never closed"!  I am always awed by the quiet reverence in these old churches.  The art and sculptures are magnificent and so different from most churches in the United States.   

Saint-Eustache

We ended our "holiday" with a dinner (at home) of new recipes:  "Asparagus Mimosa"  from David Lebovitz  and  "Pork Chops with Mustard and Herbs de Provence Sauce from Bonjour Paris.  Very tasty and dishes we'll certainly do again.  When the kids were growing up, I was always trying new recipes....guess it's a habit still close to my heart!!!

Seriously, we don't eat like this every night!

Happy May Day everyone!  I hope your day was as fun as mine!!!