SNOW IN PARIS!!!

As we were eating breakfast on Tuesday, I looked out the window and saw....snow!!!!  It started very lightly falling but within a short period of time, the flakes were large and beautiful and coming down pretty heavy.  I do love snow...especially when I don't HAVE to get out in it, shovel it or dress small children for it!!!  My grandmother lived in the mountains during the last years of her life, and she absolutely loved the heavy snowstorms they would get.  She'd make sure her pantry was stocked,  and she'd enjoy the beauty that snow is when you can sit inside and look at it.

This doesn't reflect how pretty it was!

The other part of enjoying snow for me is knowing it doesn't last forever!  Even on Tuesday, by afternoon much of the morning accumulation had melted and streets were just wet,  though there was snow on car tops and along the sides of some sidewalks.  Not bad.   It was cold but not "icicles hanging from your eyebrows" cold.  You know??!!

Anyway, we got out to look for some Valentine decorations (with no luck😞) and at the bus stop we passed our favorite "bear" hangout...

Bear and friend!!

Remember this cafe from an earlier post where all the bears were sitting outside with their favorite beverage???  Well, today one of the bears is "visiting" with a friend!!!!!  We thought this was so funny!!!  This elderly lady, in her fur hat, was sitting across from this bear doing some sort of paperwork.  Funny thing, on the way home several hours later, she was still sitting there and still doing her work with the bear keeping her company!!!   Only in Paris!!!  I love that this cafe does this....

Yesterday was a pretty busy day.  I enjoy the days that are full, but I wouldn't want every day to be full.  Anyway, we both had early Bible study followed by our French (which, by the way, is coming along....I don't feel nearly as out of place as I did the first day),  then came back to the apartment, had lunch and went to church for a meeting with one of our committee chairs for Bloom.  Following that, we grabbed a bus and went over to WHSmith (the English language bookstore) so I could pick up a few magazines.

By this time, it was 5:00 (or so) and David suggested we go to Angelina's for hot chocolate.   We've been here nearly a year and every time we've gone by Angelina's there has been a huge line.  It is "the" place for hot chocolate so a place where many tourists want to visit.  Anyway, I've wanted to go in but not enough to stand in a huge line.  But today was the day!!!  There was only a short line (because of the time of day, I think) so we got in quickly, and it was delightful!!  Not cheap, but delightful!!!

I'm sure next time the line will be longer!!

We decided to have the afternoon tea which, of course, included savory and sweet snacks and choice of beverage (we both chose the hot chocolate).  It all was presented in such a pretty fashion....I'm a sucker for presentation!!!!

Pretty and tasty too!

The pitcher in the picture is holding the hot chocolate for David and me.  There was enough in it for each of us to have two cups with some left,  and they brought a bowl of fresh whipped cream if you wanted it for the top (uh, yes!!!!).  The atmosphere was quiet and warm and very pretty.

I saw several grandmotherly-looking women with young grandchildren-looking young adults.  What a nice way to spend time with your grandchildren!

We were upstairs which was nice, the service was excellent and I can't wait to go back!!!  I always wondered why there were such crowds in the middle of the summer...well, they also have ice cream desserts!!!!  I saw one lady (actually the one on the right in this picture) eating what looked like an ice cream sundae!!!!!  Next time, it's a sundae for me!!!!

Of course, they have a lovely gift boutique as well, and I couldn't leave without a keepsake...too many choices....I ended up with a simple cup and saucer that I can really use (or display).  Though the food was a little on the high side, I didn't find the gift items to be bad at all.  Next time I may get another cup/saucer (so I'll have one for a guest!) or perhaps a creamer (large or small)....or maybe both!!!!!!!

One more cup and you could come to tea at my house a la Angelina's!

Today, as I write this, I'm looking out at the cold, gray day from the dining room window and also watching "Sleepless in Seattle" that's on in the living room.  David has gone to an overnight men's retreat for church so tonight I'll probably binge watch "Grace and Frankie" and read the magazines I got from WHSmith.  Tomorrow I have big plans to reorganize my drawers, shelves and, perhaps, even kitchen cabinets.....

or maybe I'll fix a cup of coffee for my new Angelina cup and curl up with a good book!!!!!

JANUARY DAYS

My mother always thought January and February were the hardest months of the year...cold, snowy weather (in Kansas City) and the letdown from the holidays.  Hence, one of my sisters was born in January and I was born in February!!!!!  That helped keep the excitement going after Christmas!!

The January days in Paris have been overcast, cold but without precipitation.  Actually, for this Midwestern girl, it hasn't been bad.  The temps have been low to mid 40's, not windy so not uncomfortable walking and dry so no umbrellas.  HOWEVER, the overcast skies about do me in!!  I noticed this in March/April last year when we first moved here.  So many cloudy, gray days and I was done!!  I was missing home (where spring had already sprung!!),  and this didn't help my Paris adjustment.  But I survived then so I can certainly get past it this year when we are comfortable in our surroundings and have friends and activities.  I thought today I'd share a little about said activities and how I'm filling my days.

Nice winter view

I love seeing the blue sky along the Seine in January

I love when I look out and can see blue skies in January!  All week the skies have been very gray,  and, of course,  still dark at 7:15am as we left the apartment, but the sky was a delight when we walked home at 10:30am.

Yes, that's right.  This not-a-morning-girl was up, dressed (though casually) with breakfast eaten and out the door at 7:15.  Why????  God and fellowship.  I said years ago when I was going to a very early BSF leaders meeting on Saturday morning that I only get up early for God!!!  I'm meeting with two friends, Kim and Sharon, for a study on developing intimacy with God.  We meet at Kim's apartment (which happens to be at the church because she's the wife of our minister) while our husbands attend the Men's Bible Study that's every Thursday.  Anyway, we're four weeks into an eight-week study,  and while I don't think I'm getting the "meditative" concept down, the study is causing me to look deeper into my relationship with God and what that means in my life right now.  We each have a different story and background,  and it's really wonderful to see how God has worked (and is working) in each of us differently as we read the same text.  The friendship this has brought into my life has been such a blessing....easily worth getting up for!!!!

Developing Intimacy with God

That's my BSF homework sticking out of my Bible.  David and I both go to BSF on Monday nights at our church (so convenient).  I've always said it's the best Bible study I've ever done, and while the study here is quite different being international, it's wonderful seeing how it touches the lives of the ladies who have come from many countries, cultures and faith backgrounds.  I've done all the studies previously except one so the material isn't necessarily new to me; however, God always teaches me something new.

I mentioned after the holidays we were going to jump into French lessons once things calmed down. Well, we jumped!  There is an organization here, Inter 7, that does miscellaneous cultural events, classes etc. and French language lessons are part of that.  We have several friends who have taken and are still taking French there,  and they've recommended it to us.  The cost is reasonable and the setting is very casual.  So....last week we went after our Thursday Bible studies to sign up and get evaluated. Arrgghhhhhh!  As I thought, David tested a little higher than me because, the way I see it, he can hear and understand French better (even though my grammar is better!). So when we had to take dictation, I knew I was dead!!!!!  I couldn't understand any of the first couple of sentences, but did recover and understood the last few sentences.  We really wanted to be in class together (that's just more convenient for scheduling) so she put both of us at my level (which David feels is the right place for him too).  We meet not far from our apartment on Monday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. for 90 minutes.  That's tough on Thursday since we're having to rush from church but it works.

Here is the Inter 7 office (7 in French is "sept" but is pronounced "set")

This is where our class meets (in the basement)-it's nice space though

This past Monday was our first class,  and I left exhausted!!  First, I'd been up and out early (not my norm for sure) and then my brain was bursting listening to her teach in, imagine, French!!!!  Of course, that's exactly what I need,  but it is so difficult.  I'm sure I looked like deer in the headlights the entire 90 minutes (though I actually did understand some of what she said).  The good news is I didn't have any trouble with the printed exercises....those were pretty easy.  Too, we found out after class she's a volunteer teacher (not necessarily a teacher by profession) which is like what I did teaching ESL at church in Plano.  That takes the pressure off me.....she's me in France!!!!!  I know what that looks like,  and it makes me feel a lot more relaxed and comfortable.  Today I felt as though I understood her speech better and when I talked with her after class about sticking with it, she said I'm not the only one having trouble and struggling.  Many of these people have been in the class since September, so I didn't feel too bad.  Anyway, I'm hoping it will help me communicate with my French hairdresser (I have my priorities!!!!).

Yesterday we got out to run some errands and,  as we were leaving the bus stop on the walk home, we noticed the "occupants" in chairs outside a cafe that put a little smile on our faces.

Who knew bears liked cafes and morning wine???!!!

Every few chairs there was another bear as you can see from this picture.  Not all the bears were drinking wine so early!  Some had a cafe in front of them, some were reading a newspaper etc.  It was so cute and others were taking pictures too.  It was just a bright spot in the morning.  By the way, it looks like the sun had come out a little yesterday that I'd forgotten based on the shadow in this picture.

David and I are going to be directing Bloom again this October, so we've already begun the process of lining up the chairs for the committees.  Some are eager to return, others are stepping down.  We hope to have everything ready by July when everyone starts leaving for vacances and you can accomplish nothing.

So you can see, we do stay busy.  On top of this is, of course, laundry (which takes longer than in Plano) and cleaning (we've become very efficient in this).  Some days we get out for a little errand and spend more time wandering down a new street or stepping into a new (or even old) church.  David is still walking early (before I rise) and he often goes out later just to get out.  Sometimes I go, sometimes I don't.  I'm trying to do some yoga (to try and improve my flexibility) and don't always feel like getting out just to get out.  I'm okay at home!

Several people have asked what prompted our decision to stay another year.  Next time......

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM PARIS!!!

We continued celebrating Christmas with Courtney's visit on the 27th.  This is the first visit we've had that included children (one 6, one 11) so we spent time preparing for that...adequate bedding, etc.  They arrived after the long flight none the worse for wear and we spent some time getting them settled.

When children are involved, you have to be strategic about what you see and how much you walk and Courtney didn't have any real plans other than buying a Goyard tote so we often played it by ear.
We had given Nathan a tour of Normandy for Christmas, so one full day he and David took the train to Normandy.

David and Nathan

Memorial at Pointe du Hoc

Our mornings started slow so most days we weren't out til late morning and didn't return til, sometimes, late afternoon.  That really seemed to work for the kids since they, typically, went to bed earlier.

Courtney and I walked to the Eiffel Tower with the boys (we didn't go up, just saw it up close) the day the men went to Normany, walked around Champs de Mars then walked through this little holiday market area off the Seine of gift items and lots of food tents.  It was a typical Paris winter day, cloudy and cold, and we stopped for "frites" (French fries) on the way out.

On the way to the Eiffel Tower!

Frites are always good!!

Saturday is Market Day at our house,  and Courtney wanted to experience that so we were all up and out picking up the usual eggs, cheese, fruits/veggies and some pasta.  For the most part, the boys did a good job with all the walking.  Some days were harder than others for them, but we also took buses and even a couple of metros because Jonah wanted to ride one.  When you've grown up in the suburbs, city living is quite a change...I know!!!!

A bus ride always beats walking!!!

We all went to Notre Dame one day,  and Courtney and I walked across to Shakespeare and Company just so she could see it (there's always such a long line and she didn't care enough to fight that) then strolled to Odette's for a mini cream puff and hot chocolate.  We sat outside for a while enjoying the atmosphere and the people walking by.  She made the comment "no matter where you turn as you're walking, you see something beautiful", and it's certainly true.

They wanted to go to the Louvre, which can be difficult with children.  We all looked at the exhibits beforehand and decided on some we'd all enjoy (including the boys).  Getting in wasn't difficult at all, but it is just so big.  At one point, we decided to split up, ,  and Courtney and I took Jacob (the 11-year old) with us to hunt down Napoleon's apartment and the royal jewels.  Somehow in our journey we missed the jewels (oh, well...another time) but we did finally find N's apartment.  All of us were in awe of the beauty and glitz in which he lived.

The dining room in Napoleon's apartment

Earlier in our visit, Jacob really wanted to see the Mona Lisa (doesn't everyone??!!) so we faced the crowds inching our way to Miss Mona.  He was so excited to see it and couldn't wait to get back to school and tell his art teacher.  When it was all said and done, we'd spent about four hours there (that's a lot for me!!) and we left, going across the street for a crepe from a street vendor and popcorn for the boys.

We all needed a snack after the Louvre!

Another day we shopped...I took Courtney to La Super Marquette (where I got my woven market basket) and she bought a striped sweater made in France.  You know, the classic cream/black...very nice.  Marie, the owner, knows us by now from all the times I've been in there with visitors and she's delightful.  My sister sent me a gift card from there (which Marie hand made since she doesn't normally do gift cards) but I saved it for another time.  She's always getting new items in and nothing really called my name this visit!

The cutest little shop where everything is made in  France

Another shop I wanted Courtney to visit was E. Dehillerin, the cooking store Julia Child shopped.  We've taken several visitors there and, until Courtney's visit, no one has purchased anything.  Courtney and I are both interested in the copper cookware they sell, but this time she just purchased some wooden spoons.  I didn't, but I am going back to get some....I can always use a good wooden spoon!!!!

Someday I will walk out with copper pots!!

I like the flat spoons on the right!

New Year's Eve we went to a light show at Jardin Des Plantes I'd read about.  It didn't begin until 6:00 p.m. and there was a long line, though it moved quickly.  Inside things were pretty orderly (as orderly as you can have with hundreds of people, families and small children/strollers) and very pretty.  We've never been to this park before, but, apparently, there is also a zoo on one side which might be interesting in the summer.

Courtney and Nathan took one of the evening dinner cruises on the Seine.  We'd had a busy day that particular day, and Courtney had to get motivated to get out again.  However, I think she was glad she did because they enjoyed the peace of the ride and were able to see some sights we hadn't seen.  David and I think it's a relaxing day to get a little view of Paris...and good food too!!

In addition to these activities, there was much walking as we saw Arc de Triomph, Trocodero (the best view of the Eiffel Tower), and wandered down cobbled stone streets to reach our destinations.  Courtney brought several pairs of shoes to be able to switch out what she wore, but, even then, I think she understood my shoe/walking dilemma as it didn't take too long before her feet were hurting.  Bandaids are a wonderful thing!!!!!

At the end of their visit, I'm sure they were ready to get back to the suburbs, cars  and familiar places/dining/shopping.  But this was, after all, a vacation..a time for new experiences.  I hope they enjoyed their time here....we had some fun times!