Ahh, Paris

I thankfully and wholeheartedly agree with the Jane Austen quote above (yeah, she's my girl).  But when I think of Paris, I sigh. 

...Aaahhh.

Even now, I have to confess, that if I ever get the chance to see dear Pah-ree again,

I would still be giddy with delight. 

I have no doubt of how Paris romanced me and won me over....

and for those of you who have visited the City of Lights or have simply dreamed of her from afar you may understand. 

The other night was a slow quiet night so my hubby and I indulged in two movies on TV, while we pattered about with work and home cares.  Now, we had seen these movies before and even own them: Julie & Julia

and Amelie. 

Oh, boy...this was not what I needed.  Seeing Paris dance before my eyes in the way it won over Julia Child and the whimsy and magic of Amelie, brought back sweet, sweet memories. 


Montmatre photo courtesy of Centrury 21, naw, it's mine, just a bad angle



When I first went to Paris (also my first trip "abroad"...sounds so fancy-schmancy said that way) in 1993, I was college-age and stayed there for 9 weeks in the summer (my heart flutters to remember it) with a missions group.  I was the perfect picture of a fish out of water....small town Texas born and raised, just a year of High School French under my belt, and all I knew of Paris went like this: Eiffel Tower,

Hunchback of Notre Dame,

Phantom of the Opera,

cafes,

Louvre,

and Monet.  

But boy, the experience changed me.  No, not as a whole new person but it awoke my wonder with new tastes, cultures (as we met people from so many different places) and history.  I came away from that summer wanting to know Paris more and with an understanding of Gertrude Stein's quote: "America is my country but Paris is my hometown."  I surprisingly felt at home.

My very first experience in Paris knocked my senses silly.  You see, in order to help keep jet lag at bay and orient us to our new surroundings, our group gathered together for a briefing picnic in the local park (the elegant, green and underrated Parc Montsouris). 

And as I felt the soft grass beneath me, I found I could barely concentrate of the info.  My taste buds were being barraged by the best bread ever (baguettes), REAL butter, flavorful jams, wonderful chocolates, crisp tasty market bought veggies, and creamy cheeses. 

I remember hearing my teammates "yumming" themselves silly too, with each new bite.  Then the cooling breezes wafting about us, on the sunny summer day, the hum of the visitors in the park chatting, children playing, the distant din of the traffic in the busy city around us....DING DONG! my senses told me, you are truly in PARIS. 

So, here is an eclectic assortment of Paris moments from me to you, should you choose to enjoy, reminisce, and daydream. ......there are only 5, 6, okay, 7 things to picture:

1. Carry a Baguette: 

If I could, I would add smell-o-vision to this photo

Though the "idea" of fast food is looked down on by the French (cuz, see it is an American invention), it is a common sight to see Parisians carrying along a "snack" baguette freshly purchased from a boulangerie (bread makers) or patisserie (pastry shop) found on almost every block in Paris.  I remember carrying an armload of early morning, warm, tender crisp, and deliciously fragrant baguette loaves in my arms for our mission group's jam and butter breakfast at our dorm (Cite Universitaire).  Now that sense memory most decidedly walloped me, and screams "Paris!" to me.

2.  Have a picnic:     as often as possible, take your food to a spot, make it your spot.  Grab a suitable grocery/market collection of cheese, sausage, fruit, bread, and juice/water and don't forget a pastry treat. 

Feast in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, enjoy your Gyros along the banks of the Seine,

devour an ice cream in the leisure of one of Paris's famous Jardins (gardens/parks),

indulge in a sweet or savory crepe from a street stall (I never had a bad one) whilst sitting on one of Paris pedestrian bridges overlooking the Seine...take it in. My favorite spots: Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc des Buttes Charmont, and Parc Montsouris....my goodness almost anywhere will do, you're in Paris! 

3. Enjoy Paris from a rooftop/view:   Of course the Eiffel Tower is a must,

the top of L'Arc de Triomphe, the steps of Sacre Coeur cathedral, from the roof of Notre Dame, or even the Cafe top of the dazzling Galleries Lafayette. 

Go ahead pinch yourself, you're really there. I pinched myself silly and would do it all over again, aahhh:

4. Wander....here is where the magic is.  My first true wandering in a neighborhood was through La Marais, along the narrow cobblestone rues, with artisan shops and quiet cafes, to the lovely and well known Place des Vosges...with its neatly situated open square with trickling fountain. 

5.  Sit at a cafe...yeah, I did it; even ordered a coffee (uh, 'scuse me, cafe viennoise) and I didn't even like coffee at the time..It was of course somehow better in Paris, and I did the "Sabrina"-thing and wrote in my journal....it was lovely. 

6.  Shop....I never had the nerve or proper attire ("money") to saunter into any high end shop, but each time I have been to Paris I have purchased either a scarf, inexpensive accessory,

Cheesey, cute, cheap and all mine, and yep, I got them in Paris

or print and keep it on display as a cheering reminder of my visit.  No matter where you go, to say that you went "shopping in Paris" has a sophisticated ring to it, N'est-ce pas.

7. Ahh, museums galore...just sit and ponder a work of art:  The first time I visited the Musee D'Orsay I was taken aback by the elegant interior...the former train station turned museum, all grand and wowza,

is bathed in the proper natural light to gaze dreamily at world renowned impressionist art, and I recall that the main entrance hall of sculptures, though stone-still (heehee) seemed to have movement when I first caught sight of them.   Paris is stuffed silly with museums and though time in Paris should be enjoyed out of doors as much as possible, she has so much to offer within.

::sigh:: There are so many more....but I have got to stop now, for your sake and mine......thanks for joining me....Any special moments you would like to share? Please do!

I am linked over at Les Chateau des Fleurs by Frenchy for her monthy French Obsession link party and giveaway in case you want to have more of a taste of France...

Au Revoir mes amies,

In Christ,

Good Friday to you..

Random photo...yeah, I am dreaming of Paris when I see the pasture. 

But we will enjoy having some family visit us this weekend to kick us out of our hermit life reverie.  Nothing in particular going on but some quotes I have run across recently I wanted to share...

~Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that crushed it.~~Mark Twain

~ A thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed, but a thing created is loved before it exists.~~ G.K. Chesterton

~Be like the bird
That, pausing in her flight
Awhile on boughs too slight,
Feels them give way
Beneath her and yet sings,
Knowing that she hath wings.~~Victor Hugo

~Dear God, be good to me, the sea is so wide
and my boat is so small.~~Prayer of Breton fishermen

~Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.~~Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)

In Christ,

For love's sake

For whatever reason this year, Valentine's celebrations started a couple of weeks back.  It was my fault.  While we (Sophia and I) were waiting for the oil to be changed in our van (call it the momma-mobile....I loves me my mini-van) at the Wal-mart, we perused the V-day aisle and the moment Sophia saw heart shapes she got giddy, clapped her hands at the red hues about us and exclaimed, "Mommy! It's Valentines!"  Where did this eruption come from I wondered...then...a-ha, I remembered. 

Last year, after the splurging on our Christmas, I decided that I wanted to provide sweet somethings for my girls and hubby in both crafts and treats that were homemade.  So in a weekend, we cut out construction paper hearts, posted sweet notes around the house, I made a banner to surprise the girl's Valentines morning,

and we made heart shaped cookies complete with pink icing and red sprinkles....

SO, for Sophia, Hearts=Valentines=Decorations=Crafts=FUN.  

Well guess what we did at home after seeing the early Valentine's aisle?....we have been cutting and drawing and decorating ever since.  It is like St. Valentine himself is expected down the chimney tonight as often as she has been reminding us all of the day's impending arrival.  She is 4 years old and she just tickles me.  She has me going full on for Valentine's day.  Me, who as a girl threw up my nose at V-day sentiments as sappy (maybe cuz I didn't find lots of cards in my Valentine's box, sniff, yeah, second grade memory here....okay now, I am over it...let's move on) nor did I ever have a beau any of my school days to flaunt sweet nothings from.  Then in college, surrounded by great male and female friends and still quite single, I decided to change the day a bit.  Instead of the emphasized, commercialized romantic chocolates and diamonds "love" the day elicits, I wanted to treat those I cared for to encouragements and thanks for the love and care they gave to me.  So, on cute pink scented paper, in a delicate type I printed the following Shakespeare's Sonnet (116) for my dear family and friends:

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come:

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

They loved it and ever since then I have tried to do a little something in the same vein.   And apparently it has been passed on with a fervor to my girls who have an appreciation for red, hearts, sweets, and now a Valentine's family meal.  Of all the family traditions I have tried to propagate, this one now has a life of it's own in the delight of family time together and the love in our midst.  Here was a sampling of the meal, "deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie"  (or let's say, bit lazy CPP)

....gots to say this was delicious.  Anna (14 yo)was aching to create a new sweet and came up with these Strawberry Cream Tarts that were so good

(see the heart shapes)...they were all gone at the end of the night.  Earlier last week,  I attempted heart shaped cocoa macarons with strawberry cream filling.  Sophia, got ultra excited that they were heart shaped then asked me to make her a candy cane one (what?!) and because I love her I said, "okey dokey!"

(Here's to you, Carol!)...sadly they looked better than they tasted....they were completely new for my crew, and they gobbled them up lovingly, appreciatively, and chuckled at me for pronouncing them in the French style (ma-ca-Ron, like the name "Ron")while they insisted on saying "macaroons"... I tried. 

I HEART these people!

 Above all the extras though, I do want my girls to carry with them the full meaning of love....In Who loved us first, and Christ who came because God so LOVED the world, and everyday blessings of kindness, gratitude, and putting others first.  For this Valentine's Day I want to say thank you to those of you who have so kindly stopped by and thoughtfully encouraged me, prayed for us, and commented.  You've done my heart good.

1 John 4:19

We love because He first loved us.

In Christ,

Movies Galore!

Happy New Year dear friends and fellow bloggers!  I know, tsk, tsk, to me for not blogging a bit.  As much as I was itching to blog, I barely kept up with the everyday things at home.  I fully intended to recap our December too, but after a bit of a hard year we took full advantage of the quiet moments in December.  Time we also all spent catching up on movies, old and new.  Actually we saw more movies the two weeks around Christmas than I have seen all year...so here is my round up...first of course...

HELLO!...HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (in November):

We went the first day it was out and took my Dad who was a HP newbie.  I loved it for sure, but my Dad who is not into the series, nor any kind of movies with their own "lore" said he was lost yet the story was intriguing.  The final installment is in July and I will save my raves for then, but if you have read my blog before you know I am so very, very biased about this series that, of course the
VERDICT: A MUST SEE for those who enjoy Harry Potter
 
SECRETARIAT (saw it in November)....

going to have to first state that I am an absolute sucker for underdog stories: Rudy, Invincible, The Natural, Babe, uh, hello, Seabiscuit....don't like watching most sports in real life, but put it on the little or big screen and give it an underdog and I am watchin' it.  Diane Lane is the womanly, yet formidable Penny Chenery, wife/mother of 3 who in 1969 takes over her father's stable of breeding horses and puts everything on the "underdog" Secretariat.  Guess what happens?  Well of course we all know, but the joy is in the journey of faith in the face of trials.  This movie had me from the verse spoken at the beginning to the hymn rejoicing at the end...Oh, Happy Day! 
VERDICT: Highly recommend, and will see it again..

KNIGHT AND DAY 

This movie did not get great reviews but I was charmed by the previews and even more delighted when I saw it back in June.  But when Lou (my lovely Mother in Law) was staying with us over Christmas week, I knew this was one Action/Comedy/Romance flick she would appreciate.  And she loved it. It was pushed as an action movie and has a couple of sharp sequences but hello, what have we NOT seen action wise in these days of CGI and multimillion dollar blowups...no big surprises here in that arena. But I cannot tell you how much I appreciated the banter, the fun it seemed to have with the casual action, and the rapport between Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. 
VERDICT: pass me the popcorn, I want to see it again

TOY STORY 3: 

 This was so very hyped for the holiday season as the must purchase DVD and I had yet to see it.  As we wrapped gifts, we watched it on Pay per view.  Sophia liked it and I thought it was a fitting final chapter to the heart-tugging series but I don't have raves about it.  Maybe the hype got my expectations too high but ..
VERDICT: It was a good finish but I don't need to see it again

A CHRISTMAS CAROL:

Again a pay per view selection (since we saw it when it came out in 3D in November 2009) for Lou.  This is something else I am a sucker for, a Christmas Carol retelling and this one is up there, but my guilty pleasure favorite is still A Muppets Christmas Carol

with Michael Caine.  This Robert Zemekis version was very nice and was especially cool visually in 3D but honestly, sometimes the CGI characters are kind of eerie, so
VERDICT: Quite nice, but for more chuckles with your morality tale see A Muppets Christmas Carol

SHERLOCK HOLMES (first viewing Jan 2010):

I have always liked the Sherlock Holmes mysteries in its various forms (Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett) but lets face it, this character is so very brilliant, aloof, and lacking in social graces that he is not the most attractive protagonist.  But in the hands of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, Holmes and Watson (respectively) are a stupendous buddy team.  I certainly enjoyed the fact that in this version Watson is an equal to Holmes and not the almost-clueless step-behind side kick.  Plus the music is so spot on, I say thank you to Guy Ritchie (director) for this fresh and lively take on an old favorite.
VERDICT: so good I am gonna buy it

TANGLED:

After the hype let down of Toy Story 3, I was going to opt out of this one family Christmastime cinema experience (I had post Christmas clean up to do people!), but I am so glad I didn't.  We saw this in our small town old timey movie theater with a full house of all ages and I was completely delighted in this new version of the tale of Rapunzel. 
VERDICT: well worth the price and time


JANE EYRE: (2006, Masterpiece Theater with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson)

What did we watch New Year's Eve? This beautiful, hands down best version EVER of Jane Eyre.  As far as period romances go, I loves me my Jane Austen but over all those words-made-to-film this story and little screen gem are tops.  In most other versions Mr. Rochester is too brute-ish and Jane such a simpering/frail girl, that it is hard to see their romance and attraction.  But here Mr. Stephens fleshes out Rochester as a hard, broken-hearted man drawn to the quiet but strong character in the plain but lovely Jane (hired governess to his young ward).  Ruth Wilson is entrancing as Jane, who tho' raised unloved and in an orphanage is always upright in character and so full of hope that you cheer for her along the way. 

Here's a clip (only a bit of a spoiler if you have never read or seen Jane Eyre)

Enjoy!

VERDICT: of all the movies listed, it is my top recommendation.

Happy watching, and I love recommendations if you have any.  Blessings to you this New Year. 

In Christ,

Random Wednesday: Scrummy! and a request, pretty please

I simply love Christmas time but for whatever reason I cannot get myself reeved up for doing much. It has taken me two weeks to decorate the house (no, not a necessity, but you can't help the cozy, lovely, cheering factor it brings).  Today I am gathering up my holiday recipes and putting my cookie gift list together and plan to keep the Kitchen Aid mixer busy this week to the weekend and get a move on it finally...here's hoping, ask me later, keep me accountable. 

One recipe I had to pull out sooner than the rest was the one I will share with you today.  I have made these almost every year for the holidays, but for some reason the girls just discovered them last year and in an unprecedented move---they agreed!---that they were their favorite holiday cookie amongst my repertoire (oooh, I just typed repertoire, ....uh, yep and I spell checked it and I spelled it right too).  I have made two batches since Thanksgiving and now I will share the recipe with you:

Okay, these ARE great cookies, but not a great pic

Libby's Great Pumpkin Cookie (and it is,....great that is)

2 C flour
1C quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 C butter or margarine softened
1 C firmly packed brown sugar
1 C granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 C Libby's solid packed pumpkin
1 C semi-sweet real chocolate morsels

Pre-heat oven 350. Combine flour, oats, cinnamon and salt in a med. sized bowl.  In a large bowl cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla; mix well.  Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition.  Stir in morsels.  Drop spoonfuls (1-2 tbsp) onto lightly greased cookie sheet (I line mine with parchment paper.)  Bake for 18-20 min until cookies are firm and lightly browned.  Depending on size you bake, this batch can make 3-4 dozen.  Let cool and keep in airtight container. 

I don't know how long they last in the airtight container because ours are gone in a week.  AND it MUST be said that tho' they are good warm, they are at their best the day after...super moist, not overly pumpkin-y, and such chocolatel-y oat-y goodness in a modest cookie. 

Now my request: If you have any holiday family favorite recipes, please share, and if I must be greedy please post a pic.  But, I understand the time it takes to type recipes up so if you can just share the name of the cookie and a possible link to a recipe...I love gathering in good ideas and fun new recipes for the holidays.  Thank you dear friends.   God's blessings to you as you enjoy your Christmastime.

In Christ,

General Randomness (since I missed "Random Wednesday")

Okay, it must be said that I am a fan of the Today Show....when I went to New York City (ever so brief 3 days in June of 2003) a must on my list was trying to see the then hosts, Katie, Matt, Ann and Al (Today show hosts) and stand around waving to the camera as part of the mass of people that hovers about the show and from time to time (it is a 4 hour morning program) gets face time when they scan the crowd.  I watch it most mornings (while I and Sophia breakfast) and it is on in the back ground while I work around the house. 

So, anyway, my randomness today is inspired by one of the guests on the show today....none other than Gene Simmons of the band Kiss (no, I confess that I am not a fan).  But in promoting his reality show (hey, everyone has one now) "Family Jewels" he shared that while touring in Amsterdam this summer he was deeply moved by the Anne Frank museum (as his own mom survived the concentration camps and was the same age at the same time as Anne, 13 yo).  Then even more than promoting his show he took a soap box moment and said that every school aged child should read her diary (and I agreed) and get a true idea of the toll of the holocaust and a moving representation of the lives involved in the ordeal. 

It reminded me of the first time I read her diary.  I was 13 and staying with my Dad for part of the summer and saw the small book amongst his mostly war, weapons and other "manish" books and was immediately intrigued having never heard of her.  I tore through the book and felt as if I was sneaking into someone's private thoughts....and, I WAS.  I read the book in a day (such were my summers) and missed Anne in the end.  Only, then did I realize it was all true and shared so lovingly by her father Otto Frank who saw that his daughter had left a part of herself that gave a relatable face and heart to a time and people who endured in the most dark part of recent history. 

Thanks for stopping by and sharing.

In Christ,