Paris

 ♫Sous le ciel de Paris♫

There's something about Paris.....I'm drawn to the French and their sense of style...

in architecture...

and clothing...

I love the music that is playing (did you click on the above link?)...

I love the idea of cafes with tables along the sidewalk....

and farmers' markets...

along with the bountiful fruits and vegetables...

                       and crusty breads...

                          

                          and for my husband, the cheeses...

Maybe I'm drawn because I have French Huguenot blood in me, even though I have to go back to the 1600's to find it.  

Or maybe it's because someone once told me, when I was younger, I looked like Leslie Caron....

That's Leslie, not me.

I've even attempted to learn French.  I love French movies.  One of my favorites is Ponette.  And movies set in Paris like Midnight in Paris.  And memoirs like A Castle in the Backyard: The Dream of a House in France by Betsy Draine.  

I've taken to adding touches of French decor to my home....

Sunflowers and topiary

Chanticleers and copper pots

Scroll work and lace curtains

When I think of Paris I inevitably think of the street artists...

And pastries...

Yum!

And lavender bouquets...

used to make lavender soap...

Yet, I have never been to Paris....or France....or anywhere counted as French, unless you include New Orleans.  

I think I love Paris so much because to me it is romantic:  inclined toward or suggestive of the feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.  That must be why I don't make a plan to go....it might possibly lose it's romance for me because the mystery of it all will no longer be.  So, for now at least, I shall listen to the music again and dream....

Burst of Flowers

♫Butterfly Waltz♫

We were away for a few days and came home to changes in the garden.  The roses on the arbor, for the most part, have faded.  But there has been a new burst of flowers!  

The promised lilies...