Day 5 in Paris

Today we made sure to stop on the Champs-Elysees to photograph the Arc de Triomphe...

After our glamor shots on the Champs-Elysees, we hopped on the Metro and headed for the 9th Arrondissement for a more reasonably priced shopping experience. We walked the Passages (covered walkways) and found some interesting shops and restaurants. We enjoyed another wonderful meal at a local Brasserie oozing with colorful French locals...

We then headed for the Lourve for the rest of the day...

Venus de Milo

Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci 

This was one of my favorites... Madame Récamier, Jacques-Louis David

One of my husband's favorites... 
Georges de LA TOUR (Vic-sur-Seille, 1593–Lunéville, 1652)Saint Joseph the Carpenter 

Day 4 in Paris

Today we enjoyed a leisurely walk around the Ile St. Louis... it is a quiet little island located in the middle of the Seine river... it seems a world of it's own, yet right in the middle of everything Paris...

We found beautiful flower shops, cute little restaurants, antique stores and a fantastic Candy store... filled to the brim with colorful sweets.

We found a quaint restaurant to rest our feet and enjoyed a very traditional french meal... 

After lunch we spent time in the Cathedral Notre Dame ...

taking in all the beauty of the stained glass, pondering religious images and art ... it was awe inspiring.

We spent the later part of the afternoon across town in an area known as Montmartre.  We arrived up the hill just about the same time the sun was setting... we found beautiful views of the city and a particularrly lovely view of La Tour Eiffel. 

The Place Du Tertre was filled with local artists...

On our way home we stopped at local markets and gathered a small feast to enjoy for dinner in our hotel room...

Paris

We have been enjoying each day in Paris... enjoying amazing food, soaking in the wonderful history and architecture... and getting over jet lag...  the past  few days have been a blur but we are having a wonderful time!

 The Louvre, our first Day in Paris

 The River Seine

 Cathedral Notre Dame

 The Right Bank of Seine 

A Chapel in the Latin Quarter

The Paris Metro... the way we get around town...

La Tour  Eiffel!

 Place Des Vosges

 La Tour Eiffel from Trocadero

 Markets of Rue Cler

 

A Wonderful Suprise

My husband is full of surprises...

He has arranged for he and I to leave for Paris in a little over a week.  I have been running around getting prepared, tweaking schedules and trying to read up on one of my most favorite cities!  It will be fun to linger and allow my mind to wander as we share time as husband and wife inspired by beauty and dreaming together...  A good way to start off the New Year.  What a blessing...

 

What a wonderful surprise...

Tres Bon!

Thoughts on A New Year

A New year has come upon us and I have to admit that I am a bit surprised how time seems to fly by.  It was only a short while ago I was contemplating my 40th Birthday and here I am looking at 41 in just a few days!

I think time is rather sneaky this way... it slowly progresses when we watch the clock in our youth, yet as we diligently begin working out the trials and joys of life, it seems to pick up the pace... Now,  I am always looking for ways to slow time down just a little bit.

This year I want to see in slow motion.  I want to linger in the moment.  I want to savor each and every opportunity to be still... I want to love deeper... listen more... be available... and more thankful in every circumstance.

This is on my heart as I begin this year new:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  

Let your gentleness be evident to all. 

The Lord is near.  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 

by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, 

present your requests to God.  

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  

Finally, brothers and sisters, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable

—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things. 

Philippians 4:4-8