The Marche aux Fleurs is a market for the true gardener.  It is full of potted flowers to hang on your French balcony. 

It is located in the 4th Arrondissemont and is a cinch to get to.  Take the #4 metro to Cite' and you will spill out onto a beautiful garden in the heart of the city.  Stall after stall of potted plants stand at attention, plumping their petals waiting to be adopted and cared for by you. 

The metro sign gives you a hint of what is in store with it's red tulip shaped lights pointing to the sign.

I arrived when it opened at 10am and savored the quiet, winding my way around plants so healthy and strong.  They looked happy and well cared for.

There are a couple of stalls devoted strictly to seeds.  You can find anything you desire whether it be plant, vegetable or herb seeds. 

This market does not only sell flowers, of course not; beautiful lanterns, garden decor, baskets, bird cages, wind chimes, candelabras and much more sit next to these flowers, vying for a little attention. 

I will let you relax and have a seat in this small piece of paradise.  We can continue our little tour tomorrow. 

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way.

I just love stopping at Angelina's in the heart of Paris on Rue de Rivoli for a cup of rich hot chocolate.  From the moment I walk in, the store flirts with me, all dressed up just waiting for me to notice.  The glass cases sparkle, the gold leaf banisters beckon me to touch them. 

It is a huge tourist draw but you can't miss it and the lunch menu is quite delicious.

Dan and I snuck away while the kids were at school.  It's a special place to bring your someone special.  We had a delicious lunch and ended it with hot chocolate.  It is thick and looks like a melted chocolate bar.  Fresh cream finishes it off.

Dan and I continued our conversation.  We discussed some important issues about our family, our future, some changes that we feel stirring inside of us until............ a lovely French Mother and daughter sat next to us. 

 I could not help but notice how beautiful their  relationship was to watch.  They were so happy to be together, they leaned in to hear each other, they reached across the table and held each others hands while talking as if was the most natural thing to do,  the Mother stroked her daughters cheek from time to time; they were the only two in the restaurant.  I felt honored to witness this love affair play out next to me.  Dan looked at me, I looked at him and started crying........."I miss my Mom", I said.   

I had a quiet cry right there in Angelina's.  Dan, wiping my tears.  Ah, that felt good.  I took a deep breath, "put my big girl panties on" and continued on. 

What a blessing that I have a Mother whom I love with all my heart and long to spend time with.  I love you past love Mom!

We decided to drive to the beautiful city of Reims on Saturday.  Reims is an ancient Roman city approximately 2 hours east of Paris.  

Reims is in the Champagne region of France, and the center of a wine growing distric.  The drive was beautiful.  It was such a treat to explore the countryside, it's rolling green hills, small villages speckled our way to Reims always with a church steeple protruding from each village. 

Our first stop was the famous "Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims."    It was built in 1007 and was heavily damaged after WWI but was lovingly restored in large part due to the funding of John D. Rockefeller.    

This is the view from the back of the church.  (Excuse all the scaffolding, resotration in the works).   The detail made my jaw drop.

I am always tickled when I am allowed to take pictures inside of a church.  This church felt cool upon entering, like most.  It did not echo nearly as loud as I anticipated.  There was a warmth about this church.

After our tour, we made a "bee line" to the nearest brasserie to get out of the cold.  The wind was stinging us as we ran to the restaurant.  Dan and I ordered a glass of Champagne since we were in "Champagne" country.  

And for all those asking to see a photograph of me, this ones for you......  A picture of me and "mini me".

After lunch we enjoyed a stroll around Reims with it's cobblestone streets and  neverending, overpriced champagne stores.  It's a fairly large city with 200,000 residents but it has a quaint vibe to it. 

Our "stroll" was cut short due to the freezing temperatures.  We found our way to the car and cranked up the heat and drove to the "Museum of Surrender".  A highlight for Dan who is a bit of a history buff.  The "Salle de Reddition" was once a schoolhouse near railroad tracks where the Germans surrendered to General Eisenhower on May 7, 1945.  Maps of the rail routes lined the walls of the rooms, exactly as they did on the day of surrender.

This was a photograph on the wall showing the military personnel and the German officers signing the surrender papers.

I felt a myriad of emotions throughout our visit.  I was moved by the bravery of the young soldiers, thinking of the sacrifice their families endured, so sad, so angry at times, so proud to be an American.  My feelings were all over the board. 

I can never, in a million years, know what it felt like to fight in this horrific war or what it must have been like for the innocent living in the war zone.  

I was so thankful fhat we took the time to honor the soldiers that fought for our freedom by visiting this important museum. 

Our drive home was beautiful.  The sun was setting, the clouds were in constant motion.  Sophie "coined" my feelings beautifully when she said "Mom, it's a heaven cloud". 

Can you see the rays of sunlight escaping from every direction?  I took this very personally.   God's artwork is amazing.

A perfect ending to a beautiful day spent in Reims with my family.  Life could not be sweeter.

 Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body;
but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out
screaming WOO HOO, what a ride!!!!

Don't you just love this?!  My Mom sent this to me recently telling me that this is how she sees my life.  I was flattered.  I don't want to let fear stop me from taking giant leaps and trying new things.  I will be that 80 year old lady jumping out of an airplane because she always wanted to do it.  Life is too short. 

We only get this one earthly life and I want to embrace, enjoy and explore it.  I know I am not the only one out there. 

I want to pose a question to you;  what do you want to do but are afraid to try for fear of failing?  What would you do if failure was not an option? 

I would love to hear from you and support you.  I can't tell you how afraid I am of learning French.  I begin my classes next Monday and I am afraid it won't "click" for me.  

If you come for a visit to our apartment, make sure you exercise your index finger.  You will be pushing lots of buttons.

First, you will need to push the buttons on the outside keypad.  Once you enter, look to the side of the long corridor for another button to light the way.  Walk to a small dark vestibule and push yet another button for overhead lighting so you can find our name on the apartment resident list.  Push the button next to "Johnson" (this will ring the apartment upstairs).   I will push a button from my phone and the entry door will unlock.  Walk into the entry and look to the left and push another button to light small entryway.   Push the elevator button and wait for its decent.  Walk inside and push number five to get to our floor.  (If you prefer to walk all five flights, make sure you push the buttons on each level to provide overhead lighting for you so you don't trip.)   Once you make it to our floor, push the button for the doorbell. 

It is not just our apartment that requires lots of "button pushing".   If you enter a bank, you will need to enter through large doors that will close behind you.  You will see the tellers and the beautiful bank through glass doors; the tellers and customers will stare at you while you stand in the small vestibule wondering how to enter.  Look for a button to push, it will unlock the glass doors for you and you will be able to enter. 

Let me also warn you that many of the metros require you to push a button to open the doors to get on and off the trains.  I remember the first time I tried getting on the metro, I stood in front of the train doors, everyone looking at me from inside the train, I waited and waited for the doors to automatically open like they do in the United States.  The next thing I new, the train whizzed away.  I made sure to watch the other passengers and realized that once again,  I would need to push a button to enter and exit the trains. 

One more thing, many small stores require "button pushing" to exit; not boutiques but more of the service centers.  Some cell phone stores, the store where we purchased our metro cards, etc. 

The moral of the story is "if you are stuck inside or outside of a store or train in Paris, look for a button!"

I know there are a ton of creative people and crafters reading this so the next few shots are for you.........

Don't you just love the selection of colors?  They make me want to learn how to knit.  This table was very busy with ladies rummaging through the yarn, I had to elbow my way in to snap pictures.  (I am sure they loved that).

There was another table with an array of thread.  A potpourri of color.  This table also had wooden boxes full to the brim with clasps, zippers, needles, pins.......

As I was looking through these spools of thread, my nose perked up and my feet walked on there own to the next table.  A beautiful arrangement of citrus, rose, lavender and fig soaps were whispering to me........

It would be a shame not to include photographs of the flowers that dot the market.  Some vendors have just a few buckets full of roses and tulips.  Others have large fragrant and colorful stands to tempt..

Honestly, these markets are a virtual "smorgasbord", full of just about everything you need to make a house a home   You can by furniture, rugs, jewelry, gloves, socks, underwear, bras, slips, shirts, pants, coats,  pillows, luggage.........  Shall I continue?  I think you get the point.

Hands down,  the best thing about these markets would have to be the gorgeous, fresh and delicious food.  Take a look at these carrots; it looks like they were pulled from the sandy soil this morning...........

Yes, these wonderful markets have more than food but it is difficult not to snap pictures of the mouthwatering morsels.  I was tempted to grab a handful of these olives when no one was looking. 

I was surprised that these brussel sprouts looked so appealing to me  (I am not a fan of the brussel sprout but will have to try these French beauties).

The markets are "chock full" of all kinds of goodies.  Do you need a scarf?  Look at all these delicious colors.......

How about a red hat?  Oh, if only I could look so sheek in this hat.......

How about a pair of shoes to finish off your new look?  (I hope you have tiny feet because the shoes run very small).

Let's head into the kitchen now.  Do you need some pots and pans?  They've got them, although most of the lids are sold seperately.  I don't get it either.  Expect to spend a "wad" on kitchen supplies. 

We can't forget a lovely tablecloth.  I have noticed that the bright yellows and blues that we equate to French style are being replaced by creamy whites, taupes and greys. 

Since we are working in the kitchen, let's grab something to eat.......

I'll let you digest this and we will continue our little tour tomorrow.  Until then, have a wonderful day......

Every two or three blocks in Paris, you will find a "boucherie" (butcher shop).  If it is a really good shop, there will be a line and the glass cases will sparkle.  It will appear incredibly clean and bright, the meats bright pink and red.  The butchers will have smiles on their faces explaining to the customers about their purchase and advice on preparation.

It is typical to have a large rotisserie spinning slowly with speared plump brown chickens cooking.  Skinned potatoes are often sitting in a pan underneath the chickens waiting patiently for  all the juices to sweat their flavors onto them.

Grab a plump chicken, savory potatoes and you have the equivalent of French fast food.  It beats a Big Mac any day.......

I wonder if the Parisians ever tire of looking at this prodigious structure that screams "Paris"?

 I read somewhere recently that stated "shortly after the Eiffel Tower was constructed, there were talks of tearing it down because the French thought it unattractive."  Can you imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower?

There is a sweet little park near the Eiffel Tower that the kids and I enjoyed this beautiful March day.  The sun never felt so good.   As we walked into the park, there was an elderly lady sitting in her wheelchair; her neck bent back, her face looking straight up into the blue sky, getting kissed by the sun.  I thought to myself "that is me in 40 years". 

The kids enjoyed the park...........

I enjoyed snapping photo's and sitting on this bench that had an amazing view.  I don't believe I  will ever tire of this..........come on......

It seems most every park in Paris has pony rides, merry go rounds, and cotton candy stands.  It's absolutely fabulous.  This park did not disappoint and the kids had a twirl on the merry go round.  They were given a little stick which  they tried capturing a small ring.  It was hilarious watching them; mouths wide open, tongues curled to one side, eyes closed half the time trying to capture the illusive ring.   

Max was the official winner with five rings.  He was so proud and was talking about it on the way home.  Sophie finally said "Max, can you please stop talking about it, you are making me sad".   Max looked at me and we shook our heads.......really Sophie???!

I have a new best friend.  She goes with me wherever I go.  She loves getting stuffed with fruit, vegetables, cheese and meats.  She loves the baguettes that I buy too.  She says they keep her warm. 

I found her the first week we arrived and she makes life so much easier for me.  The kids love her too.........