There's always time for a little yarnwork before we leave the apartment. I bought some beautiful wools before we left for France, and started a massive Granny Square that will be this year's new afghan.
Our sunny morning kitchen. Which we left as we headed out to spend the afternoon at Le Bon Marche, a classy department store that's been around for 160 years.
Lunch in the dining room--we unravelled the mystery of the "plat froid" and all had turkey club sandwiches with glass dishes of yogurt with red fruits to follow.
Then started roaming. Embroidery floss and yarn, Liberty of London fabric (which I did not buy, way too much money!) I did get one skein of mossy green merino to add to my afghan. Daisy approved the color choice. She is very into my crocheting at the moment (see later picture).
The kitchenware department was a delight! See the tiny copper pots, just right for Daisy's dolls! We chose a . . . potato masher! We've been needing a good sturdy one, as Bella remembered at just the right time.
Isn't this stunning? The whole store is such an aesthetic experience. Oh, and I finally got to smell Caron's "Nuit de Noel" perfume, which I've wanted to do for years--only by accident, as we got lost in the lingerie department and there it was, not with the other fragrances.
Then home to rest up, and time for Daisy to work on her crocheting chain. She's been so frustrated, but when I finally suggested that she make up her *own* way to hold the yarn, something clicked, and she started racing along.
Bella and I had fun in the kitchen. First I had to learn the French word for yeast (it's "levure", y'all), so we could buy ingredients for Bella's fantastic pizza with potatoes, leeks, Gruyere, and bacon. Except in Paris, apparently we use lardons instead of bacon. Even better! Already diced, you see.
Then a nighttime walk over the bridge to get ice cream cones, and admire Notre Dame's bright back side.
Sent the girls upstairs with grandparents, and the Composer and I went to another concert, sacred choral music in the Cathedral. No biggie.
Oh Anna what fun! I'm loving my peek over your shoulder especially as you're showing me what I'd go and see.
ReplyDeleteMademoiselle Bella looks tres French in the photo of the three of you in the store.
"No biggie." It is all wonderful. (love the escalators!)
ReplyDeleteLisateresa
BTW, what are the proportions for potates, leeks, bacon on Bella's pizza? I've never done potatoes on pizza, one medium one sliced?
ReplyDeleteit's such a treat to follow along! Thanks for blogging each day so far!
ReplyDeleteOne of my chief pleasures on a trip is to seek out the non-touristy stores and buy humble things I really need at home (like potato mashers). I started with a Russian bucket when I was 18!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful trip. I love it. love, Val
ReplyDeleteThe pizzas look delicious! Is Bella learning about French cooking? The Notre Dame at night must be enchanting. I'm enjoying your posts. Thank you for taking the time to post for us so we can be there "with" you.
ReplyDeleteWow sacred choral music in the Cathedral! Must have been the experience of a lifetime! Would have been for me anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteSigh - thank you for the pics Anna - I'll resign myself to live vicariously through your depiction of a holiday in Paris... bet the boys and Clara are envious...
ReplyDeletesounds like the perfect vacation set up: family outings during the day, home cooked food, and dates with your husband to hear beautiful music in gorgeous churches. I am loving your pics; thanks so much for sharing!! And I SO want to try that pizza...wow!!
ReplyDeleteI am a reader (American) living in Zurich. I love being train-distance from Paris. Thanks for sharing your visit with us. I once heard Gregorian Chant at Notre Dame and it was a wonderful concert. Blessings to you all.
ReplyDeleteWat an incredibly exciting adventure. I'd love to go to Paris one day....this is a fun taster!
ReplyDeleteI thought we were the only ones who ate potatoes on pizza. It's something a former teacher passed on to her then Yr3/4 class and it has remained a firm 'must' in our home. No bought pizzas for this fussy lot!
Please tell me where you got Bella's red coat — or what pattern you used to make it. I love it. I've been looking for one just like that for ages.
ReplyDeleteOh, you sure have one on us. We never went to a concert of sacred choral music at Notre Dame. We did, however, go to the Remembrance Day service there, at which they opened the Pope's Doors for the visiting British dignitaries, and had bagpipes up the center aisle.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you have days with your children and evenings in Paris with your husband. V. romantic! Don't miss out on the beautiful Galeries Lafayette. I can recommend the Restaurant Chartier in Monmartre!
ReplyDeleteit all looks so lovely. Paris is such an amazing place. I was an au pair there for a year 30 years ago. If you like smaller museums off the beaten track try the musee marmottan in the 16th or the musee nissim de camondo in the 8th arrondissemont. have fun Katharine
ReplyDeleteOh you look like you are having a lovely time! I must say I adore Bella's red coat!
ReplyDeleteAnna!! We were in Pairs in August - isn't it a beautiful city? So much culture and richness, endless things to see, so I won't bore you with my tips. BUT, please, please, please tell me, what lens did the Compposer use of the shot of you and the girls in Jardin Tuileries? (the photo above the one of the pond). Our photo's were so disappointing. And it was Paris! All because my camera was deficient. Hope you have a fabulous week! FHxxx
ReplyDeleteBella's coat is from Boden, several seasons ago. In fact, it's a hand-me-down from Clara.
ReplyDeleteFH, the Composer will answer your question soon.
Rose, we boil potato enough to slice thinly and cover the pizza dough. For two large pizzas, maybe five to six new potatoes? I like red or Yukon gold best for this.
Oh, I am enjoying my trip with you very much! Thank you. Daisy much braver than I am for trying snails!
ReplyDelete[---please tell me, what lens did the Composer use of the shot of you and the girls in Jardin Tuileries? (the photo above the one of the pond). Our photo's were so disappointing. ---]
ReplyDeleteFH -- the lens is a Canon 24-105 (2.8-4.0) zoom -- it was fully extended at 105mm, aperture wide open at 4.0. You don't explain why your own photos disappointed you so much compared to this one, but I suspect it's a depth of field issue -- the background being out of focus draws attention to the principal subject. To get that effect (narrower depth of field) you need the longer focal length and wider aperture -- which is easier to achieve by virtue of the larger image sensor in the Canon 5D, which is the camera that I'm using.
The Composer
Thank you Mr Composer so much. I understand a little bit about depth of field, and have recently started using a 85mm lens (fixed I think?) for that purpose. In fact, I lugged my SLR (Canon EOS something?) all around the world (literally) and never used because I have to stand about 5 miles away from the subject to get everyone in the frame. So I just used my Canon point and shoot, which has, in the past, delivered reasonable results. But it just didn't want to in Paris. I'm looking up the prices of the Canon 24 - 105 right now as I think it's going to be more useful than my current one (which is very good for closeup's of food but not travel shots). I have to say, though, that it was Anna's blog that revived my interest in photography, and I'm having a lot of fun with it. SO much to learn though. I really appreciate your comments, thanks for taking the time to reply.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I had tears at the airport, I was nowhere near ready to leave. We left from the non-CDG airport too, the one with no shops, which didn't help. Great travel diary:) FH