Paris is always a good Idea

Thanks to films such as "Sabrina" and "French Kiss", Paris has always been a bit of an obsession of mine. I always had the idea that it was a place with transformative powers, you know, once you go, you will never be the same. I think this is what happened this weekend...to both me, and Zach.

After we moved to Europe, taking a trip to Paris has always been high on the list, but it always seemed to get pushed back for some reason or another.... but honestly, I was a bit apprehensive. How could a place that you have built up in your mind for so long live up to the expectation? I was afraid I would be let down, and the fantasy would be over

I needn't have worried.

It. Was. Amazing.

  I hope that I have started a love affair with a place that will last for the rest of my life. We were careful not to plan too many "tourist" activities for the weekend. Instead of visiting Notre Dame, we went to a bread store that I heard has the best sour dough in France. We replaced seeing the Mona Lisa with a morning at a Parisian flea market, and we spent the majority of our days wandering the streets, eating, and watching, instead of hurrying around from sight to sight. We were able to do this because of course we want to come back and go see Mona, and Versailles, etc.. but we needed our first visit to be about something more than beautiful artifacts, and it was. Sabrina was right, Paris is always a good idea.


Here are some of my Paris favorites... so far:

Um... the Eiffel Tower... of course... hence the ridiculous number of pictures of it in this post, fyi

Oh my gosh- the FLOWERS

The dog culture.... seriously, it was almost too much

The French Baguette, it is not a myth, everyone is carrying one around. They are sticking out of purses, bike baskets and strollers

Cafés, each one more charming than the next

Speaking French- I was happily surprised that there was some skills left over from high school and college, even though I found myself from time to time inadvertently and simultaneously speaking in bits of French, German, and English.

Picture Update

Wednesday

I just cooked a roast for dinner. Holy smokes... literally, smoke. I have opened every window in the place. Next time more fan, less oil.

Doors open, sun out, music up LOUD, trying to sing along to German pop, feel like a crazy fool, it is a good day.

Eating: Tomato and roasted red pepper soup

Reading: Tears of the Giraffe

Doing: Doggy Commissions, language training

Enjoying: Wine, wine and um, wine

Obsessed: Dog baskets

I mean... come on

I liked it, Zach says "it's okay"

Silver lining

I can't tell you how much I love the light

Um, Germans know how to throw a party, we did not look like this upon our return

Ahhhhhh

Beautiful light on a beautiful painting

And one more, just so you have the full understanding of this cuteness

Little Things

 Running dog-free. Yesterday I decided I wanted to go for a run with just me, myself and I. Usually, my daily runs consist of dog leashes, poop bags, dog treats, random poo and pee stops, pulling, stopping and avoiding people. Yesterday, there was none of that, and it was glorious. I went at my own pace and could focus on something other than dog. I love my boys, but I am going to try to have a "me" run at least once a week from now on.

Establishing new traditions. Every Sunday all four of us walk down to our little bakery and get two chocolate croissants and two Kartoffelbroetchen (potato-bread rolls). We come home, make tea, and enjoy our breakfast. Sometimes we have eggs and sausage with it as well, it is just nice to know that Sundays are our day.


Pick and choose. It is a breath of fresh air to stand in line at the supermarket and not recognize anyone or anything on the covers of all the magazines. It is nice to be able to pick and choose what pop culture I get from home, usually it is just all up in your face all of the time, but here, I actually have to make an effort to find things such as new movie releases and entertainment headlines. I was on Pinterest today and saw something about Oscar dresses, completely missed that this year, and it was kind of nice. Not to mention being able to choose NOT to ever see another Kardashian again is gratifying.



Working technology. I didn't have a dryer for three weeks. It wasn't that bad, the only drawback was that I was only able to do one load a day. It came back earlier this week and it has been lovely getting laundry done. Oh, and having the clothes all fluffy and warm is nice, too (man, do I sound like a housewife or what?)

Here  are some other little things I have been enjoying...

Cute puppy in beautiful afternoon light always makes me happy

Walk in the morning fog

Spring bouquet 

Woodsy walks

Amazing dog nose art

Afternoon drives

This fella

Spring