The Long and Uphill Journey to Bougival

The old church of Bougival.

My daily commute to Bougival is decidedly a journey. 

Follow me on it ---->

Bateaux Mouches

Come down the river with meeee --->

Le Anniversaire of the eldest DeFrate!

 Very excited to be galavanting around Paris in my pink maxi!!

Chairlift- Bruises

A very silly little video from our Eiffel Tower picnic.
 Forgive my Bob Dylan reference, I was feeling very excited, and free and happy about life.

Picnic-ing at Eiffel Tower

The 'Look! We are in Paris!' Eiffel Tower pictures. ---->

Stationary Shoppe

I think all of you know how much I love little papers and such delights, so it should be no surprise that I could not walk by this shoppe without taking a peek inside.

Le Komptoir Bar

Of all the annoyances of not being settled into our apartment, I think one of the worst things is not being able to buy groceries to keep in a kitchen to eat when we are hungry. We therefore often find ourselves absolutely starving and desperately searching for an affordable meal. Quite ravenous and about to give up hope, we stumbled upon Le Komptoir. We were both pleasantly surprised by our selection of restaurant in our time of desperation - cool decor, reasonable prices, delicious food AND a nice waitress - a rare combination.

trying to nourish ourselves with... >>>

Friday Night in Bastille

Liberty! 

Jardin du Luxembourg

 My TEFL training has been an interesting experience. It is a small class with a wide-variety of native English speakers - Austrailian, Brittish, Belgium, Irish and Japanese plus some other Americans that have somehow formed a into a little friend group. Since today was the second to last day of training (and a beautiful day outside), we decided to walk a couple blocks to the wonderful Jardin du Luxembourg to eat. 

Versailles

So many beautiful things.! Come see ----->>

Ari's Bagels

Where can you find a thick, chewy everything bagel...

 toasted and oozing with delicious chevre, miel, toasted pecans and few simple greens in Paris?

Techno Parade

While we were eating Ari's Bagels, we heard deep techno bass coming from a few blocks away - and got excited for the daytime Techno Parade which was taking over the streets of Paris.

[boom, boom, boom]

Picnics and Parks by Notre Dame

Such a beautiful Friday in Paris! The weather was warm and sunny with the lightest breeze.

Cafe Panis

Rose s'il vous plaît? ---->

Dahlias

Reason #32904324 I love Paris -

Beautiful flowers markets everywhere.!

Stephie Got a Job!

That sponsors her for a VISA! Woo! At La Petit Academy! Teaching six year old English! Woo! Whew! I was getting so incredibly worried because it really felt impossible. Everyone in France I lamented to about the situation basically told me to give up on the idea of getting a legitimate job and find 'under the table' work. I did not want to do this! This feels like such a answer to prayer, I am so relieved!

Notre Dame outside the apartment we are staying at is a nice way to be greeted by the world everyday.
HOW DID IT HAPPEN? --->

Jarden des Grands Explorateurs

((fountains, trees and sunshine))

Rambouillet Pt. 2

Taking in the pretty garden and pool on one of the last languid days of summer.

Come and meet Dalton.! --->

Rambouillet Pt. 1

We were invited to spend the weekend away from Paris again - we were able to go to another absolutely amazing home - complete with a beautiful garden and pool - outside of the small town of Rambouillet. 

But wait.. there is a pool?

Le Sorbon

Mmm - duck and warm chevre toasts!

Thursday Night at Place d'Italie

Rue des Cinq Diamants
**bling, bling**

Big Blue Whale

Since I began my TEFL course, I have had mixed feelings about it and the results it will bring when I have complete it and earned my certificate. Class has some really long days - 9am to 8pm and am definitely working really hard applying for jobs (I have two interviews this week - wish me luck!) and hoping they will sponsor for a work visa. I did have fun yesterday though, it was the one day we spent devoted to how to teach children - I planned a lesson on adjectives, purple striped curious cat -hehe.

For Painting My Roses Pink

Someone shall lose his head!

[Calm down Red Queen]

--some beautiful, beautiful roses we passed on our way home--

                      

Fourth Century Church

Final post from Poitiers- Chloe and I attempted to go see this church that had ancient sections dating all the way back to fourth century AD that had baths were the first Christians were baptized after it became accepted under Roman rule to do so. It was unfortunately closed but we still appreciated the sentiment!

Sundays in Poitiers

On Sunday the Desoutters planned what I thought was going to be a simple picnic at their friend's house on the river. I was not expecting the beautiful Les Cours du Clain.

A perfect tiny pink rose on the archway walking in to the estate.
Lots more wonderful things ---->

Rivers and Roads

been talking 'bout the way things change

---rivers and roads till I find you---

Le marché à Poitiers

 On Saturday morning, we arose from a very needed nights sleep to go to the market in Poitiers. I was a little unenthusiastic about waking up when I have been so very sleep deprived but once I got there, I couldn't have been happier I decided to get out of bed. The produce was beautiful! Most of you know how excited I get about wonderful produce!

 Tiny brightly colored radishes.

 Deep aubergine artichokes.

The most perfect, absolutely miniature cherry tomatoes. These immediately caught my eye to photograph but I walked away without buying them. After walking around the market a bit more, I regretted missing out on these little gems and went back to get them, but they were gone! The stand had been packed up! A very elderly, hunched over man noticed me standing forlorn in front of the vacant stand and knew just why I had returned. It was his stand and he had seen me take the photo and told me I could still get my tiny tomatoes! He walked me to his car with his slow gait, produced the miniature tomatoes, gave me some free peaches and wished me to have a very good day. People can be so nice sometimes.

 Kindness continued at this organic olive oil stand. After Chloe and I samples the delicious tapenade while discussing the beauty of simple food with the owner, he gave us a jar for free when we bought one!

My Mr. M calls me a berry eater by trade so it is no wonder that I got very excited about these gorgeous, perfect little strawberries. The owners of the stand saw my clear enthusiasm and told me they hoped the strawberries were smiling for me in all my pictures.

And there were beautiful flowers everywhere.

 So I am obviously feeling pretty happy at this point when what to my wondering eyes did appear but a very tiny, CUTE little yorkie! I just had to take a picture.

The owner of the little puppeh was quite flattered by my excitement about her dog and when Chloe explained to her I had a yorkie too, she insisted I take a picture with hers - hehe. Successful morning!

ps - I got wonderful organic chervé from the woman in the background of the photo.

Weekend in Poitiers

Avec des bières!

Lana Del Rey

This seems like it will be something...