A French State Of Mind

If you have your speakers turned on you can probably hear Edith Piaf singing
La Vie En Rose.  I am in a French state of mind this weekend.  The reason for this is
a friend just returned from her first trip to Paris and has been regaling me with wonderful
tales of her trip.  I have had the good fortune of having been to Paris and other parts of
France a few times and I am thrilled to hear her first time stories.  Before she left she
asked me what I most wanted to see on my first trip many years ago and I of course
replied “Everything”!!!  She laughed when I told her that I had a great, great, great (I
actually don’t know how many “greats” back) uncle who was a well known painter in
Paris in the 1800’s and has a couple of paintings hanging in the Louvre,  but that became
last on my list of things to search out.  It started at the top of my list but once I arrived in
that exquisite city, his paintings moved lower on the list because I wanted to see every
single thing I could possibly see in Paris and France...and then, finally his paintings.
I have traveled often with work and I have been fortunate enough to have made a few
more trips to France since my first trip many years ago, and I must say...each time I go
to Paris it is as if I am there for the very first time. 

So given my French state of mind this weekend, I will read (for the 100th time) the
wonderful book by Vicki Archer, French Essence...

Enjoy a few French macarons...I took this picture at Madame Paulette’s shop in Los
Angeles.. She also has a shop in Paris that I have pledged to visit one day!

Listen to a little Edith Piaf...

And, sip a little French Champagne to celebrate the New Year....

I also want to take this time to wish all of you a safe and Happy New Year filled with
much love, joy, good health and prosperity.  I thank you all for welcoming me into the
blogging world. You have made it a wonderful experience. You have blessed my life.
It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you and sharing so many wonderful ideas
and experiences.  I thank you and I wish you all many, many blessings in the New Year.

I Really Do Know It's October!

I know it is the beginning of October but in Southern California we have been
having some very warm weather after what has been a very cool summer. 
It's really not so unusual for our area that we are warm at this time of year.

I have been away for a few days and when I returned home today the lovely warm
weather was emphasized by these beautiful new rose blooms to welcome me.

I was going to do a post on more antiques but the weather has me experiencing
a bit of spring fever, so I will post the antiques at another time.  Please enjoy a few
more blooms from my garden this morning.

As you can see, the warm weather has made it nearly impossible for me to accept
that it is October and I should be getting ready for fall!


Debbie of  Love Of The Sea has asked a few of us to answer the following questions.
I don’t ordinarily do this kind of thing but Debbie is so lovely so I thought I would
go ahead and play along with everyone.  Here goes...

• Do you consider yourself a city girl or country girl?
Well, I think I am a country girl at heart. I love living near a city and I do tend to
make use of everything a city has to offer...cultural offerings such as museums,
galleries, all kinds of concert, etc.  Also, I love trying new restaurants and things like
that. But, if I had to choose between living in a big city and living in the country on a
daily basis, I would say I am more of a country girl at heart...but I want to have a
city not too far away.  Oh, and I would like an ocean not too far away too!

• Besides where you live, where is the one other place you would like to live? Why?
I grew up on the East Coast and when I first moved to Southern  California
I lived in Santa Barbara. I loved it. I think it is one of the most beautiful
places. I also love New England and its charm. If I had to choose somewhere
outside of this country it would be Paris or some place in Provence.

• What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?
Hmmm. That depends on the kind of week I’ve had. If it has been extraordinarily
busy I would probably choose to stay home and relax. If it has been a normal
week then I would definitely want to gather with friends for a nice meal and wine.

• What is the one habit that you really want to break but know you never will?
I wish I could simplify more. I keep trying but I do love to be surrounded by
pretty things and I appreciate their beauty. So it would be difficult for me to live
a life as a true minimalist(I so wish I could). I also love the fun of the hunt...I love
antiquing and thrifting.

• If you could spend the day with one famous person, who would it be and why?
That’s a very difficult question for me because with my work I am surrounded by
well known people on a daily basis. There are many who are very interesting and
are great fun. However, I guess if I had to pick one well known person to
spend the day with it would be Neil Simon, the playwright. I have had the pleasure
of spending lots of time with Neil and we have had wonderful conversations.

• What is your favorite pastime or hobby?
Antiquing, photography, reading, designing, catching up with my wonderful friends,
trying new restaurants, traveling...and the list goes on!

• If you could choose any place in the world to go to - all expenses paid - where
would it be?
I love to travel so I would go to France, Italy, Tahiti, Scandinavia...and the list
goes on!

Now, my instructions were that after I answer the above questions I should pass
them on to other people. But instead of that I think I would prefer that when you
leave a comment,  maybe if you want, you can tell me a little something about
yourself.  Oh yes, if you are a minimalist...do you give lessons!?!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.