Dare To Dream...A Paris Shopping Spree!

I just want to let you all know about something very special.  Lovely Jermaine of
French Kissed  is going to be hosting a four day guided Paris Shopping Spree! 
.

And believe me, she is the perfect person to do this.

If you visit French Kissed she will give you all the wonderful details plus she is having
a beautiful giveaway.

There will be two different tours in May.  Plenty of time for you to make plans now.
The four day luxury tour includes Flea Markets, Brocantes, Fashion Houses and
so much more.

For all the delicious and delightful details visit French Kissed...and don't forget her

beautiful giveaway.

I only wish I could go along but unfortunately I will not be able to this year. So, I
look forward to receiving a postcard from you!

I hope you all enjoy a beautiful weekend!

(all photos courtesy of French Kissed)

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.

Today is Farmers' Market Day...

I always look forward to Sunday morning at the farmers’ market. It’s a wonderful
place to meet up with neighbors who I never get a chance to see during the week
because of all our hectic schedules. And, of course the beautiful fresh vegetables and
fruit. Today I arrived very early and many of the farmers were just setting up but
pleasure was already in the air...

 There's something for everyone...

Right now it is strawberry time in California and this makes the market day extra special.
They are all so sweet and plump and juicy...

The peaches are divine... 

There are also, of course, all the extras...like mushrooms...

and chocolate...

And herbs...

Breads and pastries of all sorts...

I’m always captivated by the variety of vegetables...so many different shapes and
colors and sizes...

Some want to make a statement...

And the orchids...

And the flowers....

I love the look of the flowers wrapped in newspaper when you purchase them.
It reminds me of my time in Paris.

I hope you are having a lovely day.