February 2019

February ... the month of groundhogs and Valentines. Rather at opposite ends of some type of spectrum, don’t you think? Anyhow the groundhog phenom is not evident in Paris nor is much of Valentines which is more a North American commercial event. Yes, we saw red roses and pink ones too and we enjoyed a lovely early morning breakfast, but to most folks it was just another day. We went to a beautiful little cafe nearby that has the oldest zinc bar in Paris. The high  ceiling is cream coloured with age or smoke and  charming scrollwork decorates the corners. We enjoyed large coffee creme while women from the local area dropped by, after shopping for their daily needs at Marché d'Aligre, and stepped up briskly to the bar for a shot of noire. Black espresso served in a tiny cup with a piece of dark chocolate alongside. Dogs barked at each other as they passed in the aisles. . .  never heard nor seen until another chien trotted by.  Newspapers, real ones rustled; several choices were laid out on a table by the entry. The scent of good coffee and pastries filled the air and it was a most pleasant way to spend a morning.

We have enjoyed visitors from Auxerre whom we met last winter, too short a visit by far. Our young friends from Soissons came through too and we spent a happy day with them. Old friends from Canada blew in and blew out so fast we hardly knew they were here. But we certainly missed them when gone.  Oscar has enjoyed everyone and entertained most. He has learned a few new tricks and also now recognizes the water spray bottle. We have strolled Paris far and wide, people watched from cafes, brunched, lunched and dined. We have been to concerts and entertainments  both high and low culture. Philharmonic, and Baroque quartets to the Moulin Rouge and had fun at every event. Spring is here, the weather has been superb with sunny days that bring the entire population of Paris to the streets, or so it seems.

My tulips are up. My geraniums survived the winter unfrosted and are a deep beautiful green. We have made our travel plans for April and will leave after John returns from Budapest. We shall depart for Metz and our summer berth on the Moselle on the 19^th. And it looks as if March will come in like a lamb, or so we hope.

Tomorrow we take the train to a place I have yearned to see Chateau Chantilly. And yes, there will be pictures next month.

Champignon Veloute....★★★★

Cod with Roasted Fennel

 Passage des Panoramas 

Fantasical Venetian Masks

Bronze bas-reliefs by Antoine Bourdelle (31 October 1861 – 1 October 1929)an influential and prolific French sculptor, painter, and teacher

That Decorate the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

At Musée Bourdelle which was orignially his home and studio.

We learned about the extremely complex task of creating a Bronze Cast

A Series of works from the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts

Of Delicate Japanese Scoll Paintings

Pins Sous le Neige, Ere Showa, 1871-1933,  

Extraordinary Sumurai Armour

Fabulous Warriors Helmut..Note the Mustache

Grey Day at the Alexandre Bridge

Tulips are Blooming

Roses Too

An Exposition of Martine Franck Photographs

At the Henri Cartier Bresson Museum

Franck was a Gifted Photographer 

She was the wife of Henri Cartier Bresson. I found the above photos, of the large exhibit,  exceptional & revealing.

The interior of the  beautiful Théâtre des Champs-Élysées where we have attended musical concerts.
The seats are comfortable!
 ( this photo from the internet as view not available to me)

Dorothy in Paris

Bruce Pondering Lunch Decisions

D & B at the Moulin Rouge

With J & R

Are They Lost?

Spring Blooms

Everybody loves a Garden

Coulée Verte. . .a wonderful walking path near us. 

Had to Add Oscar Somewhere

Valentine's Day

A Great Coffee

A Sneaked Photo of the Orchestre de Paris and the Orchestre du Conservatoire de Paris Combined
at performance of Hector Berloz ( 1803-1869) Requiem
There was a Choir of 220,
The music was " belle et bizarre, sauvage, convulsive et douloureuse" Alfred de Vigny, 5 décembre 1837 quoted, when it was first played. 

We agreed with Vigny

Oscar is growing.

Stéphanie, Yann and Paul; our friends from Soissons

Table is Off Limits

Stroll Along the Seine

He likes These Birds

A Few Lovely Items

From the Musée Jacquemart-André

Elegant Wheaten Chairbacks

Fairytale Staircase

Built by Edouard André and his wife Nélie Jacquemart,
both avid art collectors,
 in the new Paris being laid out by Baron Haussmann towards the end of the 19th century

Original Draperies and Wallcoverings Have been maintained

The Main Reception room wall on the right folds back and drops down to the basement to enlarge the space.
Receptions of 1000 were common, as all of Paris wished to see this new design.

Delicately Decorated Panels

Ceiling Painting by Tiepolo was moved from Italy

Tapestries in the Tea Room

A Unique Door Knocker..but it still has a small Lion

A Degas Depicted in Glass...in the Metro

Great Street Art

 

Sunday Stroll with JF, V, J, J & E

Two Friends

It's Fashion Week!

Stolling Through Paris Sunshine: On steps of L'église de la Madeleine

A Very Good Friend Found These for the Squirrel or as know here L'écureuil
The best part is L'écureuil loves it.  Thank you JF!

( We have had many questions about how the Squirrel was managing without Peanut butter. Thank you all for your concern. )