La Premiere Partie des Vacances

The first part of my vacation has turned into an all out exploration of Claude Monet. I made a long over due visit to Le Musee de L'Orangerie as well as visiting the small town Giverny. The L'Orangerie houses some of Monet most famous paintings, his series of "Nympheas" or water lilies. It was there I broke my personal oath to never photograph paintings... but everyone else was doing it and I desperately wanted to show them to you. Giverny is the city that Monet called home and where he created his beautiful gardens. So I will show you his paintings and then his inspiration. The picture above is from the Tuileries gardens where Louise Bourgeois has had her wonderful spider installed while she's exhibiting here in Paris. That's the Louvre in the background. p.s. This post made possible by Joanie and Bill, as well as viewers like you.









Monet's home in Giverny.




















Here you can see his famous Japanese bridge across the Pond.


The picture above is not of the famous bridge, just a smaller foot bridge across the creek.

My New Inter-webbing Stitch Master Skills

Le Jardin de Cluny



Un Bridge de la Ile St-Louis



Le Pompidou Centre

Don't know if you can tell, but I'm really excited about this new program my friend showed me how to use. Also, if anyone is looking at this blog, feel free to comment. It's sad when no one responds.

My Week In Photos, 6th to 13th of April

Henry loves oatmeal raisin cookies. So do I.



My French Class. We represent Korea, The Dominican Republic, China, Switzerland, Colombia, Turkey, and the U.S.













The French Government has decided to lay off thousands of teachers without the intention of replacing them, to cut costs of course. Students and teachers have been protesting for days.












Danelle and Liz.

There you are Spring!

The weather here has been so unpredictable it's been hard to differentiate good old Paris drizzle from the pleasant afternoon mists of Spring. But without a doubt the lovely season is upon us, these beautiful flowers in a neighborhood park being confirming evidence.


Even better evidence: baby ducks swimming in the canal. You can't tell in the photo but it was clear in person this momma duck was showing off her little-ones.


The best part of this emerging season has been spending time with good friends. Making sure to enjoy dinner the French way of course; drinking for a few hours and never eating before ten. I'm reminded of a certain Houstonian household, no names necessary, you know who you are.

La Visite a` Somette

Dans le train.

Dinner with Fede's family. His uncle is the mayor of the small town Somette. His uncle seems to be a connoisseur of most everything. That evening we drank from his wine collection and more than tasted his plethora of digestifs. My favorite was one he had found in the Italian country side. It was made of 100 hand picked herbs and brewed by the locals. Very delicious and very strong.




His families farm home in the country.




















There's a fungus among us.





The Geese, who have gone unnamed, supposedly earn their keep by protecting the property. I still don't know what that means. I think the white one knew I was taking his picture.









This is the barn where they keep their harvested crop. You can see Fede and walking with his aunt. This incredible mountain is made from tiny sugar beet pellets. The pellets are whats left of the crop after the sugar has been extracted. The factory dehydrates the pulp and forms it into the little pieces that can later be fed to livestock. Very cool. I must say, seeing this was really wonderful for me.

What the picture can't convey is the true size of this mound, as well as the deliciously earthy sweet smell that fills the barn. It's also hard to see the true colors. The pellets are a rich purple, the mountain glows when the light hits it.











Fede and myself on a walk through the fields.


Quite possibly the greenest grass I have ever seen.