The Three P’s

 Paris, Proust and Pans

This morning we went to thé Marais and to the Musée Carnavalet to see the remodeled museum and the Marcel Proust exhibit. The museum seemed much larger and so much so that I had to ask directions on how to find the exit. I enjoyed the Proust exhibit and the paintings that accompanied it. 

We walked over to the Place des Vosges and enjoyed the fountains and shopping along the way.

  Next we took a cab to the Les Halls district to E. Dehillerin to view (and possibly buy) their copper pans. Incredible store that recently celebrated their 200th anniversary. Very kind and informative sales people and we all bought a few goodies!  

Later in the evening we went to the Musée d’Orsay as they are open until 9:30 on Thursday nights. It was lovely to be there without many people and take photos without the back of a head in my photos!

And the sunset was positively dramatic…..

Sorry for the photo quality but it’s a photo from my iPhone taken off my camera. I promise to head over to the Apple Store today to get a transfer cable today!  But you get the idea of the beauty of this sunset thru the d’Orsay’s restaurant window. 

Finished the evening with a late night dinner at Le Deux Magots outside in the brisk evening air. 

Trains & Automobiles & Castles

 I forgot to tell you that on our first day of arrival we went to a fashion show of Alber Elbaz’s designer clothing and it was fascinating    I have a lot of great shots on my big camera but I haven’t worked out a way to download them onto my iPhone or iPad yet  I think tomorrow I need to visit the local Apple Store! 

Anyway, here is one photo that I took on my iPhone for you…

Yesterday, March 16th was a very full day. We took the TGV down to the Loire and rented a car (that Mr. rented for us from home because my link was all in French and I didn’t want to rent us a tractor by mistake). We drove to Villandry first and visited her beautiful gardens….

It is still early in the season yet so not a lot was blooming but it was amazing to see the bones of the garden AND there were very few people!  A crew of gardeners were out working on hand planting some of the area and it was great to watch them at work. 

Next we drove on to Chenonceau and into the sweet village for lunch. We found a cozy galette restaurant and ordered some very delicious buckwheat galettes with ementale cheese, ham & an egg on top. Then we ordered a chocolate crepe to share. Everything was delicious! So then we headied to the chateau…

The château itself is amazing but the flower display throughout were incredible and since 2015 Jean-Francois Boucher had been teaching workshops and creating the beautiful floral displays.  

Both Château’s are well worth a visit!     

Springtime in Paris

View of our bedroom balcony & blue skies

After an 11 hour plane ride with masks on we arrived in Paris about 10 am to a slight Parisian drizzle. We checked into our hotel early and went down the street for lunch.  Returned to our apartment and unpacked, hung up clothes and giggled because we are actually here…in Paris!

I am here with two girlfriends and this is our 4th or 5th trip here. Staying at our sweet little hotel that feels like home. 

Today we woke to brilliant blue skies and we worked on our joint calendar including all of the museums, parks, restaurants & shops we want to visit including three day trips outside of Paris. 

Today is a Monday when most museums are closed so we will head to a beautiful park and have lunch at a nearby restaurant!

Bonjour France!

 

Today I Am Three

 Song - Paw Patrol Happy Birthday to You

Wow! What a year!!! I have grown and learned so much in this last

I learned that it’s ok to move from our cozy little condo to a home of our own with a big backyard to play in......

...even if I have to help do the work!

I learned it's fun to grow vegetables in my garden and eat them

I learned to go to school and make friends with teachers and other kids

I learned to love little trains and  REAL trains with YaYa and Papa. 

Monkey and  I can even get the conductor to blow the horn for us!

I like to help daddy & Uncle TyTy work on fixing our new house

I’ve learned how to wear a face mask so I don’t get sick or make others sick

I’m learning my colors, my numbers and the alphabet. I love the color “geen” and the number 3.

My favorite people are Mommy & Daddy. YaYa & Papa & Uncle TyTy, Grandpa Party & Kiki. I’m friends with JoeJoe and Uncle Jon who has a funny dog or two.

I like to help mommy when she is working from home

I’ve learned to feed the birds at YaYa’s house and give them plenty of water too.

I like to read books but I especially like it when Papa reads to me.

I’ve learned that I like to put on my clothes and shoes all by myself and I found out that boots go with just about every outfit!

I’ve learned that I love to eat ice cream especially when it has sprinkles on top!

I've learned that I am very good at packing to go visit YaYa & Papa

I love to explore things and see how they work

I like taking long walks especially when I can splash in the rain!

Did you know that I like to drink two things at once?

I try to have good manners when I go to a restaurant

My favorite time with YaYa is in the garden!

Daddy taught me to measure twice and hammer a lot!

Watch out world here I come!

Just watch me Roar!!

A Window of Opportunity

 

Heading to France for several weeks.  Three weeks in Paris with two of my friends and then Mr. B will join me and we will take the TGV to Avignon where we will rent a car and travel through the South of France for several weeks before returning to Paris. 

Hope you will join me for the journey!

Voices of the Pacific Flyway

Song - Snow Geese Flying & Honking

 

Two Sandhill Cranes

On Tuesday my friend Jill and I drove to Lodi to enjoy a mini road trip and to do some bird watching.  We saw hawks all along our journey mostly on telephone poles surveying the ground below.  We were heading to the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve. 

Every Fall thousands of waterfowl birds migrate from Russia, Alaska, Canada into California and the Pacific Flyway. Below is a GPS map of the migration from the US Government and Western Ecological Research Center.

The birds mostly come from colder countries and over winter in California's Central Valley.

 

Great Egret

A Great Egret can be identified by its large size and a yellow-orange bill while the Snowy Egret is much smaller in size and has a black bill.

 

 

Two Tundra Swans

We arrived at the Reserve in the early afternoon and drove up and down West Woodbridge Road.  There is shallow water on both sides of the road where the birds gather.

 

 

 

 

Several Sandhill Cranes in a field with more in the background

 

Tundra Swans in flight

Later in the afternoon birds began to fly overhead in great numbers.

 

 

 

More Tundra Swans

Greater White-Fronted Geese in the foreground and Snow Geese in the mid-section

The Greater White-Fronted Geese are named this because they have a small bit of white feathers above their bill.

 

 

 

Greater White-Fronted Geese blend in with the landscape

 

 

A solitary Sandhill Crane with a red head

 

 

 

 Snow Geese landing in a nearby field

 

 

 

Snow Geese in flight with their distinctive features of white body and black tipped wings

 

 

 

Coming around again!

 

 

 At this point it's getting pretty noisy as they are calling from the sky, the water and the fields

Jill had me turn the car off several times so we could take in the excited calls.

 There were several Northern Pintail ducks nearby

 

An American Kestrel (which is one of the smallest falcons) on the wires.  So colorful!

 

 

 Western Grebe with long bills

 

What I believe is a Red-Shouldered Hawk blending in with his background

A very friendly Great Blue Heron quietly standing by the side of the road.  Didn't seem bothered  by the car or our cameras clicking.  Guess he wanted to make sure we got his good side!

Sandhill Cranes

A different shot of the American Kestrel

A hawk in a Walnut Tree

Jill spotted this Coyote as we were leaving

Not sure why he was so thin as there are plenty of birds to eat.

A Great Egret taking off.....

And there she goes.....

A parting shot of a Sandhill Crane

 

After leaving the Reserve we went into Lodi and enjoyed a yummy early Thai dinner at Thai Spices that my friend Ellen had recommended!  Thanks Ellen - it was so delicious! 

We drove home into a beautiful sunset.

Hope to go again soon!