Soar-Dream-France

Special Fun for New Years Eve

 

Trying to continue to be true to my "do what I feel like doing in the moment" self, I got up this morning not wanting to force anything into this day. The sun made up my mind for me. It came out way before noon, and when I headed out to the yard it was actually comfortable. I didn't need to do a lot, but I wanted to go to the bank and get a few tide me over essentials at the Petit Casino. 

Riding toward the bank, I saw a huge line of people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a moment, I thought maybe the bank was NOT meant to be, until I realized that the line was actually for the patisserie! Whew!

 

ATM fast, easy in and out at the Petit Casino, and I was contemplating the Cajarc riverfront again. As I got to the turn off left to go home, I decided to take it and go to my more private usual spot right on the road and the river. It seemed the right thing to do with the virus and too many people in town for the holiday. No need to temp fate.

It felt good to be back at my old spot. The sun was blasting to the point that I was actually getting a bit too warm sitting there. My New Year's Eve treat today was my Diet Coke, Doritos AND a bag of chips. I felt decadent and felt a little like the river and the sunshine and I were celebrating the end of 2021 and welcoming 2022 together! It was fun.

 

 

 

Honestly, I couldn't have celebrated any better.

Happy Friday and Happy New Year's Eve!

 

So Many Paris Memories

 

I believe that we each have "our very own" Paris.

Don't get me wrong. I love it all, but my Paris is Montmartre and the Rue Montorgueil areas.

I am home there.

I love this shot from Montmartre, taken as you're getting off the funicular at the top!

I am missing Paris.

During my early years of here, it was because from 2002 to recently I was just passing through on my way to the Chatette.

 

 

Once I realized how much I missed having my time with Paris, I began to find ways to be there longer, spending a couple nights before I headed back to the states.

Now, with so much going on with the virus; I miss Paris...period.

I'm not going to travel unless I absolutely have to.

That must will come in the middle of March, 2022, when I have a return to the states scheduled. It's probably going to be a return to a mere "traverse" of Paris.

 

 

For some reason, the memories...people, places, feelings, and all the amazing moments are flooding my heart and soul today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are washing over me!

I'm living on memories made!

 

 

 

Isn't it wonderful that I have them at all?

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Santa Music Happys

 

Since the 2017 fire, I have had no other music here except my Monsieur Winkelmann. I make the music with him. But, this year I wanted piano Christmas music. I stumbled on a YouTube treasure trove of my favorite pianist, Jim Brickman. I especially love his Christmas Album, The Gift. So, I got my music this holiday season to enjoy while cooking and eating. 

The shot above always carries me back to the early days of here, filtered or not, it's beautiful and takes me to another plane. There were a number of years of being here for Christmas. I loved those years, but then I began working contracts during the holidays and found myself in Holland or Germany. Both were wonderful in their own way. Ah, the memories.

I leave you with a gang of Santas who made me happy over the years.

Happy Tuesday!

 

Filtering Fun

 

Back during the very early days of here, I had a computer program that filtered photos in this metallic way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found it worked better on some shots that others.

 

 

It was always fun to try. Here are some of my favorites for you to enjoy!

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

The Morning After

 

Our Christmas Day was every bit what I'd expected for Lola and I.

I didn't force her to wear her pearls but she did keep me company through dinner and Hallmark Movies; the number of which I've lost count.

It was a good Christmas.

First thing, I talked to my brother Jim, in California on Skype. A little while later, my friend Pam called to check in and I heard from many others by phone, email, text, etc. 

 

 

 

The food turned out to be exceptional and every bit as special as I'd hoped. (Kudos to Thiriet once more!) I made a nice nibbles platter and my dinner with my very special The du Louvre, that I've fallen in love with that Kat had sent in sample form.

 

 

And yes, there was so much that I can just walk into the kitchen to grab my plate and heat it up for another special dinner on this Boxing Day!

I'm particularly looking forward to these Thiriet foie gras resting on applesauce on a spiced biscuit!

This was my wow of the day for sure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off to trolley up some more wood. Hope you enjoy a few photos from yesterday! 

Happy Sunday!

 

Merry Merry Christmas

 

Although I'd written earlier that Lola had "marked herself safe from the decorating rampage;" it didn't stop me from at least considering a Xmas bow of some kind for her. That proposition seemed like too much for BOTH of us.

Then it hit me...my very swanky cat deserved PEARLS! 

I'm not into torture, but I did want to give a shot just for kicks. I never intended for her to wear them throughout the holidays.

Me, I can barely put earrings and make-up on if I'm leaving the house!

Et voila! Isn't she even more beautiful?

 

 

She lasted long enough for a couple of shots. I may try this again sometime for purely photo purposes.

 

 

Lola and I wish everyone a healthy, happy, full of love holiday season! You certainly have our love!

Merry Merry Christmas AND Happy Saturday!

 

Isn't That Special?

 

While I believe that every day is special and try to begin each day in that place; there are still some times that you may have to work at getting there a little more than usual.

I think this holiday season is one of those times for many of us. Last year, with the vaccines on the horizon, it seemed that everyone pushed on through in hopes that things would soon be different.

 

And, hopes that this holiday season would be way more different than what we have.

 

 

Who'd a thunk that: so many people would refuse to get vaccinated; two more variants would take hold; and, promises of more variants on the way as long as so many continue remain un-vaccinated.

 

Fortunately for me, all of my immediate family and very close friends are vaccinated. The vaccination rate in New Orleans is high. Now, that's not the case for the rest of Louisiana or Missouri and everyone is suffering in different ways.

The saving grace is that once you have your third shot, even if you get infected, your chances of severe illness, ER stays, hospital stays and death are slim to none. The vaccine protects us from that.

I have heard a number of scientists and medical professionals say: "If you are unvaccinated the Omicron variant will find you!"

 

One physician went so far as to say that if you are unvaccinated, you have a winter of severe illness and death to look forward to.

 

 

Here we all are.

 

 

It is wearying. Those of us who are vaccinated have come so far.

Honestly, I'm doing nothing different than I did a year ago even though I'm fully-3 dose-vaccinated.

I do know some people who are unvaccinated and became infected. It makes me so so sad. It hurts my heart AND makes me mad.

I don't like feeling sad and mad.

 

And so, I need a little more push to get to "special" these days. I got up this morning talking to Lola and making plans for a nice lunch, a nice fire, and probably some fireside reading or a Hallmark Christmas movie or two. It already is special. We're here. I had an unexpected flower delivery from my friend Jane this morning and a gorgeous Christmas card from my friend Barbara.

The sun is out.

We are soldiering on!

 

 

 

Happy Friday and Merry Christmas Eve!

 

Hidden Joys

 

I have a habit of beating myself up when chores I know I need to do don't get done. Last year, all my wood was carried up to the covered terrace for me and stacked nicely by the neighbors. I knew that was not a possibility this season. I had grand plans for what I would do and how I would handle it. Before I could get to it, rains set in and my wood sat in the drive under two long, huge tarps to protect it. I still had some on the terrace, so if it rained and I couldn't get down with the trolley...I was fine.

 

 

 

 

 

As I've been going up and down and back and forth over this season, I realized that I had missed the "communing" I do with the wood. I have always enjoyed the interesting shapes, varieties of moss, and textures.

 

 

 

This year's batch is particularly interesting since it is a completely different cut than ever before. These cuts lend themselves to being even more artistic than usual. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've discovered when the "sliced" cedar is wet, it is some of the prettiest wood I've ever seen. It reminds me of the cedar chest I had that had been my Nannie's. This morning, the frost provided another whole event.

 

 

It's beauty took my breath away.

As I oohed and aahed and took my photos, I was grateful for this chore that had been left undone.

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Clear Night-Full Moon and Christmas Time

 

Just wanted to share a little side-by-side Moon River Moon at Christmas time. Everything is reflecting inside and out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here, you have both sides of the porte-fenetre!

 

These truly are the times when I pinch myself...even more than usual. Happy Monday!

 

 

 

 

Just Something About the Light

 

This year, I've tried a few holiday decorating things differently.

I had grand plans for the barn again.

I even bought more lights since I'd already used last year's inside and I didn't want to give them up.

I was ready, but between the weather and other factors...it never happened.

 

 

I'm now thinking I need to start in the spring, or just anytime when I'm in the mood. My good moods and motivations can be fleeting these days.

Even so, we are looking beautiful and festive inside and out! For me, it's always about the light. I got so much great stuff last year, that except for the barn we were pretty much good to go. 

Of course, the penguins are back.

 

They turned out to be easier than expected!

 

 

The robins are still inside and the candy canes haven't made it to their spot just yet.

I'd decided to turn everything on and go outside to wait for my Thiriet delivery this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd hoped to capture the full front of the Chatette upstairs and down head on, but that didn't quite work out.

 

 

The upstairs tree just didn't translate as well from the street side of the window.

But, that's okay. I'll take my tree reflections with that Moon River Moon reflecting in the Lot any day of the week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What did work out was my delivery arrived while I was out there running around in semi-darkness.

It was early, but actually perfect.

 

 

I think Maxim may have thought I was a little nuts!

 

 

It wouldn't be the first (or the last) time I've been considered the "crazy American!"

 

 

So far, Lola has been able to mark herself "SAFE from the decorating rampage," but I know she has concerns! Look at that expression on her face at the door!

 

 

Happy Saturday!