Paris}Pretty Things

Notre Dame is actually located on an island in the middle of the Seine River - the Ile de la Cite. After visitng Notre Dame we walked around a bit and took in some of the pretty buildings. Everything about Paris is pretty!






From there we crossed over a bridge to the Ile Saint Louis which is another island in the middle of the river. I had read about an amazing ice cream shop located on the Ile in one of my tour books and I knew we had to find it. The French like their ice cream!





The ice cream was amazing and is made with only sugar, cream, eggs and milk. No artificial anything. If you go to Paris you MUST have Berthillon ice cream.



This is what we found on our way to the ice cream shop - so much pretty! How fun it would be to live in this neighborhood with all the little shops - one just for biscuits (cookies)...




and one just for la fromage...





and I'd love to have this patisserie down the street!


and of course the flower shops! So pretty!!




Yes, I could live here - could I please!??

Next we crossed back over the river into Left Bank of Paris and made a stop at the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore. An American bookstore started by Sylvia Beach in the early 1920's.



From there we headed down to the Musee d'Orsay so I could get my fix of Monet and some of my other favorite Impressionistic painters. By this time we had about walked our feet off!



Yes, all four of the Paris posts I have done so far were one days worth of sightseeing in Paris.

Our feet were killing us but we had an amazing day!

Paris}The Eiffel Tower

Paris}The Champs Elysees and the Louvre

Paris}Notre Dame

Paris}Notre Dame

One place I knew I had to visit while in Paris was Notre Dame. Built in the 1600's Notre Dame is a beautiful and elegant lady.



The day had turned rather chilly and blustery and we even got rained on while we waited to climb the stairs to the very top of Notre Dame - over 300 stairs to the top!





We took turns waiting in line outside in the rain and going inside to see the beautiful chapel.









And then we began our climb to the top through a very narrow, dark and steep stairwell. It was a little bit of a stretch for this claustrophobic girl! But I have to say the view was worth it!




And the gargoyles were so fun to see up close!




Now I just need to watch the Hunchback of Notre Dame again!









Notre Dame was all I had expected and more. Amazing.

Where to next??



I think it's time for some shopping!!

Paris}The Eiffel Tower

Paris}The Champs Elysees and The Louvre

Happy Birthday to Jim

Yesterday was Jim's birthday.  He had a nice day and enjoyed talking to his parents and siblings who called to wish him a Happy Birthday!

When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner he said chicken.  When I asked again he said - how about stir-fry.  I learned long ago why Grandma instituted Happy Days so many years ago  - to try and get Jim to say what he would like!  It's not easy!!

So I made a chicken stirfry for dinner - General Tsu's and it was yummy. I used fresh green beans from the garden. Jim really liked it and said so numerous times during dinner so I guess I did o.k.

As always the girls kept up entertained at the table.

Growing up Jim's favorite cake was a white cake with caramel frosting so I made him a caramel cake with caramel frosting for his birthday.

 Making a wish, maybe??

Hope it comes true!

We got the boys on speaker phone and had Jim open his card (which is quite amusing!  Give Jim a call and he'll read it to you!)

Inside the card was a travel itinerary for a trip to Utah to see BYU vs. Univ. of Washington on Labor Day weekend for Jim.  He was quite excited!  The kids had all chipped in and mom helped out too.  

Happy Birthday old man!!