il y a un fonctionnaire qui vie entre nous.
Otherwise known as "Erik finally got a job!!!!!!"
We couldn't be happier. What started out as one year in Paris has suddenly become a lot more permanent.
Friday, May 30, 2008
enfin...
il y a un fonctionnaire qui vie entre nous.
Otherwise known as "Erik finally got a job!!!!!!"
We couldn't be happier. What started out as one year in Paris has suddenly become a lot more permanent.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Beautiful Basel the Blog
Last weekend we took advantage of one of the many jours feriés that we've had lately. I believe May 8 was VE day, and because it fell on a Thursday, many schools and businesses took the Friday off as well to make it a nice long weekend (the Monday was ferié as well. I know, la vie est dur).
We hopped on the new TGV line and headed east to Switzerland to visit our Swedish friend Alex who now lives in Basel.
Basel is a beautiful city, very compact, and very German in many ways, being part of the German part of Switzerland. It's close enough to both the French and German borders that Alex regularly does her grocery shopping in France.
On our first day there, Alex took us on a tour of the high town, we visited the Cathedral, had a snack at an old paper mill, put our feet in the Rhine, and crossed the river on a boat that is powered by the current.
Crossing the Rhine on the current powered boat
Enjoying the view
Testing the waters (verdict: cold!)
Is it bad to say that the highlight of the trip was Alex's apartment? She has a very cute place, with a great garden and a patio, and we all our meals outside. Erik was thrilled to be able to barbeque, and spent both evenings outside manning the grill while the girls sipped blender drinks on the terasse.
Erik loves the BBQ
We make pina coladas
So much meat!
Mmmm... cheese
MMMMMM.....Swiss chocolate!
On Sunday we rode the tram through the countryside to visit the Beyeler Foundation, and private art collection that is now open to the public. The collection was very impressive, and we viewed works by Picasso, Monet, Cezanne and Gaugin among others, all displayed in a beautiful building designed by Renzo Piano, the same architecht who created the Centre Pompidou here in Paris. We also perused an exhibit they were showing on Action Painting, featuring Jackson Pollock. It was interesting, but I think we all left feeling kind of like we just didn't get it.
Beyeler Foundation
Enjoying some rose on a patio
Saturday night Basel was playing Bern in the Swiss Soccer finals, so we watched that then headed down to the main square after the win to see the team tour through. Very exciting.
All of Basel comes out to celebrate their win
The winning team
The beer cart
Sunday morning we checked out the architecture museum, which was featuring two very disappointing exhibitions which we didn't enjoy. Then it was back on the train for our quick trip back to Paris.
It was a lovely weekend, and so much fun seeing Alex again.
We might have also enjoyed some TV. Oh how I miss the BBC....
We hopped on the new TGV line and headed east to Switzerland to visit our Swedish friend Alex who now lives in Basel.
Basel is a beautiful city, very compact, and very German in many ways, being part of the German part of Switzerland. It's close enough to both the French and German borders that Alex regularly does her grocery shopping in France.
On our first day there, Alex took us on a tour of the high town, we visited the Cathedral, had a snack at an old paper mill, put our feet in the Rhine, and crossed the river on a boat that is powered by the current.
Crossing the Rhine on the current powered boat
Enjoying the view
Testing the waters (verdict: cold!)
Is it bad to say that the highlight of the trip was Alex's apartment? She has a very cute place, with a great garden and a patio, and we all our meals outside. Erik was thrilled to be able to barbeque, and spent both evenings outside manning the grill while the girls sipped blender drinks on the terasse.
Erik loves the BBQ
We make pina coladas
So much meat!
Mmmm... cheese
MMMMMM.....Swiss chocolate!
On Sunday we rode the tram through the countryside to visit the Beyeler Foundation, and private art collection that is now open to the public. The collection was very impressive, and we viewed works by Picasso, Monet, Cezanne and Gaugin among others, all displayed in a beautiful building designed by Renzo Piano, the same architecht who created the Centre Pompidou here in Paris. We also perused an exhibit they were showing on Action Painting, featuring Jackson Pollock. It was interesting, but I think we all left feeling kind of like we just didn't get it.
Beyeler Foundation
Enjoying some rose on a patio
Saturday night Basel was playing Bern in the Swiss Soccer finals, so we watched that then headed down to the main square after the win to see the team tour through. Very exciting.
All of Basel comes out to celebrate their win
The winning team
The beer cart
Sunday morning we checked out the architecture museum, which was featuring two very disappointing exhibitions which we didn't enjoy. Then it was back on the train for our quick trip back to Paris.
It was a lovely weekend, and so much fun seeing Alex again.
We might have also enjoyed some TV. Oh how I miss the BBC....
Beautiful Basel and an upcoming Blog
Not to be outdone by my charming and witty husband, I of course have to have the last word. Or blog. Tomorrow I'm planning to write about our trip to Basel, but in the mean time you can enjoy our photos in all their unorganized glory here.
Now I'm off to watch the Office. Happy Friday to all!
Now I'm off to watch the Office. Happy Friday to all!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monet's Garden – A Man's View
As I imagine many of you have been yearning for another blog from me, Erik, and as I have a penchant for blogging about such manly subjects as rugby games and eating Christmas dinner, it is time for another testosterone-filled blog about … visiting Monet's Garden. 
I know, sort of a "Where's Waldo" for flowers, but hopefully you can pick them out.
Some of the flowers in the garden were fake, though. For example these ones:
How can that be real? I'm supposed to be impressed by the fact that you know where to buy yellow spray paint and you can cut a circle out of cardboard?
Also bamboo. These trees are six to nine metres tall, but the trunks are less than 3 cm in diameter.
I'm sorry, but there must be rebar running up the middle of each of those. Shenanigans!
Whoops, there's some more real flowers. Let me point them out...
There was also a Mom plant, a plant that camouflaged any Mom that walked by to hide them from their ever-demanding children. See if you can spot the hidden Mom...
Hey, there's Erik!
Lookin' good! And not sick of flowers at all! But in the midst of all this beauty, I spotted the most beautiful blossom of all... there she is!
A very patient woman, and hopefully, one with an enduring sense of humour.
We realized, at this point, that I had lost my bus ticket home. So - as any responsible husband would do - to win back bus money, I entered a high-stakes poker game with a group of bears.
In case you were wondering, it was a straight flush, and we got home okay. Those of you who are card players could probably tell from the look on Smokey's face. Bears always look flabbergasted when you bring the big-city action.
Bears, blossoms, and bamboo. It was a nice day.
During our guests' visit a few weeks ago, we visited Monet's Garden in Giverny. Monet first rented this property outside of
He painted his famous Water Lilies based on the Japanese Pond therein, and he painted that work – as commissioned by the French government – at the end of his life, while he was unfortunately as crazy as a bag of bees. While in his creative/insane fog, he refused to relinquish the canvasses, constantly adding more layers and colours, until he eventually died. Apparently, that is the universal signal for the completion of a work-of-art (see Eyes Wide Shut for counterexample).
For those of you with my level of culture, a quick note: Monet was a painter.
For one to describe this property as a garden, in my opinion, is a bit of an overstatement. I actually found it quite hard to spot the flowers, so as an aid to the layperson, I was kind enough during the photography to point out the occasional flower as they were not always evident. Oh wait, there's one…
I also want to add that the original of "In the Hollow of a Wave off the Coast of
Hey, there's another one.
And one more...
I know, sort of a "Where's Waldo" for flowers, but hopefully you can pick them out.
Some of the flowers in the garden were fake, though. For example these ones:
How can that be real? I'm supposed to be impressed by the fact that you know where to buy yellow spray paint and you can cut a circle out of cardboard?
Also bamboo. These trees are six to nine metres tall, but the trunks are less than 3 cm in diameter.
I'm sorry, but there must be rebar running up the middle of each of those. Shenanigans!
Whoops, there's some more real flowers. Let me point them out...
There was also a Mom plant, a plant that camouflaged any Mom that walked by to hide them from their ever-demanding children. See if you can spot the hidden Mom...
Hey, there's Erik!
Lookin' good! And not sick of flowers at all! But in the midst of all this beauty, I spotted the most beautiful blossom of all... there she is!
A very patient woman, and hopefully, one with an enduring sense of humour.
We realized, at this point, that I had lost my bus ticket home. So - as any responsible husband would do - to win back bus money, I entered a high-stakes poker game with a group of bears.
In case you were wondering, it was a straight flush, and we got home okay. Those of you who are card players could probably tell from the look on Smokey's face. Bears always look flabbergasted when you bring the big-city action.
Bears, blossoms, and bamboo. It was a nice day.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Joan Blogs
Another fantastic day in Paris! Spent the morning at Gallerie Lafayette taking a cooking course (in French - watercress risotto and caramel raspberry mascarpone mousse) and then shopping & rooftop viewing at Primtemps, seeing Madeleine (Maille store) & picking up Parisian delights for Howard. Walked along the Seine & went to Torie & Erik's for a yummy supper (roasted chicken with Provence herbs & gravy , new potatoes, green bean & cherry tomato salad). So sorry to be coming to the end of our trip. 537 pics & counting... Giverny tomorrow!
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