France Delights my Heart

 All in a day in Paris, France.
A dream came true!

Walking the streets of Paris is at the top of my list.
Memories of that day shared here just for you.

Come along with me and dream a bit.
The first stop was walking into one of my
favorite museums, the Cluny Museum.
I just love the doorways in France.

Then we would walk through the gardens of Luxembourg.

And maybe make a wish at the fountain in the park.

Continue on past the pond where we would pause to watch the people
walking by or seeing a child floating a boat in the pond.
This is the perfect place to sit and nibble on a picnic lunch.

Surprised as we come upon a collection of bee hives in the park.

Honey is still collected here.

But we are continuing to walk because that is
what you do in Paris.
We are on a goal.
 We will join a small group and explore chocolate in Paris.

We meet the chocolatier at this shop.

But along the way there is a most famous bread shop too.

Poilane has been in Paris for many generations.

Ahhhhh, the smells!

Spoons for stirring your chocolate are actually cookies.

How could such a cookie be sooo good.

There is a line into Pierre Herme's shop.
So let's join in.

Finally we enter through the door.

No pictures allowed, but a few quick ones taken.

More boldly I get in snapping away.
They are all works of art.
Too beautiful to eat? No/Yes?

Ohhh, how can I resist a macaron when  in Paris?

I hold it in my hand.
Such beauty in a bite.

I know you see the reflection of the street, but look beyond to
another pastry and chocolate shop.

Be still my heart.
The beauty and creations of the pastry artists is delightful.

Was he just a little unhappy that I was snapping away.
I can't help it, sir!
These are truly works of art.

More macarons!

Marshmallows too!

And the beauty of chocolate and pastries goes on and on
when you are in Paris, France.

I love Paris!

I love their chocolates and pastries!

How I wish I were right now, but memories through pictures bring
back the memories.

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.
I travel for travel’s sake.
The great affair is to move.” 

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Linking to: https://thyme-for-tea.blogspot.com
The month of July will have several posts on France,
one of my most favorite places to visit.
I have traveled four times to this beautiful city
and would go back in a heartbeat.

Monday's Tea Quote

Whenever friends and family sit around a table,

a cup of fragrant tea will lend its rich aroma

and warm presence to any occasion.

~Ling Wang

Picture taken at my tea table one family gathering at Easter several years ago.

Happy Cream Tea Day

 Today in England and in my house

I am celebrating Cream Tea Day!

 You say, "what is cream tea"? 

Do you know?

 It is a scone or two or three

and

a nice cup of tea.

That's it!

But oh so good!

Did you think it meant it was cream in your tea?

Nope! Just a scone and a cup of tea for me.

So let's lift a cup and celebrate!

And sip away and nibble too.

In my cup is Harney & Sons Rooibos Chai.

I don't often drink herbal teas, but I must say this one is very good.

Thanks, Harney & Sons!

The scones were made by my own hands!

The plate and cup/saucer is Haviland Violets and Daisies.

And the lady holding the flowers, recently found

at the antique mall.

Happy Weekend, dear friends!

Now go out and have a cream tea time.

Barns down Country Roads

Country roads delight my heart;

but a barn along the way says stop for a moment.

Let me savor the sight.

Remember my childhood.

What secrets would we find here?

Are there animals inside?

Farm machinery?

Piles of hay to climb on?

Rafters to swing from?

Not the prettiest of barns, but there was a wild turkey standing

next to it with about a dozen babies hiding in the grass.

Not so much of a barn, but the animals live here.

Isn't it a beautiful place to live?

Wondering why barns are often painted red.

Do  you know? I don't!

As a child my uncle had a barn with a roof so low

we could climb on it and then turn and slide down to the ground.

I loved the old rusty tools inside,

climbing on the bales of hay,

or watching him milk the cow with a cat nearby for a taste

and country music playing.

I know there are barns in other countries,

but the barns I see along the country roads speaks Americana to me.

Something I love seeing in the country I love.

A Tea Party Coming

Does it look like a tea party?

A tea party is coming!

Preparing for the 2nd annual TeaFestPDX!

July 21st is the date.

I can't wait!

My part in the festival is to organize and host the British Tea Tent.

This year in the tent there will be presentations on

History and Etiquette of the British Afternoon Tea

Dressing the Regency Lady for Tea

Scone Baking Demonstration by Newberg Bakery

Simple Tips for Hosting a Tea Party

Morning Cream Tea with Celtic Harpist

Afternoon Cream Tea with Poetry Reading

Harney & Sons has graciously donated tea for the British Tea Tent.

Tea Time Magazine has wonderfully donated magazines.

There will be other surprises too.

If you live nearby or traveling through come on by.

You can register online at TeaFestPDX.com.

Registration is open now.

There are only 25 seats per session in the British Tea Tent.

The festival will be at the Western Forestry Center

in Washington Park.

Come by the British Tea Tent and say hello!

It will be a celebration of tea, 

a party indeed!!!

Monday's Tea Quote

The pot in which I brew my tea

Is dented and more than a bit tarnished,

But I still enjoy the tea.

The house I live in

Needs a coat of paint and several shingles,

But I sleep well at night.

The body I use to live my life

Is wrinkled and slowing down,

But I am alive and I rejoice.

I am not the body in which I live,

I am the life itself.

~Mark Otter