View from my Window

For a city where it almost never snows, this is a very dramatic scene! Exciting times we believe, in Nantes! Needless to say of course, it's November still but winter is definitely here, early.

P.S.
Do forgive my absence last week, drama of a health nature - la grippe. Hopefully all better now and will be back to running after trams and buses momentarily.

Spotted

I can't help my attraction to men's bags, especially these. And at about 10€, I'm seeing them in my future.

View From My Window

I love looking out at the park below my bedroom window. Seeing the sun rise every morning over these evergreens is like opening the first page to a fairytale. But a close-up shows that the scene is changing - trees are balding and the grand froid of winter is fast approaching. At least I have these pics of when it was really nice to look down, and of course, at what damage the cold has done thus far.

Guilty Pleasures

Don't think you'll see me leaving a bookstore empty-handed, oh no! So, I had been deliberately staying away. But learning French has given me a new excuse for buying books! When I walk into a bookstore and see all the novels in French, my heart skips a beat and I know that I should take them all home to put all that French in my head. It felt sooooooooo good getting these two. So now I'm reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Mange, Aime, Prie (ça veut dire en anglais Eat, Love, Pray) and I honestly can't put it down, but at the same time so don't want it to end. I know I'm late in picking this one up, but as I said, I've been staying away from the boostores. In addition to books, I've given myself licence to go see a movie every Sunday, all in the name of perfecting my French.

France by Food

Dreamy Autumn

Autumn has made me really respect and appreciate the sun. I find myself most happy and giddy-headed when it's sunny with clear blue skies, even if it lasts only an instant. I love to see it peeking out behind thick grey clouds making my photos look so sentimental. Ahhh the rain and the cold it was all a dream, le soleil arrive!!!

France by Food

My friends continue to ask: what do French people eat? I'm going to show, tell less.

Salad (Mache Nantais and vinaigrette)BreadOlive oil at the base of every vinaigretteMeat, a single serving of starch and veggies (Spinach and creamed mashed potatoes)

And of course, don't forget the wine!

Chez Jeanine

Show me your company and I'll tell you who you are. So says the old adage. I say, show me your home and I'll see who you are. Jeanine invited me to her home for Sunday lunch and my brand new addiction, a Sunday movie. I couldn't help snapping shots of her home. Not only is it warm, cozy and welcoming; there's art everywhere -- on high, at your feet, by your side, on walls -- casually, exotic finds, wall to wall treasures and beauties! Do I really need to post you Jeanine's biography? Tell you that she's an artist, warm-hearted, big-hearted, open-hearted, too big for any one category? Look at the radiator, it's painted in blue!!! Freedom reigns here. Couldn't you write here, amongst all this inspiration?

And, as soon as the weather clears up, Jeanine and I have a date. All pics will be placed right here!!!

In the Driver's Seat

Unrehearsed, unscripted, not posing. I kid you not, I saw these dogs parked up outside Nantes' Médiatheque this afternoon.

Raclette

I really love what those mid-week public holidays in France can score: a relaxing afternoon of raclette, wine and good company.

It's been rainy and windy here for the past two days, but amusing company and heavy soul food make a great distraction.

Hope you'll keep warm and laughing this weekend!

Nature Walk

One of the things I love the most about Nantes is that whatever need of scenery I may have, it's never too far away. Lots of open-air green spaces, trees, water, you name it. I love you, Nantes!