Paris Day Three - March 2023

Well, this day did not go as planned. I will explain below. The happiest surprise was that when we left the Airbnb, the front sidewalk was garbage free; they have started to pick up trash all over the 5th Arrondissement. Happy thought indeed! We traveled by Metro to the Butte de Montmartre for an early lunch at La Cave Gourmonde. I split a sensational boeuf bourguignon with Debby. Headed along the Rue Tardieu, Deb and Kris found some good stuff and I found the Glace Bachir, delicious Lebanese ice cream with pistachios. We were all excited to ride the funicular up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, but low and behold, c'était fermé! We were not interested in hiking, so we recalibrated and headed to the Tour Eiffel. After a quick conference we were headed home. Lucky for me! By the time we hit the neighborhood I was in a state of emergency for the pissoir! I almost made it. Kris was serenaded by an older, accordian-playing busker moving through the Metro train. He found the space he needed right in front of her and in French said, "Madame, this is for you." Yikes! Debby melted into giggles and has been unable to contain her laughter since. After that excitement, we had a quiet evening at home.

Clean streets which Debby attributes to John's unseen help 

Abbesses, the most iconic Metro canopy in Paris

The frites are still awesome

The boeuf bourguignon is otherworldly

This was Debby's street of dreams today

Lebanese ice cream in the heart of Montematre

I'm here to tell you it is divine

These reproductions of vintage jewelry made Debby's heart sing

Closed because of the strikes and riots

On the terrace of the Palais de Chaillot

Two nice women from the USofA with the Tour Eiffel

No buskers on this train, but the previous train . . . fer shure!

Tomorrow, the Good Lord willin' and the trains don't strike, we are head to Lyon to see Lucy Jane. Those larks will probably be posted tomorrow. We'll see.

OXO

D.

Paris Day Two - March 2023

We hit the town on the Metro headed to the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Élysées, and Ladurée for breakfast and a birthday cake. We stopped in Monoprix for sunglasses for Deb on our way to E. Dehillerin where Kris gifted me some awesome serrated knives. For supper we walked up the hill to the Rue Mouffetard for birthday dinner at Le Vieux Bistro. (Thanks to Debby for some of these photos.)

The "Sweet Jesus" station is our nearest

Waiting for the train

A chilly morning

The ladies headed down the Champs Élysées

Disappointed Dickie: they are remodeling and no cakes

But the eggs Benedict were delightful

The Ladurée near the Palais Royale had the cake!

Voilá

The ladies scurrying past the Place Vendôme

Filming at the Palais Royale

The best kitchen equipment store anywhere

If they don't have it, you don't need it

I choose this one

A small selection of the copper on sale

Kir Royale toast

Raclette for a melted-cheese lover

Fondue for the same cheese lover - we were too full for cake

More adventures coming today.

OXO

D.

Paris Day One - March 2023

Ann and Stephen shuttled us to SLC for our flight to Paris. The voyage was uneventful and we connected easily with Debby at Charles de Gaulle for a taxi to the 5th Arrondissement and our Airbnb. I went to Franprix around the corner for some supplies and later we went out for a walkabout, Navigo passes, and some dinner. We pushed through until 7:00 and 8:00 PM before crashing into bed for almost 12 hours.

Here we go again

The reflection of our plane as it goes wheels down

at Charles de Gaulle with French fields below

Our flat at 10 Rue Saint-Victor

Sitting area

Kitchen and loft stairs

Kitchen and bathroom door

Bedroom

The pile in front of our door

The strikes are real

The girlies on the Rue Monge

Café Saint-Victor up on the corner for early dinner

Steak frites, buratta, soupe a l'oignon, and croque-madame

Dessert pastries from the famous Eric Kayser on

the Rue Monge

We are off this morning on an adventure and will report back this evening.

OXO

D.

March 2023

March was filled with family, friends, and much of the usual stuff. We dined with Emily and her girls, we also ate with SKT and AW on several occasions. The cousins gathered at Kreg and Dorothy's. The Marlpit-Hill Boyntons came to stay and had Sunday dinner with our family. Janet Calder passed away. The Group met for dinner in South Jordan. The HCT did a fun production of a little-known British musical. The NY Gibbs came to town for a Maynard-Dixon event where Linda presented.

Fun stuff online

Mastra w/ Stephen and Ann

Chance encounter there with Dale Bowman and Steve Bule (and friend)

Northern Utah County 

Hansen ebelskivers with the cousins

Family dinner joined by the Boyntons

Jim Calder at Janet's viewing

Dark chocolate tasting party

Dinner at the Millers

Hale Center Theater

La Casita with the NY Gibbs

Today, 25 March, we are off to Paris and London for two weeks with Debra Sue. Those adventures will be posted here.

OXO

D.