A Bushel and a Peck

Paris {the flea market}

 

When I was making plans to go to the south of France I couldn't imagine coming all that way and not spending a little time in Paris.

I really wanted to make sure my time in Paris overlapped with the flea markets.

When I dreamed of coming to France I truly couldn't get the flea markets out of my mind.

You can't leave France without a treasure when you long to shop at the markets.

Making my way through the aisle, looking through everything from silver, to papers, paintings, stamps...everything you can imagine was there.

As I would be rummaging through a pile of old letters I would hear this beautiful language all around me that I could hardly make out.

I found everything that I dreamed of finding at the markets between the south of France and Paris...I felt like the luckiets girl in the world.

(and yes..I was as tired as I look in this photo)

Even now as I walk around my home each day picking up after the children, talking with friends, decorating for fall...I am reminded of my beautiful trip by a painting on the wall, a camera on the mantel, linens on my bed.

 

Out To Dry

 

I grew up in a small town in rural Illinois.

I walked to school, to my dad's office in town and everyone knew us (that can be good and bad).

Every home was different.

There were no subdivisions or track homes.

Most yards had a clothesline.

All summer we would help my mom hang the clothes, sheets and blankets.

It is funny how quickly a memory can come back to you!

I just remembered the smell and warmth of the sheets as we were running through them playing in the backyard.

I am now pretty sure my mom didn't love us dirtying up her clean sheets!

I now live in a town much bigger than the little town I grew up in.

We have subdivisions and covenants and no clotheslines.

When I got home from France I soaked my vintage French linens for a few days, washed them and took them to my sister's home in the country.

She has a clothesline:-)

I wish we could have one just for sheets, towels etc.  I am not about to show my neighbors my underwear and bras flapping in the wind.

So I hung my clothes for a little while, folded all my vintage goodness and headed back to my clothesline-less life:-)

Are you able to have a clothesline in your neighborhood???

Paris { the first evening}

It was hard saying goodbye to the Chateau and all of the amazing people we had met.

Jackie, Rachel, Anne, Alexis, Chantal and I headed to the train station for our (long) trip to Paris.

Alexis and Chantal would be catching a flight the next morning.

Anne was staying on in Paris for a few days.

Rachel, Jackie and I had a hotel in Paris for the next four days.

If you could have seen all of us trying to get our luggage to the train platform in Montauban you would have laughed so hard....I hope you would have helped us...because we looked pathetic.

I was out of breathe and sweating once I finally made it to the platform...and then trying to act like it was no big deal that I just lugged 5,000 pounds up multiple flights of stairs.

I have video footage but some of the content is not suitable for young children...or adults.

Once we all made it onto the train it was a long...long...long ride to Paris.

Once we got there Rachel, Jackie and I had to find a cab kind enough to take us AND our luggage (I promise that the next time I travel I am bringing one suitcase...I promise that the next time I travel I am bringing one suitcase...I promise....).

As our cab was taking us through the city I had tears in my eyes at the beauty of Paris.

It was breathtaking!

It was hard to believe that I was actually looking at this city with my own eyes.

I have felt this emotion many times in my travels. 

Whether it has been the architecture, history, mountains...natural beauty and man made can be so incredibly beautiful that it is overwhelming.

Our hotel was so lovely and on such a gorgeous, tree lined street.

As we were being escourted to our room we passed the courtyard setting up for dinner.

We quickly dropped off our luggage and set off to explore the city.

We decided to start with an early dinner because of the long train ride and being famished.

Anne was able to meet up with us (I was so sad to not see Alexis ONE. MORE. TIME).

After dinner we just walked and walked trying to take it all in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When our heads hit the pillows we were exhausted and ready for the flea market in the morning!