Two Years Later - Miracles Abound!

Two years ago Easter Sunday, my eldest daughter mysteriously lost all ability to walk, hold her head up - - she became like a limp rag.   It took nearly 5 months to figure out - she had an aggressive form of MS.  She spent nearly four months in a hospital bed.  At one point, we were uncertain she would survive.

As a mother, I was desperate.  One day looking at her just laying in the hospital bed unable to walk or even lift herself from a chair  -  I told her - "Lizzie, if you walk again - I am taking you to Paris, France." 

For the last two and half weeks - Lizzie and I fulfilled the promise of that day.  Lizzie went to Paris!

Today, on Easter Sunday, I know the power of life.   My sweet Lizzie was given a new beginning.

Anything is possible.   Anything. 

 Lizzie in the hospital, unable to move her own body in 2011.

Lizzie, fulfilling a dream to restore her health and go to Paris!  YES!!  

Markets in Nice

I must admit, I adore the open markets.  There are so many!  Here is a little flea market in Nice:

Okay this is not a market but gee whiz - the blue in Nice is amazing.  We sat next to the sea and . . . well . . .  experienced such warm and glorious sun.

 Look at the beauty of the water.  

I went to the open air flower market.  How much it made me sad that I do not have such a market at home.  I love fresh flowers in my classroom.  It makes the room sing.

The grocery stores.   There are so many fresh foods.  We are eating a fresh melon that is simply one of the best I have ever eaten.

Bon Appetite!

Going South!

 It is 7:00 a.m. in the morning and it is time to say good-bye to Paris -- for now.  I loved our little flat in the Latin Quarter.   So bohemian.

There is something about the train station that is always so exciting.  

I love the European trains.

 We headed south to Nice, France. (Notice the Starbucks?!)  

 I rented an apartment near the old town.  It was perfect!

The beds are so comfy.

Cat and Lizzie sat out on the balcony for a little nibble of food.  

Looking out my window.  

 I must tell you that I was not feeling well in Paris - the cold, damp air was not helping my congestion.   

Nice is just what the doctor ordered!  What a sunny treat!

A Little Paris Sparkle. . .

It was misting as we walked around the corner.  Damp, dark and cold.   I wondered why I was out in the rain to see this famous landmark.  I am sick.  This is crazy.

Nothing could prepare me for the amazing view of the Eiffel tower sparkling.
It was stunning!
 

It was so magical - I had to share it with you - a tiny little 8 second glimpse:

Paris Coco Style

If Coco Chanel loved Angelina's - surely I would.   And further more, Audrey Hepburn loved this place.  It was a must do. 

My friends and I were running late. 
We hopped on the Metro and quickly found ourselves lost. 

It was 6:15 p.m. and Angelina's closed at 7:00 p.m.  

Against all odds, we arrived at 6:45 p.m.   Life is good.
 

 Angelina's is famous for their signature hot chocolate.  Of course, I had to try it.

 

 Oh my word!  It lived up to every delicious drop of famous goodness.  The pot was generous with two cups worth for each of us. 

 The desserts were rich and naughty.  Perfect for a rainy Paris evening.

Books in Paris

Okay.  I must make a confession.   I am a complete book-a-holic.  I have way too many and still - crave more.  Nothing thrills me more than a good book.

 I went into this quirky little bookshop.

The bookshop owner was British and such a delight.  And I found two great old books - "Education Through Art" by Herbert Read (so excited about this book!) and "Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing" by A.S. Neill.

The Herbert Read book goes into the temperaments and expression.  He discusses perceptive types and how to use early drawings to differentiate those types.  Oh my word - dessert for the book-a-holic!

I am feeling better.  I am being very unwise and have been out and about today - despite respiratory issues.  But then,  Paris bookshops have a way of giving me that extra boost of energy!

Sick in Paris

I woke up Saturday morning with a high fever, no voice, and my throat swollen & on fire.

 My friends, worried, quickly found a doctor for me.  And here is what he prescribed.   He said my tonsils were swollen and perhaps infected.  :(  He also felt I could have the flu.  I am unwilling for that to be the case!!!

It was so interesting.  His office was like something out of a 1950's Paris movie.  Huge windows.  Wild bohemian art.  Funky chairs.  I wish I had thought to take a photo. 

 Today I feel a little better.  I am reading a good book, tucked under the covers, resting so that I can be up and back to sight seeing tomorrow.

 I opened the big windows in my apartment and let the cool, rainy air drift in as I slept and read.

The air smells so good.  Hearing the pitter patter of the rain was so soothing.

The apartment has windows all around it that open up to an inner courtyard.

We are smack in the middle of the Latin Quarter.

This is where I use the computer.

While getting sick was not in my plans - I must say - I have never had such wondrous sights, smells, and sounds.

It is all good.

Tea Time in Paris

Ooh la la - tea salons in Paris! Today I went to Mariage Freres, which has been there since 1850.  They had over 600 varieties of teas from which to pick.  It was overwhelming so I just went with the first tea that caught my eye.  It was the "rouge d'automne the noir.  It is a black tea with candied chestnut infusions.  Divine! (Chestnut is popular here and for good reason.)

I had a madeleine and a macaroon.  The macaroon was beyond anything I could have imagined.  Oh my - both were infused with teas and herbs. 

This was, perhaps, the best pot of tea I have ever had.  I purchased a pound to take home.  Worth every penny.

Across the street there was a store where you could purchase tea, cups, and more.

So many teapots!

Au revoir!

A Paris Toy Store

It seemed like it would be forever before I would be on my long awaited trip to France.   It is hard to believe - I am here.

Walking to the toy store.  Such a beautiful walkway.

Looking in the window of the toy store.  Dancing fairies!

Look closely and you will see her dress is nothing more than tissue paper!!

I love that big mushroom and the bird mobile and and and ----

Love, love these simple mobiles.

Dress up heaven.

This was amazing.  Look at those pretend veggies.  It would make such a great farmer's market.

I ended up buying boiled wool felt, roving and needle felting supplies.  :)  So happy!

Today I met up with one of my new dear friends made via Fairy Dust Teaching.  It is amazing to think of all of the wonderful friends I have made since I began blogging.

Elizabeth has her own blog and does amazing handwork.  It was the best day!