Bluebonnet Time

It's bluebonnet season in Texas, so it's time for a seasonal expedition to a field of bluebonnets for some photo ops. We started out on a sunny afternoon, but before we finished, the wind, the mist and the sprinkles took a little wind out of our sails, but here's how the story unfolds as told through the "mouths of babes."

Hey, this could be pretty fun--I'll give it my best pose!

What?!? You want me to sit on the ground with him in this pretty dress???

But there might be some bugs.....

OK--here goes nothin'!

And Jackson's point of view: Hey, get me up from here!

Jordan: Down little buddy, I've got this thing all figured out.

Jackson: What, you expect me to smile too?

That's just asking too much!

Hey, I'm miserable down here!

OK, let's make a deal. You feed me some treats and I'll think about it.

Now we're talking...

I might be convinced...

See I can cooperate when I have a mind to!

Now if only Jordan could keep her eyes open, we might could call this a wrap!

Playing in the grass is sorta' cool!

Especially when my belly's full!

Hey.....who put her up front and center? She's taking all the good lighting!

Time for another snack....

Jordan: Boring!!

Jackson: You expect me to smile with a full mouth???

What, we're all done?? I'm outta' here!!!

Paris in the Springtime

Last weekend, we grabbed a chance to go to Paris. Hubby had a wee bit of business to do, and then it was all play the rest of our stay. I must have brought the good weather back with me from Marrakech, because it was one of the most delightful spring days Paris had seen in some time. 

The colors of the new season were remarkable: the chairs at the sidewalk café,

the blossoms on the trees,

the flowers growing in the Luxembourg Gardens,

as well as the bountiful tulips this time of the year at the flower vendors. So cheap, and so plentiful right now.

We walked by one of my favorite shops, Au  Nom de la Rose,

past this row of apartments which we admired,

and paused to appreciate the clean, fresh facade of the St. Sulpice church which had been covered in scaffolding the last time we were there.

Hermės has opened a fascinating shop on the Left Bank,

and Ladurée is collaborating with Hello Kitty this season.

What's a trip to Paris without pastries? We bought a lemon tart (my favorite) and a chocolate eclair from 

Stohrer's, the oldest patisserie in Paris. Its heritage is interesting: in 1725, Louis XV married Marie Leszczynska,

the daughter of King Stanislas of Poland, and 

his pastry chef Stohrer followed her to Versailles and later opened his own pastry shop on Rue Montorgueil.

This little fashionista caught my eye while we were having dinner at an outdoor café. See her little scarf around her neck? This is why French women are so chic--they start out their lives in style and it becomes second nature for them.

I loved the rococo style of the boiserie (sculpted panelling) of the 18th century rooms

in the Hôtel Carnavalet, where we spent an enjoyable few hours.

And the view of the Seine was especially lovely this time of year

from the Pont des Arts bridge, where couples in love attach "love locks" carved with their initials as an expression of their love.

And what would April 1 be without  a huge selection throughout the city of the "Poissons d'Avril" or April Fish which so symbolize the day? A very common prank played by young and old is to attach a fish on to the back of an unsuspecting person who is fooled or tricked by the silliness of April Fool's Day.

I'll play along with the fun, if it means a chocolate fish is the reward!

Happy April Fool's Day everyone!

A Day at Wakehurst Gardens

One of my favorite day trips this spring was to Wakehurst, a beautiful country estate and gardens in the countryside of Sussex, which is administered by the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew.

The Elizabethan house of the 16th century is the perfect backdrop for a tour of the extensive 465 acres of gardens

which were largely developed in the 20th century by Lord Wakefield--Gerald Loder, who spent 33 years working on his project.

Lakes abound on the property

skirted by the colors of the season.

Footpaths lead you through

an array of changing landscapes

of gardens, wetlands and woodlands.

The Himalayan Glade is a highlight of the tour and showcases Wakehurst's collection of Asian plants.

Flowers catch your eye

at every turn

and it's no surprise

that the gardens are the most visited National Trust Property.

The pheasants were quite friendly

and strutted off their

feather finery at every chance they could.

As the day wound to a close, the sun broke out on what had been a chilly April morning,

and we resolved to come back for another glimpse of all the flora soon.