Changes in Altitude

We enjoyed our vaca in the Smoky Mountains. Changes in altitude can also cause a change in attitude.

We rented online from Great Cabins in the Smokies/Wears Valley Road   (1-866-409-7066) The staff was friendly and helpful. This was our first experience at renting a cabin. We have camped for years....when the children were young....but a cabin is certainly an upgrade!

An early morning arrival to Cades Cove provided several photo opportunities. We took full advantage.....some 700+ photos.....I picked the best ones to save time....

The fog provided cover for the two deer feeding in the graveyard by this church.

Several doe grazing in the fields nearby.

Fencing mostly to keep unruly visitors from encroaching on their territory.....but deer freely jump from pasture to pasture....

Three buck were filmed that day. This is the best photo I took without a zoom lens. He is carrying some grass on his antlers.......

The grist mill still works. Stone ground meal and other goodies for sale on the property.

We were taking pics of 4-5 turkeys in a field when a bear crossed the road in front of our car.  By the time we switched our focus he was scampering into the woods along the creek. 

The best way to see wild life is by bicycle early in the A.M. It does pay not to sleep late on the day you want to visit Cades Cove. From early May until late Sept. the 11 mile one way loop is closed to vehicle traffic until 10:00. Nothing like a loud Harley-Davidson to scare the wild life away.....You can rent bicycles from the Cades Cove Campground Store (865-448-9034 for more info)Sometimes you just have to drive your vehicle, but go early on a Thursday or any day other than Wed. or Sat.

This beats zoo time any day! Have you visited the Great Smoky Mountains lately? What is your favorite site?

~Lynda~

ASCP Three Drawer Dresser

The back wall of our family room needed some "sprucing up". I had painted an old dresser purchased at an estate sale. The dresser was brown and I did not take before pics....at the time I had 3 days to paint 10 pieces of furniture for the Fancy Flea. I was in panic mode, not blog mode....it was as brown as the school desk chair on the marble top....just use your imagination.

The suitcase is another project completed in March. I used a bag of cancelled postage stamps purchased along the Seine River in Paris, France. The tag says "luggage, $30, stamps $35, 8 hrs. of Modge Podge $10, trip to Paris=PRICELESS! Yes, I am selling it for $75. It will be available at the Fancy Flea, Plant City, Florida-the first Sat. in Nov. 2013. ($5 admission fee to craft fair)

Rag Ann has the perfect happy face. I had a collection in my daughter's room when she was small. She is a red-head also.

The old school chair and painted oil can came from a craft fair in Gatlinburg, TN years ago.

I threw in the mailbox to see if you are paying attention....Mrs. Johnson's mailbox was painted years ago......she is returning the box for recycle....I will need to remove her name unless another Mrs. Johnson wants to claim it......

I perfected the apple years ago when I painted so many teacher gifts....now back to the dresser.....

Two coats of ASCP in Paris grey followed by clear wax. I wanted the dark wax, but my daughter talked me into leaving it alone, and frankly I was too tired to do otherwise. I have grown to like it. Love the oak/acorn drawer pulls....the marble top is stained in a few places.....it has true grit and real character!

I think it needs a plant, but there is no light in this back corner.....not sure anything would survive.

Do you have any suggestions?

I enjoy your comments, so take a second and leave one if you choose.

~Lynda~

Connecting with a few parties below:

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Lunch @ Laduree, Paris

Bonjour Peeps!
     Today let's have lunch at Laduree. The bakery began in 1862 when Louis Ernest Laduree first opened at 16, rue Royale. After a fire in 1872, the bakery opened as a pastry shop with new decor. In 1993, the Holder group turned Laduree into a boutique. I was shocked last year when I discovered the  Sucre' cookbooks were available in English. I have made a recipe from the cook book, finding it difficult to purchase several ingredients listed. Non-the-less the tart I made was delicious!

Metro stop: Saint-Germain-Des-Pres

This flag flies outside the original location.

The stores are painted a pale green. The windows change often and are delightful!

Inside there is an Asian influence....

There were large paper placemats with the Laduree logo printed in gold.

The 6 of us arrived early ordering at 11:00 for lunch.

The majority ordered the club sandwich.

I ordered the chicken salad which came wrapped in cucumber slices.

Beautiful presentation.....

We did purchase some dessert to go.....oh my the choices are incredible...

The night before we left we purchased some for gifts to take home. A box of your choice is a gift in itself......

The macarons are significantly more decadent than others....nothing can compare, just be prepared for the $hocking prices!

So now I leave you with a fleur~ from the flower market near Notre Dame.....

Is it because we are on vacation that everything appears more vibrant and beautiful in this city?

We did stop to smell and photograph the flowers.....with permission of course.

Where is your favorite place to lunch?

I read they have opened a Laduree in New York.....this calls for another trip.....oh sisters!

~Lynda~

Tuileries Garden and Musee De L'Orangerie, Paris, France

Bonjour Peeps!

Let's visit the Jardin Des Tuileries and Musee De L'Orangerie in Paris.....shall we? Metro stop: Concorde-yellow 1

Enter the garden from the Southeast corner of the Louve property. There is a Library/Bookstore on the other side of the gate.

Immediately we noticed the plantings were in full bloom, much different than at spring break.

Admire the grand statues......even with a missing arm they are awesome....

Pause for reflection by the fountain.....which is not on this early? It's nice not to have a swarm of folks in your photos.....it pays to arrive early....These green garden chairs are hilarious....most of them are tilted back to allow sun on your face (gathering Vitamin D?).....This place is packed a lunchtime on a sunny day!

The gardens here were planted in pinks and purples.....

Since this is a sisters trip....pause for photo....this is our first trip out of the country. We have visited the beach and mountains together.....but this was certainly a special time! Can you believe that the LORD blessed the "Brown" girls, all in Education, with a trip to Paris? 

Malachi 3:8-17 Will a man rob God?

Enter Musee de L'Orangerie and admire all the  paintings....

Inside you are allowed to take pics of the artwork without a flash.....except for  Water Lilies by Claude Monet....(Now the first year we took pics and no one said anything....but they are on my external hard drive)......

Yes....piano lessons.....my dad made us take lessons for 4-5 years beginning in the 4th grade.

As an adult it is enjoyable to play....but I don't practice as much as I should....

Portrait de Mademoiselle Chanel(1923) by Marie Laurencin (1883-1956)

Les Trois Soeurs (1916-17) by Henry Matisse (1869-1954)

Eglise Saint-Pierre (1914) by Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955)

A photo op....in front of the horseman and the Obelisque (where the French beheaded Marie)

Let's go shopping....in the Librairie De Jardin.....I purchased a card for inspiration....more on that craft later.....

The outside of the Louve as you come up from the Metro Palis-Royal/Musee du Louve- I'll be back to see what goodies await us inside this palace....

Leave me a comment! I would love to hear your thoughts......Where is your favorite place in Paris?

Get the gals together and make plans today! You can visit on a budget!

~Lynda~