A surprise @ Shakespeare and Co.

Spring 2011...... 4 young ladies and 2 moms toured Paris in 8 days/7 nights. Shakespeare and Co. was just one of the areas that we were to visit. The location is across the street from the Notre-Dame Cathedral. We were advised to buy a book and request the Shakespeare stamp for the inside of the book.

Before going to Paris.....
I looked the Co. up online and noticed they also buy books. They can't give an estimate online before seeing the book, obviously, the condition of the book is important for resale. I thought this would be fun to try so I scoured the house for some books. I was not willing to part with any of my Lois Lenski books so the next best thing was to find one at a yard sale or thrift shop.

During a Feb. trip to Keystone Heights a friend and I stopped to eat lunch near Micanopy, Fl at the Yearling Restaurant. This is very near the home of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. This legendary author spent years in Fl writing about the people she met and the land around Cross Creek. My mother taught school for 42 years in Polk Co. One of her favorite books was the Yearling. After reading it throughout the year, the highlight of the last day of school was to show the movie " The Yearling" to her 5th grade students. We have visited the farm on several occasions. If you live near Gainesville, Fl, it is a great place to visit. Anyway, during our lunch time I asked the waitress about the books on the shelves in the next room.

In the restaurant, this painted picture depicts the yearling and the lad.

Stamps anyone?

a view of a dried up cross creek before the spring rains...

The rustic look is celebrated....

The authors home place is still available for tours...

After lunch I purchased a copy of a Mark Twain book and took it with me to Paris.

Long story short...here we are in the bookstore in Paris...

So get the picture???This bookstore is slammed with books and usually people....

Above you see how full the shelves and staircase are....our fire marshal in America would not allow any obstructions of this nature....but I was thinking....as I was standing at the counter waiting for the gentleman to talk to the manager about my book....how in the world am I ever going to pick out a book I want from here. I didn't want just any book. I wanted something special. Something that is memorable.

I looked just to my left. Behind the counter the books filled the shelves to the ceiling. About shoulder level, my eye caught a glimpse of a familiar book. On closer examination...I couldn't believe what I saw.....a book from Cross Creek? A cookbook, no less....that I had seen in Florida for around  $185??? As I pulled it off the shelf....I was thinking.....is it on hold? It was directly behind the cash register....The young man returned and gave me 5 euros for my book. When I asked if I could purchase Cross Creek...he sold it to me for 5 euros...approx $7.50! Thank you LORD.!! I do not believe in coincidences....this was on purpose! What a neat blessing!

I could hardly contain myself.....joy....

I didn't even get a chance to go upstairs....there were so many more places to go on our list....

So there you have it....a complete unexpected blessing.....right smack dab in the middle of Paris

Kilometer Zero.....

Cross Creek Cookery......vintage Florida at it's finest....found in Paris!

Linking up with parties below:

Paris-Top Ten Sites

I've been thinking about the top 10 things to do in Paris. This is a difficult task but I've narrowed it down....The best trip was planned by Laurie Johnson (French teacher) and my sister Michelle. So I can't take credit...but I did take notes!


10. Versailles although this may be at the top of your list...I viewed far too many castles on our trip in 1978 and had my fill of gold-filled rooms and paintings. This town is amazing and not to be missed for sure. The less than 45-min. train trip from Paris is worth it..... if you go early...I mean leave Paris by .....8 A.M....I know but you can sleep when you get home.

My neck was tired from looking up after 30 min.

9. L' Arc de Triomphe but I'll warn you about the climb....just take note of more steps to climb... no elevator here...nice view of the city in the eve....but not so good for photos....

This fella must have climbed to the top too!

8. Place De La Concorde, walking down Rue De Rivoli....stop in @ Angelina's for hot chocolate (they make it to go...) Turn right on Rue Royale (Laduree for macaroons...just buy something for the cute box) and view Place de la Madeleine

7. Musee D'Orsay (it's an injustice they won't let you take photos inside...not even without a flash....what I would give for the nerve to sneak a shot of the clock from the upstairs)

These were taken outside. The line was really long....busload of students...but we noticed the reserved entrance....and yes! We already had the Paris Museum Pass! 

6. River Cruise down the Seine ( good shots but go before 4 P.M. for the best light)

5. Sainte Chapelle  (pray for the LORD to allow streams of light from the sky to pierce the stained glass windows) Notre Dame is in the same block. You must wait in line on the side of the church to enter an upstairs shop...and then continue the climb to the bell tower. Take note the silver charms are less in the main Notre Dame shop open to the public ...front entrance without waiting) Climbing the stairs to the bell tower can be a challenge, but worth it for the view of gargoyles and the city. After the tour walk down the street past the Palace de Justice and see La Conciergerie and Marie Antoinette's jail cell. Then cross the street next to Notre Dame to see the Shakespeare and Co. oldest book store. Buy a book just to get it stamped. (I received a special surprise there.  I'll explain in a different post.)

Jesus' Crown of thorns....minus the thorns....shown only on the 1st Fri. of every month and on Good Friday....sorry we missed it....

St. Chapelle

Notre-Dame

Shakespeare and Co... oldest book store

4. Opera Garnier (we went the last day but did not get in....the sign read "no tours today...sorry for the inconvenience) What inconvenience....we only left one of the best parts til last because the tour was in English at 2:00....oh well, another time, I'm sure.

3. Musee Du Louvre / Jardins Des Tuileries... There are no words....only digital film...Thank the LORD you can use a camera but no flash...so Mona is behind glass and a little tricky...before you leave the area...in the corner of the property is the Musee De L'Orangerie....Claude Monet's Water Lilies and more...

2. Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre--  A large white church on the highest hill and the most amazing
artist park and reasonable artwork to be purchased directly from the artist! Oh My! We were to visit this area once....and came back 2 other days! A favorite area with affordable shops and restaurants, beautiful scenery and a group of teenagers posing as deaf students trying to con the tourists....we saw them talking to each other at the end of the day...

Shopping in the artist park was our favorite!

1. La Tour Eiffel--  day and night we were blessed to be 2 long blocks (10 min walk) from this amazing icon. Worth every penny...the views from the top...pack a load of patience...long lines for ticket sales and to ride the elevators...Do not attempt to walk down...as we did...legs turned to jelly....

ok...so I am just giving you a tease so you'll come back for more. I will eventually post about each area giving more details and pics so you can plan your trip! It's doable...dream big sister! And PLEASE take time to leave me a comment!   I would love to hear from you!

Let's make a necklace

This artist caught my eye years ago in the Mary Engelbriet's magazine Home Companion. I researched her name and ordered some supplies for making a bracelet. A few years later I ordered her book  Making Connections regarding cold joins...jewelry making fancy talk....but quite a publication....way over my head....

Then.... I read an article that she was making a deal with Michael's Craft Store....next thing I know her products are being sold right in my home town....and yours probably....Susan Linart Kazmer! So....I had to buy a few pieces and make this crazy necklace. If you've never tried jewelry making....they make it so easy these days....just open the jump rings by pulling one end toward you and the other end away...add it to the necklace or bracelet ring and close...that's all folks!

So make your selection at the store....Michael's Crafts sold these....choose the ones on sale it you like them.....

I selected two lengths of chains and linked them together with jump rings....added a black leather thread.....

The knots just come with the job....

guestimate placement.....you may measure it you are type A.....

open the jump ring

place the charm on the ring, add the chain and close.....

funky junk necklace ready made to wear.....I hope Donna likes this....

You could add some rusty nails...just paint with clear nail polish so it won't mess up your Easter Dress...you are wearing a dress this Easter???

Well, the LORD will love you no matter what you wear....

Ecclesiastes 3:11 " He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Linking up with the party: