Monday, July 02, 2012

Travel Plans

 Sometimes the best laid plans of bears and men often go awry.
Back in April when a French pet portrait client invited me to house-sit her apartment on rue St-Dominique for 2  months I hesitated but everyone said,
"GO! DO IT!"
Then in June when I mentioned I'd be arriving 2 days later than planned, my apartment lender took a walk and never again responded to emails, phone messages, or prayers.
I was left with an AirFrance ticket that needed changing
 And no roof over my head in Paris.
 Fortunately I was able to rent again my tiny studio in the 11th for a few nights.
Fortunately a darling PB reader invited me to Frenchie the first nite I arrive. wow
 And terrific food blogger Mardi Michels of eat. live. travel. write. has invited me to to a recipe testing class at La Cuisine Paris on Monday.
 There just happens to be an Hermes scarf sale starting Thursday that would be fun to browse just for kicks. You can read about a past sale on Mary Kay's blog.
 I'll be spending my euros at the other Herme thank you very much. The current 5 jardins collection is very colorful and nicely designed.
 Another affordable luxury is following the footsteps of both Chanel and Audrey Hepburn to Angelina.
I wonder if they have iced 'hot' chocolate?
 Fortunately over the Bastille Day holiday I'll have a very nice roof over my head in the Loire Vallee indeed.
 And I'll be communing with darling chateau pet, Dimitri.
 Then I'll head to western central France to commune with gorgeous Biff
 And his mistress, author Karen Wheeler of Tout Sweet, Tout Allure and Tout Soul. She has invited me to visit and report back on her bucolic life in the French country side. I can't wait.
 The good news is the rains have stopped and the sun has come out in Paris!!
 Bear is completely packed and raring to go as always.
Me, I'm behind the 8-ball as usual.
But at least things have probably worked out for the better.
Way better!

52 comments:

  1. Geri, NJ1:41 PM

    So one door closes and some very beautiful doors open to you...you are living the charmed life it seems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love you Geri,NJ
      you always say the right thing

      Delete
  2. I love your half full glass:)

    But what a I wontsaywhatithink .
    I know..I should say..I hope nothing bad happened to her/ him..and of course that is foremost on my mind..but after..I am thinking if all is ok w/her or him Ijustwontellyouwhatithink.

    Sounds like you are going to have a fabulous time..
    Everything happens for a reason?

    Après la pluie le beau temps?

    Enjoy~

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brooke2:06 PM

    SO delighted it all worked out and I must say it does like it worked out for the better!!
    Looking forward to reading all your adventures in France over the next few weeks.
    Bon voyage!


    Brooke

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sandra2:20 PM

    I just love and appreciate your emails ....
    So glad it all worked out
    thanks
    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  5. Why somebody would first extend an invitation and then simply going AWOL is beyond me. I promise I'd never do that to you if one fine day you'd decide to come to little Vienna! I am glad your travel plans changed for the better now, with people who really care about you awaiting you, among other things!

    Pierre Hermé's jardins collection looks oh so good! I am looking forward to hear from you about the different flavor combinations after you have tasted them!

    Bon voyage and good luck with finding an iced chocolate confection,
    Merisi

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carol, I am so happy your plans worked out better than expected! As I was reading your post I was so excited to see Karen Wheeler and Biff mentioned! I am on my second book now and I loved both of them so far! Very entertaing and so much fun! I love them!

    Enjoy your trip! Jane Flora Doora

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I'm so glad!
      Karen sent me her other books & I loved and laughed my way through them too.
      I'll be taking tons of pictures of Biff and her darling house and whatever

      Delete
    2. Jane,

      delighted to hear that you are enjoying my books. We will make sure Carol has a lovely time when she arrives in the Poitou-Charentes.

      all best wishes,

      Karen

      Delete
  7. Carol, I say take the lemons and make tarte au citron meringuee!!!!
    Looking forward to reading about your continued adventure. ~Jen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well, at least you landed on your feet! Pulling out on two months lodging in Paris is a nasty thing to do to someone.....
    Love the sketches of the pooches :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lucinda3:12 PM

    Quelle rotten thing to do to you!
    NOt a kind person.
    But you are the eternal lemonaid maker as always.
    Bon Chance

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful that you're able to improve on your plans despite any obstacles!
    I love the mix-n-match colors on the macs!

    ReplyDelete
  11. OH, man! But so on the brightside of you to make the best of it....in Paris no less. Bon Voyage.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tarte au citron indeed! Yay for you! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. Oh to be astray in Paris. You will have an even better time than before because you make your own good time. Bon Voyage from someone who is a little bit jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  14. the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. Oh to be astray in Paris. You will have an even better time than before because you make your own good time. Bon Voyage from someone who is a little bit jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love this post.
    Funny how things turn out, eh?
    Have fun!!!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great you made replacement plans....
    what kind of person would just leave you hanging like that????

    Funny coincidence.... I tried to book a week in the Loire Valley with a group..the Chaumont Garden Festival annual summer Showcase is supposed to be amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tell Karen we love her books!!!

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous8:41 PM

    Carol, Take lemons and make tarte au citron. I lvoe that! What great advice from one of your witty readers! I cannot believe someone offered you two months and pouf.. I somehow thought you were taking care of French Girl's place while she circumnaviagated the globe. Tant pis pour elle, I say..the one who vanished, I mean It sounds as though you have everything under control and honestly, CArol, is this not a sign from heaven that you need your own pied a terre a Paris? I am trying to pin down a suitable photo of my darling great grandson so you can immortalize him. I will be in touch. In the meantime, Bon Chance and enjoy Paris no matter where you are for we all know "Paris is a moveable feast" Maureen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you dear Maureen,

      It has turned out so much for the better. I don't have to walk around on tiptoe in someone else's place.
      It will take a while but I'll get there.
      Visas do not come easily : )
      merci carolg

      Delete
  19. Carol, I agree with all the prior comments of support and am going to email you.

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. How do you make this magic happen?? It must be something in the Paris Breakfast!! Guess I'll get up and head to my job in the early hours, drive home in God-awful traffic sweltering in the heat. You are amazing...just keep posting so we can all live vicariously through your posts!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Well Bummer but I agree with Geri NJ.. One door closes etc. things always seem to work out. Its pretty rude not to let one know one way or another tho, but hey I can see a good time in the works. Look forward to your new adventures. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Carol - I cannot wait to meet you and so glad your plans have ended up working out for the better after all!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mariel in Argentina4:41 AM

    Je suis étudiant de pastelería in Argentina
    je ne parle pas français, mais queria la féliciter par son blog
    Et voir de que il forme vous il puisse dessiner quelque chose pour ma première carte personnelle de pastelerea, me gustaria voir si vous il peut le faire et comme podria retribuirselo depuis aqui. Maître son travail

    ReplyDelete
  24. love your blog!!! your posts are wonderful!!!


    -fashion illustrator-

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for including the link for my post about the Hermes sale! If you've never been, it really is an experience...as long as you don't mind standing in line.

    Sorry to hear that your house sitting plans fell through but it looks as if you'll be staying at some wonderful places in the country while you commune with Dimitri and BIff. Lucky you!

    Enjoy your time in Paris!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary Kay,
      That was a great post you did.
      You made me want to go to ppl watch if nothing else at Hermes
      It's on my Paris to-do list

      Delete
    2. I usually go on Thursday afternoon to avoid the crowds but will probably go on Friday this year. If you feel like coming along to do some people watching, let me know. Otherwise, I'm meeting a couple of friends/fellow bloggers at Café de Flore for a coupe de champagne on Friday at 6:00. You're more than welcome to join us.

      Delete
  26. Or, as they say in Texas, when you get lemons make a marguerita.

    And now I have a huge crush on Biff.

    It's time for Herme to make an Animaux collection -- I want to see zebra-striped, leopard-spotted, and giraffe-mottled macarons. AND IF THEY DO...I know you'll be the first on line to send us your report.

    What a great Summer you have ahead of you. I'm looking forward to reading all about it, every day, at Paris [and Loire] Breakfasts.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I leave today for Paris !!! Three days in Paris and then a week in Provence with my girlfriends! You have landed on your feet very well and will have more invitations than you know what to do with! Safe travels and one of these days maybe we can meet up in Paris!
    Bon voyage!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. It's interesting in travel (& in life) how plans start & then change in unexpected ways...You are going to Paris!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous9:16 AM

    I'm going to La Cuisine next Monday as well! Looks like I'll see you there!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Dear Carol:
    So sorry to hear that your friend(?)in Paris didn't show up. I am in Madrid and very happy to offer you my home.
    Mi casa, su casa. Please do not hesitate, any time.
    I adore your blog and since I go to Paris monthly I try to follow your ideas/suggestions as much as I can.
    Love,
    Klara.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Carol, we just returned from Paris on Saturday and I already long to return. Have a fabulous time with Mardi. (I enjoy her blog as well) and in all of your travels. As I continue to develop frenchcravings.com, I look forward to opportunities such as yours to connect with fellow bloggers in the City of Lights and share our common passion. Voyages heureux!

    Katie

    PS Just how difficult IS the visa process?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sounds like a wonderful journey! I've just finished reading all three of Karen Wheeler's books, and I laughed and cried and nodded in agreement through all of them. Lovely books. Tell her I say "Hi" even though she doesn't know me!

    ReplyDelete
  33. You know, life has a way of always helping out! This sounds much more fun... Have a great trip and can't wait to hear all about it.

    Wish you would pass 'per Londre':)

    Say hi to the Bear xx

    ReplyDelete
  34. When you follow your bliss the doors open because your heart is! I so look forward to following this trip! Especially your time in boonies with Karen Wheeler! I just started Tout Sweet today. My daughter just brought it to me this past weekend.
    Oh, if you ever want to farm sit for me, you would hear from me everyday til you arrived! then I could go to Paris!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous1:23 AM

    Hi Carol, I have continued to follow you via your fascinating blog... and am so pleased, that things have worked out very likely.. for the best. Something similar happened to me.. several years ago.. on a planned trip to Vienna. Thanks Carol, for all the valuable info per Paris. Between your blog and David L's... my visits to Paris.. are greatly enhanced. I wish you all the best with any plans you have...as to potentially .. extended stays in Paris, or France . I often dream of making such a move.. myself ! ( from Arlene on Gabriola Island/ Canada ).

    ReplyDelete
  36. The bear necessities of life can be contained in one tiny super-adorable suitcase! Would Bear show us sometime how he packs for a trip?

    ReplyDelete
  37. If you are still trying to fill gaps you are very welcome here for a few nights. PM if you are interested, though you'd have to take us as you find us.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Indeed! As horrible as it is that that lady just
    'vanished,' it sounds like the start to the grandest of adventures! Amuse-toi, Carolg!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Bonjour to plans that change! To me, it sounds as though you are in some very good hands!
    Bonne chance!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am eager to read your comments on rural / province life/pastries. Where will you go exactly ?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Well, my stars (as my mama would say)! What a horrible thing for that person to do to you! It does, however, look like things have turned around, and I will look forward to reading about your upcoming adventures. I did read Karen's Wheeler book as soon as you mentioned in on your blog, and absolutedly loved it. Can't wait to see photos!

    My next trip to France is not until mid-October. I hope I can last that long!!! Heavy sigh...I need to win the Texas lottery!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm sure all that uncertainty must have made you very anxious. I'm so glad that your plans are coming together, and things are even better than you'd hoped.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Dear Carol,

    We are waiting for you and Bear! And don't worry, I will make sure that my human pet does not go astray before your visit and that she is fully groomed and on her best behaviour for your arrival.

    Love,

    Biff

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ahhhh--see?? Life is good, m'lle! I'm happy for you--that is AWESOME news--way better, in my humble opinion. You'll get to see some of the country, which I'll look forward to.

    Why the hell do I no longer get email alerts of your blog. Sigh...Anyway, this is wonderful, Carol.

    ReplyDelete
  45. iffatali3:37 PM

    To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familier it is taken for granted.

    ReplyDelete

Love hearing from you