Hello 2017

What a week it's been.

I immersed myself in painting. I've been wanting to do this since I moved here. You can see the results on Etsy.

When you walk by Notre Dame every morning,

Noon,

And night you wany to capture it on paper. Someone said this week,"We have a positive endorfin response to nature". Notre Dame is a force of nature.

I took a friend Christmas eve to Notre Dame.

That may have started this torrent of painting. What glorious place.

Yes there are lit trees this year at Notre Dame.

To begin is the hardest thing.

Then you just keep at it, hoping and praying.

.

The view out my window challenges me daily.

I look towards Saint Paul in the Marais.

I need another set of hands to show the painting and the view.

This may be Venice or the Bospherus...or invented.

Are you getting dolled up tonight? Will you ride a carrousel?

Thank you for supporting my work in 2016. As always, I'm so grateful.

Have a Very Happy 2017!

Paris Lights, Colette

L'heure blue on my bridge this evening...all the lights you'll ever want.

On my corner...so many trees in the windows.

Christmas marché at Place Saint Germain.

Place Vendome

Rue Royale

Would you believe these elegant trees belong to MacDonald's?

French trees are stuck in logs so they don't fall over, but you can't water them either.

A marzipan tree in Storher's window.

Elegant chandeliers light up rue Saint Honoré.

On the l'Ile Saint-Louis

Rue Guisarde in the 6th

All the cafes have the prettiest lights in my opinion.

You Must eat oysters during the holidays! Big merci Lane for taking me to l'Ecailler du bistrot, 20 rue Paul Bert.

These sheep are life-size and animated in a fruit shop window on rue de Grenelle.

2 sheep a waiting to be walked.

I've lost count of the bears a sleeping.

6 geese a laying.

2 Parisiennes a shopping at Colette.

And a free hot chocolate at Pierre Marcolini.

JOYOUX NOËL PBers!

Hot Chocolate Map, Paris loves Bears 🐻

I'm not making this up. Paris loves❤️ bears 🐻 I can prove it.

It seemed a natural. December hot chocolate map should have Bear on it. He's been a good sport about it. After all how much hot chocolate can a girl taste in one day. Bear to the rescue. Hot Chocolate Map on Etsy.

Salon Proust, Tea at the Ritz, TWG Tea

I've been painting watercolor remembrances since Tuesday, when Bear and I were invited to the divine Salon Proust at the Paris Ritz to celebrate the launch of special TWG teas.

The Ritz was recently renovated at 15 Place Vendome 75001

A definite must-visit if you're in Paris.

Salon Proust is a serene homage to it's namesake serving Thé à la Francaise with traditional old-fashioned pastries.

Le cake marbré, marron glacé, pain d'epice, speculas...

Starting with the ubiquitous 'madeleine de Proust' served with warm milk.

Pastry chef François Perret explained all to us.

Proust's madeleine adorns even the sugar bowls and teacups.

Bear studied the TWG tea menu assiduously...

First we tried Ritzy Earl Grey, a blend of black teas with bergamot, French blue cornflowers and rare Yin Zhen white tea. Trés delicate.

Then Jardin Vendome, a blend of green tea with wildflowers and a touch of Chamomile - trés raffinement et refraichissante.

Last but never least, chocolate madeleines made from feves de cacao, infinitively chocolate.

As a gift we received a tin of excellent Ritzy Earl Grey and a giant cake-size madeleine (which Bear ate when I wasn't looking). Do consider dropping in for tea at Salon Proust at the Ritz For an exquisite experience.

Isn't Paris glorious for the holidays? Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you like this post and want to support it, buy Paris letters and watercolors or forward to a friend.