Fête de la Musique!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPXjtmv0iDzlb2yaRjdPSVflgX0afrHrmXRUMeM1abx7EWC_KEH-7laEa2z6Bx2C_q983IRq-iRnooPqgVlLqhn8mXhC-u-d1b6hT1OmNbuOBnRf4zd5G0qIfxcO_4OVQuoMbMllTO8k/s1600/2010+June+21+00287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPXjtmv0iDzlb2yaRjdPSVflgX0afrHrmXRUMeM1abx7EWC_KEH-7laEa2z6Bx2C_q983IRq-iRnooPqgVlLqhn8mXhC-u-d1b6hT1OmNbuOBnRf4zd5G0qIfxcO_4OVQuoMbMllTO8k/s1600/2010+June+21+00287.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Fête de la Musique</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">If you are in France, you are surely enjoying the music today.  In Paris the streets, parks, and churches are filled with music of all genres.  I will never forget the delightful close of a very busy day as we sat on the terrasse of Pré aux Clercs and listened to the wonderful sounds of smooth jazz.  As you can tell from this photo, the jazz quartet was a visual delight as well.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">For the summer solstice, </div><div align="center">have a celebration with food and music, </div><div align="center">centered on family and friends</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Pré aux Clercs</em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>rue Jacob et rue Bonaparte</em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>75006, Paris</em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em></em></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div>

Fête de la Musique!

    Fête de la Musique     If you are in France, you are surely enjoying the music today.  In Paris the streets, parks, and churches are fil...

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Fêtes des Mères

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsYmJ06lD1VZTsF_BNqh42uc63D6Sedq512UFzyvBZSyj1AEFZzdQnlo2VKfuwMBGfuvODwlFIDvtLyJ9RVkLAECzhNTjQ5rk3mhlaIPIiUzxeQRPa3HjEEtP5I6txCmjxgN2RhcBxQk/s1600/2012+Mar+30+Paris_199DSC_5147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsYmJ06lD1VZTsF_BNqh42uc63D6Sedq512UFzyvBZSyj1AEFZzdQnlo2VKfuwMBGfuvODwlFIDvtLyJ9RVkLAECzhNTjQ5rk3mhlaIPIiUzxeQRPa3HjEEtP5I6txCmjxgN2RhcBxQk/s1600/2012+Mar+30+Paris_199DSC_5147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joyeux Fêtes des Mères</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing mothers around the world a joyous Mother's Day </div><div style="text-align: center;">as we celebrate in the United States on the second Sunday in May.  </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to celebrate twice, </div><div style="text-align: center;">be sure to mark the last Sunday in May (25th) </div><div style="text-align: center;">for the traditional French celebration of mothers.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tradition calls for flowers and perhaps a poem, </div><div style="text-align: center;">catering to the whims of "maman," </div><div style="text-align: center;">and culminating the day with a large meal for the whole family, bien sûr.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The dessert, so I am told, is a cake that resembles a bunch of flowers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">bon dimanche</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Musée du Louvre</div><div style="text-align: left;">75001, Paris</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div>

Fêtes des Mères

Joyeux Fêtes des Mères Wishing mothers around the world a joyous Mother's Day  as we celebrate in the United States on the second Sunday...

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Poisson d'Avril - chut!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4TGupwDI0hGCH0q1bVk_4gMa4GwCi-DciI8RfdECPJkh0ltCQLMXz4Bm_lKOXXQLVSn-3YeAJCwEMSb0UZ6lv_AqxQd7UAoxfnKTAo-hff9yo0_7L9A6fRiMvLo2BL9i5Nxi_GIAdIg/s1600/2012+Apr+1+Paris_069DSC_5616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4TGupwDI0hGCH0q1bVk_4gMa4GwCi-DciI8RfdECPJkh0ltCQLMXz4Bm_lKOXXQLVSn-3YeAJCwEMSb0UZ6lv_AqxQd7UAoxfnKTAo-hff9yo0_7L9A6fRiMvLo2BL9i5Nxi_GIAdIg/s1600/2012+Apr+1+Paris_069DSC_5616.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkInwxtS7GUqkckuLg76wghuQkRfaGtDrEiHOK_9Gz_J8wqH82XvIWoFdZ6_y_cjDBeD4eq2AbL40nrsKkOF7K6Y0OAtLQAQnxqlUJwPsGQjIgAESjXQKImwmhfz7TpMT_BkVwrXajYs/s1600/2012+Apr+1+Paris_070DSC_5617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkInwxtS7GUqkckuLg76wghuQkRfaGtDrEiHOK_9Gz_J8wqH82XvIWoFdZ6_y_cjDBeD4eq2AbL40nrsKkOF7K6Y0OAtLQAQnxqlUJwPsGQjIgAESjXQKImwmhfz7TpMT_BkVwrXajYs/s1600/2012+Apr+1+Paris_070DSC_5617.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you know what <u>tomorrow</u> is?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the United States it is April Fools Day and we play pranks like, "Look out!  There's a spider on your shoulder!"  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The tradition in France includes <i>poisson d'avril</i>, attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim's back without being noticed.  There is an interesting history of this holiday of foolishness, and it originated in France in the 16th century.  You can <a href="http://www.francetravelguide.com/april-fools-day-in-france-le-poisson-davril.html" target="_blank">read about it here</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today in France, people who are fooled on April 1 are called <i>poisson d'avril</i>, which literally means the "April Fish," because a young naive fish is easily caught.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, are you going to play a little prank tomorrow?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Le Baron Rouge, wine bar</span></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">1, rue Théophile Roussel</span></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75012, Paris</span></i></span></div></div>

Poisson d'Avril - chut!

Do you know what tomorrow is? In the United States it is April Fools Day and we play pranks like, "Look out!  There's a spider on ...

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La Chandeleur - jour des crêpes!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxJPU-M9b_GozpicD5FXtKKaDyh8w22wfUpvedTXVntpT4hdu-8ondjK4x7SSQiN3VG5e0okn245tws8XWo19s-kfZs2g_b-p2lmQPPFgGx4jLL9_WCnLIfRUA4TlG314QvXHHkYRkFw/s1600/2012+Oct+8+Monday_135DSC_9246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxJPU-M9b_GozpicD5FXtKKaDyh8w22wfUpvedTXVntpT4hdu-8ondjK4x7SSQiN3VG5e0okn245tws8XWo19s-kfZs2g_b-p2lmQPPFgGx4jLL9_WCnLIfRUA4TlG314QvXHHkYRkFw/s1600/2012+Oct+8+Monday_135DSC_9246.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">La Chandeleur</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fête des chandelles</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(Candlemas - English)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today is Candlemas, 2 February, and it is celebrated in France with crêpes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I will be making crêpes, holding a coin in my left hand, and flipping the crêpe pan in my right.  If I can catch the crêpe, it means my family will be prosperous for the rest of the year, such is the legend.  Also, one does not eat crêpes until after 8:00pm.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This chef at <a href="http://www.creperie-plougastel.com/index.html" target="_blank">Crêperie Plougastel</a> on Rue du Montparnasse, allowed me to take some photos of him as he deftly prepared all the crêpes for the lunch crowd.  I have been here three or four times, introduced by French friend Isabelle.  They have both savory and sweet crêpes with quick service and good prices.  On a street full of crêperies, this one is always well attended.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">bon dimanche</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Crêperie Plougastel</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">47, rue du Montparnasse</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75014, Paris</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">  </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>

La Chandeleur - jour des crêpes!

La Chandeleur Fête des chandelles (Candlemas - English) Today is Candlemas, 2 February, and it is celebrated in France with crêpes. Today I ...

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Quatorze Juillet - La Fête Nationale!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNNc6yGcuZMMRZWOHzhbOM0s0Bszj3k9Gt3IP5lZkrcl3keathTiS83OAAph6EkdqtiN3RJ8sD3HqIeQLaKdAp6G3q_s3DNIYBcXQ38-AZAqS-vpbG5tSOrqd9i9zUGzWtU_vK3xdnos/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNNc6yGcuZMMRZWOHzhbOM0s0Bszj3k9Gt3IP5lZkrcl3keathTiS83OAAph6EkdqtiN3RJ8sD3HqIeQLaKdAp6G3q_s3DNIYBcXQ38-AZAqS-vpbG5tSOrqd9i9zUGzWtU_vK3xdnos/s640/2008+July+14+DSC_0076.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Gates of Invalides</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All of Paris is dressed in the bleu, blanc, et rouge of the French flag.  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The crowds and the traffic are impossible, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but the pleasure of being there in the streets </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">for the great national celebration is worth it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Vive la France!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Invalides</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75007, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Paris and Beyond - 3 years, 1109 posts</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thank you for following, for your feedback,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and for sharing in my love for Paris (and beyond)</i></div>

Quatorze Juillet - La Fête Nationale!

The Gates of Invalides All of Paris is dressed in the bleu, blanc, et rouge of the French flag.   The crowds and the traffic are impossible,...

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Boulevard Saint-Germain - le marché

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD2tEmDw4UHdd30iDF1VKjklEyYL5Wb6Lfz3TXT1nxAY1qOGbMBt33_bP7yjLT9uCuzfuLkqqT24-GNNEBgLN4pfPzw6RPbyL7YGam_LOayPSw6ixKULqS72-mFDOHafNJh6H1MaBbv0/s1600/2010+June+17-18+DSC_0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD2tEmDw4UHdd30iDF1VKjklEyYL5Wb6Lfz3TXT1nxAY1qOGbMBt33_bP7yjLT9uCuzfuLkqqT24-GNNEBgLN4pfPzw6RPbyL7YGam_LOayPSw6ixKULqS72-mFDOHafNJh6H1MaBbv0/s640/2010+June+17-18+DSC_0700.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Booths along Bd Saint-Germain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The colors in this booth caught my eye, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but it was only just now that I noticed two souvenirs </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I should have purchased that day.  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I see the <i>vélos</i> in many bright shades and just below... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">are those miniature 2CVs*?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* 2CV = <i><span class="st"><em>deux</em> chevaux-vapeur</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="st">Weekend street (sidewalk) market</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="st">Bd Saint-Germain at Rue Bonaparte</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="st">75006, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="st"> </span></i></div>

Boulevard Saint-Germain - le marché

Booths along Bd Saint-Germain The colors in this booth caught my eye,  but it was only just now that I noticed two souvenirs  I should have ...

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Fête de la Musique - solstice d'été

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfyJ8_8dDWDLsC-s8jA051ZvOrpYDb8td6Wyysb-uGXKsRXbKyLCSFzyTtQWIyqpfs8h3x7cTPiFBCT3oCbBRN_u4Z1bdx9722_UZLccG_Zy-a15Cbcu95CoYx2FSbl4WU8KQU3n5ajM/s1600/2010+June+21+00116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfyJ8_8dDWDLsC-s8jA051ZvOrpYDb8td6Wyysb-uGXKsRXbKyLCSFzyTtQWIyqpfs8h3x7cTPiFBCT3oCbBRN_u4Z1bdx9722_UZLccG_Zy-a15Cbcu95CoYx2FSbl4WU8KQU3n5ajM/s640/2010+June+21+00116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Summer Solstice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So what does the <i>solstice d'été</i> have to do with music?  In Paris and many parts of France the summer solstice is accompanied by a grand celebration of music, with all genres and forms.  You can visit the churches for special concerts, listen to street musicians in the squares and gardens.  The cafés have jazz quartets and pop music and everything in between.  The music begins early and extends to the wee hours of the morning. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"The musicians are asked to perform for free, and all the concerts are free for the public. It’s the reason why they are used to play in open air areas as streets and parks or in public buildings like museums, train stations, castles… Furthermore, the Fête de la Musique is a way to encourage the major music institutions (orchestra, operas, choirs, etc.) to perform outside their usual locations." (<a href="http://fetedelamusique.culture.fr/fr/edition-2013/presentation/" target="_blank">official site here</a>)</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This photo was taken of the "piano man" on June 21, 2010, Fête de la Musique, a wonderful day spent with friends soaking up beautiful weather and a variety of music.  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wish I was there today.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pont Saint-Louis</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75004, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Fête de la Musique - solstice d'été

Summer Solstice So what does the solstice d'été have to do with music?  In Paris and many parts of France the summer solstice is accomp...

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Poisson d'avril -- chut!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAhjPcHBprU5-NWGOUODKT5X2AjUWeplYGc4031vg6YmxLbQCt7pBEK4zi6oNs7x5IbbckuEtL5vfUE_PpI3uAoFHjcZSvLH-1Y4RhjQAhEIsz0mHKc_kWGqO97J5tEQCMCEu-q7rlz4/s1600/2010+Dec+5+DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAhjPcHBprU5-NWGOUODKT5X2AjUWeplYGc4031vg6YmxLbQCt7pBEK4zi6oNs7x5IbbckuEtL5vfUE_PpI3uAoFHjcZSvLH-1Y4RhjQAhEIsz0mHKc_kWGqO97J5tEQCMCEu-q7rlz4/s640/2010+Dec+5+DSC_0140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you know what tomorrow is?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the United States it is April Fools Day and we play pranks like, "Look out!  There's a spider on your shoulder!"  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The tradition in France includes poisson d'avril, attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim's back without being noticed.  There is an interesting history of this holiday of foolishness and it originated in France in the 16th century.  You can <a href="http://www.francetravelguide.com/april-fools-day-in-france-le-poisson-davril.html" target="_blank"><strong>read about it here</strong></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today in France, people who are fooled on April 1 are called Poisson d'avril, which literally means the "April Fish," because a yound naive fish is easily caught.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, are you going to play a little prank tomorrow?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">(I do know that these are oysters, but I did not have any good fish photos.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Poisson d'avril -- chut!

Do you know what tomorrow is? In the United States it is April Fools Day and we play pranks like, "Look out!  There's a spider on y...

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Mardi Gras!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIegXZEm6EcKARlrf6yAfuFu0lJgZ6KPCDF7Lnmx1rNlf5lJGgk1cYyqtXnb4KUF03PjQYiEWnGJ8dZxm9F-28Kcywj_CQC28DAcudoyq9lpI80uY658ttUda80jYy8QXIFVGcggCutLk/s1600/2012+jan+15++2nd_0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIegXZEm6EcKARlrf6yAfuFu0lJgZ6KPCDF7Lnmx1rNlf5lJGgk1cYyqtXnb4KUF03PjQYiEWnGJ8dZxm9F-28Kcywj_CQC28DAcudoyq9lpI80uY658ttUda80jYy8QXIFVGcggCutLk/s640/2012+jan+15++2nd_0385.jpg" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnivale.... </div><div style="text-align: center;">It is last day to eat galette des rois, the last day of festivities before Ash Wednesday and Lent. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For us, far beyond Paris, we will be enjoying the last days of merriment, parades, and parties with hats. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24lUwUnCj0MtSnhgAFRR_BO2CAgxOIT-RXSabkB4MUYIYjgwyO462XT5YlsUIdjIecQAXNWdiJET44OH1O_pSHF_ga1nelzYetQpgxGHBE0rF73KgJ_CdoQFZhfXnuy01tlDEl1njKU8/s1600/Mardi+Gras+1_0198DSC_3185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24lUwUnCj0MtSnhgAFRR_BO2CAgxOIT-RXSabkB4MUYIYjgwyO462XT5YlsUIdjIecQAXNWdiJET44OH1O_pSHF_ga1nelzYetQpgxGHBE0rF73KgJ_CdoQFZhfXnuy01tlDEl1njKU8/s320/Mardi+Gras+1_0198DSC_3185.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Mardi Gras!

Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnivale.... It is last day to eat galette des rois, the last day of festivities before Ash Wednesday and...

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La Chandeleur -- le jour des crêpes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaWcDsP6GlKzxTmcM5iyeFrPBJ09HdGouqxZLs6caUJSa7CLRRRcwybxoeqNWFFbEpz2cBfCBCA64wd_Hne8QTbH5SYooJXO9LLwS7b_0r8N9NhrgJjw7c2gNc6JM48BF9KPxIw2Kjmo/s1600/2012+jan+15+2nd_0420+b-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaWcDsP6GlKzxTmcM5iyeFrPBJ09HdGouqxZLs6caUJSa7CLRRRcwybxoeqNWFFbEpz2cBfCBCA64wd_Hne8QTbH5SYooJXO9LLwS7b_0r8N9NhrgJjw7c2gNc6JM48BF9KPxIw2Kjmo/s640/2012+jan+15+2nd_0420+b-w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For this crêpe maker, every day is <em>le jour des crêpes</em>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Catholic feast day, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentation_of_Jesus_at_the_Temple"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">La Chandeleur</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, celebrates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple 40 days after Christmas, on February 2nd.  It is also referred to as "Candlemas" or Candle Mass for the blessing of beeswax candles used in the church all during the year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In France the day is celebrated with crêpes which must be eaten only after 8:00pm.  If the cook can flip a crêpe while holding a coin in the other hand, the family is guaranteed a prosperous year.  The many rituals and superstitions surrounding this date include the Groundhog Day test of whether or not the little animal sees his shadow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We always have crêpes (if I am not traveling), and Holly goes out for her crêpes with friends.  I think that my photo is going to give you two days of feasts in one as Sunday (February 5) is </span><a href="http://www.nutelladay.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">World Nutella Day</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">!  I think that I will have my crêpes with bananas, Nutella, ice cream, and a little dollop of Chantilly cream.  It is after all a <u>feast</u>!  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Will you have savory or sweet crêpes?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Rue Mouffetard</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75005, Paris </em></span></div>

La Chandeleur -- le jour des crêpes

For this crêpe maker, every day is le jour des crêpes . The Catholic feast day, La Chandeleur , celebrates the Presentation of Jesus at the ...

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