Pat took this photo of us on the bridge and you can see all the locks that have been latched around the wire on the sides of the bridge.  Lovers write their names on these locks and secure them to the sides of the bridge (supposedly for "everylasting love").  And once again we see Notre Dame in the background.  :)

We were told that as the locks begin to completely coverthe wires, city workers cut them off of the wires and dispose of them.  (so much for "everlasting")

Pat took a close up of these.  (All these photos courtesy Pat Rogerson).

More Window Shopping

Pat took this photo of these interesting teapots.  They really have that Asian look.  In fact, when I ordered tea in one of the tea shops, the teapot they brought out was similiar to these.

Pat also took this photo.  These mannequins were in the souvenir shop we visited earlier in the day.  Very interesting.

Here's some more of those adorable items.  These are tart spatulas.  Cute little doggies, huh?  LOL

These are tweezers and a compact mirror.  Just the cutest!

Window Shopping

I thought these make-up brushes were adorable!  We had so much fun window shopping......almost as much fun as actually buying things.  (almost!  LOL) 

The cheese graters were just too cute, too.  If I had one, I probably would not want to use it!  ")

Wow!  I can't image making this necklace!  Look at all the cabachons! 

 The earrings to go with these necklaces looked like they weighed a pound apiece!

I don't know if these medallions were pins or just an ornament, but the colors were so very pretty.

Eating on the I'ile

Judi is standing in the doorway of the most famous ice cream parlor in Paris.  It is also on the ile Saint Louis.  Right behind her you can see a large, magnificent bouquet of flowers on a stand as you enter the shop.

 In this photo Pat took of me, you get a better view of the bouquet.

This is a triple dip ice cream.  I chose almond, choc. chip, and tiramisu.  A curved, thin almond wafer stands at the back of  the bowl to showcase this delicious dessert.  Well worth the visit!  We did not have to stand in a line to get in as most guide books will tell you is often the case.  In fact, the shop was not full at all and this was a Saturday afternoon. 

The waitress graciously took this photo of us.  We had such a wonderful time together.

     This is such a beautiful restaurant on the ile, and no, we did not eat here.  Photo courtesy of Pat Rogerson.

On Saint Louis L'ile

(I meant for this to be the last photo on this post.  Guess I'm going to have to contact Blogger to see what's going on)                                           Here you see Judi and I emerging from the shop with our little sacks full.  <**>

I love the street signs in Paris!  This, of course, is in the 4th Arrondissement and on the ile of Saint Louis (San Louie).

This was a wonderful stationery/paper shop.  We had not been in one up to this point.  There were so many gorgeous things inside..............wish I had taken some photographs inside.

Out and About

Pat, Judi and I went to the Arabic Institute after we left the group.  These windows are made up of individual camera lenses to adjust the light coming into the building.

Pat took this photo of Judi and I as we were looking across the city.  We were on the rooftop of the Arabic Institute.  They have a restaurant with a terrace that overlooks the city.  It has a nice view of the Seine River. 

 I love this photo of Judi and Pat!  You can tell it was quite windy up there by looking at Pat's hair.

It seems that almost anywhere in our neighborhood, we were able to tak wonderful photos of Notre Dame.  I really like this view of it.

Our Last Saturday in Paris

This is the group going up the hill from the hotel to the Maubert flea market.............duckies in a row!  LOL   This will be our second Saturday to visit this flea market.

Saturday morning.............

Wow!  Pat and I look like we had a late night Friday!  We were up and ready to go back to visit some of the flea markets close by our neighborhood. 

Here we go.............duckies in a row!  Pat would lead out and look back occasionally to see if all her duckies were following along.  LOL

Just havin' some fun!  We were in a typical touristy souvenir shop and Pat spied the purple beret that matched her scarf.  I spotted the purple sunglasses and  gave them to her for this fun photo!

Purchasing our supper

Here is Judi coming out of the bakery with her goodies for supper in the garden.  I am paying for mine at the cashier at the door.  We usually bought a quiche, a sandwich, a salad or a piece of pizza when we were dining at "home".  ")

These are French macaroons. ummmmmmmmmmmmmm!  Not only pretty, but delicious.  They are so chewy.

Look at all the sweets!  We always had a hard time trying to decide what to sample next.

We thought we would try this beautiful strawberry cake the next night, but, alas, it was gone.

Famous Paintings in the Louvre

How tiny she seems in this vast room!  Also, the protective glass around her seems to add to her diminutive state.  I always think of this painting as very large.....even though I have read how small it is (30in X 21in) compared to so many portraits of this era.  But there she is in all her beauty..............and it was very difficult to get to the front of the crowd to get a phto without dozens of heads in my view finder.  ")

Just the opposite of the previous painting, this one was so large (approx 22ft X 32ft/or 276in X 391in) and so full of activity.  I had to really look for a spot to hold my camera above all the visitors to the masterpiece.  I was so suprised that it turned out as well as it did.  We were not allowed to use a flash on these two photos.  I cannot imagine the time and patience it took to paint each individual at this wedding feast plus adding the details of the buildings and the utensils, and instruments......whether utilitarian or musical.  A fasinating work.

The Louvre

 Judi walking past the street lights and that gorgeous fence.

Here you see the glass pyramid constructed by the famous I.M. Pei.  It is so beautiful with the sunlight shining through it.  We did not get to see it all lit up at night, but everyone said it truly is a beautiful piece of art when seen at night.

Here you see Judi at the bottom of the stairs that leads up past the Winged Victory of Samothrace and on to De Vinci's Mona Lisa and Veronese's The Wedding Feast at Cana.

On to the Louvre

I don't know why these photos posted out of order........oh, well,  this is the Gate of the Lions entrance into the Louvre Museum.  The Lion are quite regal.

This man was set up at the end of the bridge that crosses over just up from the Orsay Museum.  He had quite a "band" at his disposable....and he sang!  He was really good with all the instruments and had a really nice voice.  Notice the top hat sitting in front of him for tips.  ")

Here is a closer view of him as he plays the trumpet, drums and melody on the accordian.

This is the beautiful fence around the museum.  As we walked through the park toward the museum, the fence and light posts were dazzling in the sunlight.

A Grand Time at the Orsay

Catherine and Dale Moore.......what a great time we had with them as we dined in the restaurant in the Orsay Museum.  Catherine was so encouraging to me as our group made plans to make the trip to Paris.  She gave me many tips and links to help with our planning.  How wonderful to meet her in person!  (and a million thanks to Dale for our little transaction!)

A very cherished photo for me.  ")

This is our art group....missing only Miss Minori who was not able to join us from Japan.  (It was an emotional time for me when it was time to part from Sara and Kimberly.)

Miss Z.............I see such creativity here.  I have been able to chat with her online and would like to get to know her better and see some more of her art.  Great to meet you, Z!

Luscious food in the Orsay Restaurant....

Cheesecake with strawberry sauce.

This was wonderful!  The pasta salad with fried salami, cheese slices and basil topped off with a little pesto.  ummmmm!

Scrumcious chocolate cake and sweet cream sauce.

Reunited with Friends at the Orsay...

Here are Judi and Pat talking to Catherine.  I wish I could remember the names of the other ladies in her group.  (so sorry!)  Kimberly Hanlon is at the far right across from Catherine and Jan.

Here I am with Susan and Sara.  Sara and I had actually met in an art group that Susan and Judi were also in at Tejas Stamps in Collinsville in 1999.

Here is dear Kimberly.  She and Sara feel like family to Sharla and I.  Sharla and Kimberly had barely met when the Hanlons had to move to Minneapolis.  Kimberly is a very creative young lady.  She has a degree in fashion design and later went back to get her law degree.  Her law firm is now in Minneapolis.  I have a bear that Kimberly made while living here in Tulsa.  ")  (Mr. Sammy Bear)