Wrapping Up

Pages From Jan's Travel Journal: Sunday, Dec. 23 2018

Our little neighborhood bakery was closed on Sundays, so Craig and Desmond walked several blocks to le Lys d’Or to pick up pastries for breakfast. They brought me a tasty almond croissant which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

A rustic almond croissant

The guys had decided that they needed to do some more shopping. I remained at Desmond’s to wrap presents. I put on some Christmas music and soon got into a rhythm. Azur kept me company, and before long, the gifts were nestled beneath the tree.

Azur with his nose almost touching the radiator

Des and Craig returned at noon with goodies for our lunch. We enjoyed slices of baguette served with our choice of duck mousse, chicken rillettes, or ham and cheese alongside some tangy cornichons. Sweet, juicy clementines made a refreshing dessert. 

The weather continued to be quite chilly and even though a bright sun was shining, there was enough of a breeze to make one really feel the cold. Des and Craig bundled up again since they had just a bit more shopping to do. I remained in the apartment and caught up on email and messages home. 

That evening, Desmond made a quick and easy dinner of beef ravioli in a homemade sauce. A fresh baguette and rich Normandy butter went well with it. We ended the day with a game of Rummikub. How nice it was to do these ordinary things with our son. Our limited time together is always precious.

Christmas in France

Pages From Jan's Travel Journal: Thursday, Dec. 20 2018

Craig and I had been looking forward to this for quite some time - Christmas in France with our son! It had been sixteen months since we had all been together. We arrived at the train station in Orléans to find Desmond waiting for us on the platform with his friend Will, and in no time at all we were checking in to our little AirBnB. We had chosen it mainly for its close proximity to Desmond’s apartment and it turned out to be so charming and cozy that we immediately felt comfortable. 

Nothing says welcome like a heart-shaped lock.

Craig and I were able to use self-check in with the door codes provided by our host. The apartment was in an old building with such thick walls that we rarely heard any outside noise. The little bedroom had lots of storage and a very comfy king-sized bed. 

Beautiful old beams in the bedroom

A little round window for a cozy vibe

A charming weather vane
overlooking the courtyard

The kitchen had everything we required, in spite of its minuscule size. The living/dining area had plenty of room for our needs. Our host had placed a little golden Christmas tree on the fireplace mantel, which was a welcoming touch. The bathroom, though small, was as sparkling clean as the rest of the apartment. 

Ready for Christmas

Desmond and Will had left us to unpack and rest for a bit. We brewed a small pot of coffee, put our feet up, and sent a few messages home to let our family know we had arrived safely. It had been about twenty hours since Craig and I left our house in Kansas but we didn’t feel tired or jet-lagged. We were ready to meet up with Des and Will. 

Within minutes, the four of us were walking across the bridge toward the Orléans Christmas market. Everywhere we looked, there were beautiful decorations. Store windows were filled with clever holiday displays that beckoned shoppers to step inside. Lampposts and flower urns were bedecked with swags of garland and twinkling lights.  We continued our stroll and could see the huge Ferris wheel up ahead, towering over the festive marketplace.

Old and new at the Christmas market

There were lots of interesting items for sale.

Wooden booths had been constructed and set up on the square, with garlands of greenery and lights strung overhead. Each booth sold products that were handmade or manufactured in France. Many of the little huts offered enticing food items such as sausages, cheese, chocolates, and other local specialties. 

We couldn’t resist for long! The aroma of rich, creamy tartiflette drew us to a booth where we made our selections. We found a place to sit and chat while we savored every delicious bite. A few feet away was another booth from which we purchased salted caramel crepes for dessert. Oh my, but they were tasty! 

The tartiflette was irresistible!

Waffles or crepes for dessert?

It was fun to wander among the cute wooden huts. I had spotted several items which I planned to purchase for Craig and Des later. I also gazed longingly at a few things which I hoped might show up beneath the Christmas tree for me! By the time we turned for home, Craig and I were beginning to feel the effects of our long flight and were ready to settle into our cozy apartment. 

Making a List (of what to pack)

Well, it's nearly time to start packing! In less than three weeks, Craig and I will be experiencing the Christmas season in France! We can hardly wait to see our son, and look forward to sharing the delights of the holiday with him. 

There is much to do here at home before we go. We will celebrate an early Christmas with our daughters and their families. We're grateful that some of them will be house-sitting for us and taking care of our dog and cat. Spending time with both of our moms ranks high on our list as well. It's difficult to think about leaving those two sweet ladies for a few weeks, though we know they'll be well cared for in our absence. This will actually be our first Christmas away from Kansas! 

Oliver, watching for squirrels.

This is what Bella does when she sees our suitcases.

While in France, we will be taking a side trip with Desmond to visit Lyon for a few days. Des was there briefly a couple of years ago and has told us about some of the interesting sights to explore, from the Roman ruins to the lifelike murals, the museums, and so much more. 

On New Year's eve we'll travel to Paris, where we will enjoy a special treat. I have reserved an apartment which has a partial view of the Eiffel Tower! We can toast the new year while viewing the fireworks display without having to leave our lodgings. Craig must fly back to the U.S. the next day, due to commitments at work. Desmond and I will return to Orléans, where I can enjoy another nine days with him. 

May your holiday season be filled with love and laughter. Best wishes to all of you in the coming year. 

Checking In

I have been on hiatus for a few months, and now it's time to let everyone know I'm still around! It's amazing how active the lives of retired persons can be. Craig and I have been busy this spring and summer with projects around the house, the yard and garden, visits to and errands for both of our mothers, and a myriad of other activities. 

A recent visitor

This is part of the lovely courtyard my mom enjoys.

In April, it felt strange not to be flying to Europe. When Kansas summer weather began in June, my thoughts returned to France and the good times we had enjoyed there last year with Desmond. Though we struggled through a few exceptionally hot days, we all managed to have a splendid vacation.

Our next visit to France will be very different from previous years. We have decided to spend Christmas with Desmond! Our plane tickets have been purchased (at an amazingly low price) and our lodging has been reserved and paid for. We are thrilled to be staying in a little apartment merely a two-minute walk from Desmond's place.

Over the years, I have seen many beautiful photos and articles regarding the Christmas markets in France. Desmond has described them as well, and we are looking forward to the experience. Mulled wine, hot chestnuts, and handmade gifts are only a few of the delights that await. 

It will be a treat to enjoy the festive season with our son.This will be the longest time we will have been apart since his move to France. We miss him terribly, and though we are thankful for FaceTime and text messages, we want more! Anticipation is a good thing, though, isn't it?

Summer in Kansas is too hot
 for even the squirrels!

With Hope for a Happy New Year

After a hiatus of nearly two months, I am pondering what to write today. Life has been very hectic, which is quite normal for the period of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holiday season was filled with school concerts, festive meals, and family time. It wasn't all fun and games, though. There were minor tragedies, illnesses, and an ice storm. 

Desmond arrived safely from France on December 18, and brought with him the additional sparkle that we were so in need of. We had fun cooking together, shopping, and visiting friends and family. On Christmas Eve, he graciously prepared a special meal for us. We enjoyed a delightful supper of foie gras, crab legs, baked potatoes, and roasted broccoli. It was the most relaxing Christmas Eve I have experienced in many years.

In spite of a flurry of visits with family and friends, Des was unable to see everyone he had wanted to spend time with. We managed a jaunt up to Kansas City, where we enjoyed Christmas festivities with daughter Niki and her family. On Desmond's last day of vacation, we had a small New Year's Eve party. It was fun, but Craig and I have decided that we may be getting too old for that! We could easily have crawled off to bed at 10 PM, but somehow we managed to ring in the New Year.

On New Year's Day, we saw our son off at the airport. It was a tearful farewell, though we were somewhat cheered by the knowledge that we will be seeing him again in the spring. And before that happens, we have an upcoming trip to the Caribbean! 

I want to wish you all a happy 2016. May you be blessed with good health and peaceful days filled with joy. 

No Apologies For Sentimentality

I love holidays, especially Christmas, mostly because of the memories which warm my heart and, of course, the traditions that I adhere to. Little things such as decorating a gingerbread house, making candy, baking cookies, and stringing popcorn for the tree are all important in their own small ways. I remember that, as a child, our home seemed to be filled with visitors. Nearly every day from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day, someone would stop by. Mom (and Dad, if he was not at work) would put on a pot of coffee and slice some fruitcake or pie. The house was warmed with the hum of conversation and laughter.

Gingerbread house 2014

Life is more hectic now, and it seems that many of us are too busy or too stressed to take the time to just breathe in and savor the season. People rush to and fro, frantically hunting for bargains or for that "must-have" toy or electronic gear. Some try to outshine their neighbors with ornate decorations and lights that flash in time to music. Each year the decorations become more elaborate. Though I prefer simple decorations in my own yard, I do enjoy taking a ride around the neighborhood to gaze at the twinkling lights. I remember one year in particular, when there was a gentle snowfall as we were on our "light tour". It certainly added an element of wonder to the evening.

Some of the ornaments on our tree are over 50 years old.

Of course, I am missing Desmond even more than usual. He loves the Christmas season as much as I do and has always participated eagerly in the traditions and festivities. Now, he lives in France, and is creating new traditions even as he holds on to the old ones. 

Desmond's French Christmas tree.

I find it sad that there are many people who become melancholy during the holidays. They try to hide away from the festivities and can hardly wait for life to return to "normal". My heart goes out to all those who are troubled at such times, and I hope that they can find some joy. I hope that all of you can open your hearts to compassion and love for one another, and may peace be with you.