Paris Parfait

On the agenda: Montreuil-sur-Mer

The narrow door isn't crooked, but the window shutter is...Montreuil-sur-Mer, France.

An attic window in a 19th-century house in the city that inspired Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.

A tower at the 10th-century St. Saulve Abbey, at sunrise.

Papyrus and cherubs supporting a fountain.

A residential street lined with lovely homes.

 

Baskets of spring flowers adorn a wall.

 

Today is our anniversary and we are off to the charming city of Montreuil-sur-Mer in Northern France, as well as to England to visit family. Back soon with tales of a brocante; Jane Austen's house; an exhibition and more...

Fields of gold

Tulips and other flowers blooming in a field, Alkmaar, Noord-Holland. Click photo to view detail. And have you ever listened to the late Eva Cassidy's beautiful version of "Fields of Gold?"

Idyllic

A rusted-out rowboat hasn't lost its charm, Edam, the Netherlands.

 

At last it's May and while we had to turn the heating on again last night (and still are wearing sweaters and coats), signs of spring are emerging from hiding. Green buds are appearing on trees and flowers are running riot in the garden. The Mallard ducks that flew to our back door for food - ten nights in a row! - are parading their seven two-day-old ducklings through "our" canal (more about them later).

Later this month, I'll begin work on an intriguing photography project that celebrates Dutch innovation. But first, David and I are off to England to visit family, then to France to toast our anniversary.

Meanwhile, my friend Christine has written a wonderfully poignant essay "Magical thinking" about transitions. And feast your eyes on this simple and creative beauty in Italy. Hope you find your own moments of magic and wonder this weekend!

P.S. Stay tuned for more about those ducks, plus a story about an intrepid nine-year-old girl.