Les visiteurs kindly pose for a photo. We had the great pleasure of Di and Gert's company this week. They were in Paris from Belgium to meet Di's daughter and granddaughter(!) - at Charles de Gaulle after a very long flight from New Zealand. (Yes, Di's much too young to be a grandmother). While Di and Gert are very different, their personalities complement each other in so many ways. David and I were completely charmed by them both. David had been hearing me talk about Di for a long while and was pleased that she more than lived up to her billing. And after a lovely dinner cooked by my personal chef (uh, that would be my husband), Di and I stayed up until 2 a.m. talking.
You may be familiar with Di's excellent blog A Wandering Woman. She is a talented photographer and honoured me by taking some photos of me, in between her incredible shots of Paris scenes. She sees a photograph everywhere and has been known to lean rather dangerously into traffic in an effort to get a good shot.
As a disclaimer, I must say when we were walking through the Bois du Boulogne late Tuesday afternoon, I didn't expect Di to suddenly urge me to pose for photos, nor did I expect her to scamper up on top of mounds of dirt to aim her camera. While I wasn't really in the right frame of mind for having my picture taken - especially without the aid of hair and makeup professionals - Di was so gently insistent, I acquiesced and am glad I did. Will post one of Di's photos later. Check out her fascinating blog for some fabulous shots of her Paris trip and her terrific photography website.
Di and Gert brought us delicious treats from Belgium: some favourite cookies, as well as lots of deep rich chocolate and Belgian beer. And as if that weren't enough sweets for one week, a package arrived Wednesday from the delightful Terri of Tinker's Art! It contained Girl Scout cookies from her adorable "grandgirls," Felicity and Serenity.
According to Terri, her Girl Scouts are quite the little Francophiles and excited at the prospect of their cookies traveling to Paris. But I'm sure they were not half as excited as I was to receive the Shortbread cookies and Thin Mints! Thin Mints! Remember those? I developed a fondness for those cookies when I was a Girl Scout, many moons ago. And I'm waiting until the guests that arrived this morning go home before opening all this deliciousness. Yes, David and I are going to be selfish and keep these Belgian treats and American cookies all to ourselves. French pastries? Pshaw! Girl Scout cookies and Belgian chocolate trump any day. Well, at least this week...
Oh and Terri also sent me a beautiful handmade Paris-inspired card, an inspiring art card and a copy of one of my favourite magazines. Yes, I'm spoiled, spoiled, spoiled at the moment. Merci bien to Terri and her "grandgirls" and to Di and Gert for their thoughtfulness and generosity!
Yes, I know I should keep cookie crumbs away from the computer! Treats from Terri of Tinker's Art and her "grandgirls" are shown. The photograph is for the "grandgirls," to assure them their cookies made it safely to Paris.
Sounds like it was such a lovely visit. :) I'm just sorry it took me so long to come here and read about it!
Posted by: Madeline | 18 April 2007 at 19:11
Such bliss to be surrounded by dear friends not to mention the yummy taste of cookies.
XO
Kristen
Posted by: Kristen R | 13 April 2007 at 14:02
Tara,
You look adorable in that photo! Isn't it nice to have good friends....Just finished reading that issue of 'Home Companion' and maybe I finished some girl scout cookies too!
Posted by: mymelange | 13 April 2007 at 13:25
What wonderful treats all the way around!
Peace & love, Deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 13 April 2007 at 07:51
We have a box of Thin Mints in the freezer, we like ours cold.
Posted by: kristen | 13 April 2007 at 00:53
Merci beaucoup Tara. You made Paris so much more special than I expected when I first wrote asking if you might like to meet for coffee. The time spent with you and your husband was time to be treasured and you made my first trip to Paris so memorable.
Not only that, you achieved the impossible in distracting me from thinking about my daughter and granddaughter making their horrendously long journey from New Zealand.
They've settled in well, sleeping normally last night, awake all day today ... and it's bliss having them with me in this Belgian world that I live in these days.
Thank you,
love
Di xo
Posted by: Di | 12 April 2007 at 23:15
Felicity and Serenity! Those are the best names for sisters, maybe EVER. And the cookies look pretty yummy too!
:)
Posted by: Amber | 12 April 2007 at 21:43
Tara,
You have a cache of wonderful gifts to remind you of pleasant times with new friends. And fortunately for us your friendly photographer shares a gift with us of a photo of you! Something beautiful for everyone all around.
"especially without the aid of hair and makeup professionals "
If I may be so bold: "You look beautiful just the way you are."
Thanks for sharing your's and David's personnal treasures.
rel
Posted by: rel | 12 April 2007 at 21:23
Tink is the sweetest thing and those girls will be thrilled! XXOO Glad you had a lovely visit.
Posted by: Tammy | 12 April 2007 at 21:17
Boy, I can't wait till they get home from school and see this! The grandgirls will be beside themselves with joy and excitement at this gracious post, Tara. Especially coming as it did, at the height of your 'B&B season' - all of us appreciate so much that you took the time to post about it, so they can see with their own eyes, someone in Paris actually has THEIR cookies.
Thank YOU, so much, Tara - Merci beaucoup!
Bisous
XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 12 April 2007 at 20:53
oh.... and how wonderful is this; a photo of our wandering woman... wandering all the way to Paris... and with cookies!
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 12 April 2007 at 20:19
Paris,
This is the mom of the grandgirls (Tinker's daughter) writing to say thank you so much for the acknowledgement. The girls will be thrilled to see the cookies that were amongst heaps of boxes a short while ago now gracing your beautiful Parisian space. Merci!
Posted by: Cookie of the Desert | 12 April 2007 at 20:14
A visit from a blogging friend AND Girl Scout cookies?! You done hit the jackpot, lady! :) (Lovely photo of you, by the way.)
Posted by: Marilyn | 12 April 2007 at 16:38