Gateway to a houseboat along the River Seine, Paris.
Merci bien to Meg Zimbeck and Budget Travel magazine for naming Paris Parfait one of the Top Ten Paris expat blogs! What a thrill to be in such fine company!
This was a nice surprise, especially when the day started out with a murder in the apartment building across the courtyard. From my balcony, I could see several different branches of the police (a sure sign something is seriously wrong) enter the building. Later, I watched nine police officers remove a body on a stretcher. So sad. Then the French version of CSI - although not nearly so glamorous as their television counterparts - arrived to collect information from the crime scene.
A maid discovered the body. According to the gardien (every French apartment building's version of a concierge, only with more duties), the death was under "very suspicious circumstances." The CSI crew were in and out all day gathering evidence, carrying boxes of equipment and removing items for testing.
It was all a bit disconcerting in this quiet, leafy neighbourhood flanked by two parks. And it probably didn't help that I was watching the Season 2 Damages DVD until the wee hours. Oh, and baking sugar cookies. No wonder I had bizarre dreams.
Congratulations on a most well deserved award! That's grand news -- especially in light of the other news of your day. I hope it was an "inside job" and nothing to worry about. Great honor -- so wonderful!
Posted by: jeanie | 08 September 2009 at 23:11
Congratulations!! So well deserved..what an honor!!
x..x
steph
Posted by: Stephanie | 08 September 2009 at 22:04
How thrilling, congratulations!
Posted by: Amanda Nicole | 06 September 2009 at 19:06
How exciting!! You deserve it Tara!! Wonderful news!
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 06 September 2009 at 14:59
Accolades well deserved! Murder, Damages and sugar cookies, that would make for strange dreams indeed. I love Damages, a wonderful series, dark and twisty.
Posted by: Donna | 06 September 2009 at 06:18
As I said earlier, no one deserves the mention more than you. Candy for the eyes and food for the mind. All wrapped in beautiful photographs with that aura of elan that makes everything glow. Good for you and glad that someone gives you credit for a job well done. Hugs from here.
Posted by: Allegra | 05 September 2009 at 09:30
Congratulations on the Budget piece.
Posted by: Zoe | 04 September 2009 at 20:33
Thank you! Oh the chef is in China, so I have the sugar cookies all to myself. Felt so guilty about it I went to the fruit and veg place and bought 30 euros' worth of mango, to make up for my indulgence. :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 04 September 2009 at 18:23
oh, i am so happy and proud! congrats to you!!! this is well deserved.
on another note: say huh, a murder? what's going on over there??
btw~ sugar cookies? i recall your "chef", not indulging in those... so did you save me some? hee hee
xoxo
Posted by: christina | 04 September 2009 at 18:16
Tara ~ Budget travel are indeed perceptive ~ you blog is smart and funny and
cultured and whimsical and naughty ~ you have a wonderful breadth of scope
for sharing your city
you should write for travel magazines and travel around taking photo's
:)
i am so gosh darned proud of you:)
Posted by: madelyn | 04 September 2009 at 17:01
Well firstly CONGRATULATIONS and secondly WHAT! A MURDER? It seems such a peaceful place whenever I visit. I am curious as to which apartment it was now :)
Posted by: Di Overton | 04 September 2009 at 16:13
How wonderful! Congratulations-- and have a good weekend!
Posted by: Helen | 04 September 2009 at 15:34
This is awesome Tara. Many heartfelt congratulations from me - you SO deserve this accolade.
Posted by: Kay | 04 September 2009 at 07:59
Tara,
Congratulations! You definitely deserve it.
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | 04 September 2009 at 06:29
Bravo!!
Posted by: Swirly | 04 September 2009 at 06:06
Congrats on the recognition and remember it's not bragging when it's TRUE!!
Posted by: elsie | 04 September 2009 at 06:02
YOU!!!!
But of course.
Dahling, you shall be number one of ten, no offense to the other nine intended.
Well deserved!!! xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 04 September 2009 at 05:05
Congratulations, Tara! You and this beautiful, enriching space deserve it!
Posted by: doorways traveler | 04 September 2009 at 04:44
Congratulations, Tara. You and your beautiful space deserve it!
Posted by: doorways traveler | 04 September 2009 at 04:43
Congratulations Tara!!! You deserve this recognition! You do have a gift for writing, reporting, educating,and wonderful photography! Whoo hoo for you!!hugs
Posted by: naturegirl | 04 September 2009 at 03:36
Congratulations! So well deserved.
Posted by: Marianne | 04 September 2009 at 03:19
Wow! Congrats Tara. I couldn't think of a better recipient!! xo
Posted by: Rosa | 04 September 2009 at 02:44