A Chic Paris Holiday Season – Day 4 – Breath
December 6, 2020
In 30 Chic Days At Home, author Fiona Ferris writes “Take the Wins.” She encourages us to focus on the good things that we are doing. When we pay attention to what we are doing well and to those things that we enjoy, we enjoy them even more and, more importantly, we do more of whatever it is.
Today is the day after my family’s “Thanksgiving” celebration. (We celebrated a week later than the actual American Thanksgiving holiday because my husband was traveling over the actual day.) I detail how the day actually progressed in yesterday’s post. (Hint: it had its ups and downs, as far as how I experienced it.) I did a little “after-action analysis” last night and will do some more over the next few days. We have another “big” holiday celebration coming up in almost 3-weeks (Dec 25) that I would like to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible for all four of us.
Today, however, I am “taking the wins” from yesterday and relaxing into the day. This morning, I went on a beautiful coffee-gratitude walk. I enjoyed the cold breeze on my cheeks while I stayed warm in my wool coat and heavy gloves (the temperature with windchill was about 36 (F)/ 2 (C)). I had a quick & tasty lunch of homemade quiche Lorraine (which also included carmelized onions – yum!) I love it when I have something delicious already made in the ‘fridge and can just microwave back to tasty life when I’m hungry. All children’s homework is completed so they can go play with friends (and I don’t have to “remind” them about homework at dinner time.) After breakfast, I completed a few “maintenance” tasks for the volunteer group I’m active with here in Paris. Laundry is done and drying on the radiator.
I have a nice cup of tea beside me and am well into Laura Childs, Death by Darjeeling (the first of her series, The Tea Shoe Mysteries.) I am on the waitlist to check out the next book in the Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen, Queen of Hearts. So, I have a nice treat to look forward to even as I enjoy a lovely moment now.
I wish everyone a beautiful and relaxing afternoon!
2 Comments
Lara
I’m really enjoying your daily blogs, even though I don’t comment on every day’s post. Your daily life is so different to mine (here in subtropical Australia). I love reading of other people’s day-to-day. You have a talent for writing.
I was delighted to see in your accompanying photo of your Christmas tree that your apartment has parquetry flooring and detailed mouldings (I think you call it ‘wainscotting’ in USA ?) on the walls as this is how I imagine every Paris apartment to be ! I know there are many, many different architectural styles in a city like Paris and there are probably many buildings of apartments with little or no fine architectural details to speak of but in my mind, the stereotypical Paris apartment has a Juliet balcony and a fresh baguette in the kitchen ! Ha ha.
Julien M.
I was surprised when I first visited Paris how many styles of building are here. I prefer the older buildings and am so happy with my more “mature” apartment. (The building is around 200 years old.) The floors are creaky and uneven. The ceilings are high and the rooms are gracefully proportioned. Luckily, the bathrooms were updated about 5 years ago (yeah!) There are several interesting Art Deco buildings just around the corner. I used to not like that style of architecture but it’s growing on me.
I love your comment about a balcony and a fresh baguette in every apartment. We don’t have a balcony but the fresh baguette (& croissants) every day are dreamy! Even after many visits and a year of living here, my daily nibble of the fabulous fresh croissants is such a (delicious) thrill.