Enfin Le Printemps....presque

Here in the north, Springtime's a tease.  One day I'm tilling the soft warm soil.  The next day it's frozen solid.  The shovel lays beside the garden until the earth softens up again.  In the meantime, I "virtual garden" on one of my absolute favorite sites: L'atelier Vert

                                                                              

Still, True Spring is not far off.  With great anticipation, my arbor lays in wait.  Soon climbing roses will cover, no, smother it with a fragrant and lush embrasse.

                                                                               

Un très bon printemps à tout le monde....

I'd send you a chocolate bunny if I could.  Certainement, one of our more joyous and delicious symbols of Spring!

Bleu et Blanc

Those blue and white Parisian street signs evoke much delight.  To the Francophile, moi!, these utilitarian signposts symbolize such bons souvenirs de France.   I'm not the only one.  They have a cult following, it appears.   A bit of online research yields a dizzying amount of trade surrounding the ubiquitous bleu et blanc.  Companies like Emaillerie Normande will customize them with any message you want. Or you could choose from their own selection:  LAPIN LUNATIQUE or HAMSTER MALICIEUX or ENFANT TERRIBLE.    Drôle.

       

I may just order the ENTRÉE DES ARTISTES for my studio door.

                 And these nifty cufflinks as well -- Is that going too far? 

                 I think not.

                                                                         

According to Eric Tenin of Paris Daily Photo, Napolean decreed in 1806 that street names no longer be engraved on the walls.  Rather, they were to be painted.  In 1847, authorities chose the enamel plaque. Could they have envisioned what a hot commodity they'd become? 

     

                                                                          

                                                                            

                                                                                    

Je t'adore

 

This little sketch really gets to the heart of me. I've always loved deer and the romance of the deep woods.  As a child, I pored over the magnificent  illustrations of Adrienne Ségur.  She often depicted magical forests.  

I now live in one.   It is a true gift when deer quietly step into our yard.   They are so lovely.

I have a friend who is of Ojibwa descent.  She recently told me that if you find yourself particularly attracted to a certain animal, then that is your totem animal.  C'est ça.  I knew it.

                                              

                                                            

"Penser, c'est chercher des clairières dans la forêt.     
-Jules Renard