The Mona Lisa...

So, I've had my eye on this print for quite a while now. I LOVE everything about it. It reminds me of Paris. I thought about buying it and putting it in my main bathroom. I've got the french fleur thing going on in there, and it would be a lovely addition.And so, it got me to thinking and brought back the most wonderful memories. A few years ago we had the pleasure of going to visit my old boss and his lovely wife. They lived in London at the time, and we were invited to stay with them in their BEAUTIFUL home. I worked with him many years ago, and through the years we never lost touch. They are the most wonderful people you could ever meet. And I am humbled to call them our friends. When we arrived at their stately home behind black iron gates that opened at the click of a button on a private road....well it was like a Mercedes Benz commercial. And I'm not kidding....because he picked us up at the airport in his Mercedes. His lovely wife was waiting at the front door of this magnificant three story stone house. The lawn was perfectly manicured and adorned with beautiful flowers. And well....I felt at this point like I needed a shower and some pantyhose and heels. But one look at her lovely face, and it felt like home - instant warmth. The entire house was dressed in cream from walls to carpeting to the porcelin floors throughout....there was a double staircase that wrapped all the way up to the third floor. 7 bedrooms and six baths I believe...for the two of them. The foyer was simply stunning. The entire back of the house was covered with french doors that exited out to the private back yard. The kitchen had state of the art appliances, and an expresso maker built into the wall. In the 7 days that we visited, they took us everywhere you could imagine, and they treated us like family. We are eternally grateful for their gracious hospitality, and for the experience of a lifetime not only for hubby and me, but for my boys....they still talk about the staircase of all things - ha!

Our boys were a few years younger then, I think my youngest was 5 at the time....well she offered to keep the boys so hubby and I could spend the day in Paris. OH MY WORD....I was quite hesitant at first....not that I didn't trust her....she's like the perfect mom. I just didn't want to impose on them anymore....sheesh....but she insisted, and off to Paris we went. We took the Eurostar, it connects London and Paris via a tunnel under the English Channel. What an AMAZING day!

Hubby and I spent the most perfect spring day in Paris, we visited the Louvre Museum....and first on the list was the Mona Lisa....I didn't care to see anything else but her and of course the rest of the amazing pieces by Leonardo da Vinci...a surreal experience let me tell ya! And my favorite of all was to be able to see the Eiffel Tower....stand under it....touch it...smell the air around it...We hopped on one of those red double decker tour buses and went off to see the amazing city...and I dream that we will one day be able to go back to this magical place on earth....

And another one of our most memorable moments...we happened to be at Windsor Castle on Easter morning...and the church bells began to ring from the rooftop of St. George's Chapel...it's the chapel at the castle...so we decided we had to attend the church service....OH MY GOD!!!! (sorry, don't like to use the Lord's name in vein, but it is "appropriate" at this moment...forgive me). If you are in London on Easter it is a MUST. After the service hubby and I went up to speak with the "priest" but goodness...he's much higher ranking...his title escapes me....and so he blessed our family, making sure to touch each of us with his blessed hands and he said a prayer with us. Then when we were watching Prince Charles and Camilla's wedding...it was in that very chapel where we attended the service...and GUESS who married them??? I was speechless when I saw his face on tv. Oh we are sooooo blessed!!!! Did a little internet searching and I found him, he's the Dean of Windsor...and I also found a picture of the inside of the chapel to share with you. AMAZING isn't it?

Ok.....wake up Rose....back to the print. As I was saying....I'm thinking it would be pretty in the main bathroom. And so...I'll share a few snapshots of our trip to London and Paris too. Phew....sorry for the long-winded post....I got lost in the moment....

Here is a snapshot of the Eurostar we took to get to Paris,

of course we had to snack on croissants during our 3

hour trip. And I had a cup of french roast coffee...something to

be said about drinking a cup of french roast in FRANCE,

somebody pinch me please!

Here is the entrance to the Louvre Museum

The beautiful winding streets of London...



Here I was under the Eiffel....pretty dramatic isn't it?



And it's true these guys don't crack a smile, I was pretty much in
his face for a few seconds giggling and nothing! Ha the things
they have to put up with.....weirdos like me!
This picture was taken at the grounds of Windsor Castle.
And Queen Elizabeth was home...the flag was flying.


Another picture of Eiffel from the double decker bus....an amazing view.

BIG BEN....when I first saw him....tears just rolled down my face
he is as magnificant as I imagined...and well I had quite a few of the
"overcome with emotion" moments....


AND last but not least....THE MONA LISA....could you believe how small it really is?!
You were not allowed to take pictures, but I managed to snap this one without being arrested.

Though a few nights in a french jail cell really doesn't sound all that bad...:)

and back to earth Rose....
a snapshot of my bathroom where I'm dreaming of that print. I hope you enjoyed our trip to London and Paris....have a great weekend friends!

Sunday is my birthday...and I will be having a few healthy servings of alcoholic beverages - won't you join me?