just Eva and me

On Thursday, Marc took his students on an excursion to Chartres. Max wanted to go along. Lucas was indifferent, and I had already decided to stay home with Eva (Marc had asked me right after we got back from our long day of visiting two chateaux, and I was done with day trips!).

I took Lucas and Eva to the library in the morning. Lucas had run out of books, which obviously is a calamity, so it had to be done. He took the precaution of checking out 4 books this time (although he's already on his 3rd one. Eva got a new stack, and we also got several movies. I enjoy not having to pay extra to check out movies.

As soon as we got home, Lucas retreated to the couch to read (I cannot say enough about my joy that he is finally discovering that reading is a pleasure during the daytime as well as before bed).

I, however, was feeling antsy. It's a rare day that finds me wanting to go out and the kids hankering to stay in the apartment, but it does happen occasionally. I tempted Eva into walking around Les Halles with me by promising to take her to a park afterwards. Lucas stayed home.

We saw this ensemble playing inside the metro station. Three accordion players, count them! Also, two guitarists and two bassists. They were singing, as well as shouting hey! gustily to the rhythm of their song. It was the most traditionally French-sounding music I've heard since we've been here, and I was wishing I had my camera that has video capabilities.

At our next metro station, we saw this strings ensemble, playing a completely different kind of music (classical) which was equally enjoyable.

We saw this store in a square surrounding a lovely fountain. I noticed McDonald's and about 4 other American stores nearby. But does anyone know what's up with American body art? Is that typically an American thing, or were they just trying to capitalize on being connected with the States? (Contrary to popular opinion, the French do not hate Americans. Well, they might, in a generalized way, but they love America. Music, tv, movies, restaurants, clothing -- if it comes from America, they love it.)

I had never noticed this beehive sculpture before, and thought it was an interesting contrast to the beehive representations we so frequently see in Utah.

You see I never tire of looking at chairs.

Eva insisted I take a picture of this Mim store. Marc's mom is nicknamed Mim, so Eva was completely tickled by this.

We walked down the Rue Montorgueil, which has a charming outdoor market and pedestrian area, as well as lots of kitchen supply and ingredient stores. Check out these beautiful striped tomatoes!

I saw this sign and wondered if someday anyone would call my Max Max & Co. Then I realized that maybe I will be the one to say Max & Co., as I am already fond of saying Denise & Co., Michelle & Co., and the like. These are the deep thoughts I was having during our stroll.

We stopped at G. Detou, a truly marvelous shop filled with baking ingredients imaginable. I really wanted to take pictures in there, but it is a pretty tiny shop and it was packed to the gills. They have chocolates, teas, coconut, sprinkles, dragées, nuts, spices, candied fruits, and who knows how many other delightful things. I picked up some cacao nibs, as I have a couple of recipes that call for them and they can be hard to find. They were only 3 euros, too, for a half-pound bag (250g, in case you are wondering)!

Then we walked down to Pâtisserie Stohrer, which I believe is the longest continually operating one in Paris (open since 1730!). I bought some postcards and four different pastries for the boys and Marc and I to enjoy after Eva went to bed. I really wish I had taken a picture of them -- I had a large pistachio macaron split in half with whole raspberries and pastry cream inside, and it was incredible. They weren't cheap, however.

This photo didn't quite turn out as I had planned, as hardly anything is in focus, but I still love that they advertise escargots in the window.

orange!

As it was starting to get dark (it gets dark so early now!), we headed over to a little park near the St. Eustache church. I don't know if I had been to this park since way back when Max was a tiny guy. Eva had a great time playing in the sand and pretending to be any number of different dinosaurs.

At one point, she was rolling around, getting sand in her hair, so I had to put a stop to that. She was completely filthy by the time we left.

We saw these spray-painted all over the ground in different bright colors. I have no idea what that is about, but they sure did keep Eva entertained (as well as the 101 dogs we saw while we were out).

I snapped this picture as we walked by a rack of Velib bikes, and it is one of my new favorites.

In all, it was a very pleasant day, and fun to be out and about with just Eva. She surprised me by being extremely happy and tractable -- whether it was due to the one-on-one time or just a good mood, I may never know, but I am grateful for these moments when they come along!