Now that our appetites for all things Swedish
and Scandinavian Christmas are satiated,
it seems fitting we flit over to Paris
to devour French deliciousness
and glean romantic decorating
ideas for styling our
own holidays.

By the way,
you do know by now that I type
these posts stream of consciousness
style, right? 

Please pardon the resultant weirdness
from the renegade style. :)

Some of the holiday moments below
of outside and inside may not
actually be Paris moments, but the spirit
of Paris is certainly within them.

Do you know about Christmas
celebration traditions in France?

Traditionally, the Nativity scene is displayed
until February 2nd (this day is known as
La Chandeleur and is 40 days after Christmas Day.
Le Réveillon de Noel is Christmas Eve Dinner,
and at midnight, French families eat a special
meal to celebrate the very beginning of
Christmas Day (Noël).

The French call Santa Père Noël and sing
"Vive le vent" (Long Live the Wind) to the tune
of "Jingle Bells."

I hope you are finding pockets of peace
to enjoy the splendor of the season and
are slowing down enough to notice the beauty
all around you in nature and in the kindness
of others...if the season has not felt kind,
do know that you are not alone in your
grief, and it will pass. It will. You'll see.
Hold on. We all hurt in different ways.

Allow hope tp find you just where you are,
created perfectly to be loved.

And just like that...we're off to Paris!



31.
Bubbly, a bubble bath, and a beautiful snowfall, anyone?

32.
I have been posting so much rustic decor that
this elegant moment gives me pause.
(Merci, Paris, that you go light on the burlap)

33.
Is it wrong that the Laduree stuff has me craving
sweets, and I'd happily take a big bite out of one
of these white chocolate pretzel-like trees?

34.
I'm charmed.

35.
In my imagination, it's completely silent here,
and time almost stands still.

36.
The apartment we rented in Paris had wonderful shallow
balconies like this, just barely able to accommodate two chairs.