Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Moi, Behind the Camera

Collage camera

Random thoughts on a typical day.

Hot pink dress, I only when the days are warmer. 

Taking a photo of oneself is not easy, unless you use the timer and a tri pod. But as I say often in France, "Why do it the easy way when complicated is the norm."

I have a new camera, gave my old one to Chelsea.

Sacha is home, made a forty pancakes. He ate 30, French Husband ate 8 and I had two.

The cat's name is: Chateau, which means castle in French,

But also is a play on words "Chat" in French is cat, and "Eau" in French is water.

The suggested name "Dangle" was a close second. Thank you for your ideas!

When my children were little their was a similar looking cat in our neighborhood we called him Piano Keys.

We have an apartment in Paris, we are going to fix it up and rent it out as a holiday rental. Maybe you'll come and stay? I am excite to plan the interior with brocante finds.

I met a Shelia, a blogger friend, the other day in Marseille. She said she was unsure how to pronounce, Brocante.

Brocante, "BRO" rhymes with "PRO", and "CANTE" rhymes with "HAUNT"… does that help?

What are some of your random thoughts today?

Comments

49 responses to “Moi, Behind the Camera”

  1. Bev S.

    Grocery shopping for the week. (My least favorite chore.)
    Visiting a member in the hospital.
    Wanting instead to sit at home and listen to my audio book.
    Maybe I’ll make some homemade ice cream and brownies for later today….

    Reply
  2. stayoungatheart@yahoo.com

    Oh, how exciting about your apartment in Paris……I want to come and stay and then hop over to your part of France…….I can dream…..

    Reply
  3. dale sevig

    we could have used it this Nov as we have 4 days after our gite is up in Les Arcs – rented near the Louvre little studio.
    I read where French laws are trying to stop short term rentals as not enough apartments for people living and working in Paris – hope this does not happen

    Reply
  4. dana sparkle

    We have booked our trip and are have 3 different apartment stays during our 3 months in France. Paris, Cassis & Toulouse. Such a great way to holiday with 2kids. Will look out for the gorgeous blonde lady, with camera at the markets/brocantes in Provence in September….
    *

    Reply
  5. Debra

    Keep listening to my MP3 player, “French for Idiots”, every free quiet minute I get.
    Daughter graduates from high school Tuesday – racking my brain for a special gift.
    Son needs new trousers for mock trials this Thursday.
    Just brought dear husband home from hospital.
    Will be in Paris in October – wonder if the apt. be available?
    Need food for lunches this week.
    Love reading your blog . . . .

    Reply
  6. Karen@PasGrand-Chose

    Note: your pronunciation guide works for an American accent, but not for a British English one, in which case -ANTE rhymes with “aunt”. (Of course this is definitely wrong for Americans, who pronounce ‘aunt’ as ‘ant’. Qu’est-ce que c’est compliqué!!)
    Enjoy the lovely weather and having your boy home!

    Reply
  7. Zosia

    Pick up Lilla from the subway station in a few minutes.
    Pick up a few groceries for dinner.
    Smiling that Corey liked “ChatEau” as a name for the neighbour’s cat.
    Reading a book by an Irish writer, Roddy Doyle, and loving his ear for real dialogue and the way he writes it phonetically, so that you hear the characters speak in your head while reading.
    Have a wonderful week!

    Reply
  8. Beatnheart

    Memorial day today… Ukulele party at friends house followed by wrapping of earring purchase from a customer in Japan. Apartment in France??? How do you say omg in french? How do you say sign me up. I think I would rather have a apartment in your town so we could hang out and become best friends.

    Reply
  9. Liz

    looking forward to the apartment transformation…Please blog about it as you go throught the stages of fixing and decorating it..
    can’t wait to see it, and maybe one day have a stay there in paris…

    Reply
  10. Liz

    oops…*through

    Reply
  11. RebeccaNYC

    Love how you so casually mention the apartment in Paris. Can’t wait for Photos!!

    Reply
  12. Kathie B

    Oh, it seems as though too many of my thoughts are random every day! I’m forever trying to organize them, but it can feel like “herding cats” 😉
    Began last night trying to make sense out of a poem in Portuguese dedicated to a city hall in the Azores, which in the light of day I’m beginning to fear is impossible (le sigh). Thank goodness the poet is alive and well, and just an email away on Terceira (or wherever his travels take him).

    Reply
  13. Ann

    Started my day as I always do with prayers/bible reading/meditation. Having tea/coffee with DH. Thinking about my day, have to go to my two antique booths lots of celebration going on this Memorial Day.
    BTW, USA was a big part of France’s liberation in WWII. Today I salute my dad, uncles and all who served their country for the greater good. My dad was in the Pacific and one uncle in Europe which included France.

    Reply
  14. Nicolette

    Excited to hear about your new adventure. Decorating is right up your alley. Did I understand you correctly, you two are going to use it as a vacation rental, that’s awesome. When not in use, and when you and Yann want a change of scenery, pop over to Paris. Try to take advantage of it. Enjoy!

    Reply
  15. Babs M

    What arrondissement? How many will it sleep? I’m making plans already!

    Reply
  16. Brenda L. from TN.

    The new cat looks just like my cat who died 2 yrs ago. But HE was a male and named Teddy-Boy….he was a good cat. I would have named your neighbors cat “Tink” because it is female.
    Happy Memorial Day to all on here….America! Land of the Free and Home of the Brave…all due to OUR brave men and women!

    Reply
  17. liz from WNC

    Pruning rosemary bushes along the drive. Notice that “dang” mold in the mulch is still spreading. Wonder where the hornet nest is? Do I have frozen strawberries for my breakfast smoothie? The coneflowers need more light. The baby birds in the nest built in the cupboard have flown the coup!

    Reply
  18. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Spending the afternoon at the shop rearranging vignettes; planning for trip this coming weekend to Remnants of the Past show with BFF Amy; and wondering if/when I will ever be able to save enough $$$ to make it to France to visit and shop with you!

    Reply
  19. Marilyn

    I want to stay in your apartment. Would love to see pictures when you fix it up and see a map where it is located.
    Thanks for having a random day. My day is just beginning, but it seems rather random so far. Went outside in my robe because I just had to take a picture of a ladybug sitting on a flower bud.

    Reply
  20. Judi D.

    Missing my cousin Rick today – Viet Vet, wounded warrior. He fought for decades to keep his legs and lost that battle eventually. He fought the same decades for care and recognition for his fellow vets – and succeeded in that one, admirably. Rest easy at Arlington, Rick.

    Reply
  21. Kathie B

    FORTY pancakes??? Hope they were just silver-dollar size ones, and drenched in maple-y goodness! I know you said Sacha was trying to “bulk up,” but that’s gonna take a lotta exercise to turn into muscle.

    Reply
  22. Jackie

    My first random thought is that I want to be the first person to test out your apartment in Paris. Do you need someone to help you practice renting? I could do that for you any time. Just saying…

    Reply
  23. Tongue in Cheek

    40 giant ones.
    He is one mean machine.
    🙂

    Reply
  24. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi M
    It is in Paris. First we need to fix it. Our children will live there, and when, and when they are away we will rent it out sometime.
    I will post it when we start, which won’t be for a year or so.
    C

    Reply
  25. Tongue in Cheek

    Cannot wait ’til you come!
    C

    Reply
  26. Tongue in Cheek

    Delicious random thoughts minus the mold. The other random thoughts were so visual, I felt I was there.
    C

    Reply
  27. Tongue in Cheek

    Maybe your cat had a French cousin.
    C

    Reply
  28. Tongue in Cheek

    HI B
    Oh it won’t be ready for awhile.
    Hopefully it will sleep four.
    C

    Reply
  29. Tongue in Cheek

    HI Cousin,
    That is the plan!!!
    C

    Reply
  30. Tongue in Cheek

    lol, photos in a year.

    Reply
  31. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh my god is the same, Mon Dieu!

    Reply
  32. Tongue in Cheek

    🙂
    🙂
    🙂

    Reply
  33. Tongue in Cheek

    See you soon Dana!!

    Reply
  34. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi D
    It won’t.
    And besides our children will live there, and after we will use it and rent it when we are not there.
    C

    Reply
  35. barb in minnesota

    I’m thinking about the French Language. Recently splurged and bought myself the Rosetta Stone French program. It’s such a beautiful language and I want to speak and understand it better before retiring there. Your apartment adventure in Paris sounds perfect for you. Can’t wait to see the pics.
    Au Revoir.
    Barb in Minnesota

    Reply
  36. Carol

    Wondering if it is difficult for you to keep that ring on the upper part of your finger and if the commercials on French TV are louder than the shows like in USA…..hummm

    Reply
  37. sharon morrison

    Well hello!!! You can put me down as a guest as well. A year is about right for me. I will start saving. I also will want to stay close to you for the rest of the time, in an apartment. At least one day we can shop and shop!!!
    Happy for you dear one.

    Reply
  38. Kathie B

    Has Sacha heard about eating contests? The hotdog one at Nathan’s on Coney Island is the most famous (inevitably gets covered on the national TV news each year). There are actually PROFESSIONAL competitive eaters out there (not fat, either), and I gather even prize money. Chacun à son goût, in more ways than one ;-)))))

    Reply
  39. Stella

    An apartment in Paris! What a fantastic idea/project. This is what happens when you marry your business and your passion!
    Bravo to you both on this joint venture!

    Reply
  40. carol

    Problem solved! Now I will have a place to stay when I come to Paris and I won’t have to worry about…bed bugs!!!! 🙂 I’m so happy because I am going to make it there eventually and I’m going to visit you too!

    Reply
  41. Kathie B

    Which Arrondissement?
    And will it have A/C, at least for summer, pretty please? There was a heat-wave when we were in Paris last May, and on the upper floors our un-airconditioned hotel rooms in both hotels where we stayed (3rd & 6th Arrondissements) got pretty stifling even with the balcony doors open.

    Reply
  42. Sheala

    Totally loving your blonde hair!!!!!
    I might be a flaming red head next time you see me!!!!!

    Reply
  43. Karen C

    An apartment in Paris!!?
    Well, didn’t that make everyone stand up and pay attention! LOL
    Random thought.
    If it’s in Paris there will be stairs.
    Corey will need help getting the furniture in.
    Wonder what time the next flight to Paris is?
    I can work off the rent by moving furniture for Corey.
    Note to self – must call the Rheumatologist first and make sure I have enough painkillers.
    PS Our black and white cat is called “Murphy”. Irish law, if a stray is going to choose any driveway in the neighbourhood, it will probably be ours.

    Reply
  44. La Contessa

    I’m in!!!!!!!!!How much and when is it available!>???

    Reply
  45. Barbara (Australia)

    My daughter and I stayed in a amazing apartment in the 6th for a month. The most amazing holiday of our lives. Got to know all our neighbours, walked a different arrondissement each day (almost!!)collapsed into bed each night. The owner actually moved out for us so it was full of flea market finds and just divine.
    So much better than a hotel.
    I think your apartment will be just fantastic, cant wait,please do a step by step renovation online for us all to see.

    Reply
  46. Merisi in Vienna

    W h i c h camera have you got? *curious cat has this sort of spontaneous reaction*

    Reply
  47. Franca Bollo

    Karen, I don’t understand … how do British English speakers pronounce “haunt”. Doesn’t it rhyme with the British pronunciation of “aunt”?

    Reply
  48. Franca Bollo

    That’s an interesting point. Here in San Francisco, the number of apartments allowed to convert to condominiums per year is restricted by lottery. It’s an attempt to maintain the inventory of affordable housing for those who cannot afford to buy into SF’s insane housing market.
    The law’s intent is similar to the proposed French law — to keep a city’s housing market open to the people who actually work in that city.
    This is heart-breakingly illustrated in a segment of the movie, “Paris, je t’aime”:
    “Loin du 16e (XVIe arrondissement; literally: “far from the 16th”)
    A young immigrant woman sings a Spanish lullaby (“Qué Linda Manita”) to her baby before leaving it in a daycare. She then takes an extremely long commute to the home of her wealthy employer (whose face is not seen), where she sings the same lullaby to her employer’s baby.”
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris,_je_t%27aime
    An alternative to renting an apartment is to stay with a local resident. When I was in Barcelona last fall, I rented a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom (a must) from a young family. It was in a gorgeous older building in the heart of the city. Not only was it inexpensive but I had the company (when I chose) of locals.

    Reply
  49. SusieQ

    My most current random thought is getting to Paris to rent your little apartment and spend my days at the Brocante and my nights sleeping in your brocante finds!!!!

    Reply

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