Paris, Paris
I can't remember if this was the 4th or 5th time I've been to Paris. The last time must have been at least 14 or 15 years ago. Each and every visit had been done on a shoestring but it didn't diminish the charm of Paris one bit.
When we first landed at the new-to-me wing of the Charles de Gaulle, it felt so foreign. As the RER progressed into the heart of the city, the nostaglia crept slowly back and in no time, all is familiar once again. I wonder if my husband felt the same, I guess the feeling must have been stronger for him as he had lived there for 4 years once upon a time.
This was the first visit for our two daughters, so the Effiel Tower was a must-go.
We went, too, to the George Pompidou Centre, which is one of my favourite places in Paris, and the nearby Brancusi Artelier.
I went on a 'pilgrimage' to La Droguerie at Rue du Jour but came out empty-handed. And it was the one and only yarn store that we had time for, thanks to its proximity to Les Halles.
Looking back, I'm so happy of my self-restraint but it didn't really felt like that. Strangely, I was contented just by soaking in the ambiance in the shop. I didn't have to own any of those beautiful, foreign hanks of yarn.
The foul weather had frustrated me a bit in the beginning as we were not able to bring the girls to most of the sights around Paris. Then I realised, monuments or no monuments, the girls were having fun, no matter what.
CY was thrilled every time she saw a Smart car on the streets and requested to have a photo snapped.
And both JY and CY were equally excited to be just visiting the neighbourhood boulangerie.
And me, I felt happy just being there, in Paris, in the rain and the cold with my loved ones right beside me. And I felt happy, too, to have my big Misty Garden scarf wrapped around my neck.
I used the feathers and fan stitch pattern called Misty Garden in Scarf Style but added a few more repeats to make it broader. The yarn is Chieti from Puppyarn which had been in stash for quite a few years and I was lucky to find one more last ball at Cheerwool in the same dye lot to make it just long enough. It took 4 balls of yarn at 215m each, and I used Clover 10 (5.1 mm) needles to knit it.
Love the colours of this scarf, they are just like those from one of Monet's Waterlilies. Next time, we'll have to pay a visit to the Orangerie like Anne has recommended in her blog.
So fun! You're girls are too cute! I'd be really happy to be at the boulangerie too!
Posted by: yaiAnn | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 12:03 AM
It's still really cold!
Posted by: fleur | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 02:35 AM
Your misty garden is gorgeous, I want to knit one too but I did not find the right yarn.
I like Paris too, I know "la Droguerie" it is a wonderful shop where you can spend plenty of time looking around you.
Your two daughters seem to be happy with their "baguette parisienne" in the hands !
Hope you enjoyed your stay in Paris !
Posted by: Butterfly | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 02:37 AM
I took a very similar picture in la Droguerie a couple of years ago, and got sternly told off by the woman in the shop! And we loved the bread, too!
Posted by: Mary de B | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 03:57 AM
The pictures are beautiful. I have never been to Paris. The girls look like they are having a great time. I'm sure it is a trip they will never forget.
Posted by: Jane | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 06:27 AM
You look so cute and happy in your Paris scarf!
Posted by: claudia | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Oh, how fun! You all look very happy despite the foul weather! Bravo to you for not buying any yarn in that store; I doubt I could do that. Good restraint! Makes me look forward to our upcoming family trip to Italy this fall.
Posted by: domesticshorthair | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Thanks for sharing Paris with us. The girls are so cute and look as if they're having a great time. And you look all warm and snuggly in your scarf!
Posted by: Dorothy | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Oooohhh, so jealous! Paris looks like it was a blast and that scarf (if you can even call it that because it's so wonderfully oversized!) is beautiful! Nice work. Glad to see that the little ladies had such a good time too! :)
Posted by: Courtney | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 11:15 PM
That wall of color is beautiful, and so is your scarf!
Posted by: Lisa | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 11:24 PM
The trip looks lovely...and I think I saw a few handknits in action, no?
Posted by: jenna | Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 01:48 AM
That scarf is beautiful- I love the colors.
I've only been to Paris once, but I will never forget it and will always long to go back. Glad you were able to enjoy, despite the weather!
Happy knitting-
ali
Posted by: ali | Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 04:12 AM
Great blog. Love the beret that came out like a beanie - serendipity, right? Its better like that!
Posted by: Marianne | Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Paris is a delight, it's a city that makes me wants to go back again and again.
Your scarf looks really pretty and cozy! I really want a big scarf now, too bad the weather's finally warming up.
Anyway, last time I was in La Droguerie they wouldn't let me take picture! :(
Posted by: yuvee | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 12:16 AM
The scarf is gorgeous. Very chic colours! Glad you all had a good time in Paris despite the weather. It's a beautiful city.
Posted by: Anne | Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 01:36 AM
The boulangerie is my favorite place (anywhere actually)! I'd be happy to travel with your girls. Our tastes are very similar. I love the pic of you btw. Very chic.
Posted by: sil | Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 09:43 AM
The picture of CY with the smart car is so cute. What a fun trip!
Posted by: monica | Friday, April 18, 2008 at 09:43 PM
I'm glad you had a good time in Paris. The scarf is really lovely.
Posted by: Wanda | Monday, April 21, 2008 at 04:53 AM