Paris Trip - Day 2

 On our second day in Paris, we headed back to the Eiffel Tower around noon. After grabbing coffee and having breakfast at our Airbnb around 10 a.m., lunch wasn’t yet on our minds.

Finding the right place to buy tickets was a bit confusing. The first line we joined was for elevator-only tickets, and the attendant directed us to the south side for stairs + elevator tickets, the cheapest option. Just as we were purchasing them, I had a moment of panic about lunch, but the ticket agent reassured us that there was food available on the first level.

We climbed the stairs and reached the first floor in about six minutes. The first restaurant we found required reservations, but thankfully there was a café serving sandwiches and French pastries - macarons, beignets, éclairs, and more. We had toasted tomato and mozzarella sandwiches, which were delicious, along with a beignet and some water (we’d forgotten to bring our own).

The climb to the second level was easier after eating. It was cold and windy up there, so we didn’t linger long before getting in line for the elevator to the top.

The top floor was enclosed, warm, and quite lovely. Despite the crowds, we took our time enjoying the views and snapping photos. There was even a small Champagne booth, which added a festive touch, though we didn’t indulge. One more flight of stairs led to an open-air level that was extremely cold, so we didn’t stay long.

Back on the warmer level, my friend realized her phone battery was low and found a spot to charge it. While she waited, I sat on a bench to read, but it wasn’t very comfortable. I asked if she’d mind me heading down to the café to read while she finished charging. Around 4 p.m., I got a latte and another beignet. I didn’t find any charging stations downstairs, so she stayed up until 5 p.m., then joined me for coffee while I sketched. It was a peaceful way to spend the afternoon, drawing at the Eiffel Tower.  She did find two places to charge in the café, in case anyone is reading this and wants to work on in the 1^st level café.  One guy we sat next to joked about doing that as my friend told him she ordered cat food from the Eiffel after her family reported they were out.

Afterward, we walked down to the Seine and took a boat ride. When we returned, the Eiffel Tower was lit up and absolutely stunning. By then it was close to 8 p.m., and we were ready for dinner. We found a lovely restaurant called Flore, where we both had amazing lasagna. Then we took an Uber back to our Airbnb, it was too dark to navigate on foot, and it had started to rain.

Day two was filled with iconic views, unexpected moments, and a slow, satisfying rhythm that let us soak in the magic of Paris. From climbing the Eiffel Tower and sketching in its shadow to cruising the Seine and ending the night with comforting lasagna, it was a day that balanced adventure with quiet joy. We went to bed tired but content, already looking forward to what the next day would bring.

Paris Trip – Day 1

 Paris Trip – Day 1

Our flight to Paris was smooth and uneventful. We breezed through security with no lines and only waited about 30 minutes before boarding. While chatting with other passengers, we got so caught up in the excitement that we forgot to do our usual pre-boarding tasks like brushing our teeth and removing our contacts. I ended up taking my contacts out while standing in line to board.

We were seated separately, but I lucked out with an empty middle seat, which gave me a bit of extra space to stretch out and try to sleep. According to my Fitbit, I slept for just three hours during the seven-hour flight. That sounds about right, it felt like I was awake most of the time, though I did have my eyes closed for at least five hours.

Arrival in Paris came with a few hiccups.
First, my friend accidentally dropped her phone into an open vent next to her seat. The flight attendants asked us to deplane and said they’d send the phone to baggage claim if they found it. Since we had only carry-ons, we didn’t need to wait for luggage but we ended up waiting 45 minutes for the phone to be retrieved. A United representative told us we could exit and re-enter through a specific door, but we didn’t want to risk not being allowed back in, so we stayed put, used the restroom, and waited. Around 9 a.m., we finally got the phone back.

Next came the challenge of finding transportation into the city. We were told that no trains were running that day and that we’d need to take a bus instead. After buying two bus tickets, we were directed to area 2F but ended up waiting in the wrong area. A confusing exchange with a bus driver and some sign-reading led us to retrace our steps. Eventually, a helpful representative pointed us to an elevator that took us to a lower level, where we found a long line of people waiting in a parking garage for the bus.

For €30, we finally boarded a bus into Paris. It dropped us off on a random street, not a station, so we pulled up the Uber app and requested a ride to our Airbnb. That part was surprisingly smooth. The driver was friendly and even pulled over so we could snap a few photos of the Eiffel Tower.

Getting into our Airbnb took a bit of effort. We first arrived at the wrong door, so naturally, the key code didn’t work. Once we found the correct entrance, we faced our next challenge: climbing six flights of stairs with our luggage. Thankfully, we had packed light, just carry-ons and personal items.

Unlocking the apartment door was another adventure. The lock was tricky and took nearly five minutes to figure out. Just as we were about to give up, the door finally popped open.

After a short rest, we headed to a nearby coffee shop for cappuccinos and snacks. Then we set out for an evening walk to see the Eiffel Tower. It was around 6 p.m. on a Sunday, so most shops were closed, but it was still magical to stroll around and take in the sights.

On our way back, we picked up some groceries and called it a night, exhausted but happy to finally be in Paris.

 

Loki ~ A Tale of Insubordination (it was glorious)

This morning I casually conveyed my desire to be released into the wild.  Mother, half asleep and distracted by her large brood of four children, needed to focus all her efforts on getting them off to a place called "school" where they disappear for most of the day.  I mewed softly, insistently, and did a long cute stretch at the door to indicate my desire to have a bit of freedom.  She hesitated, then reached for the door knob, and walked out with me.  

While she gazed about at her lovely and over reaching garden, I brushed against her leg to show my adoration and thanks.  Of course, this was part of my ploy, to lure into believing I was the good cat.  I've worked on this persona for many years, coming eagerly when called, except when trapped in a room.  It helps that sister is very bad and has been "lost" many times.  

I watched as mother walked back inside, distracted by her brood of unruly children.  They will distract her for me for a little while.  

At some point she returned to ring a bell.  I stayed hidden.  Puzzled, she wandered about and didn't find me.  She even banged the big, terrifying metal siding that usually sends me running.  But not today.

Today? I'm brave. Powerful. Insubordinate!  I will not come when called.  

Completely annoyed, and a little worried that I might have escaped, she went back into the house to see if someone had let me back in earlier. 

I basked in the glory of being OUTSIDE!  No one can stop me now!  He he he.

She returned and stomped noisily around the small yard, ringing the bell, and banging the metal furiously hard.  I am defiant. Fearless. A feline legend in my own backyard.  She went back inside.

Distracted, I wandered out onto the path and stared at the gate, when she suddenly returned, snatched me up, and returned me to the inside.  

I may have overplayed my hand as she furiously told me I was banned from going outside.

She says I'm banned.  Forever.

But she'll forget.  They always do.

I am far to handsome to resist.

The OUTSIDE will be mine again!

Amaryllis Update

 

One of 7 bulbs exploded in flowers after hibernation.  I gave this one a gold sticker so I know it's the good bulb.  The others will need summer sun and fertilizer and we'll give them one more season to produce or it's onto the compost bin.  No sense keeping bulbs that don't produce!

Enjoying Earth Day

My last Earth Day post was 2022, and I can honestly say not much has changed, I made yogurt today and worked on my seedlings by taking them outside for their first hour of sun to begin the hardening process.  

I assessed my spring garden plants, the garlic is tall and happy, shallots look grand.  Carrots did not sprout at all.  Lettuce is peaking out and might have sent a starter shoot into another bucket, will transplant that later as it gets bigger.  No sign of spinach, and forgot where I might have planted it, the plant coming up where I thought it was appears to be related to buttercups after a picture google search, not sure how reliable that is but it's definitely not spinach.

Shallots

Garlic

Next steps for seedlings - plant Jalapeno, Poblano, 2 more Butternut Squash, and some mystery peppers that I think were my favorite snack peppers from last year and I forgot to label the bag!  

New project - I've been working on turning purple sweet potatoes into powder.  One 3 ounce bag can cost up to $20, and I can see why, it's super labor intensive!  First we bake it for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 in a glass container with lid, then puree it (removing the skin first), then spread thin on parchment paper and put in the air fryer dehydrator setting for 8-10 hours on 100, it must be completely dry and not like fruit leather.  If it's too thick then it won't turn to powder. After the drying process is complete, break it up into small pieces and pulverize with a mortar and pestle.  To get this jar, of probably one ounce, we've done 3-4 sheets in the air fryer and spent significant time pulverizing.  I've tried using the food processer but it makes a mess, doesn't turn it to powder, and the little pieces it makes can be done just as easily with the mortar and pestle.  It's a great stress reliever, we find ourselves doing it for 10-15 minutes each day so it's a slow progression but at least we're not throwing out these wonderful items.  The powder may look fine in the mortar, but use a sieve to make sure it's actually fine.  If we continue with this, I might try getting a spice grinder.

Here's a great guide to making purple powder if you prefer  a step by step guide: https://www.alphafoodie.com/how-to-make-ube-powder-purple-sweet-potato-powder/

Recently I've been making homemade granola, I'm still buying the oatmeal from Aldi, I'd like to find a source where I can buy it wholesale in a container I bring to cut back on the packaging waste.  

As with most homemade endeavors, it takes time, but the result is usually much better tasting then store bought alternatives and we know what's gone into the product.  Even if you are not convinced about global warming, making homemade foods saves money and I think we can all agree on that!  

New York Toy Fair 2025

This trip marks my 2nd visit to the New York Toy Fair in the 24 years I've been working in toys. The plush toys I work on are for Disney stores and parks.  Toy Fair is a showcase of toys that range from gift store items, collectables, baby, and toys of every style.  

I was invited to go because I had client meetings!  Toy Fair is the place for meeting old friends and making new.

I live in Maryland, so a plane ride would take just as long as a train because first I need to drive 1.5 hours to a major airport, then wait an hour to board, for a one hour flight, then when I get to New York, it's a 45 minute Uber or Taxi ride into the city.  I decided to take a train, because it would drop me off 1 mile from the Javit Center.

The Amtrak train ride was nice, it took about three hours from Harrisburg, plus the one hour drive to Harrisburg.  I got there with about 30 minutes before the ride.  I made the mistake of not checking for parking before, and parked at a local hotel, later I found out there is Amtrak parking for the Harrisburg station.  

Despite being a fairly seasoned world traveler, I forgot to turn off the wifi signal on my phone, therefore the maps app was not navigating correctly.  So as I tried to walk the one mile, I kept getting confused, and eventually went the wrong way heading into town rather than out of town.  It was 20 degrees with windy conditions, my nose was running, and it was just disorienting.  Combined with the fact that I had a client meeting that I was going the wrong direction and running late for.  My boss asked why I didn't just take an Uber.  I thought that would be unreasonable for a one mile distance, but I was not versed in walking with that level of cold, wind, and snotty confusion.  

Thankfully, once I finally got there, the wonder of being at the Toy Fair set in and all was fine.  Photos of New York taking during my mad dash through the streets:

Photos at Toy Fair

Notes for future travel to New York:

* Turn off wifi when using maps

* Park at TransitPark at Harrisburg station

* Take an Uber when pressed for time

Happy 13th Birthday to Violette!

 

Washington D.C.

 The last time we went to DC as a family was to visit the Bible Museum pre-Covid so it was probably 2019.  I remember the kids were young, but no one was in a stroller, so Evie would have been 5.  Most didn't remember it, so we realized we need to fit in DC trips more often.  It was a major childhood memory of mine, and it's a shame to live this close and not have good memories of DC.

We took the subway in from Shady Grove, then walked around a bit before having lunch.  I had to give up my nail clippers when we went into a gift shop associated with the White House because it had a tiny curved nail file.  I set it outside hoping to remember it on the way out but forgot it when we all got hungry at the same time and rushed out to find that taco place we'd passed by.

We settled at the Museum of Natural History after lunch and stayed for hours!  I was astonished at how much the kids enjoyed it.  We literally stayed until closing, then took the subway back to Shady Grove.

It wasn't quite peak season for cherry blossoms, so I took magnolia photos.