Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas On The Rue d'Auteuil


The many little stores on Paris's rue d'Auteuil were abuzz with Christmas preparations on the 24th... The most exquisite floral arrangements, graced with this little bronze girl, are on display at Le Jardin d'Auteuil, my favorite florist... The pâtisseries all offer bûches de Noël, or yule logs, filled with creamy delights - to know which of the many pâtisseries is the best in the neighborhood, just spot the longest line, in this case at the Grillon d'Auteuil... The award-winning cheese place displays platters... And don't forget the oysters, fresh from Brittany, still filled with the fragrance, minerals and fresh air of the Atlantic.
So this year, it was Christmas in France for my parents, my sister and me. But here's a full list of all the countries where I spent Christmases since I was born: France, Uruguay, USA, Iran, Kenya, Iraq, China, British Hong Kong, India, Korea, Egypt, Singapore, Mexico and Australia...

24 comments:

Angie Muresan said...

Finally I meet someone who has spent Christmases in more places than I have.
So pleased that you are enjoying yourself!

jean-louis said...

Dans chaque pays nous avons toujours essaye de faire un Noel de chez nous que ce soit en Afrique,en Chine ou aux USA..Tous nous ont laisse un petit quelque chose dans notre " hard disc " en particulier ceux de Beijing.
Merci M-L de nous rafraichir la memoire. Dad

Mary-Laure said...

ANGIE - oh please do share your list too!

JL - et nous avons toujours passe des Noels tres heureux. Nous avons ete tres gatees, toujours.

Debra said...

Oh Lucky YOU Mary Laure. To visit places and enjoy the local customs of the holidays. A few years ago I spent Christmas and New Years in Lucca, Italy- it was the very best holiday to date. Will you stay in Paris through the New Year?

Beth said...

You have quite the impressive history of Christmases spent all over the world. Must make for some very special memories.
If I wasn’t still stuffed from Christmas and Boxing Day meals, your pictures would make me very hungry – and envious!

Mary-Laure said...

DEBRA - I'd so LOVE to spend Christmas ("natale") in my favorite country in the world, Italy!
Yes, I will be in Paris until early January.
Then it's back to LA!

BETH - ah yes, the Brit tradition of Boxing Day. How do you celebrate, I wonder...?

Joanna said...

I would love to celebrate Christmas in Framce or Italy. One day! Looks like a wonderful Chrismtas, Mary-Laure. My mouth is watering now!

Joanna said...

^I am on my blackberry and it shows! All these grammatical errors! Sorry.

Mary-Laure said...

JOANNA - ah yes, Xmas in Italy must be magical. As everything is in Italy. Sigh.

Debra said...

Mary-Laure, Well then- Happy New Year to you and your family-how wonderful! I finally found all of the Weleda Almond products that I want. I will head out tomorrow with my little Pickle pup for Whole Foods in Portland. Thanks for the 'heads-up' on those and where to find them here.

Kwana said...

What a pretty and delicious looking Christmas. It's wonderful to have been to so many places for the holidays.

Annie said...

Wow! That is an impressive list. But Paris is what I yearn for.xoxo

Unknown said...

oh i love christmas in paris...it is really so beautiful!!!
hope you had a marvelous christmas with your family!!!

Mary-Laure said...

DEBRA - great! I hope they'll keep your skin moisturized in the icy Maine winter...

IF JANE - I did, really. What matters to us is that we are together, but it does make it more magical to be in such a beautiful place as Paris.

Laura in Paris said...

I love the Holiday Season and have always tried to create a awarm festive atmosphere wherever we lived!

Mary-Laure said...

LAURA - you have succeeded. I have nothing but magical, happy memories from our holiday seasons around the world. Thank you.

Miss Cavendish said...

Ahh--you are still in France! Hoping you have the loveliest of times there . . .

Spangler Cummings said...

The only thing better than being in Paris at Christmastime is seeing AUREA. Our holiday menu included inspirations from Celine's wedding feast...

Mary-Laure said...

SPANGLER - really? I'd love for you to tell me more about the menu!

Mise said...

Thanks for your visit, and for awakening my happy memories of Paris winters - I still remember a few days there en route to Guadeloupe - we thought we'd manage fine with just summer clothes for a day or two, but we were very wrong. I admire your list of travelling Christmasses!

muchlove said...

Those first 2 pictures are really nice! Christmas in Paris sounds absolutely wonderful. Gosh, you sure have travelled a lot! I hope I'll be able to travel to half as many places in my whole life time!

Sam said...

Wow! You are a citizen of the world! That's a lot of countries! Paris/ Frnace looks very special indeed! So glad to hear your having a wonderful time!!

Hilary said...

oh my! I have to get back to Paris soon!

Mary-Laure said...

SAM - yes, my mum calls herself and us "citizens of the world" sometimes. We feel at home everywhere... and nowhere. It's definitely a double-edged sword.
But I'm so lucky to have traveled so much!