Paris Writing Spot... and Reopening

What a difference a few months make! 

Global Pandemic! Civil Rights Movement! Rioting in the streets. 

It's a whole new world. 

And all leading up to the election of our lifetimes. 

Time for a short Paris break! 

It looks like Paris is starting to open up. 

With fewer cases, Macron is easing restrictions on cafes and restaurants,

including travel bans from European countries.

Schools will open next week. 

My last post was a photo of a place I wrote in the Pacific Northwest. 

This photo is a place I've spent time writing in Paris. 

Just across the Champ de Mars from us near the Eiffel Tower,

it's a cafe/resto of the same name,

Le Champ de Mars.

This photo seemed appropriate for the opening of restaurants and bars. 

I also just realized that it was on this date in 2004,

that we began our year off to live in Paris. 

What an adventure that was! 

So the big news from here

is that I am finally querying New York literary agents 

with my novel. Wish me luck!

And in the meantime, during the lock down here, 

I've been taking more online writing classes, journal writing,

more cooking, and thinking about the next book in the series. 

We were supposed to be in Paris (and Greece) this spring

but the pandemic and travel bans put a halt to that. 

So I'm trying to make good use of my time

but oh how I wish I was sitting at a cafe

writing and people watching 

in the City of Light!

Hopefully soon!

Hope you are healthy and well!

It's a painful, excruciating time.

It's a time of loss but also of growth and soul stretching....

which are all painful. 

But good things come from seeds underground. 

May you find exactly what you need.  

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Pour Toi France

Just a quick photo today for Missing Paris Day 

which has been absent for a bit.

This memorial happens to be in the Passy Cemetery 

in the 16th arrondissement but

most little villages in France 

have one of these somewhere along the road 

memorializing the villagers lost to the 

"Great War." 

Most churches in France, 

somewhere within,

have a list of names of the lost souls 

inscribed on its walls

with the dates 1914-1918.

Inevitably, on these walls

we usually find The Chef's family name

often with a slight variation of letters. 

When you see these memorials 

standing alone on the side of the road 

at the entrance to a small village, 

often with a little pot of flowers,

it evokes a sweetness but mostly a sadness. 

Yesterday, July 28th in the year 1914

marked the beginning of "The War to End All Wars."

Would that it were so. 

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Grenelle Market in the 15th

I can never get away from Paris 

without taking some photos of our 

fabulous Grenelle Market.

It's our favorite...

partly because it's close to home 

but also because it's large (several blocks long)

and runs under the metro so somewhat protected from the weather. 

And they tend to have a large array of fresh or cooked things to choose from. 

There are always colorful flowers in any season.

Fresh produce and dairy all times of the year

sometimes coming from nearby countries.

And containers filled with plenty of exquisite seafood. 

While I don't do much dairy anymore

I can't miss the cheese when in France. 

It is magnificent

even just to look at. 

I love the Christmas colors of these cheeses 

during the holidays. 

We didn't have as much time as we wanted this visit

to just wander through and people-watch.

We were usually in a hurry and on a mission.

But however you do it, 

it is a gift and a feast 

any way you look at it. 

Hope you enjoyed this Walk in Paris today. 

For more photos of the Grenelle Market,

Click HERE and HERE.

Grenelle Marché

Every Wed and Sun 7am-2pm

Boulevard de Grenelle under the #6 Metro Line

between stops LaMotte Picquet and Dupleix

(All photos copyright: Kirsten Steen

Please do not reproduce)

Restaurants in the 15th Arrondissement

One thing about visiting Paris during the holiday season

is the inevitable restaurant closures in our neighborhood. 

So this visit we returned to a place we haven't been in far too long:

Restaurant de la Tour.

Located close to the Tour Eiffel

(thus the name)

it is owned and run by Chef Cedric Robert

and his wife Carine Robert. 

We went for their lovely New Year's Eve dinner

and to say hello after too long away.

One of my favorite things in Paris is Foie Gras.

I know I shouldn't love it but...

can't help myself. 

We devoured our main courses. 

Not even time for pictures.

And the desserts were as divine as they looked. 

With one of the restaurants we wanted to go being closed,

we finally tried a small bistro close to home for lunch

that we've spent years walking past. 

The Bistro Dupleix is just steps from us

and, while basic traditional French food,

served a perfectly delicious lunch. 

Gotta love the French's idea of a salad,

like this one covered with potatoes, ham, egg and cheese. 

And there's nothing better than sitting and watching 

the French world go by. 

Restaurant de la Tour

6, rue Desaix

75015 Paris

+33 1. 43.06.04.24

Bistro Dupleix

62, Blvd de Grenelle

75015 Paris

+33 1.45.77.24.96

(All Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Eiffel Tower from the Seine

Walking along the Pont de Bir Hakeim (bridge) in Paris 

on the blog today to give you an idea of the neighborhood. 

More night photos!

At not quite the middle of the bridge stands this statue

which I only realized recently was a likeness of Joan of Arc. 

I have a whole new respect! 

The bridge itself runs across the Seine

 from the 15th arrondissement to the 16th,

from the Bir Hakeim metro stop to Passy on the 6 line

which runs over the top of the bridge. 

The statue sits on a small pullout from the bridge

where people often gather to stare at the Eiffel Tower 

and often sip something of their choice

(as evidenced by the empty bottles we frequently find left behind). 

We have on occasion brought guests here

with a bottle of bubbly and glasses

to watch the tower sparkle

as we sparkle. 

(We take our bottle with us!)

From here you can walk along the Seine and the boats

all with a view of the tower. 

I love these boats which are often rented

but I especially love them in the summertime

when people sit out on the decks

in the warm evenings

 sipping wine and eating

while they talk softly and enjoy the view. 

The Pont d'Iena (next bridge over) connects the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadero. 

In the early 1800's, Napoleon wanted a bridge to overlook his Ecole Militaire

(Military School and his offices) located on the other end of the Champ de Mars. 

So from 1808-1814, he had this bridge built and named after

one of his battle victories: The battle of Jena

(apparently the American spelling).

The stairs from the bridge to the river 

are called the Renault Stairs

where James Bond (Roger Moore)

drove a Renault 11 down the stairs in pursuit of an assassin

in the film A View to a Kill.

Christmas in full form 

on the river below the tower. 

I loved the colors here against the fog. 

And the tower doing its sparkly thing.

Hope you've enjoyed this little walk

along a small part of the Seine in Paris. 

Back next time with more of Paris!

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen

Please do not reproduce

Bridge info via: Wiki)

Novel Setting & Deep Breathing

It's been a rough week here in the US

with the hearings (don't even want to say his name) for the Supreme Court nominee,

 feelings of frustration and betrayal along party lines, fear and anxiety among women,

the list goes on and on. Emotions are high. Women are trying to stand together

and at the same time, I'm seeing some very reactive behavior. 

Me included. 

Anybody else wake up in the mornings with just a tad bit of anxiety?! 

Maybe even more than usual?!

Sometimes I wake with the feeling that I just can't do what's expected on this planet. 

And I don't have what you would call a high stress life,

especially after my injury put me out of work. 

But the feeling is still there, like I'm not meant for this place and have no idea

how to navigate what must be waded through.  

It feels like it's sometimes too much for my brain to comprehend. 

Luckily, it's my writing day

so I'm retreating into my novel

where many of those above feelings are still located 

but my job is only to help my characters navigate

and try to make the language work as smoothly as I can. 

The photo above is the Prior's Table Restaurant 

(within a 12th century Cistercian abbey in the French countryside 

called Abbaye des Vaux de Cerney) 

where my love interests meet and set up their first date. 

I'm in my final read through before sending out 

to my last round of readers. 

Wishing you a good week

and hoping whatever you are navigating 

is nothing but smooth sailing. 

Be sure to take deep breaths and 

hold someone's hand if needed! 

I'm here if you need me. 

For more photos and info on the Abbaye, 

Click Here

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Life Tapestries

Missing Paris Day is finally back after a hiatus. 

And while I have this photo somewhere from an exhibit in Paris many years ago

(The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series)

(I even bought the coasters in the gift shop and use them at home),

I had to borrow this image cause who knows where that photo is!?

Lately it feels like someone keeps punching holes in the fabric of my life,

my tapestries, 

you know those threads that we weave tightly together,

threads dipped and gilded, steeped in our beliefs, 

our safety nets, our security blankets wrapped around us?! 

I'd been asking for some changes to help me propel myself to the next level

but I wanted, you know, small changes with big benefits. 

And maybe, possibly even with some benefits I can see. 

Between my own health issues
(which one after another keep trying to scare me out of my mindset),

the very painful (for her) death of a close friend
and then the ensuing pain of loss for 30 years of friendship, 

loss of my career (due to said health issues and an injury) as well as my income,

and other minor but still painful punches,

my tapestry is starting to look like it's been carried around by a homeless person,

used to keep warm and maybe even slept under... 

on the streets ... since the Middle Ages. 

But we keep on plugging. And trying to find the beauty and the blessings. 

Cause that's what this life is about. That's how we survive.

And that's what she did.

And I know I'm not alone.
It's a freaking jungle out there.
And everyone, and their mother and grandmother and sister, has a story. 

This week I am so blessed to be at my writing retreat on the Oregon Coast

(even with having to hire someone to haul my week's worth of necessities

up all the stairs to the house and then more stairs to my room).

The sun came out for awhile yesterday so I took a break from my room, 

worked in a cafe in my favorite little beach town nearby 

and spent some time outdoors by the ocean. 

Now more than ever, 

it feels so important to cherish every moment,

the heartbreakingly beautiful ones, so starkly sad ones, 

the gut-wrenchingly (and gut-punchingly) powerful

and achingly exquisite ones. 

This may be one of my last few visits to my writing retreat 

that I've gone to twice a year for the last eight years

so I'm trying to look at it through those eyes. 

Everything is precious

here and in life. 

The beauty, the broken things. 

The words and ways we talk to each other, treat each other, 

the ways we make each other feel. 

Our tapestries already get so threadbare and worn

from uncaring, outside influences.

And from the giant holes some unseen force

decides we need to learn how to sew with our minds!

Take care of each other's fabric.

And cherish all the Feels. 

We still get to be here to feel them!
But only for so long.

(Lady and the Unicorn tapestry photo via Wiki)

(Beach photo copyright Kirsten Steen)

Poilane's Long Lost Bread Artiste

Not only am I missing Paris today

but I'm also missing these magnificent bread sculptures...

... made by a long gone artiste.

Just down the street from us

in their corner window, 

Blvd de Grenelle's Poilane bakery in Paris

frequently used to display an exquisite scene 

 made out of BREAD.

Every time I walked by and there was a new one,

I had to get out my camera.

And now I'm so thankful I did!

Because one year when we returned, 

they were gone. 

They simply covered the window with a curtain. 

And each time I went by, I checked. 

But always the curtain. 

I finally went in to ask

after years of watching for them 

and wondering about them. 

The young clerk had no idea what I was talking about. 

Missing whoever it was 

that created such artistry. 

For some info on Poilane's famous dark bread,

Click HERE. 

(Photos Copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Paris Market Tarts and Spring Flowers

Missing these gorgeous tarts from our

Grenelle Open Air  Market in Paris. 

In fact, I'm missing just about everything about spring and Paris right now.

I am flat on my back with a disc issue and nerve pain

and scrolling/strolling through the many photos of

spring in Paris on Instagram. 

Everybody is posting stunning and tantalizing photos

of blooms in luscious colors all over Paris.

If you're on Instagram and interested in seeing them,

here is a list of a few of the Paris photogs I follow:

 a parisian moment

paris mon amour

wonderlust paris

vivre paris

girls guide to paris

paris online

a perfect day in paris

herve in paris

lily paris

Each of these, even if a few days back,

has some dazzling spring flower shots to share. 

You can also follow me on Instagram: @ steen.kirsten

Guess I should share a Paris spring shot here too.

Here's one with a little spring color in the background...

Hope you are enjoying spring wherever you are! 

(Photos copyright:Kirsten Steen)

Paris Café

Just a quick note to say hello and post a photo

that makes us feel like we're in Paris. 

This is Le Champ de Mars

just off the park of the same name near the Eiffel Tower. 

And though I'm late,

also wanted to wish you a 

Happy New Year! 

It is still January (just barely)

so I can still fit it in. (My rules!) 

I'm here in the Pacific Northwest 

where the rain has finally begun in earnest. 

We had a little respite yesterday

but more on the way. 

I usually try to update my reading list on

GoodReads when I can. 

And since it's the rainy season

and the perfect time for a good book,

 what's everybody reading? 

I'm into two books on writing 

(see GoodReads on the right for titles)

and John LeCarré's The Night Manager

which is a fantastic short series, by the way. 

Hugh Laurie plays an excellent Bad Guy. 

And the tension is beautifully created without a lot of nasty scenes

(though rest assured, there are still a few.) 

So while we're dreaming of Paris

and waiting out the rain,

tell me what you're reading! 

Bonne Année!

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Patisseries... and loved ones on my mind.

Missing Paris today... and my in-laws. 

We spent this past weekend at my mother-in-love's 

cleaning out the last of her furniture

as the house has now sold.

A sad task and the final round

of dividing up her belongings,

deciding who keeps what 

and making the last painful trips to the donation center. 

Remembering their visit to Paris 

at the end of our year of living there,

I couldn't help but think of the bustling little boulangerie/patisserie

that sat just across the street from us on the corner. 

When my In-Love's had tired of trekking through the streets of Paris

or long drives and cathedral and chateau visits in the Loire,

they LOVED sitting on the blue couch in my dining room

staring out the French window

watching the people coming and going

through the doors of the boulangerie.

Something tickled them about the number of people

emerging with baguettes or pretty-ribboned pink boxes 

filled with pastries and chocolates. 

Often there was a line out the door and a dog or two 

also waiting with their owners on the end of a leash. 

My father-in-love had a healthy sweet tooth

and nearly daily made his own trek across the street

to come home with a pink box and his favorite gateau.

He started with the smallest one

and worked his way up to the largest. 

Some days he suggested we skip lunch

and just have gateau.

The sweet little boulangerie on that corner is gone now...

as are my in-laws. 

On that corner now sits a(nother) bank. 

And in my home here in the Pacific Northwest

sit a few items that remind me of my mother-in-love

who just left us this year. 

But in my heart is the sweetness of the memory

of the two of them together, enjoying the view out the window, 

chuckling as they pointed things out to each other while they held hands.

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)