Written by Today we have another tarte as that was all I managed to find time to sketch today. It was a lovely day with over 4 miles (6.4km) of walking and very little stopping except to shop. And well, eat, of course. I feel like I’m eating my way through Paris and as proof we have this quick little doodlewash of my tarte aux fraises. Even with its diminuitive size, I’m pretty sure I should now start to refrain from these delicacies and eat more sensibly. Though the walking has quadrupled my normal exercise routine, it can still barely offset all of the wonderful treats I continue to sample here. We went to lunch with Philippe’s mother today and it was fantastic! Such great food and great company, but so much more than I would normally eat on a lunch back home. Perhaps that’s why this evening mainly consisted of snacks and champagne.
Today, though, we did manage to walk to the more tourist-laden city center and even wandered past the Louvre. The most striking thing about walking through Paris is the striking mix of brand new architecture mixed with the incredibly old, but everything manages to blend well and look interesting and beautiful.
After spending just a bit of time in the crowded area, we headed out and crossed the Seine in search of something a little less expected.
After wandering a bit, we found a lovely little art store called Esquisse. Tucked away on a quieter street, it was filled with fabulous things and my goal of finding a unique new sketchbook was fulfilled. Well, actually, I found a red hardbound one that I had passed up at another art store which was much lower priced so I snatched it up. But the real prize was a small handmade leather watercolor sketchbook that Philippe bought for me. It’s lovely with beautiful paper on the inside that’s hand torn. In other words, I’m still busy admiring it and rather terrified to actually use it for fear I’ll mess it up. But perhaps I’ll go ahead and give it a go while I’m here.
Best of all, Philippe’s mother gave me two Waterman fountain pens today! I’m so excited to try them out, but am first in search of an insert to fill them with my permanent ink. All in all, today was a bit like Christmas and perfectly fabulous. Beyond the tangible gifts, I also purchased our tickets to Disneyland Paris so we can ride the Ratatouille ride on Wednesday. This may seem like a ridiculous quest, but they don’t have that ride in America, so it’s truly a French attraction. That, and we’re both really just big kids looking to have fun. And we’re rather good at finding fun, it turns out, even in the simplest of things. Life is beautiful when you’re spending it with the people who love you, whether it’s visiting shops or just taking a little break to share a moment of joy in the form of une petite tarte aux fraises.
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Quinacridone Gold, Carmine, Red Orange, Ultramarine Deep, Burnt Sienna, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal. |
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Sounds like you have having a wonderful time with good food and gifts and walking Paris….love the doodle, looks yummy!
You are having much better weather than we did..love the book..the tart..your MIL’s pens to you..how nice!
I walked my feet off..
is that the Pompidou terminal?
Thanks, Monique! 😃💕That’s too funny… It’s rained constantly every previous trip I’ve been here so this is the first one with nice weather! Lol That’s actually Forum des Halles which is a the shopping mall that’s been recently renovated.
What a lovely day you have had, can’t wait to hear about Disney land Paris 😀
Thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 hehe… I’m such a kid, but can’t wait to visit and ride that Ratatouille ride! Lol
Just lovely. So happy for you. ❤️☺️
Thanks so much, Jodi!! 😃💕
Just the way you describe your adventures, I feel like I am there with you. Your joy is obvious! Thank you for the treat everyday- the sketches and your experiences!
awww thanks, Linda! 😃💕 I’m finding it tough to squeeze in time to sketch with all of our plans (where sketching on my own would be rude! hehe). But it’s been such a fabulous experience!!
Such a lovely day you had! The sketchbook looks gorgeous! And oh, the tart! Now I am craving strawberries at 9 pm 😀
hehe… have strawberries, Anya! 😃💕 I don’t think there’s ever a bad time to have them! lol
Another gorgeous doodlewash and equally gorgeous snaps! How beautiful, and great weather too. The sketchbook looks quite adorable. I think I’d get two – use one and admire the other! 😉
Yay for Disneyland!!! How exciting, not long now – Ratatouille awaits! 😀
Thanks, Jacob! 😃 I would have totally bought two had the price for one not already felt extravagant! Lol And yes!!! It’s getting closer… Ratatouille is coming soon!! weeeeeee!!!
Sounds FABULOUS my friend!! ❤️💕🎨👍 Cheers to more wonderful adventures in Paris!! 🍷🎉🌟
Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕 It’s been an incredible trip this first week! One more week to go!
Oh la la, beautiful tarte au fraises, and probably incredibly parfumed ! And really desirable handmade sketchbook too. It’s leather is splendid ! You could make it your “french pastry sketchbook” and fill it each time you come in France ! Ah Ah!!
If I can say you, Waterman is not Lamy Safari and I don’t put any permanent ink in my watermans except if they are inexpensive one.
I wish you many fun in Eurodisney !
Merci beaucoup, Laurence! 😃 That’s a fabulous idea… I love food sketching best, so that would be a wonderful way to test out the new sketchbook! And yes… any permanent ink in fountain pens is a “use at your own risk” endeavour, but I’ve been rather happy with the way my Platinum Carbon ink plays well with fountain pens. Assuming you make the effort to use them daily or clean them out properly when not in use. That said, I’ll probably just try it with the less expensive of the two. hehe
Nothing to worry about if you still wear the same size Charlie, I would say enjoy!
Oh, snacks and champagne sounds not too bad for me just relaxed.
Lovely to walk through the streets of Paris, do some shopping and eating.
That sounds as the real art of French bakery, a tiny piece full of taste, this tarte aux fraises, yum, yum.
Keep going on for good memories if you are back home.
Salue!
Thanks so much, Margriet! 😃💕 And yes… I can still fit into the clothes I brought with me, so I guess all is still doo! Lol But I adore how much artistry goes into French food… it’s simply not the same in America!
Oh yes always forget this: is the Lamy Safari pen a special one? Also the Carbon platinum black ink is not the normal black right?
I am interested.
I use Lamy Safari Al Star Pens… the one I bought here was just a special edition color for this year. The ink I use is Japanese… Platinum Carbon Ink and it’s a permanent ink that plays well with most fountain pens as long as you use them regularly or wash them out when stored.
You are having such a wonderful time! Having close friends/family in Paris does make a difference, you get to see a different angle. Your new sketchbook is gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Anna! 😃💕 Yeah, having friends and family in Paris is wonderful! You get such a different view of the city and a uniquely different trip. Loving every minute!!
Ah ah ah ….always so fun and nice to read you Charlie. Glad to see you’re having a terrific time! You made me laugh so much when you say you’re still busy admiring your newly found sketchbook 🙂 Admiring is a very important stage of consuming a new present 😉 As for the food, that’s called being on a holiday 🙂 Well, thanks for la tarte aux fraises. Have you ever tried les petits choux a la creme? Those are gorgeous too! Oops… I forgot, I should not give you further food temptations 😉
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Awww yes!! Choux à la crème is sooooo good!! Philippe actually taught me how to make them and I succeeded once! hehe… but yeah… the sketchbook is indeed in the admiring stage. I’ll break down and test it out soon! lol
Omg! Looks so yummy!
hehe! Thanks, Teri!! 😃💕 It was sooooo yummy!!! Everything here is!
how that empty page waits and taunts
while the paint reaches for footing
now a shadow of the image appears
then the hand begins to create
what the wakeful eye seeks to remember
any mark at all, wise and wonderful
What beautiful words!! Love that! Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕
This is really lovely! Loving your photos as well. Hope you have a blast at Disneyland Paris! <3
Thanks so much, Annie! 😃💕So glad you liked this! I decided to add the occasional photo for a sense of place as I’m only finding time to sketch food! Hehe
I love the Sennelier colors and use them a lot, and I love the French cakes, specially those cakes
Thanks, Magny! 😃💕 Yeah… I love Sennelier, but am getting used to using the half pans. I think I still prefer colors in tubes best. hehe