Paris

Well, there really is no place better than Paris at Christmas time. Exactly 6 years ago, on the same weekend, my loveliest Gillybum and I were there. And it was just as grand this time around!

It snowed the first morning we woke up there, and we went outside to a dreamy wonderland. Snow makes every city look enchanting, but it especially does the trick for Paris.

Also, our B&B was booked too full, so our dear host Domingo sent us to his friend's place - which ended up being a private apartment decorated in with tons of antiques and paintings (apparently a famous French painter lives there in the summer). And I got to practice my Spanish with our new host, Gerardo.

Old favorites:

The Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame

Musee d'Orsay

Sacre Coure (we got in just in time for late night Mass!)

New favorites:

Musee l'Orangerie (full of Monet's huge water lilies and tons of Impressionist works)

Musee l'Armee (well, Dougbee's new favorite, at least)

the Ferris Wheel @ the end of the Champs d'Elysees

New and delicious foods were eaten. We had enough duck to last us a while, in pate, grilled and roasted form. And wonderful plates of potatoes, cream sauces, steak and frites.

London

After Germany, we decided to pop over to London for the weekend, since we had some time. It was a delightful time to be there.

We visited the British Museum (Doug had never been!) and my favorite, the Tate Modern.

Walked around Westminster to take pictures at Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.

And ate LOTS of Indian food, which we've been craving. Hot Stuff, in Lambeth was delicious. And Tayyab's in Aldgate was a wonderful, festive restaurant.

Of course, we had to do some Christmas shopping with the crowds! So we hit up Oxford Circus, full of lights and music and people. And also ventured into Harrod's for a bit, which really is the most insane department store in the world.

Love London. Will be back soon.

German Thanksgiving

We got to spend Thanksgiving in Germany this year, which was a CHILLY treat. Our friends Angie and Andrew live there, as Andrew is stationed there for the Army. They are expecting a baby any day now, so we were very excited to get to see them. (And cuddle their pup, Autumn....we miss Pips!)

We had Thanksgiving day with a bunch of their friends, and got to cuddle a bunch of cute, fat babies. All of my friends with babies live too far away!

The Christmas Market was gorgeous and snowy, but we drank some mulled wine to keep the chill out!

Truffle Festival

Went to a Truffle Festival today in San Miniato! And we got a little overexcited. By that I mean we accidentally sort of bought the following:

- truffle cheese

- A truffle salami

- 3 different truffle sauces

- 2 types of truffle pasta

- truffle salt

- truffle

Time to Read, Pt 2

And the reading continues! We love our local Paperback Exchange (which actually buys them back at a reasonable rate) so we keep going back for more.

Currently on Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth (thanks, Aunt Suzi!).

Also bought The Glass Palace by Amitav Gosh.

Looking forward to more reading (AND a rugby game this weekend!).

Fall Foliage in Florence

This weekend we stayed in Florence! Our first weekend at home. We got to see the David at the Galleria dell'Academia, and amazingly there was no line. Such good luck. In addition, Doug's law school pass (and my partner pass) got us in for free. The David is incredible in person - huge and fascinating. We plan to go again before we leave.

We also did a 13km (8 mile) hike through the hills of Florence with some friends from the European University Institute. The weather was drizzly, but the leaves were beautiful and the vine yards delightful. We saw several families out harvesting the last of the olives, and quite a few duck hunters in full gear.

Roman Holiday

Went to Rome this weekend - for touring and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball (our first one!).

Amazing. I really couldn't get enough of St. Peter's at night. Such a gorgeous view.

We got to see the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Coliseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, the Cupola of St. Peter's, the Villa Borghese and many gorgeous churches. This, my friends, makes for a busy weekend.

The Marine Corps Birthday Ball was delightful. Only Marines from the US Embassy or retirees were there, but there were also lots of interesting foreign dignitaries. The ambassador to the Holy See! It was hosted at a gorgeous villa - with a terrific view of the city at night.

The Sistine Chapel and Raphael's were amazing, but packed with people! Even standing in line in the rain for two hours could not deter them nor us.

Loved the view from the Cupola (good tip, Gpa!). We found a B&B just around the corner from the Vatican, which was incredible. Such a wonderful hostess and great place to stay.

Glad to be home - no big trips planned until Paris! But lots to see still in Florence.