The French Connection...

There is a long list of reasons for visiting Paris--the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, the Versailles, Notre Dame--but for me it is distilled down to two things: French wine and French bread...Well, I have to be honest--I do love architecture and art too. A couple of days ago we traveled to Fontainebleaux--SE of Paris--and were fortunate to catch the open market. What an amazing display of fresh produce, meat, fish, cheese, bread, and other goodies. It was like being eight years old and walking into a candy store--for me a cookie store...

The aromas of the bread and vegetables were fantastic. And although cheese doesn't rank as high as bread and wine in my epicurean scale, one can't overlook the cheeses in France. With more than 400 types of them, France is unquestionably the place to be if you are a cheese lover.

It's mid April and Spring is evident everywhere. Tulips are spectacular and the air is saturated with the delicate smell of flowers and the fresh smell of emerging grass and budding trees. Renoir must have been inspired by these sights in many of his well-known paintings. Oh, yes, Paris is where people fall in love again and again...