Happy 2012

OUR HAPPY + HEALTHY NEW YEAR 2012 WISH CARD AND PREVIEW OF PHOTOS TO COME

PARIS 6: HANDEL-HALVORSEN PASSACAGLIA

SAINTE-CHAPELLE AT NIGHT

'ARCHITECTURE IS FROZEN MUSIC' - GOETHE

The cathedral of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is arguably one of the world's greatest musical venues. It is also one of the oldest, most compelling and most intimate settings in which to hear and see a performance. We had the good fortune to experience a recent performance of the Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia in the sanctuary itself. While the video is brief and imperfect, I hope it will inspire you to listen to other recordings of this magnificent piece.

Click here to see video.

PARIS 3.

ENTRéE DES FOURNISSEURS: 4eme.  

COURTYARD BEHIND PLACE DE VOSGES

TYPICAL SCENE ACROSS THE RUE

PARIS: 1.

PHOTOS: KATHLEEN WILLS

I awoke this morning to the liberating sound of seagulls. For a long moment, in my travel induced state, I was confused. At home, it was a familiar wake up call, yet I was quite sure I was no longer in close proximity to Lake Michigan. Eyes still closed, a subtle aroma wafting through the shuttered windows from somewhere across the white stuccoed, metal-roofed courtyard. Fresh air...bread...Eyes wide open now, low light filtering through the ornate iron balcony, strong geometric shadows on the adjacent wall...the chorus of church bells. All this brought me fully to my senses. Paris! We'd made it.

I could go on (and will, to be sure), expounding on the reasons why this is a place worth adoration, why I am ecstatic that we are able to finally realize the dream of spending a significant amount of time here, but at the moment, there are croissants and coffee to be had!