The Easter bunny has made his annual appearance in our home.
I like to place him here, at the family table along with a few other things.
The empty tomb and homeschooling magazine were recently given to me by friends.
I like to keep a seasonal magazine on the table at all times. I've been amazed at how useful it is in generating meaningful conversation at meal times with the family. Once we're all settled in at our places, I will open to a random article, begin to read (showing the corresponding pictures), and almost like magic we're off to the races - each person talking over the next.
It was in a Victoria magazine earlier this school year where we learned that C.S. Lewis's home in England is open to the public for tours. The home is meticulously preserved and still includes his writing desk - complete with the typewriter his brother used for the original manuscript of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
It was also in a Victoria magazine where I decided the Palace of Versailles absolutely must make the cut on my Paris itinerary.
While I have enjoyed thinking up my must-see dream list, I've come to realize that Paris can never be exhausted. The city is enormous! We simply cannot see and do everything! So I've decided to select a few sights/ places, and do them well.
I ordered this book to help me...
Written by a lady who visits Paris every year, it organizes the city into categories: Paris by food, Paris by interest, and so on... She includes this helpful map of the Arrondissements, which aided us in choosing our hotel.
She explains that in order to really do Paris well, you must embrace the art of flaneur... a French word that means to wonder, take in, and observe.
I've also been enjoying creating my packing list.
French women are known for being chic and elegant, and somehow pulling it off in a natural and effortless way. My vision is a neutral color palette, with mix and match pieces, along with comfortable walking shoes.
Maturing is realizing you don't need new outfits and items for every occasion. But I am not maturing, apparently, because it's been all I can do to resist the add to cart button.
Facebook has been a terrible person to tell I'm going on a trip to. It gossips to its work buddy, Algorithm, who makes sure you see every super awesome travel product you never knew you needed! I didn't realize all the products out there to help with long flights. Did you know they make anti-nausea bracelets, memory foam neck pillows, and jet-lag medicine?
I've even learned there are special shoes for walking on cobblestones in Europe.
(I have to counsel myself almost every day that I don't need those shoes! I've fallen down the rabbit hole of selecting color, style, and size only to get to the checkout and think, wait a minute... what am I doing? I've never had trouble with my feet, I don't need these shoes!)
So, as you can see, putting my packing list together has required some self-control, and asking myself if I can make do with what I already have.
The only real exception has been finding a good book for the flight.
I asked some friends for recommendations. Nothing self-help or horror, I said. Just a light, feel good story with a European flair.
Totally judging a book by its cover, I picked these two because they looked the most charming.
I've already begun The Lost Bookshop. It's thick, so I think if I read it slowly I'll still have plenty of reading left for the flight. I'm hoping these books will help put me in a European state of mind.
This morning in my quiet time I read this:
"The Lord went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night, and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp, and to show you the way you should go." Deut. 1:33
I added the verse to my travel journal and prayed God's protection and help over our Paris adventure.
How amazing it is that the books, articles and verses we read all work together to shape and guide us.
What have you been reading lately?
📚
~ Courtney
