signs of spring at Flintstone Manor


We're still recovering from overindulgence in New Orleans, but we're making a real effort to eat and drink prudently for the next few weeks, as we'll be off to Paris (and London) soon. It would be nice - and no doubt better for the circulation - if our city-wandering clothes fit. At least until after the first few restaurants...
Abstinence doesn't agree with us, and so the discussions of which exhibits we should book in advance, whether we want to organize any day trips out of the city, which monuments that were closed for repair have reopened, are not placid. These discussions have usually taken place over a glass of wine, with some nice cheese at the ready. It's thirsty work. This time, the discussions are accompanied by bubbly water (me) and diet coke (Himself), no nibbles, and random snarls. Sigh.


One of the things on my to-do list is to check out the new H & M concept store, which is called & Other Stories. New branches have opened in both London and Paris. The mission statement mentions their wish to design lasting wardrobe treasures within a wide price range. The "lasting treasures" bit sounds good. We'll see.

Another happy note is a Chagall exhibit at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. 
I bought our tickets today!

Some early rising to call and make restaurant reservations, 
baleful gazes at the long-range average rainfall statistics from weather.com, 
disingenuous assurances that a small carry-on will suffice
(he believes it every time), 
mutterings about the fate of last year's packable raincoat - 
yes, these are the signs of Spring at Flintstone Manor.
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14 comments:

  1. Pat OlskiMay 18, 2013 at 12:39 AM

    Better that than the signs of spring at Chateau Knit Yarns- baseballs in the foyer, weeds on the lawn, permission slips to sign and fund for what I believe is a field trip for every remaining day of school, and gold pollen covering a dark car. I vicariously can not wait for your & Other Stories review- and Paris pictures...

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    1. wellfedfredMay 18, 2013 at 6:55 AM

      I'm laughing, only because after the Deer and Rabbit High and Low Trimming Brigade trained me not to plant anything except the same shrubs and daffs that proliferate on neighboring properties, I hoped that hunger would lead them to nibble up the lawn weeds. In a word, no.

      Out East our dark car lives in the garage. The pollen and nasty-sticky-smelly-pod attacks are from parking under trees in the city. Counter-intuitive but true.

      Delete
  2. Elephant's ChildMay 18, 2013 at 2:06 AM

    Oooh. Really looking forward to your 'away' posts. Jealous - but looking forward to them just the same.

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    1. wellfedfredMay 18, 2013 at 6:55 AM

      And this time I'm not going to lose my iPhone!

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  3. UnknownMay 18, 2013 at 2:55 AM

    oh paris and london sound lovely! even though i was there two months ago i wouldn't mind going back sooner rather than later.. ;)

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    1. wellfedfredMay 18, 2013 at 6:58 AM

      going back sooner sounds good. I'm still trying to track down what's the story with the still "future" Guy Savoie restaurant at the Mint.

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  4. LaneMay 18, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    Yes, spring! The sounds of packing!! And "lasting treasures".hmmm. We'll see.

    Too much pollen here to wash the winter cashmere and get it out on the hot tub to dry. Good excuse, anyway.

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    1. wellfedfredMay 18, 2013 at 3:49 PM

      Pollen is not my friend, although being persistent about getting allergy shots has helped a lot.

      I dry delicates over a floor vent that blows hot or cold air, it's funny to see arms on a shirt waving about. I'm easily amused.

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  5. ajcMay 18, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    Even if I just came back from the trip I would pack tomorrow again if I could. Happy travels , your plans sound great to me, especially Chagall in Luxembourg Gardens!

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    1. wellfedfredMay 18, 2013 at 3:50 PM

      thanks ajc, too much Chagall is never enough!

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  6. xoxoMay 19, 2013 at 4:53 PM

    Sounds like fun is in the works! Wondering how late you normally sleep if you have to rise "early" to call restaurants in France when the country is on GMT+1.

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    1. wellfedfredMay 19, 2013 at 6:08 PM

      Hi, xoxo, some "difficult" restaurants have dedicated reservation lines, which are open from 9 a.m. ( 3 a.m. NY time) to 11, or 10 to 12, for bookings anywhere from 21 to 60 days in advance. Offhand, l'Astrance comes to mind as an example. although there are others with equally arbitrary procedures. I will do this only once or twice per trip-planning session, and only if there are reservations I really, really want. Others, where I want to speak with particular staff, I have to call before Le Service begins, because it's thoughtless - not to mention impossible - to pull someone out of the dining room, or worse, the kitchen, during service.

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  7. HeatherMay 20, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    AMEN to Spring finally arriving!

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

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