MY FOURTH POST FOR ANITA'S 'SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY'. TODAY...THE IMPOSING EDIFICE OF THE NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL IN PARIS.

ONE OF MY FIRST INTRODUCTIONS AND RECOLLECTIONS OF THE NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL WAS WHEN I READ 'THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME' BY VICTOR HUGO.
Not only did Victor Hugo use Notre-Dame as the central theme of his story, he also gave exact details of Paris at that time, taking up to seventeen pages of fine print to describe Paris and the cathedral in minute detail.  It was a lot for me to wade through so I won't grace you with the details but will show you photos instead.

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL IS 'SMACK DAB' IN THE CENTER OF PARIS.

To me it is one of the most amazing cathedrals constructed.  The various styles of Gothic, and Medieval history are reflected in its various architectural designs. 

THE 'PARIS POINT ZERO' MARKER IS LOCATED IN THE CATHEDRAL SQUARE JUST IN FRONT OF THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO NOTRE-DAME.  TO SOME PEOPLE IT IS KIND OF A MAGICAL POINT (AND NOT JUST A MILE MARKER FROM THE CENTER OF PARIS OUTWARD) BUT PEOPLE COME AND STAND TOGETHER AND SPIN AROUND ON IT FOR GOOD LUCK OR  COUPLES COME AND HAVE THEIR PHOTOS TAKEN STANDING ON THE MARKER WHILE THEY KISS.  ONE FANTASY AUTHOR FROM IRELAND, MICHAEL SCOTT, USED THE 'PARIS POINT ZERO MARKER' AS A PORTAL TO OTHER LEY LINES AROUND THE WORLD FOR WIZARDS TO TRAVEL RAPIDLY TO ANOTHER LOCATION.  IN HIS BOOK 'THE ALCHEMYST' THE FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES ABOUT THE FAMED IMMORTAL ALCHEMIST NICHOLAS FLAMEL, THE ONLY SUPPOSED ALCHEMIST WHO CREATED THE SORCERER'S STONE, WHICH WHEN AN ELIXIR IS MADE FROM THE STONE MAKES ONE IMMORTAL WHEN YOU PERIODICALLY DRINK IT.  NICHOLAS USES THE PORTAL TO ESCAPE OTHER IMMORTALS WHO WANT TO STEAL THE SORCERER'S STONE FROM HIM AND ALSO A VERY ANCIENT BOOK WHICH IS IN NICHOLAS' KEEPING.  (MICHAEL SCOTT'S  BOOKS ARE EQUALLY GOOD AS THE 'HARRY POTTER'  SERIES.)

JUST THE LAYERS AND DEPTH OF THE ARCHWAYS IS SO CAPTIVATING TO VIEW.  ONE COULD SPEND HOURS WALKING AROUND THE CATHEDRAL TAKING IT ALL IN.  IT MAY VERY WELL BE ONE OF THE MODERN WONDERS OF THE WORLD.   IN THE FRONT AND CENTER LIES THE ROSE STAINED GLASS CIRCULAR WINDOW WHICH I HAVE A CLOSE-UP OF BELOW.

THE BREATH-TAKING AND MAGNIFICENT ROSE STAINED-GLASS WINDOW ALL INDIVIDUAL PANES DEPICTING RELIGIOUS FIGURES.  

GARGOYLES OVER LOOK PARIS TO PROTECT FROM EVIL SPIRITS. (THEY KIND OF LOOK SCARY ENOUGH TO ME TO BE EVIL SPIRITS THEMSELVES!)

THIS GARGOYLE SEEMS TO HAVE THE BODY OF A MAN AND THE HEAD OF A GOAT.

THE INTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL IN ALL ITS GLORY, WITH MARBLE PILLARS, AND GLIDED SANCTUARY.

ANOTHER GARGOYLE THAT SEEMS TO BE QUITE BORED WITH HIS JOB.

MORE INTRICATE DETAILS ON THE BATTLEMENTS OF THE CATHEDRAL.

AND WE MUSTN'T FORGET THE CATACOMBS BENEATH THE CATHEDRAL WHERE PRIESTS AND OTHERS ARE BURIED IN MACABRE FASHION. 

MORE SACRED BONES IN OF THE DEAD,  IN THE CATACOMBS, STACKED IN GRUESOME ORDER.

A CLOSER VIEW OF THE AMAZING SANCTUARY WITH STATUES OF SAINTS AND CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR PORTRAYED ON THE CROSS IN THE MIDDLE.  DEFINITELY A MODERN WONDER OF THE MODERN DAY WORLD.

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE CATACOMBS BENEATH NOTRE-DAME.

AND THE SPIRE ON NOTRE-DAME WHICH SHOWS MORE SAINTS IN BRONZE LINING THE STEEP ROOF ON EITHER SIDE. AND ALSO, A QUITE REMARKABLE VIEW OF THE CITY OF PARIS AND BEYOND.

I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS JOURNEY TO NOTRE-DAME, IN PARIS, FRANCE.
STAY TUNED AGAIN, AS I WILL BE POSTING MORE OF OUR VIRTUAL TOUR OF FRANCE ON TUESDAY, MAY 21ST.

posted by Teresa

ANOTHER NEW POST FOR ANITA'S 'CASTLES, CROWNS, AND COTTAGES' SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY!!!

MAY EVERYONE BE ENJOYING A MARVELOUS SUNDAY!!!
HERE IS MY THIRD POSTING FOR ANITA'S FRENCH BLOG PARTY.

MONT SAINT-MICHAEL, IN  NORMANDY, FRANCE.

Today's post will be about Mont Saint-Michael which is a rocky, tidal island, 247 acres in size and is a commune in Normandy, France.  The permanent population is somewhere around 44 people, and is composed of monastery peoples.  More than 3 million people visit it each year.  You may recognize it from many movies.  I remember seeing Sam Neil as 'Merlin' in the movie of the same name, swiftly riding along on his horse on the wet sand toward the monastery in hopes of finding relief for Nimuwe at the monastery when she was scarred by fire from a dragon. 

MONT SAINT-MICHAEL AT NIGHT.

In 709 A.D. a monk declared he had been told by Michael the Archangel to build a small church on the tidal island.  Years following, a pre-Romanesque monastery was built in the 11th century.  Gothic style additions were built in the 13th century after fire had destroyed most of the monastery during the 12th century.

THIS ARIEL VIEW SHOWS JUST HOW SECLUDED MONT SAINT-MICHAEL IS.

During the French Revolution of the 1800's the monastery was used as a prison which was later closed in 1863.

THE ENTRANCE TO MONT SAINT-MICHAEL.  YOU CAN TELL WHY VISITORS WOULD WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE GRANDEUR OF THIS MAGNIFICENT STRUCTURE AND THE HISTORY SURROUNDING IT.

WITH THE BUILDINGS SO CLOSELY BUILT TOGETHER ON 247 ACRES, IT WAS DEFINITELY A FORTRESS WORTHY OF BEING ACKNOWLEDGED.

A PHOTO OF THE CLOISTER, MEANING THE ENCLOSURE OF THE MONASTERY.

THIS IS THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENCLOSURE OF THE MONASTERY.

THE STATUE OF MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL ON THE SPIRE OF THE MONASTERY. THIS IS THE HIGHEST POINT ON ALL OF THE BUILDINGS AT THE MONASTERY.  (SEE THE PREVIOUS ARIAL VIEW).

THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE HUGE EDIFICE STRUCTURE OF THE MONASTERY.

 THIS IS A MAP OF FRANCE (AND I THOUGHT IT WAS LABELED WHEN I DOWNLOADED IT). ON THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF FRANCE A SMALL SQUIGGLY LINE NEAR THE SHORE INDICATES WHERE MONT SAINT-MICHAEL IS SITUATED.  YOU CAN SEE THE ISLAND INDICATED BY A TINY GREY MASS IN THE WATER OFF SHORE. (WELL? HOW ELSE CAN I DESCRIBE IT!)

AND HERE IS A FREE DOWNLOAD OF SOME FRENCH MUSIC FOR YOU FROM THE GRAPHICS FAIRY BLOG.

I think that is all I have for this amazing historical tour of the tidal island of Mont Saint-Michael. France has so many unusual sights to see.  Thank you for coming aboard to view this virtual tour. AND PLEASE GO TO MY LINK ON THE LEFT SIDE FOR ANITA'S 'SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY' TO VISIT MORE PARTICIPATING BLOGS WHICH SHE HAS LISTED LOWER ON HER BLOG POST.
MERCI !

Stay tuned for another new posting on Monday, May 20th.

posted by Teresa

A CONTINUATION OF 'SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY'

TODAY IS MY SECOND POSTING FOR THE FRENCH BLOG PARTY.  I HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING OTHER BLOGS WHO ARE ALSO PARTICIPATING IN ANITA'S 'CASTLES, CROWNS, AND COTTAGES' BLOG PARTY.  TODAY,  I AM GOING TO BE HIGHLIGHTING CLAUDE MONET THE FAMOUS PARIS, ARTIST.

GIVERNY WAS THE HOME OF CLAUDE MONET

It was here that Claude Monet painted many of his famous water lily paintings.  I am going to share some of my favorite paintings by Monet.

CLAUDE MONET WAS BORN IN PARIS ON NOVEMBER 14TH, 1840.

At a very young age he wanted to become an artist.   After studying with a few famous artists, and also attending an art school, he began painting in the Impressionistic style, which was painting the effects of real light out in the open, using broken color and rapid brushstrokes.
He married Camille Concieux who became the model for many of the women he portrayed in his paintings.
She was the model for the painting 'Woman in the Green Dress'.

'WOMAN IN THE GREEN DRESS'  1866

'BRIDGE OVER A POND OF WATER LILIES' 1899 is probably one of his most well known paintings.

'THE ARTIST'S GARDEN AT VETHEUIL' 1880 (SO HE DIDN'T JUST LIVE AT GIVERNY).

AN ACTUAL PHOTO OF THE BRIDGE OVER THE WATER LILIES.

'POPPIES BLOOMING' 1873

'THE GARDEN IN FLOWER' 1900  THE VIBRANCY OF THE COLORS AND LIGHT IN THIS PAINTING IS MAGNIFICENT.

I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS VIRTUAL GALLERY TOUR OF CLAUDE MONET.
PLEASE VIEW MY PREVIOUS POST ABOUT MARIE ANTOINETTE IF YOU MISSED MY FRIDAY, MAY 17TH POSTING.  AND I WILL BE DOING ANOTHER NEW POST ON SUNDAY, MAY 19TH...SO STAY TUNED FOR MORE FRENCH ENCHANMENT!

posted by Teresa

CASTLES, CROWNS, AND COTTAGES 'SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY' IS HERE!!!

I HAVE BEEN WAITING SEVERAL WEEKS FOR THIS TRULY ENCHANTING EVENT TO HAPPEN!  I hope I can post photos daily from May 17th thru May 24th about the people and places of France.

My favorite person in French history is Queen Marie Antoinette.  Although I do not agree with her flamboyant lifestyle which was considered riske` at times, she was still a colorful character and truly portrayed the political lifestyle of that era.  Sad that the kings of that time would do away with anyone who was annoying to their kingdom with an 'off with his or her head' scenario with so many men and women who got in the way of political progress. Such was the fate of Marie Antoinette.

THIS IS THE CHARMING WATERMILL COTTAGE BUILT FOR MARIE ANTOINETTE.  IT LOOKS LIKE IT CAME STRAIGHT OUT OF A FAIRY TALE.  WHAT A PAMPERED QUEEN SHE WAS!!!

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PORTRAITS OF QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE.  SHE WAS A BEAUTY!!!

LAST YEAR I MADE MARIE ANTOINETTE PILLOWS FOR ONE OF MY GIVEAWAYS.  THESE PILLOWS ARE QUITE TIME CONSUMING TO CREATE AND ALAS,  I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO MAKE SOME FOR THIS FRENCH BLOG PARTY.  PERHAPS LATER ON IN THE YEAR I WILL HAVE MY OWN BLOG PARTY AND GIVE SOME AWAY AS I DO HAVE LOTS OF EMBELLISHMENTS AND GLORIOUS FABRICS TO MAKE MANY OF THEM.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO HIGHLIGHT ACTRESSES WHO PORTRAYED MARIE ANTOINETTE.  THIS IS NORMA SHEARER.  LOOK AT HER AMAZING COIF WITH STARS ALL AROUND HER HEAD. THIS WAS IN 1938 AND THERE WERE NO COLOR MOVIES AS YET.

THIS IS LANA MARCONI PORTRAYED AS MARIE ANTOINETTE.  HER ALL WHITE DRESS IS STUNNING AS IS HER HAT AND JEWELS AND HER MAGNIFICENT COIF.

THE MOVIE POSTER FOR 'MARIA ANTONIETA' FROM 1938.  I ALWAYS THOUGHT TYRONE POWER WAS SUCH A HANDSOME ACTOR. AND YOU WILL NOTICE ONE OF THE OTHER ACTORS LISTED IS JOHN DREW BARRYMORE, GREAT GRANDFATHER OF ACTRESS DREW BARRYMORE.

FOR ALL OF YOU DOLL MAKERS OUT THERE, HERE IS A BALL JOINT DOLL OF KIRSTEN DUNST WHEN SHE WAS IN A MOVIE AND PORTRAYED MARIE ANTOINETTE.  THIS LOOKS LIKE A COLLECTORS ITEM.  THERE ARE MANY MORE PHOTOS OF KIRSTEN DUNST ON YAHOO IMAGES WHEN SHE PORTRAYED MARIE ANTOINETTE.

THIS IMAGE WAS ON YAHOO OF SOMEONES MIXED MEDIA MARIE ANTOINETTE PIECE.  VERY BEAUTIFULLY EMBELLISHED, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A SHADOW BOX.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR VIEWING MY POST OF THE DAY.
PLEASE COME BACK ON SATURDAY AS I WILL BE POSTING MORE FOR THE 'SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY.'

 FOR MORE PARTICIPATING BLOGS PLEASE GO TO MY LEFT SIDEBAR AND CLICK ON THE LINK FOR 'THE SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY'.

posted by Teresa....May 17th, 2013

CAMBRIA, CAYUCOS, MORRO BAY...CALIFORNIA BEACH CITIES

 On Saturday morning, May 4th, my husband and I left our house leisurely from central California around 8:30 A.M. to drive to the coast to go antique and collectible shopping at three different towns on the central coast and also to attend a three-day event car show (which we were only there half a day). Here are photos from our one-day road trip.

OUR FIRST STOP WAS CAMBRIA...A GEM OF A CITY WITH GIFT SHOPS, ANTIQUE STORES, AND LOVELY RESTAURANTS.

OUR SECOND STOP WAS CAYUCOS WHERE WE ATE LUNCH AT ONE OF THE CAFE'S THAT OVERLOOKS THE OCEAN.

ONE OF THE ANTIQUE STORES IN CAYUCOS

A PEEK INTO ONE OF THE ANTIQUE STORES IN CAMBRIA

THE HUGE CHESS SET WHICH IS A LANDMARK OF MORRO BAY

WE ATE DINNER AT DORN'S RESTAURANT IN MORRO BAY...DELICIOUS!!!

AND THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE INSIDE...HMMMM???  JUST KIDDING!!! THIS IS A PHOTO OF THE KITCHEN IN THE WEASLEY'S KITCHEN AND DINING AREA FROM THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES!!! HA!

AND DOWNTOWN MORRO BAY AT A WITCHES FESTIVAL...NO?  OOPS!  MORE HARRY POTTER SCENES FROM DIAGON ALLEY...WELL...I AM...AFTER ALL A HUGE HARRY POTTER FAN!!!

THE MORRO BAY CAR SHOW

AND BEAUTIFUL MORRO ROCK IN MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA

THANK YOU FOR VIEWING THIS VIRTUAL TRAVEL LOG!

posted by Teresa

COPYRIGHT FREE IMAGES FROM 'THE GRAPHICS FAIRY'

I always enjoy going to The Graphics Fairy blog as there are so many wonderful vintage images to view and 'save' for free!  For now, I am going to post some of my favorites.  I need to post a permanent link to The Graphics Fairy blog.  Enjoy!

Hope you love these vintage images as much as I do.  They are lovely for adding to mixed media art work.

Enjoy!
posted by Teresa

MOURNING FOR BOSTON AND WEST, TEXAS....

It is with deepest sadness that we are all mourning the loss of life and terrible injuries sustained in this week's terrible tragedies.

HERE IS MY VIRTUAL ROSE BOUQUET THAT IF I COULD BE AT THE SITE OF THESE TERRIBLE TRAGEDIES I WOULD LAY THEM DOWN IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHOSE LIVES WERE LOST.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who have survived while being physically near to these tragedies and for all of America that we may be united in strength for our nation during times like these.

REST IN PEACE BRAVE SOULS, THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN BOTH OF THESE TRAGEDIES

May the hearts of those who lost loved ones be comforted, and may the ones injured find comfort knowing many are praying for their recovery.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW AND I KNOW HE WATCHES ME

MAY GOD COMFORT ALL OF OUR HEARTS AT THIS TIME