Lovely Lyon: Les Traboules

One of the really cool characteristics of Lyon is the "Traboules"

In the old part of the city, where the buildings are all connected to one another, there is a series of passageways that go through the buildings and underground.  (The link above will explain why they were used for those who are curious-pretty cool if you ask me!).  Since the passages go between and through buildings there are lots of beautiful courtyards that are completely hidden from the streets outside.  They are breathtaking!  The traboules are dark little tunnel-like passages and when you come out into these beautiful courtyards it almost takes your breath away.  

Just another reason to visit lovely Lyon!

a few of the millions

One of the things that has been really interesting to me since moving to Lyon is learning about true big-city life.  I could sit on the corner downtown and observe the millions of people go by all day.  It is so strange to think of us and our little family as just a few of the millions who make up this busy place.  Strangely enough, it doesn't make me feel insignificant at all.  Actually, on the contrary, when I count all my blessings I realize just how noticed and loved I am. Somehow, we are all so very important and so very needed here on this earth!

June 21 is the Festival of Music here in France.  It's the only day of the year when bands can play on any street corner or public place as loudly and as late-into-the-night as they want!  Roland has great memories of playing with his band around the city for the Festival of Music and he was anxious to take us out tonight to see all the musicians.  Things don't really get going until sunset but since it was a school night (yep, we're still in school over here!), we headed out a little earlier.  There were bands of all types and sizes getting set up on corners and plazas all over the city.  Some had elaborate set-ups with stages and sound-systems while others were simple and unplugged.  The collage above is from the plaza here in our neighborhood.  There is also a shot of the outside of our apartment building and our street sign.  The rest of the pics are from our little tour of the city.  

see all the people?

Aren't those cool planters?

across the river

the best way to spend the weekend is...

...WITH COUSINS!

...At a beautiful baptism

...not forgetting the very important stop at the American Military Cemetery to commemorate memorial day

...wrapping up with a picnic in the park and a stroll through the picturesque town of Metz and lots more cousin time!

The best way to spend the weekend is with those you love!

a list

A couple of years ago my sister told me that I needed to start posting my own "happy lists".  My sister is the queen of lists.  I love her lists.  Today, I was feeling a little homesick and I thought to myself, I need a "happy list!" 

things that make me happy in France:

1-The market

2-the heart of the city 

3-exploring old villages on Saturday mornings

 4-shutters and doors

 5-drives in the countryside

*thank you to Lindsay for the fist two pictures!

outside the city

City life has it's up-sides, but the kids definitely miss the great-outdoors sometimes.  Thankfully we have a few friends who live outside the city in the countryside who are kind enough to let us invade their space from time to time!  Hooray for friends and hooray for happy kids!

Thank you again friends!  We love you!

decorating on a shoestring (literally!)

What do you do when you move across the world and leave all of your decorations behind?  Find yourself a piece of string (I just happened to have some of this lovely twine that my mom gave me before we left) and a colorful magazine or catalog along with some scotch tape or glue.  Make yourself a diamond shaped template.  Place your template onto the brightly colored areas of the magazine pages and trace & cut.  Fold the diamonds in half along the string and hang in a happy spot!

 Charlie and I made this one day when I really needed to do something creative and was especially tired of the white, bare walls everywhere! This door leads from the kitchen to the entry-way. I see it every day and so this little banner was just the thing to brighten it up! :) 

p.s. Can I just say thank goodness for IKEA?!  That clock (among many other things) is an affordable IKEA find. :)

Lovely Lyon

We've been thrilled to have Grandma and Lindsay here this week.  The time FLEW by and saying goodbye was oh-so-hard to do.  We had so much fun with them shopping, playing, coloring (the kids LOVE to color with their artistic aunt Lindsay), eating (we are in France after all), and being together.  Today, for their last few hours here in Lyon, we took them downtown to the old part of Lyon.  Lindsay is happily reunited with her camera and she got some great shots.  I love the pictures on the bridge because they show our beautiful city in the background.  Thanks for a wonderful time girlies!  We miss you already!

p.s. Roland has been published again!  Check it out here!