Monday, January 23, 2012

Reflections from Saint Denis . . .

.
.
.
A week ago Monday la Grenouille and I travelled to Saint Denis on the northern outskirts of Paris to meet up with Virginia (Paris Through My Lens), Genie (Paris and Beyond), Genie's daughter Holly, and Peter (Peter's Paris), ostensibly to visit the Basilica where the majority of French royalty were buried over the centuries of monarchy, but especially simply to enjoy some good blogging company in person. I think it is safe to say a good time was had by all. Especially when the conversation toward the end of the afternoon over hot chocolates, coffee, and tea turned to how to make macaroons and the finer points of powdered sugar and the proper humidity of macaroon dough. That there were some macaroon experts present become abundantly apparent. Thanks for a great time you all ! (Or for those who hail from Alabama perhaps I should say : y'all !)
.
As it is the weekend, and a few reflections were seen that afternoon in Saint Denis, I don't want to miss James' Weekend Reflections, so some of the following photos may count as my submission there. It was a brilliantly clear winter afternoon, with the Paris sun low in the sky, light was bouncing every which way, reflections were almost inevitable. Like this first of the Basilica facade reflected in a shuttered bistro window opposite.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Saint Denis town hall was adorned with a large poster wishing all a fine year in 2012, the same image was reproduced on smaller posters visible around town. The sun was dazzling ! And even at just shy of quarter after two in the afternoon already shadows were quite long.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
On the glass case covering a fine piece of funerary art inside the basilica I noticed the upper windows of the basilica were offering reflections, a bit blurry here.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
But changing the focal point allowed to see the stained glass windows reflected clearly, while the art under the glass went out of focus.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
From left to right, la Grenouille, Virginia, Genie, Holly, and last, but certainly not least, Peter. Thanks again for a fine afternoon you gals and guy !
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

24 comments:

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Awwww, what a wonderful day that was and you and La Grenouille were the perfect tour guides. Your reflections are just a sample of the fine photos you captured!

Holly and I enjoyed the company and the spirited conversation about proper macaronnage. I look forward to seeing you and La G. on my next trip!

Oh, and thanks for the info on my church post today...

Bises,
Genie

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Oh, and we enjoyed the quick cemetery tour as well!

Lady Mondegreen's Secret Garden said...

Well there's me thinking one day I'll get all my blogger friends over to lie around in hammocks in the Secret Garden and you've been doing the equivalent!
Gee I hope you have a book of reflections lined up - put me name on the waiting list now! That one of the focussed stained glass windows is breathtaking, and the one with with you gurning behind the camera is fun. Funny too the tiny perfect striding woman where something cuts across the shutters.
Now I shall carry on to find your hats at the Chantilly Races.

French Girl in Seattle said...

Thank you, Owen, for these beautiful reflection shots from St Denis. Thank you, especially, for this great photo of some favorite blogger friends. How I wish I had been there with you all! (sorry, ya'll!) -- I see that with the exception of Holly, everyone got the memo [the one about wearing black while in Paris!) Good times. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Steve said...

What a fabulous poster... it has performed a minor miracle and made me feel a smidgeon cheerier on this drab Monday work morning.

Nevine Sultan said...

The reflections are beautiful, Owen. And such vibrant colors! I do have to admit, however, that I found myself particularly enchanted with the very last photo, where all are posing together, eyes and teeth beaming with smiles. How about that for a lovely shot!

Nevine

Pastelle said...

Très sympa de mettre des visages sur des noms !
Merci. :)

:: Karine :: said...

quelle équipe ! bravo
et quelles belles photos encore une fois ^^
merci owen adoré de tant de générosité
des kisses xxx

Nathalie said...

Hey, Peter with a beard, now that should make the headlines !

Lucky you for enjoying this blogger reunion, I'm jealous. Glad the weather was so outstandingly beautiful. Is this really Paris in winter? It wasn't like that when I was a child!

Nathalie said...

Lovely group photo, really. Look at those beaming smiles !

And I love your reflections as always, especially those of the stained glass windows inside the basilica.

PeterParis said...

Yes, thanks for joining! Everybody appreciated a lot meeting you both! ;-)

... and seeing you in operation, I'm not surprised about all these nice reflections!

Cildemer said...

Très belles captures de ces monuments magnifiques! J'aime beaucoup la première photo où on t'aperçoit. Et j'aime aussi beaucoup la dernière où tous les blogopotes ont l'air ravis de poser;o)
Merci pour le plaisir de ta visite, Owen;o)
Pour la maison dans mon blog, tu as des infos ici

***
Belle soirée****

Virginia said...

Merci to you and dear Anne for a lovely afternoon. I always love being with you dear Owen, and Anne was a delight! I had nothing to add to the macaron class except that I like them! :)

Your reflection shots are amazing. I"m having a bit of camera envy or maybe it's more like "expertise" envy!

As for the group shot... we were in church....I was praying!
V

Anonymous said...

Wonderful where alike is possible.

May you all have a wonderful Tuesday.

Catherine said...

What fun to meet up with other bloggers and some great shots emerged from the afternoon....

James said...

Looks and sounds like a great time! I wish I could have been there. :) Great reflections too!

Céline said...

J'espère que vous n'avez pas fait que parler de macarons et que vous en avez mangé ! Les vitraux sont magnifiques et j'aime bien les deux mises au point.

Lynne with an e said...

Glad to see that you finally took La Grenouille out of wraps and let her make a blog appearance! Looks like a fun day for all, under sunny crisp Paris skies. Sweet dreams are made of this, for many, with or without macarrons.

Stickup Artist said...

Looks like good times. I love everyone's scarves. We had a one day snowstorm in the mountains the other day after a couple weeks of 80 degrees + weather. Spit, Bale, and I went driving up there in a practical blizzard! It was amazing. We were the only kooks driving around for miles and miles!

Pastelle said...

Help. On aurait besoin d'un traducteur averti ici, j'ai pensé à toi. C'est pour une chanson de Cohen.
Merci d'avance si tu as le temps. :)
http://jcmian.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/leonard-cohen-tire-du-dernier-album-old-ideas/

Pat Tillett said...

Lovely photos! It looks like a great time was had by all. One day, I'll go there...

Harriet said...

I'm very late on commenting on this post, but it is fabulous! Also love seeing the group photo. Nice beard Peter. And V, even though your eyes are closed still a great shot.

Joe said...

I followed the link from Genie's blog to yours. Wonderful reflections in your images. My favourite is the tomb with the reflected stained glass windows. Looks like you all enjoyed a great day out.

Sar@h said...

Coucou Owen
Sympa les vitraux …