French Friday – A year of blogging

French Friday – A year of blogging

I have made it! A year of blogging and just 1 post off a blog a day!

I little knew when I started after a kind friend suggested blogging as a good way to share my love of photography and France that I would end up writing poetry, short stories, a travel novel and hosting a challenge as well as endless random asides as the mood took me.

The best and most unexpected part was connecting with a wonderful array of supportive and talented people who kindly shared with me their thoughts and opened a new world of experience which I would never have known existed had I not started this blog. I find inspiration daily from the posts of other poets, photographers and writers.

As it is French Friday I thought that this anniversary was a great chance to share some of my past French posts and you may like to have a browse through the earlier ventures into French photography and travel that started me off on the blogging journey.

Thanks to all the wonderful people who kindly clicked the “follow” button, those who took the time to like and comment on my posts and those who have shared their talent in the weekly “TJ’s Household Haiku Challenge”. Thanks also to the wonderful Ronovan of Ronovan Writes for helping me find my inner Haiku and whose weekly challenge is ever inspiring; to Cee of Cee’s Photography for her wonderful array of photo challenges that encourage photographers to experiment and share different photographic modes and Jennifer Nicole Wells whose weekly photo challenges have been another wonderful inspiration (as are her marvellous miniature photographs). Thanks too to Priceless Joy of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers which has been an inspiration for my 175 word short stories.

I will be posting a list of my favourite blogger sites this Sunday so do check them out.

Here are my 10 Personal Favourite French Posts from the first few months of La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin! Life is too short to drink bad wine so I hope you find something to enjoy this Friday!

Bon weekend mes amis!

Old 1920s advertising on a building in Rennes, France

1 My First Ever Post – On my first visit to France I wanted to try the drink Dubonnet but no-one served it.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/aperitif-in-rennes/

Montmartre seen through one of the immense clocks in the Musee d’Orsay. A photo I snapped in spring.

1. I will never forget my first look through the Musee d’Orsay clocks out over Paris

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/monmatre-through-the-dorsay-clock/

To be standing here in front of the thinker with the Invalides in the background is something truly magical.

1. A shot of Rodin’s “The Thinker” was a highlight of April in Paris.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/the-thinker-in-spring/

Cascading blossom reveal a glimpse of the cathedral on a cloudy day in spring.

1. These unexpected flowers at Notre Dame gave off the most delicious perfume.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/notre-dame-fleurs/

I saw and photographed these lovely flowers in the Place Monge markets one April in Paris.

1. One of the joys of Paris is the flowers one can find at the Place Monge…

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/05/70/

Autumn, and the last hurrah before the tubs are wheeled away for winter.

1. This wonderful view of the Orangerie at Versailles is something I will never forget.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/07/versailles-orangerie/

Your Christmas Getaway – Feeling a little down this December? Why not rent Vaux le Vicomte and flee to France. Don’t bother telling your family and friends. You can always claim you were abducted by aliens if they ask any questions.

7. Vaux le Vicomte is one of the most perfect Chateau in France. It is the most wonderful place to visit.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/feeling-down-this-christmas/

On a crisp morning in spring we turned back and say this wonderful view which I snapped with joy.

1. Of all my photos I must confess that this is my favourite. It is a view that I never thought I would be able to see until the kindness of friends took me there.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/a-crisp-morning-in-st-malo/

My Heart belongs to Paris and Sacré Cœur was at its finest on this lovely day in Autumn when I snapped this picture.

1. A challenge asked us to pick what songs we would as a soundtrack if our life were a movie. This was the result.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/my-heart-belongs-to-paris/

The tiny Square Rapp is an Art Noveau gem and with a view like this when you step out the door each morning life must be good for the luck few living there.

1. This view is so special to me. It is where I looked back to the Eiffel Tower with those most dear to my heart on a glorious Autumn day.

https://amaviedecoeurentier.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/eiffel-tower-from-the-square-rapp/