France – Jennifer's Journal

Sunday Snaps: Feeding the Birds, Parisian Style

Published on February 6, 2022 by J. Kelland Perry30 Comments

Happy Sunday, all!

This afternoon has me wistfully looking back on our European trip, yet again. For this post in particular, I’m reminiscing about Paris and our visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral.

As enthralling as it was to take a tour inside this extraordinary example of French Gothic architecture, I was equally enamored with the feathery congregation outside!

In April of 2019, a massive fire tore through the roof of the Notre Dame, but a restoration by artisans is in the works. I have a feeling these birds have missed the tourists and will be happy when this historic cathedral reopens in 2024.

By the way, did you know that February is National Bird Feeding Month in the U.S.?

“Birds are the most popular group in the animal kingdom. We feed them and tame them and think we know them. And yet they inhabit a world which is really rather mysterious.” ~ David Attenborough

Photo Challenge: Sunday Stills — Are You a #Bird Feeder?

My photos originally shared here: Scenes From France – Part 3: More Paris!

Black and White Photos: Buildings

Published on May 13, 2021 by J. Kelland Perry56 Comments

I never get tired of looking at pictures from our trip to Europe. Here are some favourites I revisited for Cee’s Photo Challenge today.

First, a few from Tuscany, Italy.

And on to Paris, France:

And finally, one from Cannes:

Copyright Jennifer Kelland Perry, May 13, 2021
Posted as part of Cee’s Black & White Challenge

Entranced

Published on February 9, 2018February 9, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments

Sharing a post today from three years ago. It’s a travel-themed favourite. 🙂

Jennifer's Journal

Have you ever been impressed by the beauty of a door? The world is filled with doorways* and entrances, but here are several that left me either pleased by their quaintness, awed by their workmanship, or entranced by their immensity and grandeur. All before ever setting one foot inside.

For starters, a charming little one from the Barbour Heritage Village in my town:

This entrance in Bonavista with its crisp contrasting colours and symmetry:

In Montreal, the beauty and craftsmanship of this splendid doorway:

…and how about the opulence of this entrance in Cannes? No, we didn’t stay there… 😉

We stayed here, our inviting little home away from home:

The view through our balcony doors was also appealing, beckoning us outside.

Hard to top the view of Lake Maggiore from our patio doors in Stresa:

Here’s a closer look of the northern Italian lake:

In Paris, the entrance…

View original post 40 more words

Entranced

Published on February 2, 2015February 2, 2015 by J. Kelland Perry55 Comments

For starters, a charming little one from the Barbour Heritage Village in my town:

This entrance in Bonavista with its crisp contrasting colours and symmetry:

In Montreal, the beauty and craftsmanship of this splendid doorway:

…and how about the opulence of this entrance in Cannes? No, we didn’t stay there… 😉

We stayed here, our inviting little home away from home:

The view through our balcony doors was also appealing, beckoning us outside.

Hard to top the view of Lake Maggiore from our patio doors in Stresa:

Here’s a closer look of the northern Italian lake:

In Paris, the entrance to the Notre Dame Cathedral is imposing…

…and so elaborately adorned.

How about this golden carved door in Florence?
Gotta love the Renaissance.

I saved my personal favourite, also in Florence, for last.

*Ailsa’s Weekly Travel Theme: Doorways @ wheresmybackpack.com

Photo Challenge: Inviting Nighttime

Published on October 1, 2014October 1, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry32 Comments

During our trip to Italy and France in 2011, I took hundreds of photos, the majority of which were daytime shots. Here are some favourite captures from two of France’s cities in late evening and night.

I still find them as inviting as ever.

Cannes

France 139 — **Lights wink on as dusk descends.**

France 143 — **Window-shopping in Cannes; almost as fun as the real thing!**

France 144 — **Boulevard de la Croisette invites us to explore. Ritz Carlton on the right.**

France 145 — **The Croisette stretches 2 km long beside the Mediterranean Sea.**

France 146 — **The entrance to our hotel beckons.**

France 154 — **Home Sweet Home for three nights.**

On to Paris:

France 231 — **The view from our hotel for four nights**

France 105 — **On the Seine River Dinner Cruise…**

one — **…which ended at the Eiffel Tower.**

Weekly Photo Challenge: Nighttime

Weekly Travel Theme: Inviting

Travel Theme: Romance

Published on February 14, 2014March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry16 Comments

268651_10150308658300281_6294221_n — Roma!

This is my contribution to Ailsa’s photo challenge at wheresmybackpack.com.

Happy Valentines Day!

Photo Challenge: Up

Published on April 21, 2013April 21, 2013 by J. Kelland Perry37 Comments

This week’s photo challenge at the Daily Post inspired me to have a look back on our memorable trip to Italy and France. It didn’t take long to come “up” with some photos that fit nicely with the theme.

(Not sure if it’s against the rules to share more than one. ;)) I hope you enjoy them.

View of the Italian Alps – Stresa, Italy

Staircase at our B & B - Stresa, Italy — Staircase at our B & B – Stresa, Italy

View from our Hotel Room In Rome — View from our Hotel Room – Rome, Italy

marble staircase in hotel - Rome — marble staircase in hotel – Rome

Palazzo Vecchio - Siena, Italy — Palazzo Vecchio – Siena, Italy

Duomo of Florence - Italy — Duomo of Florence – Italy

Notre Dame Cathedral - Paris — Notre Dame Cathedral – Paris

Inside Cathedral - Paris — Inside Cathedral – Paris

Louis Vuitton - Paris — Louis Vuitton – Paris

Eiffel Tower - Paris — Eiffel Tower – Paris

France 003 — In front of the Arc de Triomphe – Paris

Arc de Triomphe - Paris — Arc de Triomphe x2

Ceilings in the Louvre Museum - Paris — Ceilings in the Louvre Museum – Paris

Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (mdcphotographs.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (beijingcityphoto.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (scottseyephotos.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (Dry) (chrisbreebaart.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (turtlestravel.com)

My First Anniversary…and Ten Things I Didn’t Know When I Started

Published on December 31, 2012January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry16 Comments

One year ago today, on New Year’s Eve, 2011, I started this blog, Jennifer’s Journal. And as I mentioned in the very first post, Follow the Yellow Brick Road, I had no idea where my blog would take us. So here is what I found out.

1. I didn’t know I would have the resolve to faithfully post to my blog a little more than once a week on average. WordPress, being the best blogging site – in my opinion – had a lot to do with my enthusiasm.

2. I didn’t know I would be taking my visitors and followers on a pictorial journey of our 2011 trip to Italy and France. Nor did I know that one of these installments,
“Scenes From Italy – Part Three: Siena and Florence, Tuscany” would consistently be my most visited post, from all around the world!

3. I hadn’t made plans yet to take a Spring vacation in Florida, with my husband and my daughter and her family. My photo album from that trip,
“For the Young, & the Young at Heart: Disney’s Magic Kingdom“, would garner a record of 449 views on May 8th, the most views I had in one day.

4. I wasn’t fully aware of how beautiful it actually is where I live, here in Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland, until I read your lovely comments on my local photographic efforts. 🙂 “Autumn Walk on the East Coast” was a particular favourite.

5. I came to learn how the poems, musings, and photographs of my grandchildren would be a popular subject for many!

6. That goes for the posts of my little cats, Maisie and Vivian, as well. One of them even guest-posted in “Vivian’s View From Here“.

7. I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of support my blog received, as I was losing my mother. I cannot fully express what a source of comfort those caring comments were, and still are.

8. I didn’t know I was going to publish sixteen of my poems, and that I would be proud of them. 🙂

9. I wasn’t sure (but I am pleased I did) that I would keep my resolution to start writing a novel, and am now starting Chapter Six of the first draft. My post about it, Then You Must Write It, would be one my most popular blog posts, generating many of your comments.

10. Novel writing or not, I love my blog as the vehicle of self-expression it has turned out to be, and I will continue to update it in 2013. Connecting with many of you and making new friends is one of the best advantages of blogging.

So, let me say to all of my followers and visitors from sixty-six countries, a GIANT THANK YOU! And a Happy New Year to you all. 🙂

Scenes From France – Part Three: More Paris!

Published on June 26, 2012February 6, 2022 by J. Kelland Perry5 Comments

Join me for one last look at our trip to Italy and France, as I share some more of my Paris photos. Ah, quelle belle ville!

France 021 — outside Notre Dame Cathedral

France 025 — impressive French Gothic architecture

France 052 — Such a friendly congregation of birds outside
the Notre Dame Cathedral!

France 054 — one of many Seine River cruises

France 007 — Fountain in the Place de la Concorde

four — Beneath the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
with an Eternal Flame.

twelve — Did you know that the Eiffel Tower is nicknamed
La dame de fer (the iron lady)?

nine — Husband and I, just before the Seine Dinner Cruise

Scenes From France – Part One: Cannes (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)
Scenes from Italy – Part One: Rome (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)
In Passionate Defense Of The Rest Of France (missexpatria.wordpress.com)

Scenes From France – Part Two: Paris

Published on June 19, 2012February 24, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry5 Comments

Over the previous winter, my sister and I and our spouses had planned this Italy/France trip to end on a high note. Now tell me, how better to end it than with a visit to Paris in June?

I considered it an interesting fact that this beautiful city had been originally nicknamed the “City of Light” because it was a center of education and ideas during the Age of Enlightenment, but later earned the name when Paris began lighting the Champs-Elysees with lamps.

With so much to see and do, my camera had kicked into overdrive, so this section of my travelog will have to be shown in two blog posts. I hope you enjoy them. For the best viewing experience, click each one for a closer look.

France 372 — also a view from our window – temptation everywhere

France 240 — Academie Royale de Musique – the Paris Opera

France 357 — wrought iron balconies abound

France 355 — one of my favourite street scenes

One of our larger excursions was an afternoon at the Musee du Louvre. The Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world, and a historic monument because of its beginnings as a fortress. As it is also one of the biggest art museums worldwide, these pictures as a representation don’t even scratch the surface of what waits inside its walls.