Beach Daze...

During most of my time here, I've been walking on the beach for exercise... the beach is only 10 minutes walking distance from my parents' place... Playa Negra (Black Beach) is the one that's the closest but we walk about 40 minutes away from town and then back- it's a great walk on the beach, in the soft, velvety sand! It's a little slice of Heaven, let me tell you!Walking from Playa Negra past Banana Azul--- about 40 minutes each way...

BLOGIVERSARY #4

Okay, okay... I would NEVER have remembered it today if it weren't for ANNE, who said to me this a.m.- "Hey, isn't it your blogiversary today?" She checked for me and SURE enough- it is!!

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY NEWS FROM FRANCE---- You've made it 4 years and many friends later- Starting this blog has to be one of the very best things I've ever done in my life... I've made so many friends (in person and online) and met become acquainted with so many others just through their blogs! What a wonderful thing this blogging turned out to be!

Thank you to ALL of you who have touched my life, enriched my world here and there...

and a HUGE thank you to all of you who 'follow me' - Some of your whom I don't know at all and I haven't yet discovered your blog- and to those of you who take the time to leave me comments, I really appreciate it.... and finally- to ALLLLL of you, who stop by, whether if it's just once or repeatedly! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Leesa

A Tribute to Travis...

Having your world crash down after losing a child is something I could never imagine for anyone. The pain and grief of losing a loved one, your own little baby is something that no one should have to experience in their life. My heart goes out to Nicole and Roger and the entire family over the loss of this little darling angel.... May you all find peace, comfort and strength through the power of God, friends and family. I ask EVERYONE to please keep your thoughts and prayers on the family as the go through one of the hardest times imaginable.

Though I never had the opportunity to meet Travis in person, I feel like I have known him and his magical smile all of his precious life, through Karen, Travis' grandmom, who is a dear friend of mine. I have followed Travis' journey from before birth with HLHS.

I know there are no words we can utter to make up for the loss of a precious loved one, but I offer my most heartfelt condolences to the DiCarlo's as the lay their little one to rest. I will never understand why our loved ones have to leave us so early on, long before their time is due... and especially someone like Travis, who fought so hard and who was here for such a very short while. His family and friends loved him so deeply, it's heartbreaking and unimaginable what they are feeling now.

Little Travis, rest in peace, little angel. You fought a very hard battle and fought with courage and strength... You're family and friends love you dearly. You are now an Angel in Heaven looking down on us all... Keep smiling that beautiful smile!

Travis and his baby sister... Sooo cute!

One of Nicole and Roger's friends (Kathy) posted this on her blog, "Just Another Day." It's an incredibly beautiful and moving tribute to celebrate the life of Little Travis who just became one of the newest angels in Heaven a few days ago.

As I write this with a very heavy heart and sadness for the DiCarlo family, I want to share this beautiful little boy with you and his couragous journey since before birth with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndome (HLHS). I ask you to please pray for other families whose children have HLHS.

Here is the link to the post about Travis.

Please read it and if you are able, I ask that you make a donation to the DiCarlo's on their blog, TEAM TRAVIS.

Dad and Travis - A magical moment between father and son...

Mom and Travis... You can see what a beautiful baby Travis is...

*Photos on this post were taken directly from the Team Travis blog.

Paris Picnics on the Seine... Good friends, Good times...

Love "LOCKED" in Paris..

Bulldog puppies -- American, French and English!

Okay folks!

We ALL know that puppies are just SOOOOO cute!!! Well, I have been seeing a lot of bulldogs around and wanted to show you all how cute they are as pups!!

You just want them!!!!

Cute American Bulldog pups!

French Bulldog pups

English Bulldog pups

**All pics taken from the internet...

Rosa Bonheur and the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Paris

This is a lovely, off the beaten path salon du thé! Rosa Bonheur is just so cute, quaint, and charming that you just want to pass the day away enjoying the coziness of it! It's a bit odd, in a good way, though... lots of character- definitely MY type of place!

Interesting, unique, a little strange/odd.... original décor!

On this GORGEOUS hot, summer day... it was me, Dawn, Karin, and Aurelia!

I can't believe that Aurelia biked all the way here, way to go!

This place draws in a HUGE crowd!! See.. EVERYONE loves to hang out here on a beautiful day! It's sooo dreamy!

They had to regulate the number of people who came in because there were SOOOO many people! Many waiting in line, too... The place was buzzing....

"The attractions of the Parc des Buttes Chaumont are numerous. The park includes several cliffs and bridges, a grotto that encloses a 20-meter high waterfall, a lake, and several English and Chinese gardens." Wikipedia

"A 63 meter long suspension bridge, renovated in 2009, crosses the lake and allows access to the island. A 22 meter high bridge, known as the "suicide bridge", allows access to the belvedere from the south side of the park." Wikipedia

I LOVE this suspension bridge in the park... This park is amazing.... and so different from the other parks in Paris! To find out more about it HERE (in French) and HERE (in English).

"The most prominent feature is the belvedere of Sybil, which sits atop a 30 meter rocky peak at the top of an island partially surrounded by a lake. The belvedere, added to the park in 1869, is a Corinthian-style monument, modeled after the ancient Roman temple of Sybil in Tivoli, Italy." Wikipedia

Updates from Costa Rica....

Hey Everyone!

I have updated my Costa Rica blog and would love for you to hop over if you have time... I've been creating the photos into 'postcard' type collages and I hope you like them.. This seems to be one of the easiest ways for me to present my photos because it looks nice and I can do it a lot quicker this way...

I'm interested in your feedback, negative or positive so let me know what you think!

Here's my blog: Costa Rica Here I Come!

Thanks, Leesa

Sophie B. Hawkins - As I Lay Me Down

Such a 'feel good' song.. LOVE her!!!!

Valrhona Chocolate- SUPERIOUR!

There's NOTHING like good chocolate- this time, par excellence!

SIXT Car Rental in France

Looking to rent a car in France? Look no further: SIXT is here.

They have a wide variety of cars to choose from- whether you're looking for something luxurious, sporty, economical or spacious! They are inexpensive and reliable!

Here's how easy it is:

1. Pickup and return - select station, date and time of pickup and return for your hire car offer.
2. Offer list - choose a car from the list and your wanted extras and insurance
3. Driver data - Fill in personal details or use SixtExpress.
4. Reservation - Print your confirmation and show it at pickup in France
5. Have a good trip - you can pick up your hire car in France

Congrats are in order!!

Whooo hooo! My friend, Keith of A Taste of Garlic passed out some awards today on his blog HERE and I just want send out a big "THANK YOU" to Keith... and also congrats to all the award winners- esp. my good friends and fellow bloggers- Sam and Anne!!!

And, for good measure-- ALL of you who read THIS blog post (about France, mind you -KEITH) - you should all be bookmarking his blog at this VERY second or adding it to google reader or whatever... just so that you don't forget to check it out daily! Keith is fun of fun, vigor and HUMOUR! And, he also does GREAT blog reviews of blogs all over France.... :)

"Anne in Oxfordshire wins a Special Award for Posts about Paris from Someone who doesn’t live in Paris.

Anne often pops over here and always writes lovely blog posts about it.

Her Images from Paris… shows that she’s got a good eye for a photo and certainly enjoys her visits over here."

"The Rant of the Week Award goes to Sam at Totally Frenched Out for Today’s French word: S’imposer.

Sam, I promise you, if you go into work with an AK47 in your hands and a thousand yard stare on your face, you’ll get Rant of the Month Award and I’ll personally put you forward for theRant of the Year Award."

Quoted directly from Keith's blog...

Keith your sense of humor keeps me slappin' my sides!!! Tooo funny! I'll be back one day, I'm sure and then you'll probably tire of my posts of Paris.. esp. in the springtime when everything is it's prettiest...

And now, here's what Keith had to say about me-- HILARIOUS!!!!!!

"And just for the people who didn’t win an award this week….

Here are the famous Awards for not Winning an Award!

Leesa from News from France – I understand that she has a poorly big toe but….

That’s no excuse for missing Netball Practice!

Sorry Leesa but I find it hard to feel sorry for you when you’re in Costa Rica (in the sunshine) and we’re stuck in freezing Brittany, burning our furniture in a vain effort to keep warm – 2/10 and you’re excused ballet class for a week!

Oh, by the way, Leesa… The examiners will look favourably on you should you decide to come back to France and start blogging about Paris things – they like that sort of stuff (so I’m told.)" End quote.

OKAY Keith --- You're ON!! When I come back- whenever that may be.. .mind you, I'm going post happy on my NFF blog and you'll be the FIRST one to know of it...

I'll be cashing in my REAL award then- (whenever that is)... hahahahahah!!

Best to you.. Leesa

Here's Keith and his price mushroom- he found it during our walk though the woods.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

One day late... Hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day doing whatever you did!

Untreated Staph Infections

I came down with a staph infection when away on our trip. I had to go through a procedure at the doctors to have the area cleaned out- and after a few days of antibiotics, it is

much better.

However, I think it's important for EVERYONE to know something about this -staphylococcus. Please refer to the link below to inform yourself... And, when you travel, bring some first aid products along so that if you get cut, you can tend to it right away.

Staph infection, or staphylococcus, is a bacterial infection commonly carried in the nasal cavity. Staph infection may go undetected until it enters through a wound in the body and becomes infected. If staph infection goes untreated it can result in serious health risks to the skin and organs of the body.

Read more:

Untreated Staph Infections | eHow.com

Happy Groundhog Day and HAPPPPPY ALMOST SPRING!

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY TO ALL!! Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow this morning so spring is on it's wayyyyyyy!! YIPEEEEEE!!!!!! Here's Phil's official site... Click here

Pasteles from Portugal