A Place Like This

Category: Travel

  • Up On The Roof Top

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    As Emily and I went roaming around Paris discovering the most amazing knit shop, and having coffee and molten lava cake at the Louvre, nothing could have prepared us for our re-entry into our domestic bliss.  "Mom, the girls were on the roof and they could have killed themselves. Why didn't you tell them not…

  • Shared Moments

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    I love catching little glimmars of when they come together.  Brother and Sister meet after 3 weeks of being apart. After flying all night, Zaina arrived in Paris during the early morning hours. The stillness of this moment and the three of them together brought a happy beat to this momma's heart. A couple of…

  • Locked on the Bridge of Love

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    I was teaching my sweet daughter the art of the flanneur.  Flanneur in French means to stroll and it's one of the things I love to do the most when I'm in Paris. As we were strolling along the Seine, I noticed this tree, the same tree that spits out hundreds of little spikey pods…

  • This Evening in Paris

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

       

  • Good Continuation

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    These days between Christmas and New Year's in the Swedish tradition are known as "Good Continuation". Why end all of the merriment? Our huge family gang is still together moving in tribal form around Montreal, that is until I took a look at our travel schedule. Thinking I was leaving tomorrow December 29th, I soon…

  • Our Friendly Neighbors to the Sunny North

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

    Usually this time of year sees me baking like a fiend. It has had to be postponed due to the fact that we're heading to Montreal to be with our family and friends for the holidays. We're travelling today but we'll be back soon with views from beautiful Montreal Canada., which no doubt, will share…

  • Mrs. Fox Aboard the Constitution

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    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    The boy had waited a lifetime. His grandfather was a master model tallship builder. His version of the Constitution sits above my television and all young "O" could think of was the day that he would see the "real" ship for himself. Did his grandpa get it right? Is it as big as he imagined?…

  • Colors and Flatbread

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    Wherever we roam, I love to look for graffiti or the ever famous wall/building art. Lucky for me Portland Maine has both.   This parking lot speaks volumes to me. Such a community art project which evolves daily due to the variety of autos that park there. Love the sun shining on the lighthouse while…

  • Chasing Friday Night Marimbas

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in , ,

    Though it is October, we had the gift recently of being chased by the last days of summer warmth and sun in Portland Maine. Artists, musicians, food vendors, and the people of Portland, all joined together to celebrate their creativity during the First Friday Artwalk. As we walked along the street, we heard this great…

  • The Magic Fairy Forest

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    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    From the sea, sister continued her island discovery with her brother. Through the forest they walked, collecting bits of shells, moss, sticks, bark and stones, it was clear that they were not in any forest.  As far as the eye could see in every direction, there were fairy houses of all shapes and sizes.  …