Strasbourg Blues

I just want to say, the French have the most sublime hues of blue.  And who wouldn't want heart shaped cut outs in their shutters?  That is something you just don't see in Vancouver.  Shutters themselves are a novelty but I loved the elementary shapes cut into them.  I'm surprised I didn't see any star shapes but I was amused to see a few clover shaped cut outs.  Thanks to Banyan, who was a good sport jumping in front of doors to get his photo taken.  I never know what kind of pose I will get from him but thankfully he stayed conservative with arms glued to the side of his body.

Strasbourg in Toasty Brown

I think it would be a hassle to park in that drive way on a daily basis.  It seems a bit precarious with the river flowing an arms length away from the bumper of the car.  

Strasbourg: Fade to Red

Lace, vines, bicycles, wooden doors, heart shutters...what's not to love?  My photographic journey of the city of windows continues...

Strasbourg, City of Windows

I had the chance to walk around Strasbourg a few times while in France but it wasn't easy trying to push a baby stroller, hold the hand of a five year old and look through the lens of a camera at the same time.  It's one of those things looking back and wishing I had more photographs and wishing I had stopped to enjoy the moment in a park or sit in a cafe.  I wish I had the luxury of strolling aimlessly through the streets and soaking up the ambiance.  Banyan is always hungry at the wrong times so I spent most of my leisure finding him things to eat like bread pretzels and expensive juice.  He even finagled a few sorbets too.  I didn't get much time to explore this beautiful city but I'm grateful for the slice I did experience of Strasbourg's culture, history, and architecture.  

Banyan in France

This boy has been speaking french with his Papa since he could talk but do you think he took the opportunity to use his special skills?  Nope.  Banyan didn't speak one lick of french the entire time we were in France.  He's very tenacious about speaking english.  

Plobsheim, France

I really appreciate the little details I found while walking around Plobsheim.  I loved the lace curtains with fine details next to the rustic wooden shutters and wood beams that were kept exposed to show off the houses structural design.  Miniature busts stand at attention waiting to hold open the shutter doors.  I could see how people kept their potted plants just so and the flourish of petite flowers grown en masse in the garden beds.  Potted herbs are kept with in arms reach of the kitchen and is the secret to French home cooking.  I ate the most beautiful salads made up of fine herbs and tender mesclun from the garden daily.  I would always quiz my host, Lilly, about the ingredients in each dish she made and it was usually just some fresh herbs from the garden.  Her dishes carried so much depth of flavour.  Lilly was so gracious in catering to my dietary needs that I can honestly say I have never eaten so well in my life.  Every day was a pleasure at Lilly's French table. 

Lavender & Rose: Plobsheim, France

One of my favourite things to do in Plobsheim was to aimlessly walk around the small village while taking in its subtle beauty.  I really couldn't get enough of the window shutters and flower gardens.  I felt like a creep pointing my camera lens at people's windows.  It made me a little nervous but I couldn't help myself so I did it anyway.  As I walked around, I also couldn't help but draw similarities to the Japanese aesthetic I experienced travelling in Japan.  Japanese people have this beautiful flowing organic way about potted plants and gardens and I see the French have their own flare for this kind of simple beauty.  Even the houses had a calm, tidy design to them.  However, the pink house was a little too flamingo-esque for my taste.