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Patricia Sands

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Spring

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

April 19, 2019 by Patricia Sands 10 Comments

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring!

Joyeuses Pâques, Joyeux Pesach, Joyeux Printemps!

Whatever joyous occasion you celebrate at this special time of year, may it bring family and friends together for reflection, fellowship, food … and chocolate. Let’s count our blessings and focus on how we can help those who cannot.

In France, the traditions around Easter are quite different than most countries. Here’s an excellent article from The Good Life France (my favourite website, as you all must know by now). It is written by my friend, Margo Lestz, who will give you all the history. It begins like this … “On the Thursday night before Easter, all the church bells go silent and they won’t be heard from again until Easter Sunday.” Click here to read more.

With the tragic fire that occurred this week at the beloved Notre Dame in Paris, thoughts will also be centred on the impact that has had around the world. Whether for religious reasons or for the tremendous historical symbol it represents, the hope is that what was lost will be rebuilt. Response has been heartwarming and unifying, from the greatest to the smallest level. The heroes of that day are les pompiers, the men and women firefighters who worked tirelessly to contain the flames and those who helped save the priceless art.

This photo is from my last visit to Paris in 2015. I will be back there in September for a few days, on my way to co-lead ~ (with my BFF Deborah Bine) ~ my fifth women’s tour in the south of France … click on that link if you want to know all the great things about that adventure! I hope some day I have the opportunity to take a photo of the newly restored grande Dame.

Bon weekend everyone!

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France..., Social issues, Uncategorized Tagged With: Easter, France, Margo Lestz, Notre Dame, Paris, Patricia Sands, Pesach, south of France memories tour, Spring

Peace + Happiness = Our wish for each other

April 3, 2015 by Patricia Sands 12 Comments

Whatever joyous occasion you celebrate at this special time of year may it bring family and friends together for reflection, fellowship, food … and chocolate. Count your blessings and think of how you can help those who cannot.

1.Prague

 

Happy Easter ~ Chag Sameach ~ Happy Spring

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Filed Under: Blog, News, Social issues, Uncategorized Tagged With: Chag Sameach, Easter, happiness, Passover, pay it forward, peace, Spring

Spring has sprung! Honest!

March 20, 2015 by Patricia Sands 15 Comments

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Happy first day of the Spring Equinox … even though March 20 is being referred to as Freaky Friday by some! In spite of some unusual occurrences including a solar eclipse and a supermoon, there is no denying it IS the first day of Spring.

Photo from Pinterest
Photo from Pinterest

Oh! It’s snowing where you are? Again? Désolée!

Just keep thinking Spring … I’ll keep thinking that for you too! It really is here, but I’ve heard the news is a little slow arriving in some places.

I’m celebrating the arrival of the end of winter by beginning my countdown to arriving in France for our annual stay on April 26.

I’m sorry, but I just can’t wait … 37 more sleeps …

Here’s our first stop and I’ll be taking all of you along with me. No packing. No waiting in lines. You are invited to simply sit back, relax and take a vacation in your most comfy spot! It’s going to be magnifique!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

To help get all of us in the mood for France, I’m giving away two books by the talented and much-loved Kristin Espinasse, to two of my newsletter subscribers. You haven’t joined us yet? Well, this month I will let you see what you’re missing! Click right here, enjoy the newsletter, and enter the giveaway! There’s a link to subscribe right here ====> in the column, if you don’t want to wait!

Let me know if you are making Spring getaway plans too. You know I love to hear all about your travel experiences! If you’re going to France and have questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll know someone who does!

~~~~~

Thanks for joining me today. If you like today’s post, please use the share buttons below. It all helps!

PatriciaSignature200

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Contests, France, General Travel, If it is France..., Photo blogs, Writing Tagged With: France, Kristin Espinasse, newsletter, Paris, Patricia Sands, solar eclipse, Spring, Supermoon, travel

A story waiting to happen …

May 23, 2013 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

There’s a story waiting to happen here. What do you say?

Through the gate- PSandsPhotos
Through the gate- PSandsPhotos

I passed this setting on my way to pick up my four-year-old granddaughter this afternoon and nearly drove off the road as my eyes were drawn to the shot with such intensity. Kate and I walked back up the street so I could take the photo. The fragrance that filled the air was almost overwhelming but so exceptionally beautiful.

Does that ever happen to you … where you simply MUST get the shot? Remember, you can click on the photo here to enlarge it and wander through that gate.

I just had to pop back in and add this comment – I took the shot with my iPhone! I didn’t have my trusty Canon SLR with me at the time but didn’t want to miss the moment. Gotta say, I’m lovin’ that phone’s camera! Thanks for the stories and thoughts you are leaving … lovin’ that too!

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Filed Under: Blog, Photo blogs Tagged With: lilacs, Patricia Sands, photography, Spring

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