02:15

QUESTION: What does every good wife and loyal Packer fan do while in Paris?
ANSWER: She finds a bar that's open until 5 a.m. and drags her husband to the Packer game that starts at 2:15 a.m. Paris time!

After a day of French culture, a little American football is good for the soul. Despite a cloudy rainy day, we scouted out a potential place to watch the Packers and visited Le musée des Arts décoratifs located in part of the Louvre and Musée national des Monuments Français at Palais de Chaillot, which made up for Le musée des Arts décoratifs located in part of the Louvre. The Musée national des Monuments Français displayed French buildings, architecture, facades and monumental sculptures from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century in the form of moulds (6000) and life-size reproductions. It was really beautiful and one I had not visited before. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed in either museum.

After a few nap, we got up and made our way to the Highlander located at Pont Neuf on the left bank. It met two qualifications, it was open until 5 a.m. Paris time and subscribed to the Sky satellite sport feed. We ran into a few other Packer and Cowboy fans too. However, we knew the one downside might be that the game would not be over at 5 a.m. So, to the dismay of all American football fans, we found ourselves outside in the damp morning air wondering how to get updates on the last five minutes. Perhaps merciful as my BlackBerry updated me that the final score was 37-27. The only thing that would make this tale more fun is if the Packers would have pulled out a win.

Note to the Packers: much credit should be given to the Packers offensive line over Favre's 16 year career. However, when you let the defense sack and hit your quarterback as many times as they did last night, you're going to get a hurt quarterback.

P.S. Rodgers almost had a Favre-less comeback. But, he's no Favre.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Starbucks

Just not on every corner. And, yes, I have refrained...

Today was another crystal blue, nearly cloudless sky day. We walked down to Jeu de Paume on the end of the Tuileries at Place de la Concorde. We saw an exhibit of works by Edward Steichen, or as Brian dubbed: the Annie Leibovitz of the early to mid 1900's, because of his work in fashion and commercial photography. His entire career was quite fascinating as it ranged from commanding the photographic division of the American Expeditionary Forces to serving as the director of Photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art. We also visited the renovated Musée de l'Orangerie. The museum is known for Claude Monet's Nympheas. We also visited the exhibits at Centre Georges Pompidou. As most of you know, I'm not the biggest fan of modern art, but I particulary enjoyed the Wassily Kandinsky and Alexander Calder exhibits.

Our trip's splurge was dinner at Bistro Le P'tit Troquet on Rue de l'Exposition. This is a small bistro (10 tables or so) that we ate at during our trip five years ago. It was a few steps away from where we stayed at Hotel d'Alma. My menu du marche (appetizer, entree and dessert) tonight included a mussel and mushroom risotto, a braised pork with vegetables in a wine sauce served in its own little cast iron casserole and a lemon tart. Brian ordered a pumpkin soup, beef filet with vegetables and mashed potatoes and crème brûlée. The entire meal was delicious.

Sacrificing Fashion for Comfort

Well, it's not like I was the model of fashion in my Eastlands the past few days, but nonetheless, I hadn't resorted to tennis shoes...until today. A heel rub was the downfall and I found myself in a pair of tennis shoes today looking very American.

We visited Musée d'Orsay and Musée Marmottan Monet. A smaller museum not on the main drag, which possesses the world's largest collection of works by Claude Monet. Today's pictures include several from Musée d'Orsay, but the Marmottan did not allow cameras. Yes, we almost had to leave. ;-)

P.S. We have had nothing to do with the recently reported riots in Paris. Really!

Photojournalism du Brian

As you all know, Brian is the photographer of the family. I have decided to photojournal some of our trip by taking pictures of him in various settings. It's kind of a version of "Where's Waldo"...I mean Where's Brian!
After starting at Montmartre and Place du Tertre this morning, we made our way down to Les Halles where we had lunch. No trip to Paris is complete without a croque-monsieur, which is a hot ham and cheese grilled/broiled sandwich. Or a new particular favorite, which was croque-Provençal, open face with tomatoes, pesto and Herbes de Provence.

After lunch we made our way over to Notre Dame to climb the towers. This photojournal picture is from the bell tower. Dinner was at Osaka in the Latin Quarter. By the way, lemon gelato is also very good even when it's in the 40's.

On the way to soupe à l'oignon, we ran into a crêpe!

Today began a little later than normal as I slept through an alarm and chiming bells Brian tells me. On the way back to Île Saint-Louis for our little shop with the French onion soup we still remember, we stopped for a crêpe. Mmmmm

Following the soup, which seemed better from our memory at Le Sarrasin et Le Froment, we wandered through the flower and bird market on Île de la Cité. We then took the métro to the stop for Monmartre. We climbed the hill and walked the steps up to la basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. We also walked around the square and saw the various artists drawing and painting. in Place du Tertre. The Christmas market wafted with smells of hot wine, hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts.

Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis

Despite the foggy forecast, we woke to sunny skies. We're reserving the cloudy and rainy days for the inside museums, so we spent the day on Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis. We saw Ste Chapelle and Notre Dame. We had beef stew at Le Vieux Bistro. We listened to a band playing on Pont Saint-Louis and found the cafe we ate at the last time we were here. Since we didn't find it in time today, we will go back for their onion soup.

Observations à Paris

1. You can hear fabulous music in and on the métro. Everything from La Bamba to classical to a 10-person band singing Hava Nagila.

2. The weather forecasting is even worse here than in the United States!

3. Stinky cheese tastes better in France.

4. I can't imagine the Smart Cars (2-seater, scooter size cars that make a Mini or VW Golf look big) vs. Hummers.

5. Glacier Berthillon's strawberry sorbet tastes good even when it's 46 degrees out.

Camera Nirvana

I do believe Brian found camera nirvana à Paris. After a quick Google search, a site recommended Boulevard Beaumarchais. It was a great recommendation. After browsing the many camera store options along the way, it resulted in a camera lense purchase at Odéon Occasions Photo at 73, Boulevard Beaumarchais.

Some Early Observations

1. The French still have a passion for smoking
2. The French still have no passion for deodorant
3. Transportation striking is all fun and games until it interrupts our vacation
4. Do the big white tennis shoes give us away as Americans?
5. In America, pedestrians have the right of way. Here, no one has the right of way. If you can squeeze in front of the car ahead of you, then you have the right of way. Pedestrians beware.

I'm glad to see nothing is new since I was here five years ago.

Voilà. J'aime Paris.

Football Américain

I'm sure the French are horrified. We found an English style pub that's showing the Packers-Lions game! This is awesome.

The last time we watched the Packers and Lions on Thanksgiving we were in Hawaii, and they lost! But not tonight. Brett Favre set a Packers record for consecutive completions in the 37-26 win over the Lions.

On to the Cowboys. Unfortunately, the game is 2:15am Paris time.

In case you need to watch football or have fish and chips when you're in Paris, check out The Bowler on 13, Rue d'Artois.

Go Pack Go!

Hilton Arc de Triomphe

The transportation strike continues, but we made it safely from the airport to the hotel.

To give you an idea of where we are, we're the big, blue circle 1.

Click on the scrolling slideshow to see more pictures.

À Paris

I was dreading the airport. Flying on the busiest day of the year was none to appealing. We arrived extra early and to my utter astonishment, there was extra staff and short lines. We left the house, checked our bags, got through the security line and were standing at our gate in less than hour. That's nearly a record on a regular day!

However, we're waiting to see how delayed our flight might be. The inbound plane was 1.5 hours late to depart. So far, no updated time.

Things that Make Me Cheery

1. The stunning red, gold and orange foliage this time of year. Stunning.
2. The red Starbucks cups to celebrate the holidays. So festive!
3. Listening to Christmas music in October!
4. Winning my fantasy football league for five weeks.
5. We leave for Paris tomorrow! Check back for our trip adventure and pictures.

On a more serious note, I'm most thankful for the many blessings I've been given and for family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

Fond Farewell

I've been blessed to have my best friend live 30 minutes away for the past two years. We've been best friends since high school. We were roommates for 2.5 years in college. Never did we dream that we'd get to live so close post-college.

They moved this weekend.

Our friendship has survived the test of time and space. We will always be friends. It's a friendship that picks up where it last left off. But, I will miss them. Now instead of a short car ride away, they're a plane ride away.

Friends
Deborah D. Smith
Michael W. Smith

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

No Fluke

Photo by Jonathan Daniel /Getty Images

Well, I guess I can't say that 8-1 is a fluke. However, I would say that there's been some luck involved. This year, it's been good luck compared to the last couple of seasons where things have just not fallen in the Packers favor. For instance, yesterday's fourth quarter touchdown by Ruvell Martin, could as easily have been an interception by defense backs Darren Sharper or Cedric Griffin who collided in the end zone and the ball bounced off them into Martin's hands.

However, believe me, I'm not complaining, I will take 8-1 any day! I'm just trying to be realistic

Veterans Day

From How to Raise an American: 1776 Fun and Easy Tools, Tips, and Activities to Help Your Child Love This Country:

What's the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day in May? Veterans Day is to thank all men and women who have served in the military during times of war and peace. Memorial Day honors those who died while serving our country. Yes, Veterans Day used to be called Armistice Day and celebrated the signing of a truce between Germany and the Allied forces on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 that ended the First World War. President Wilson declared the first Armistice Day in 1919 to honor those who had participated in the war.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation to change the name of Veterans Day to also honor all who had served in America's subsequent wars.

Veterans, we remember you today, and thank you for your service.

ooh la-la

For our anniversary we are going to Paris! Well, not quite on our annivesary, but shortly thereafter. It will actually be an anniversary of anniversary of sorts. We celebrated our fifth anniversary in Paris and another five years, we're going back!

In preparation, we are brushing up our French, so our bonjour doesn't sound like bonn-jurr. And, Brian reminded me that just because we get a new book on Paris, doesn't mean that there's "new, old things." Good point.

But, the most important preparation came in Brian's new Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A700. Check back for the masterpieces that we can always count on.

And, yes, shhhhh, we know that the French are in Paris.