eating in Paris

Sorry, more on Paris. I guess I will have to tell you about Ireland later. (can you tell which place I loved more?) Ireland was beautiful but Paris had me at the croissant in the morning (thanks Carolyn!)

Everyone knows I love desserts. I get this from my Mom. She made em' and ate em'. She was the best baker and always, always had chocolate in her purse. I have always loved sweets and this multiplied when I was pregnant. So naturally when visiting Paris,  I had to stop off at the best ice cream place in the World, so they claim. I think they were right. The chocolate ice cream honestly tasted like truffles. And we noshed on our cones while people watching by the Seine. 

My second favorite dessert was at this adorable cafe that is well known in Paris- Angelina. They are known for their Mont Blanc dessert. This is very hard to describe but it was smooth and hazlenutty if you will. I love good food and I especially love fine desserts. Paris was the place for this and one of my most favorite parts of the visit was trying different restaurants and cafes. So much fun. 

More pics of Paris

Too tired to write much but wanted to share some more of our pictures from Paris! 

-Ted and I in the champagne region of France at one of the champagne houses

-Carolyn, Jess and I enjoying champagne cocktails at a trendy Paris bar

-Me in front of the Eiffel tower- it was SO massive and stunning

-Ted and I in front of the beautiful, Notre Dame

We are back home in Cincinnati adjusting back to normal life. Being a Mom and Dad. Elle is adjusting too. She spent 2 fun weeks with Gramma and Grampa Close and is getting used to us and her home again. It was a long time to be away from Elle and we are very fortunate we have Ted's parents to watch her. I feel bad we have no one else to help them, you guys would have helped,  but I know they enjoyed it. Most grandparents would- I know how much you loved watching Aydan at this age. He envied his Gamma and Papa. What a great thing. 

I will definitely post more pictures this weekend of Ireland. I passed Hard Rock Cafe of Dublin. I couldn't stop. I wanted to add to your collection Dad to eventually display up north but I couldn't do it. I thought of you though, and was bummed. 

So my sadness and hurt did not disappear but I have such amazing memories of two beautiful places and it's really nice to look back at these pictures to see me smile. I can still have a good time and appreciate all that life has to offer, as difficult as it is sometimes. 

xoxo, 

Melissa

Day 10

We are on our last night- now in Dublin, Ireland. Exhausted.....but enjoyed a quick day in the city after a relaxing time in Ireland's countryside.

We downloaded some of our pics from our Paris trip. Here is a sneak peak........

Ted and I on the boat cruise along the Seine through Paris- such a gorgeous night with our friends and Tom & Jess. Me with my most favorite purchase- a Hermes scarf in front of the flagship store. And then Ted and I posed on the most grand boulevard in the world- the Champs Elysees.

I sigh with relief that we are going home tomorrow to be reunited with our daughter but also dread the long day of travel ahead of us. Tomorrow is also Mom and Dad's anniversary, would have been 32 loving years. I thought of you Dad.....we walked by Hard Rock Cafe of Dublin. I miss you both dearly.

What a trip, a trip of a lifetime ........but I am excited to go home.

Farewell,

Melissa

day 9

Today was probably my most relaxing day. All to myself. I slept in till 9am (Ted left for golf at 7am), grabbed breakfast and coffee around 10am, then headed to the spa for a few hours. I sat in these heated seats overlooking the lakes in my big comfy robe, while sipping on some tea. I'm in Ireland!

I had my very first facial which was awesome. I came back to my hotel room to shower and then grabbed my book and made my way to the chic hotel bar and restaurant. I was craving simple food which I hadn't had much of lately. I ordered nachos. It was exactly what I wanted.

Tonight is the farewell reception for the top performers conference. We'll get dressed up and eat amazing food and be served great wine. An Irish band will be playing again.

This has been a wonderful trip spent with Ted's brother and fiance and some of Ted's Farmland Food co-workers and then obviously incredible to have spent time with our friends in Paris. But, I miss my Elle and this has been a really long time away from her. I'm seriously forgetting what it is like to hold and kiss her and change her diaper! I am worried about getting her back on schedule and hoping she'll go back to sleeping through the night.

I think about my Parents daily, wishing they were alive so I could buy them funny little souvenirs from these beautiful places we have been. I had one major crying attack while here and it was at the strangest place and time. But in situations like this, some days it just hits you.
I was sitting at the airport in Paris waiting for our flight to Ireland. I was giddy looking through my pictures and thinking of my beautiful Hermes scarf I had purchased. But then, I pictured my Mother and Father on the porch. My Dad being killed and my Mother seeing what had happened and the fear she must have felt. That kills me every single day. I started to breathe really heavily, almost hyperventilating, and had to excuse myself to the bathroom. I literally had pains in my chest. I think this was an anxiety attack. This happens to my Sister but I never had experienced this that bad. I just don't see how I can ever get past how they died. And the constant wish to talk to them and give them the biggest hug ever, will always be on my mind.
They would be so proud though. Proud of my travels and my new life as a Mother and how I try everyday to be closer and closer to my Family- their fathers and siblings....

I am really lucky to have experienced these beautiful places. I will always love to travel and I look forward to many more adventures throughout my life with my family and friends.

Lots of love,
Melissa

day 8

The weather is gorgeous in Ireland today. Clear as ever and even some sun too. Ted and I took a jaunting cart through a park today along the lakes to a castle and through the beautiful town of Kilarney. The Irish are such nice people. The views are breathtaking.

We went shopping today and stopped for a pint of Guinness in a small, quaint Irish pub.

We are tired from last night. We danced the night away to an amazing Irish band over traditional Irish food and plenty of wine and beer.

Tonight is dinner at our leisure and we'll gather with a group and head into town for more dinner and drinks. Tomorrow is my spa day. The Spa at Hotel Europe is gorgeous and I am getting a facial and a massage. Then plan to relax in the heated seats overlooking the infinite pool into the lake.

We miss Elle Bell and our Family but this portion of our trip has been very relaxing. As we were jaunting through this gorgeous park looking at the mountains and lakes ahead, I had to say to myself -wow, we are in Ireland....pretty cool...

day 7

I already miss the beauty of Paris but Ireland is beautiful in a different way. The hotel we are staying at is magnificent! We danced and clapped to an Irish band last night and today took a tour up the highest peak in Ireland via horse! Then a 2 hour boat ride through the lakes of Kilarney, yes through the rain, but it was such the Ireland experience! Much different then the boat cruise along the seine while sipping champagne...this was very rustic. It was cool.

We came back to our hotel, a little chilly, only to be greeted with irish coffees. Tonight is irish pub night. traditional irish food and beer.......fun fun!

day 5

It's hard to believe we are already saying goodbye to our good friends and the city of Paris.....

Our last evening was spent gazing at the Eifle Tower on the hour to watch it "twinkle" and then we headed over to a "cafe" for one last lovely meal. Bottles of chablis were flowing and wonderful French food was eaten. I loved eating dinners in Paris- it was one of my most favorite things about the visit. I love the coziness in the resturant and the fact that you cannot have dinner in less than 2 hours.

Ted and I spent several hours yesterday at the Lourve and yes, saw the Mona Lisa. My favorite site was Napolean's apartment. Unreal. We then walked through the touleries one last time- I love the trees that line the path.....it's just so pretty. We enjoyed lunch at a known place called Angelinas and split their famous dessert- Mont Blanc.

Goodbye Paris, hello Ireland!!!