Paris Market Tarts and Spring Flowers

Missing these gorgeous tarts from our

Grenelle Open Air  Market in Paris. 

In fact, I'm missing just about everything about spring and Paris right now.

I am flat on my back with a disc issue and nerve pain

and scrolling/strolling through the many photos of

spring in Paris on Instagram. 

Everybody is posting stunning and tantalizing photos

of blooms in luscious colors all over Paris.

If you're on Instagram and interested in seeing them,

here is a list of a few of the Paris photogs I follow:

 a parisian moment

paris mon amour

wonderlust paris

vivre paris

girls guide to paris

paris online

a perfect day in paris

herve in paris

lily paris

Each of these, even if a few days back,

has some dazzling spring flower shots to share. 

You can also follow me on Instagram: @ steen.kirsten

Guess I should share a Paris spring shot here too.

Here's one with a little spring color in the background...

Hope you are enjoying spring wherever you are! 

(Photos copyright:Kirsten Steen)

Book Bento~ The Shark Curtain

Happy Spring All! 

I've been having fun making Book Bentos on Instagram.

Just finished Chris Scofield's book The Shark Curtain

and created this picture using a few symbols from the novel. 

While the book is considered a YA novel,

it's not just for YA readers

dealing with plenty of grown up issues. 

But once you're inside Lily Asher's 14 year old head,

in 1960's Portland, Oregon,

it's hard to see the world 'normally' again. 

But in a good way. 

Check it out if you're looking for something 

fresh, creative, unique and edgy. 

And in the meantime,

enjoy the early days of spring

with a cup of tea and a good book! 

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Happy Spring and Super Bloom

I'm on my way shortly to San Francisco and Marin 

for my birthday weekend with my sister! 

She and I share the same birthday week

where for that one week, we are the same age. 

She has one day left! 

Hoping to get some photos 

of some of California's Super Bloom

going on now after their crazy winter of rain. 

So I'll have to return soon to share the promised pics 

of the interior of Notre Dame at Christmas. 

Until then, just wanted to say 

Happy Spring!

(And right at this moment,

the sun is out for maybe the 3rd time this year.

Hope you're getting some wherever you are.)

(Photo Copyright: Kirsten Steen)

(Marin 2009)

Book Giveaway~Happy Spring!

It's 50/50 Day! Equal parts light and dark.

And in honor of magical Spring,

(and my birthday!)

I've decided it's time for a book giveaway

because... because...because...

it would make me happy.

My birthday gift to you!

On April 3rd, I'll be giving away a copy of

'The Best Travel Writing 2009:

True Stories from around the World'

(2010 isn't available yet or I would have gotten it for you!)

So in honor of joy and rebirth,

giving and growth,

please join me in my first book giveaway!

To Enter:

1 Chance~ Leave a comment and tell me what you love most about Spring.

(Don't worry~ It can be one word if you are time challenged!)

3 Chances~ Become a Follower

(If you're already a follower, you will receive this automatically!)

5 Chances~ Blog about this on your site
(and send me the link).

Winner announced April 3rd!

(US & Canada entries only and family not included, sorry!)

Good Luck!

And Happy Spring!

(Top photo courtesy of: PDPhoto.org)

Monday is 'Missing Paris Day'~Chartre Cathedral

While spring rain is presently melting my enthusiasm here in the Pacific NW, memories of France in the spring keep my fire delightfully crackling away.

These were taken in May a couple of springs ago at one of our favorites: Chartres Cathedral just a short drive or trainride out of Paris. Enjoy!

Throughout and between the maze of Mays, we all need a little rejuvenating.

Alors, moi,

...while fighting a wee sore throat this wet day of May...

I plan on cozying up to the fire with Andrea Lee's intriguing collection of short stories, "Interesting Women". Some fine writing. Happy Spring to all of you lovely and interesting women (and men of course)!

Photographs copyright: Kirsten Steen

March Promises!

Somewhere (though can't remember where exactly) someone said that February felt like the best time for New Year's Resolutions. Well, March has always felt like the first month of the year for me. Maybe because it's the month of my birth or it's the beginning of spring (although it has been snowing here all day) or maybe because January and February still feel like a Christmas hangover (though fun is usually had by all, the month-long prep and party, as we know, are both sooo much work) and New Year's Resolutions are just too hard to keep in the dead of winter. During these first two months, I just can't quite get up the energy to promise anything, even to myself. There are so many family and friends birthdays in these months, I can barely keep up and remember them all much less send something.

But the hangover is nearly over and now I feel ready for those resolutions. However, I'm going to call them my March Promises. I like the way that sounds much better. Who doesn't want to make promises to themselves like an adoring lover? A promise sounds much more inviting than the equivalent of 'firm determination' which sounds almost like a punishment or a 'Time Out'.

So, in the spirit of growth and rebirth, here they are:
Self, I says to me,

I promise~~~

~To be less judgemental and hard on you,
~To stop treating you like you should be doing more,
~To stop making you feel guilty
(Sounding like a theme here?!)
~To give you all the encouragement you felt you didn't get,
~To treat you like the artist you want to be (and are),
~To give you time for the things you love,
~To care for and worship this body as the Goddess temple it is,
~To gently remind you to see the flip side and be grateful for what is,
~To learn the beauty of Alchemy and turn 'muck' into Gold,
~To invite you to the most peaceful place on Earth (with a little--constant-- training):
Your own Mind.


There, that oughta do it. Who best to pamper ourselves? Let the year (and spring) begin! Anybody else have any March Promises?
(Just remember...for some it's a chance to start over!)

Photographs copyright: Kirsten Steen