Wow. These past few days have been an absolute whirlwind. Because we did so much in such a short period of time, this weekend felt like a dream.
If you told me I hadn't gone to Paris, and only dreamed it, I would believe you. Which is why I'm so glad I have proof in pictures :)




We got back this morning around 4am (German time). We almost missed our connecting train, as there were some delays when we left Paris, but thankfully everything worked out. When we got back to my grandparent's house, my mom and I tumbled into bed. When I awoke later this morning, cozy in my bed, it really didn't feel like I was in Paris only a few hours before.




Paris was simply amazing. So many wonderful sights and sounds, so rich in history, so full of beauty.
As long as I can remember, I've wanted to go to Paris. I really don't know how the idea was planted in my head, but nevertheless, it was there. I gazed at photo upon photo, listened to other peoples' accounts of their time there, all the while dreaming that someday I would be the one telling stories of my time in Paris and showing other people my photos.
So when I found out that I would be going to this city that I'd loved for so long, I was overjoyed.

Seeing places that I knew only from photos was surreal. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dome, Sacre Coeur, the Louvre, just to name a few. 

To tell you the truth, though, my time there was a little more stressful that I imagined it. All of today I've been soaking everything in...it all was so fast in Paris I didn't have time to do it there. I'm so so so so grateful for the photos I was able to take (over five hundred! Don't worry - there will be another post with more photos). Going through them, editing them, brought back the feelings I experienced over the last seventy two hours.

All in all, it was such an incredible trip. I'm extremely thankful that I was able to go to Paris, the city of my dreams. I can only hope I'll be able to go back someday :)

-carlotta

PS I'm using Flickr for these photos once again. Please, let me know if you can't see anything!

I really love Scavenger Hunt Sunday. It's just so fun! This was the first week I actually planned ahead and took fresh photos. So much more satisfying than digging in the archives...

1. Golden. Some golden corn on a farm.

2. Smell. Lilly smelling a flower. I really wanted to do something creative and out of the box for this one, but I couldn't come up with anything.

3. Fruit. Frozen raspberries and blueberries. Yum

4. Simple. A snail that my brother found.

5. Sport. Okay. So bird watching isn't really a sport, but it's the best I could come up with :)

Have a wonderful day!

-carlotta

Yes, my dear readers...this is the q & a post!

Is there something you've always wondered about me? Anything regarding blogging? Or photography?

No matter what kind of question (questions!), I'll answer it :) Nothing is off limits, though I will ignore any rude or inappropriate comments.

I'll answer the questions in a separate post later on this week.

Happy asking! 

-carlotta

1. by the time you read this... I should be in Paris! Well almost. We get in at 1:30pm (6:30am CST). I'm so super pumped for the pictures I can take in Paris! (Alliteration, anyone?) Even though our hotel has internet access, I'm not taking my laptop for two reasons: I'm afraid of it being stolen and I'm packing light. So, I've scheduled some posts for y'all while I'm not here. I've also turned off comment moderation, so please be nice! :) My brother will be taking care of my blog while I'm gone.
Since I probably won't be on a computer for two and a half days, I won't be able to read any of your lovely blogs...but I will catch up when I get back! :)

2. dahlias. Have I ever mentioned they're my favorite flower? I. love. them. So pretty.

3. vertical vs horizontal. Regarding photos, I mean. Do you prefer picture vertical or horizontal? Personally, I prefer them horizontal. I find the size more versatile and pleasing to the eye. What abour you?

4. project 365. I am woefully behind. It's sad, really. I have all the photos, but it takes so much time to go through them. And find out what pictures were taken on what days. It makes my head spin.

But then again, I think the word I was really looking for in the above sentences is lazy. That's what my real problem is.

5. so cute. When I got my hair cut (Yes, I know...I need to get pictures of my cut up. It's nothing dramatic, though, but since you asked, I aim to please), the stylist decided she wanted to brush Lilly's hair too. Out came the little booster chair and up went Lilly. It was so adorable how quiet and content she was.

I just noticed something. I just stated that I like horizontal photos better than vertical ones. And then I go right ahead and post a vertical photo. I'm a walking contradiction.

6. brothers. While leaning out of the third story window a few mornings ago, Jeremiah exclaimed, "Aw man, now that I lost my tooth I can't spit right anymore!" Like I needed that valuablei nformation. Please tell me that I'm not the only one stuck with a boy like this...brothers

(I still love you, though, J ;))

7. a magical floating island. Okay, maybe not quite. But when I spotted this island in the middle of a botanical garden, I couldn't resist capturing it with my camera. It looked so magical.

8. my new fave. Fresh lettuce and tomatoes, gouda cheese, butter, and tsatsiki on lightly toasted bread. So yummy. It's what I've eaten for dinner the past two nights. And for a couple lunches as well. I'm a bit obsessed.

9. it's october. Really?! September FLEW by. It went a bit too fast in my opinion. But, even though I don't really care for cold weather, I have Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to :)

-carlotta