photo: madeinneworleans.org

Visiting my friend with the fabulous last name…the Champagne who Went in Alabama.

A meeting with the ghosts of the Civil War in Gettysburg.

Google images

Catching up with a college friend on her blueberry farm in upstate NY.

photo: celinabean.com

However the trip won’t be complete without a drive through the land of the US Chateaux.  Yep, there’s no way this chateaux chasing princess is gonna miss that!

photo: friendsofclermont.org

To my Texas family moving to Maine is like going to extremes.  At least that’s what my brother said on the phone yesterday…”You guys go from one extreme to the next.”  He was referring to Paris (the adventure of summer past) to well…Maine.  I guess that would be extreme.  My reply ” makes life interesting.”

I’m elated beyond belief to think I’m actually going to live where it snows!  The last time I saw snow falling was circa 2004 and it was Christmas.  Mind you this was in South Texas…you can imagine the hysteria! So I’m sure we’ll have to invest in one of these:

photo: Google images

And I’m praying to the good lord above this never happens to our little Veloster:

minnesota.publicradio.org

My fashionable side might have to take a backseat for a while as I have to go from shopping here:

photo: blog.modelmanagement.com

to here:

photo: gosublogger.com

That’s fine..a girl needs a little variety!

Our little coastal village is also a pretty hip place.  I’m really looking forward to meeting the locals. They like playing dress-up too!

superiortelegram.com

While the Chef is away out here:

photo: wn.com

on a boat named for this brave woman:

photo: wikipedia Abbie Burgess http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbie_Burgess

I’ll be daydreaming the day away like this ….

photo: bella..flicker

Just kidding, that would last for all of two minutes because the snow would be calling me out…if just to stand in it.  I can’t wait.

On the weekends I’m sure postive we’ll be on the hunt for these guys:

photo: bytesizebio.net

and I know we’ll find many of these:

photo: trekearth.com

Just to add to the ever evolving world of French history and the path I’ve found myself on while discovering it and being intertwined with it….Guess who’s home is here in Maine???  She never made it here to see it or live in it, but it was built for her….my lovely BFF of a past life, Marie Antoinette!  The Chef won’t know that until he reads this post, fabulous! He’s in for another one of Elissa’s historical “wild goose chases” ie, chasing French history...minus the jet lag!!! Here’s a glance of the home…somewhere in Edgecombe, ME.  Hope my caretaker befriending skills are still good

photo: mcbfa.org

Legend has it, that many of her personal belongings made it to Maine, including 6 cats.  Now, these weren’t just any cats, but Turkish Angora cats.  They naturally were let loose or just flat ran away and bred with normal kitties.  Over time, the descendants of these cats became the beastly Maine Coons, the official state cat of Maine!  It just so happens this is the Chef’s favorite cat.  I’ve heard him rave about the day he will have one…Mr. Kitty would be this cat’s snack! They are ginormous.

photo: mainecooncatinfo.com

And they say nothing in life is coincidence.  Maine, here comes The Traveling Pear…guess we were destined for one another!

This big stone was where my Momma played with her toy cars and probably mixed mud pies as a little girl! Today my Aunt and Uncle use it as a bench…Pumphrey Ranch

the town of Pumphrey…named for one of my mother’s ancestors

Mackenzie Trail…used to transport cavalry/settlers across the West Texas plains to Fort Sumner, NM. My ancestors (Armstrong and Pumphrey) are listed on the bottom left side for their participation in settling West Texas.

Momma’s hometown…

horned toad lizard found along a cow trail through the pasture…and to think I was wearing sandals out there!

giant gourd plant found along the same cow trail

Dad had the opportunity to buy a 500lb welder/generator from my uncle so, here we went (guess he’s getting ready for 12/21/12…just kidding Daddy I know you’ll find a use for it).  Naturally, I was the designated driver/trailer hauler.  I’m getting some excellent trailer towing skills so when the time comes for the *Pear* to move ourselves…I can tow a trailer…just don’t know what I’ll tow it with! That little 4 cylinder Veloster would probably implode.

When we last visited the ranch, the wheat was just putting on heads and were a dark emerald green.  That’s all faded now and the fields have become oceans of swaying gold.  We caught the unexpected…a thunderstorm which crossed the entire state of Texas (thank goodness) because with it came the most glorious cool weather.

there was a massive thunderstorm in the distance…that we had just traveled through.

As I look out the window while writing this post I can see the last of the thunderstorms as they march their way out east.  It’s really sad, but I can bet this will be it and the dreaded heat and drought of last summer will soon return.  Since the Chef and I will be headed out east I’m thankful to see my beautiful and happy Texas one last time before all turns to a dry wasteland.

Speaking of the Chef…here’s a glimpse into his fun way way out west…California that is! Taking in the local cheese, breads, beer and bands! Tonight he’s out at a local brewery called  

Sure wish I was there! We’ve become beer “aficionados” over the last few months and are always eager to seek out a microbrewery.  There’s so many varieties and it’s sooo much cheaper of a hobby than being a wine “connoisseur”.  I can’t wait to show the Chef what beer I picked up for him in Paris.  Who knew the Parisians had their own brew!

the Chef sent this to me in a text message…I was hoping he would drive it home to Texas…one day.

ah yes the metro!

Many know this was my first trip without the other half of the *Pear*  (sniff, sniff…I sure did miss my Chef).  I did however have my cousin LeeAnn with me.  She’s as fanatic about history as I am, so naturally we made quite the *pear.*  I also met up with my Paris mom, Marie Z.  She’s always enthusiastic and eager to follow me on my wild goose chases around Paris.  A private tour of Versailles was of course a must for this trip.  Had to pay a visit to Marie Antoinette.  There’s no way I wouldn’t see Versailles when in France.

On the private tour of the mistresses apartments

the only way to see Versailles…with the man who has the keys!

that’s me searching for the royal stamp or maker of the chair. can’t get anymore nerdy than that.

i much prefer the hamlet in the summer

There were days spent strolling through gardens, fighting off the wind and rain, shopping, eating, drinking, dining, laughing and well…just enjoying life.

rue vavin…once our home street

Pidds…my Paris puppy who now has his own Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/GregoryPiddlespoonsEsq

ridiculous delicious desserts

However, this trip was more than just about Versailles or Paris.  It was about seeking out an obsession and discovery.  On my agenda was the rainy and always cold region of Normandy.  First I had to find the little 18th century chateau that has been a personal obsession for a better part of 8 months.  Those most close to me know exactly what I’m referring to.  From my brother-in-law, the Houston home builder, to my French friends here in the US, they’ve all endured the odd intrigue I have with this certain chateau.  Known as a gentlemen’s follie from the 1760s, its been published many times over in design magazines and books.  In fact, that’s how I found it.  However, as much as I would like to share it, I shall refrain from including photos.  It’s owned by very private individuals.

Then there was the opportunity to witness the cliffs and beaches of the WWII DDay site.  After enduring 4 months of a graduate course on WWII it was only natural for me to pay my respects to those who risked it all.  Another moving experience. Of course we couldn’t pass up the occasional chateau should it be spotted along the way.

Aimed with an iPhone and Google maps we found the little follie and ohhh so much more.  From the quaint yet rustic farm outside of Bayeaux where Calvados is produced (a type of apple brandy distintive to the lower Normandy region) along with cider to Constanze a lovely and witty shepherdess who lives among her flock and the brightly yellow fields of colza.

colza–used to make oil for machinery

meeting Brad the lamb

these aren’t Constanze’s sheep, but others we had to say hello to along the way

Discovering Normandy and its treasures was truly amazing. Until I’m off again on one of my wild goose-chases….here’s a glimpse into a world outside the Paris périphérique (a highway loop around Paris).

Because of this trip there’s a new window of opportunity coming in the months ahead…to be revealed in the future!

A Man and Woman With a Covered Wagon, Prospect, Oregon,
George E. Nichols, photographer,1913.
American Environmental Photographs, 1891-1936: Images from the University of Chicago Library

I seriously don’t know anyone, well accept my father, who would actually have a desire to sleep in a wagon.  Then again there’s Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman blog who might think a night in a covered wagon with her Marlboro Man would be really neat.

So, considering all that uniqueness it’s no wonder that when I found The Covered Wagon guest house in Mason, Texas I knew it was too out of the ordinary to pass up.  There were even star gazing tubs–yes I typed tubs as in bathtubs–to lay in and watch the big Texas night sky.

What a great idea! If only one could find that many antique bathtubs lying about.

For your own overnight pretend pioneer experience in Mason, Texas contact the innkeeper:

The Covered Wagon  http://masoncoveredwagon.com/contact-us/

325-347-7419      innkeeper@masoncoveredwagon.com

Nestled along an old stagecoach route which ran between San Antonio and the western forts of the 1850s, there lies in the present century, a gem of a B&B—Tres Lunas .  It’s a mesh of new age, mediation and relaxation coupled with the theme of a Mexican hacienda situated amongst a Texas landscape.

It was my kind of place…the parents were worried yoga at sunrise would be mandatory.  Dad kept saying he didn’t know if he could contort his body around for downward dog much less child’s pose.  Mom would have been game, I think.  However, I assured both that yoga was strictly optional, though if I had been with my yoga talented friend Karen Liwag it would have been on!

Lord knows there’s an immense amount of choices when it comes to staying in well appointed accommodations in the Texas Hill country, but this honey of a find is more than your run of the mill B&B.  Owners Craig and Carol Conlee have years of experience in the hospitality industry.  They were the developers of the 7F Lodge in  College Station, Texas–another resort that looks downright serene.

So here’s a look at the “upscale escape into the middle of somewhere, centrally located between Fredericksburg and Mason, high on a hill in Loyal Valley, with a view that reaches so far some folks say you can almost see the future.”  –Tres Lunas 

Una Luna...private cottage for the night

Cocoa Luna--Chocolate shop in Mason, Texas also owned by the Craig and Carol and run by Bridget Langdale...another new friend!

Tres Lunas  B&B & Dinner

www.treslunasresort.com

325.347.6480  or 325.347.7758

VRBO Listing: http://www.vrbo.com/325342

My family took beach vacations to Galveston and Port Aransas which were fun.  Once we even traveled really, really far…to Hawaii!  There was an RV trip to Tennessee when I was really young and week in NOLA one summer when I was a teenager.  However, we mostly found ourselves venturing to the wilds of the west.

Hawaii 1984--the trip that was supposed to help Mom get over the death of her mother. Lord knows I'll need to be shipped off to Sibera when that day comes for me!

Overly excited about my squeaking seagull we picked up from some beach shop in Galveston. These were the days before built in DVDs or any electronic device. We were able to keep ourselves amused with real objects and loved it!

Shortly after this picture was taken we embarked on our journey...then the dang thing broke down. No worries...Dad was there to the rescue and we continued on our way. Who rents RVs anymore??? It would cost too much in gas to even get out of the driveway!

No we aren't pointing at shells...try tar balls. An oil spill in the late 1970s or early 80s made going to the beach a pain in the ass. I was never allowed to take my flip flops off.

One summer I came up with the idea to take Route 66 all the way from Texas to Los Angeles.  I might have overheard a story of Dad’s family vacation on Route 66 or maybe it was my infatuation with Rod Stewart that guided the decision to drive to LA.  Whatever it was, we had a blast and I got a T-shirt to prove it.  If only I could find it.

Not too very long ago, circa 2000, we somehow ventured off into the unmarked backroads of an Indian reservation at NIGHT!  Who knew Arizona’s highway system passes directly through their land???  When you see signs that say “watch for cows crossing the highway” and the reflectors on the road barely twinkle in your headlights—you know you’re lost.   Mom and I have never been so terrified.  We prayed that a gas station or a town would appear out of the black of night.  It did–eventually.  It was on that same trip, or maybe another that we happened upon a Indian Pow Wow.  My father, the reincarnated Apache Chief that he is, was elated beyond belief.  Mom and I were a little nervous to say the least.

My parents have always been of the “travel mindset” that hotel reservations and trip routes come last on the hierarchy of travel planning.  It was all about the adventure of going.  When I was about 7 we had to sleep in the car one night in Big Bend National Park because the lodge was all booked.  Did I mention it was the middle of January?  I was the only one who kept toasty and warm and thought it was actually exciting.  The adventure of just going with “NO Reservations” was lost when the act of keeping warm meant driving the car from one side of the huge national park to other.  A distance, I’m sure is well over 10 miles.  How did they not run out of gas???  Oh, wait they drove this car–a Geo Spectrum which got like 60 miles to the gallon!

Our overnight accommodation in the mountains of Big Bend National Park circa 1986. I had the entire backseat to myself--yay!

Now that I’m grown and enjoy arranging travel as well as traveling, I’ve taken over the responsibilities of the family vacations. I’m like my parents own travel agent and private guide–no matter the destination.  In 2010 I actually got my parents on a plane instead of behind the wheel and we flew to New Mexico.  From there I drove them all over Northern New Mexico and Colorado.  We had a set itinerary with designated stops–which by chance happened to include meeting a Native American!  Go figure!

Zuni Indian tribe near Taos, NM. My parents befriended a Native American and ended up buying a clay pot he had made from the local soil and clay deposits.

On this trip to the West we weren't only looking for cowboys and Indians, but ranches to buy. Dad had seen an advertisement on FOX news about property for sale so we had to go! I'm still waiting for that Colorado retreat with quaking Aspens.

This year we opted for a trek up to the Panhandle so that Dad could visit Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo.  His fascination with Native Americans and the old west has lead us to some beautiful places.  This was one of them.  Over the next few days I’ll be blogging about our stops along the way.  We met new friends, connected with old ones and visited with family.  Here’s a peek at the 1700 miles of road we sailed along…

So if you haven’t subscribed yet, hurry up and do!  You won’t be disappointed.   Where else can you find eloquently written articles and beautiful photographs about French chateaux, raspberry tarts, Parisian markets, spring fashions, French textiles and farmhouse design all in one place??? No where! And that’s just a few of the many themes captured in this month’s magazine.

Click here: www.ParisienneFarmgirlMagazine.com

OK, maybe it's not Russia cold, but still... image:In2EastAfrica.net

Just before Spring decided to take a break I was actually getting excited about the mild sunny days that lay ahead–so much so I felt the urge to actually make something spring like.  It’s been a while since I’ve really had to cook, bake or think about what I wanted to eat.  My Chef usually covers that area pretty well.  Such a spoiled one I am.  Without him around to whip up something fabulous, the kitchen duty now falls on me…yikes! Since Dad is on a diet of lettuce and more lettuce and Momma with her Big Red soda craze *love ya mom* , someone around here has to bring a little creativity to the plate.  Guess that’s me!  No worries I can handle it.

When the local grocery only stocks about 5 organic items in the entire store you make a point to buy whatever it is.  To my surprise it was a bag of lemons…a whole lot of lemons.

And here’s the creation….semi organic homemade lemonade! Momma’s 1950s juicer worked like a charm.  I even brought out the crystal…yay Spring!  Now if it would only decide to come back.

To all my former colleagues…enjoy your treasured week away from  prison oops…I mean the classroom

I cannot believe I nearly forgot the significance of today’s date!  The history nerd in me should be slapped.  It’s my state’s birthday!  Over 175 years ago today 59 tenaciously spirited men met inside a cold one room building in the settlement of Washington on the Brazos and made a decision that would forever change the course of history.  With a few strokes of a quill *I’m assuming that’s what they wrote with* Texas became a republic and my ancestors of the period created a legacy that my mother and I would come to appreciate many generations later.  As cattle drivers of the West Texas plains and part time legislators, we have them to thank for our place among the Daughters of the Republic Texas and our 400 acre ranch in Old Glory, Texas–yes, there really is a town called Old Glory.

So here’s to 176 more birthdays Texas!

Google.com

And on another note…the Chef has settled in nicely on the shores of California.  As for me…over the past few days I’ve been creating my own getaway up here on the 2nd floor of the Park Hotel.  I’ve raided my mother’s antique store downstairs for little items that offer me a feeling of comfort since my treasures are now in the military’s safe keeping somewhere in East Texas.

My great-grandmother's porcelain pitcher with my wedding bouquet of dried orchids.

A picture, a vase, a tea cup or two…or three…  I’ve made a little nook where I can write, read or dream away the day.  I can look out the window to the west and think about my dearest Chef…how I miss him.

picture of my sassy grandmother (one with hat) with her 6 sisters..circa 1920s.

I stroll through the yard, camera in hand to capture the first blooms of spring.  Sometimes I run with the dogs other times I sit and just listen to the birds.  Life at home is actually a blessing–no worries, no major responsibilities other than feeding the cat, and no alarm clock.  That does mean no job, but it’s OK.  Money can’t buy what I’m getting to experience.  It makes you stop and think—-When as adults do we ever get the chance to return home to the ones that love us the most and simply live each day without a worry in the world ?    Many can’t say they have.  It’s going to be a priceless 3 months!

a greenhouse of by gone era Park Hotel Tuleta, Texas

So while the Chef is at play on the northern coasts of California, I will be living the relaxed life in the country.  The songs of the migrating green jays will be my alarm clock and the howling coyotes will sing me to sleep  I actually like their call–reminds me of my childhood on our farm near Waco.  I’ll be home with my Momma and Dad, at what I like to call the Chateau du Park or The Historic Park Hotel in Tuleta, Texas.  It really doesn’t get any better than that!

1 of the 4 Season statues that Dad loves to back over with the truck

The first signs of spring are beginning to peek here at home.  Mom’s mountain laurel bush is in a full bloom of purple and has an aroma of grape jelly!  Only a few big leaf periwinkles have started to bloom in the front garden.  The Chef happened to find a peach tree putting on new buds at the front of the property.  I can’t wait for the blue bonnets to pop out, they’re always in abundance and beautiful.   A few years back Momma was featured in the local newspaper for having the first one of the season.

And finally my cutie pies (bees) are coming out of their hibernation and gorging themselves on the first blooming buds of the season, as are the butterflies and many more winged darlings.

check out the pollen build up on her legs

I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to post as spring sets in and life in the country becomes my new home once again…that is until Paris calls in April! More to come …