Mosaics, Meringue, Marais, Monet & Maggie's giveaway.

Mrs Matlock's class is discussing the letter M for this week's Alphabe-Thursday and to be honest I was spoilt for choice when thinking about today's post.
One of my very favourite weekly meme's, which I always try to join, is Mosaic Monday @ Mary's little red house. It was through Mary that I came to learn about Mosaics and how to create them. Click on the MM link to see Mary's Crab Apple Blossom Mosaic today.
When I wrote to ask her advice on how to make my mosaics larger she very kindly shared this information:
"to make your square mosaics (or pix) large, click on "Edit HTML" and change the width and height to 800 pixels. Also, change the bit of code that says s400 to s800. Then click "Save." That should do it.
For rectangular images, the numbers are 800 and 532, and s800."I followed these instructions and the results were very good however this only worked when I was using the Minima Stretch template.
With a three column template the mosaic was too large and was cut off on the right hand side. To make it larger for a three column layout change the first two numbers to 600 and the last to 800.
I use Photoscape mostly for creating my mosaics I like the large choice of layouts that it offers, you can also adjust the size at the same time which makes life easier!
When I blogged recently about our long weekend in Paris I received so many wistful comments, from blogger friends who had visited Paris and would love to return, and from others who still had a trip to the City of Lights on their wishlist.
If you didn't see those posts first time around then click here & here to read all about the wonderful time we had.
Here is a little peek into one of the Marais' best kept secrets, "Le Loir dans la theiere", a cosy and charming tea room in the rue des Rosiers.
If you ever find yourself in the Marais I highly recommend this quirky place with it's eclectic furnishings and decor.

I have never in my life seen a lemon tart with a Meringue as high as this! Historic! It was delicious and too much, even for two of us to finish.
Time to segue into My giveaway.
To celebrate two years of blogging, all the wonderful friends that I have made and all the interesting things I have learned along the way, I have gathered together some gifts that may bring Paris a little closer for one of you.

To start your day off beautifully, a large porcelain cup and saucer, transfer printed with black and white scenes of Paris perfect for any petit dejeuner.
A slim volume entitled "Verrines" - 30 recettes faciles", crammed with wonderful appetizer recipes and illustrated with great photographs, it is sure to awaken the "Julia" in you.

From my visit to the Orangerie in the Tuileries Gardens a Book of Postcards of Monet's Garden at Giverny by Elizabeth Murray and finally a small notebook, featuring Renoir's painting of "Gabrielle et Jean" on the cover.
If there's space in the Colissimo box I may well be able to squeeze in a few more little souvenirs, who knows?
To enter the drawing for this cadeau français just leave a comment on this post only before the drawing takes place on my blog's 2nd anniversary: 24th April.
Bonne chance tout le monde

Day one in Paris: Le Marais, 4th Arr.

For our base in Paris last weekend we chose an apartment just steps away from Place de Vosges, in Le Marais, one of the oldest and best preserved areas of Paris.


It has wonderful narrow streets and historic squares steeped in the past, as well as trendy shops and bars.

I found the apartment on the VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owners)website.

A beautiful Art Nouveau panel on the shop front next to our big black front door which leads into the courtyard.

It was a small one bedroom pied a terre, with tiny kitchen, well equipped bathroom and very comfortable sitting room. The bed was a little hard for us, especially after hours of walking the streets of Paris, but hey, you can't have everything.

Oh, and did I mention the steep narrow stairs??
Nevertheless it soon became our home away from home and we would certainly recommend this type of accomodation if you should ever decide to spend some time in the City Of Lights.

Close by is the Hotel de Sully built in 1624.
I had stayed in Le Marais, a few years back and was keen to show Mr B what a great place it is.

After wandering around Village St Paul and marvelling at the inside of Eglise St-Paul,
we made our way to Chez Marianne, situated in the Rue des Hospitalières-Saint-Gervais, for lunch.
In the afternoon we visited the Musée Carnavalet (click here), the most Parisien Museum in the capital. This statue of Louis XIV stands in the courtyard close to the entrance to the Museum.
I hope you have enjoyed wandering around the Marais with me today, next time we'll be viewing the city from a boat on the Seine as well as visiting L'Orangerie in the Tuilieres Gardens.
à bientôt.