Saturday Snapshot: Notre Dame Cathedral

On December 8, 2012December 8, 2012 By cherylmahoneyIn Saturday Snapshot20 Comments

During the week, I reviewed Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame–a wonderful and surprisingly complex Disney cartoon. Naturally, for Saturday Snapshot, I thought I’d share some pictures from my visit to the cathedral last September!

I went in the morning, on the theory that it would be less crowded. Contrary to what this picture suggests, this actually worked–it was even busier by the time I left.

The lighting is very bad for photos inside the cathedral, so apologies for the fuzziness–but I managed to get a shot of this lovely statue of Mary and Jesus. And after I got home and rewatched Hunchback, I realized this is the statue Esmeralda addresses her beautiful song to, “God Help the Outcasts.”

After seeing the inside of the cathedral, I went around the corner and got in a long line to go up in Quasi’s towers–and up many, many narrow winding steps. Google brings back differing numbers on how many steps it is, but the majority opinion seems to be 387. I believe it! If you watch Hunchback, look for a scene of Quasi and Phoebus on steps that look a lot like these.

It’s worth all the steps for the views from the top! And definitely worth it for the gargoyles. After all, I had to go up and see Quasi’s gargoyles. 🙂

After I came down from the towers, I went in search of another literary/movie reference–also by Victor Hugo. Apologies, as it’s somewhat grim…but I remembered that in the 1998 film of Les Miserables, when Javert went into the Seine there was a beautiful view of Notre Dame behind him. So I went down to the walkway beside the Seine, and I’m pretty sure this is the spot…

Not to mention, from down there you can’t see all the crowds!

All in all, Notre Dame was wonderful to visit–a beautiful place, and then there’s all the literary references too.

Visit At Home with Books for more Saturday Snapshots!

Saturday Snapshot: Teatime

On December 1, 2012December 1, 2012 By cherylmahoneyIn Saturday Snapshot20 Comments

It’s raining all this weekend. I thought about sharing rain pictures, but found out that it’s not so easy to photograph rain. But rain makes me want to curl up somewhere cozy and drink tea, so I thought I’d share tea pictures–particularly fun tea pictures, from my London trip.

This is the Orangerie in Kensington Gardens. If you’re ever there, it’s off the Broad Walk near Kensington Palace. They’re known for their excellent afternoon teas–two different friends who had lived in London recommended them to me!

This was my experience of tea–not actually the fancy version, which they serve on a pretty tiered tray and has cakes and sandwiches and enormous amounts of food. But I wasn’t that hungry and they kindly let me just have very tasty tea and scones, even though the option wasn’t on the menu.

This is the view from the Orangerie’s patio. Somewhere beyond that path is Kensington Palace.

I also had breakfast at the Orangerie another day–the eggs tasted better than they look in the picture! That day I ate inside, and got this picture…

It’s a beautiful place–and not as busy Sunday mornings as it is for afternoon tea. If you’re in Kensington Gardens (where you MUST go if you have any interest in Peter Pan), then the Orangerie is an excellent place for a very charming breakfast or tea!

Visit At Home with Books for more Saturday Snapshots.

Saturday Snapshot: Thanksgiving Trees

On November 24, 2012November 24, 2012 By cherylmahoneyIn Saturday Snapshot9 Comments

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I took a walk around my neighborhood on Thanksgiving, to enjoy the fall colors. I tried getting pictures a few weeks ago, but now the trees have finally changed in earnest. Here are a few of the most colorful!

Visit At Home with Books for more Saturday Snapshots. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Saturday Snapshot: The Louvre

On November 17, 2012November 17, 2012 By cherylmahoneyIn Saturday Snapshot10 Comments

I still have lots of travel photos I haven’t shared yet. Thought I’d get away from the fall colors this week and share some trip photos instead…and for some reason I’m in the mood for artwork. Let’s tour the Louvre.

The Louvre is known for having a few very famous pieces of art. Of the famous ones, Winged Victory was my favorite. I took a lot of shots, but I like this one best–looking as though she’s about to take flight.

Pardon the slight fuzziness of the Venus de Milo–only shot I could get without hordes of people in the frame!

The Louvre is a complete labyrinth (I got SO lost) but they do have helpful signs pointing you to the main attractions. I guess they know what people are looking for!

And sure enough…here’s where everyone is! That’s the Mona Lisa way off across the crowd. To be honest, as a painting it’s never really spoken to me. But I was very entertained by the masses clustered around. I wish I could have captured the forest of arms holding up camera phones–it looked like a rock concert!

I hope you enjoyed the Louvre. 🙂 Visit At Home with Books for more Saturday Snapshots.