a visit to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens was the only outing we had planned for the 4th of July holiday…
feeling hungry after hours of admiring the loti we thought we would try a local PAUL Bakery and cafe …
which is located in a shopping mall we hardly ever visit…
back in April we had enjoyed a tasty bite to eat at a PAUL concession in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris (above) and were delighted to find out there were a few here in the US…
so on the 4th of July we feasted on silky custard veggie quiche and some delicious French pastries with cappuccinos and brought home a delicious sesame seeded baguette made with organic flour that was baked on the premises…
after all that we decided to walk around each of the three levels of the enclosed shopping mall…
you know how one thing can lead to another… we ended up going into one of my favorite window shopping stores…
and made an unexpected purchase…
Mr Magpie was right that we needed the I ♥ Paris mug and then I spotted the I ♥ San Francisco mug (two of our favorite cities how could we resist)…
we drove home in the rain but stopped for a quick out the car window photo shoot of a building being demolished…
it always fills me with a bit of sadness along with wonder and fascination to see buildings being taken down like that (fun reflections in the building across the street)…
and finally I just had to share the beauty of some gorgeous allium bulbs planted at the entrance of a community recreation center which looked a bit like fireworks to me…
we walked out under umbrellas with me snapping photos while Mr M made sure we didn’t get run over…
on 10 July we enjoyed our second visit to the aquatic gardens and even snapped a couple of photos of the beautiful waterlilies which are quite different from our favorite lotus blooms above and waterlilies below (we also stopped in for a bite at PAUL’s again = YUM!)…
wishing everyone a Happy T Day ~♥~ thank you as always for making the time to visit with me here
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
Oh what a gorgeous post! The lotus blooms are stunning and the Paul place looks very civilised indeed. But you really got me drooling with photos from that shop! That would be my favorite shopp too. I love the teapot and tea caddy with the writing on it. Well, I like everything! That includes your new mugs. Beautiful.
The building being demolished is almost a form of modern art don’t you think?
The allium are gorgeous. I had never seen that large starburst one, and it is quite short too. Gorgeous.
And those waterlilies. I have run out of adjectives….
You’ve made my day. Thank you.
Happy T-Day,
Lisca
LikeLike
Oh my goodness what a fantastic post, I can see why you visit the aquatic gardens as often as you can, your photos of the loti, dragonfly and waterlilies are stunning! I just love the Paul bakery, we have them here in the UK as well and always have a Palmier and hot chocolate when we see one, your quiche and pastries look so delicious. The shopping stores are just perfect, I would have spent days looking around at all those goodies and your purchases are lovely! I know what you mean it always seems sad when buildings are being demolished, you’ve captured some fun reflections to keep it’s memory alive. The alliums definitely look like fireworks, very beautiful! Thanks for sharing, there is so much joy in every picture! J 🙂
LikeLike
… and wishing you a Happy T Day! J 🙂
LikeLike
It all looks like such fun. Never been to Paris but we spent at least every other weekend in SF when we were stationed at Castle AFB in Merced.That was back in the 70’s,such great memories.Hubby was a pilot in the USAF and retired as a Lt. Col. I don’t miss being young but do miss the military life.
xoxoxo
LikeLike
Lucky you to get a second trip back to those gardens (which look as beautiful time 2 as time 1), and get to find the Paul bakery. Yummy. That sounds like a good July 4th celebration. And I really love the new mugs, which a great find. I think Paris and San Francisco are both favorite gorgeous cities with distinct personalities. I might add in Santa Fe, NM too. Happy T Day and enjoy some tea in your new mugs. Hugs-Erika
LikeLike
I must say, you and Mr. Magpie know how to do a day trip right! Gorgeous scenery, delicious food and fun shopping! I have never been to a Paul cafe, but will be on the lookout for them now.
LikeLike
What a fun and fascinating post. I’ve never heard of Paul before, but it is amazing that you found it in DC and Paris. How wonderful. The quiche sounds and looks perfect, and I would gladly join you.
I knew immediately you stopped at an Anthropologie, because I have seen their catalogs that have that same color walls and their signature ladders. Glad you got the mugs. I’m sure we’ll see more of them over the years.
That building looked like the federal building in Oklahoma City that Timothy McVeigh bombed. I swear I thought I was looking at a bombing, not a demolition area. Scary!
Loved how you and Mr. M will stop and take photos together, even when you know there might be a risk. I love that you two work in tandem like that.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos with us for T this soon-to-be Tuesday. Each one is precious and tells its own story.
LikeLike
Oh what exciting places and gorgeous photos too! I could never tire of going to the special lotus gardens. I SO understand your “need” for the mugs you discovered also:):) Happy T day to you and yours. XO
LikeLike
Wonderful photos, love the demolition-reflection ones best, as they are so different. I would have liked to be with you at that café, looks fantastic and sounds even better, makes me feel hungry. Nice that you are able to travel about so much. Love those mugs, too – yes, you needed them! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
LikeLike
oh, the loti! makes my heart skipping a beat! they are pure Beauty and captured so well!
wonderful photos of the reflections… and how nice to read you are a fan of san Francisco, too! i´ve been there almost 20 years ago and thought that would be a City to live!
always a joy to see the gorgeous shots you and Jim took on your travels and trips.
happy t-day, patty!
LikeLike
More beautiful pictures. The bakery looks scrumptious. Interestingly I told my sister about Kenilworth and she too visited on the 10th!
LikeLike
Such a feast for the eyes! Great photos from you both! xxx
LikeLike
Awesome photos again today, I have gazed at them a couple of times already. The bakery would be on my list of places to stop after seeing your photos also that the browsing shop where I think I may have had to purchase a few things as well.
Happy Tuesday
Yvonne xx
LikeLike
Such fun to go along on your wonderful outing. I would certainly like to visit Paul. The mugs are great and something you will use and enjoy for a long time I’m sure.
LikeLike
Enjoyed your stunning photos and photo mosaics! Gorgeous purple flower “fireworks!” the coffee cups made me smile…happy T day!
LikeLike
Oh, those flowers! An aquatic garden sounds like just the spot on a hot summer day 🙂 I planted alium for this year, but they didn’t come up. Well, they _started to come up, but then never grew up tall enough to flower. I will try again. They do look like fireworks, don’t they! I’m wanting that veggie quiche plate -tempting for lunch. Happy T Tuesday!
LikeLike
Oh – those are wonderful flowers and a fantastic shop … amazing!
Happy T-Day my friend liebe Patty!
oxo SUsi
LikeLike
Hi, you two, -lovers of experiencing ,visiting , learning and tasting all good things in this world.
Some wonderful days you spend home ,after all the amazing experiences of Paris, you also found magic near by, both in nature, wonderful food, exiting shopping ,and finding your new tea-cups, plus showing both life and “death” from your route.
Beautiful, gorgeous photos from the aquatic garden, the fantastic Alliums and the house torn down ,to make place for something new, I guess.
Thank you for the showing around in your also wonderful area of living, dear Patty.
Hugs, from Dorthe. xx
LikeLike
Well now!! I’ve been over and over reading your post again and admiring so much eye candy ♥ Paul’s sounds like a delightful place to indulge in yummy delights. The destroyed building looks so sad. It’s a shame that the dollar is so much more important that restore the architecture of our landscapes .
LikeLike
Great day, lots to see and a good bite to eat. Wonderful shots of the scenery. xox
LikeLike
As always, wonderful photos – would love to have one of those cafes here – oh well .. will have to settle for you delicious looking photos of food!
sandy xx
LikeLike
Such interesting collages of pictures, visiting from T is for Tuesday
LikeLike
So many gorgeous photos. I think those flowers look like fireworks as well!
Happy T day…a day late!
LikeLike
All the flowers are beautiful and the shop looks so intriguing, Patty. The cat mugs caught my eye immediately of course and I also love the bowls and plates with the turqoise pattern. Paul seems to be a wonderful place to get coffee/tea and some baked goods.
Have a great rest of the week!
LikeLike
So much very good Loti photos and from the broken house, allium and nice shop also. I like the coffee mug with the turquoise cover so much, I would have bought this mug. 😉 Thank you so muc for all these wonderful and impressing photos.
Big Hugs
Sabine
LikeLike
Fabulous photos Patty! Those mugs do look great – not surprised you ‘had’ to buy them!! The mall looks a great temptation! Glad you found a Paul’s to keep the French memories going! Chrisx
LikeLike
Thank you for posting the photos of the water lilies and lotus and I see now that they are indeed quite different. Interesting to know! I, too, think that alliums look like fireworks.
LikeLike
Amazing photos dear Patty!
Truly I feel like I am walking beside you as you share your photos and tales of your journeys! Such fun! I am always glad to join you~ heehee
I LOVE those Alliums- absolutely gorgeous and yes fireworks for sure! I wonder if they are hardy for my area? hmmmm research needed!
hugs&love
LikeLike
Pingback: August Visit to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens… | Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz
Pingback: Water Lily | Let's Art Journal