Bringing Down the White Picket Fence
A Couple's Quest to Live Globally
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I remember sitting on the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon one early July morning, coffee in hand, while the sun made its way above the jagged rocks and ledges, falling in love with the colors, the deep reds and oranges, the beautiful glow of the American West. With the elk grazing nearby, I couldn’t imagine a more peaceful place on Earth. In a setting like this, it is easy to… Read More
Raindrops are more beautiful in Paris. On dreary, chilly days like today, I yearn for these images. Paul captured some of my most vivid and gorgeous memories: the elegance that never escapes Paris, even beneath a dull gray sky. © Paul and Michelle Shappirio and Bringing Down the White Picket Fence, 2007-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts… Read More
We have a dear friend who has a spectacular vegetable garden in his backyard. A visit to his house in the summer guarantees that we’ll leave with a bag of the most beautiful, crisp, and green collard greens we’ve ever had the pleasure of bringing into our kitchen. When we asked him recently if he ever grew kale, his response was, “I was eating kale before you healthy people discovered kale was cool.”… Read More
Oh Robert Wiedmaier, you’ve done it again. First, we fell in love with Brasserie Beck in D.C., and then, just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we’re now head over heels for the Brabo Tasting Room in Old Town. In our past two weekend getaways to Alexandria, Virginia, we’ve dined at Brabo Tasting Room four times! This cozy little restaurant is phenomenal, from the incredibly delicious food to the delightful and hardworking staff, you’ll never leave hungry… Read More
“If you’re going to travel the world, make it a delicious journey.” Golden West Cafe One of the things I love the most about the American Southwest is the breakfast burrito. I especially adore the tortillas as they are often homemade, their taste and texture superbly better than any tortilla you’ll find at your local grocery store (unless, of course, you live near a Whole Foods in Santa Fe). Breakfast just tastes better… Read More
Notre Dame at Night Make sure to capture Notre Dame at night. Some of the best views are from the river and the nearby bridges. Sit by the Seine and watch this beautiful building light up the Paris sky. © Paul and Michelle Shappirio and Bringing Down the White Picket Fence, 2007-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly… Read More
Feel the Rush of the Tour de France! If you are traveling to Paris in July, make sure to keep tabs on the Tour de France as it makes its arrival into the city. Don’t be tempted to follow the crowds as they push towards the Champs Elysee. Instead, head for the Left Bank and land a spot along the Quai Voltaire, anywhere between the Pont des Arts and the Pont Royal. Here… Read More
Lounge in the Parks Watch the colors of Paris illuminate in any one of the city’s immaculate and meticulously landscaped parks. Pull up a green chair, sit back, and watch the puffy white clouds float across the bright blue sky. Listen to the children’s laughter as they steer their wooden boats through the fountains, admire the perfectly aligned trees, read a good book, take a long nap. These are our favorite places to… Read More
Admire the Louvre While tourists flock to the Louvre to sneak a glimpse at the Mona Lisa, we prefer to stay outside the museum and bask in the beauty of the Louvre Palace. Set below the blue skies of Paris, this building is a stunning work of art. At night, the lights transform it into a majestic masterpiece. © Paul and Michelle Shappirio and Bringing Down the White Picket Fence, 2007-2014…. Read More
Bringing Down the White Picket Fence 